Ransomware recovery services contain the attack, identify what's encrypted, and restore your data from clean offline backups — without paying the ransom where possible. Canada's Cyber Centre advises against paying. The first hour matters most: disconnect affected machines, preserve evidence, and call for incident-response help before deciding anything.
What to do first if you're hit by ransomware
Disconnect affected machines from the network and Wi-Fi to stop the spread — but don't power them off blindly, as that can destroy forensic evidence. Identify what's encrypted, preserve logs, and call an incident-response team. Do not pay or negotiate before your data and backups have been assessed.
How does ransomware recovery work?
Recovery follows a sequence: contain and isolate, investigate scope and entry point, eradicate the malware, restore from a clean offline or immutable backup, then harden so it can't recur. Where backups are damaged, professional data-recovery techniques can sometimes salvage files directly.
Should you pay the ransom?
Canada's Cyber Centre and the RCMP advise against it. Payment funds crime, doesn't guarantee a working decryptor, and marks you as a repeat target. With a tested offline backup you can usually restore without paying — and recovery services exist precisely so you don't have to make that call alone.
What about breach reporting?
Under PIPEDA and Quebec's Law 25, a ransomware incident that exposes personal data and poses a real risk of harm must be reported to the regulator and affected individuals. We help you meet those deadlines while recovering, so you don't fix the systems but miss the legal step.
Pricing & components
| Phase | Action | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Contain | Isolate infected devices from network | Stop the spread |
| 2. Assess | Identify scope, entry point, encrypted data | Understand impact |
| 3. Eradicate | Remove malware & persistence | Clean environment |
| 4. Recover | Restore from clean offline backup | Get back to work |
| 5. Harden | Close the gap, add controls | Prevent recurrence |
Related guides
- What is ransomware? (Canada guide) →
- Ransomware protection playbook →
- Recovering data after ransomware →
- Incident response checklist →
FAQ
What should I do first in a ransomware attack?
Disconnect affected machines from the network and Wi-Fi to stop the spread, preserve evidence (don't power off blindly), and call an incident-response team before paying or negotiating.
Can I recover from ransomware without paying?
Usually yes, if you have a clean offline or immutable backup. Restore after confirming the threat is removed. Canada's Cyber Centre advises against paying — get professional help first.
How long does ransomware recovery take?
It depends on scope and backup quality — from hours for a well-backed-up office to several days for widespread encryption with damaged backups. Containment is immediate; full restoration follows.
Do I have to report a ransomware breach in Canada?
Often yes. Under PIPEDA and Quebec's Law 25, a breach exposing personal data with real risk of harm must be reported to the regulator and affected individuals.
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