How to Remove Ransomware from Server and Recover Encrypted Files

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Last Updated: February 2, 2026

If you are reading this, there is a strong chance your business server has just been locked by ransomware. I know how frightening that moment feels. One minute your files are working perfectly, and the next moment everything is unreadable, your team is stuck, customers are waiting, and a ransom note is demanding money. It feels like your entire operation has been taken hostage. Take a deep breath. You are not alone in this. Every day, businesses across India and around the world face the same situation. The good news is a Ransomware Attack on Server does not always mean permanent data loss. In many cases, files can be recovered safely without paying criminals.

In this guide, I will walk you step-by-step through what happens during a ransomware attack, what actions you should take immediately, how recovery works in real life, and how you can protect your server from future threats. I will explain everything in simple words, without technical confusion, and with a supportive tone, just like a friend helping you through a difficult situation.

Let’s start by understanding what really happens when ransomware hits a server.

What Is a Ransomware Attack on Server and Why It Is So Dangerous

A Ransomware Attack on Server happens when harmful software enters your system and locks important files, making them unreadable. Attackers then demand money to unlock the data, usually within a short deadline. Since servers store shared business information like customer records, financial data, and operational files, even one attack can disrupt work across the entire organization and bring daily operations to a sudden stop.

What makes this situation more dangerous is the pressure it creates. Teams panic, business owners feel helpless, and decisions are often rushed. But when we stay calm, isolate the system quickly, and take the right recovery steps, there is still hope. Many businesses are able to recover their data safely and restore operations without giving in to demands.

Did You Know?

More than 70% of ransomware attacks today target servers and shared networks rather than individual computers, because attackers know businesses feel more pressure to pay.

How Ransomware Enters a Server System

Most ransomware infections happen due to simple mistakes rather than advanced hacking. Phishing emails are one of the biggest causes, where messages look genuine and trick users into clicking harmful links or attachments. Weak passwords, especially on remote desktop access, outdated software, and unsafe downloads also allow attackers to enter the system quietly without raising suspicion.

Once inside, the malware scans the server for shared folders and important files and begins encrypting them silently. By the time anyone notices, most data is already locked. This is why protecting your server is not just an IT task, it is essential for business safety and continuity.

Tip: Always use strong passwords, enable two-step verification, and train staff to avoid opening unknown emails or attachments. These simple steps can prevent most ransomware attacks.

Early Warning Signs of a Ransomware Attack on Server

In many cases, ransomware does not strike suddenly. It often gives small warning signals before locking everything completely. If we notice these signs early, we may be able to stop the spread and protect critical data. Many businesses ignore these early symptoms because they look like normal system issues, but in reality, they are often the first stage of an attack.

You may find that files suddenly stop opening or show strange extensions you have never seen before. Shared folders might become inaccessible without reason, and server performance may slow down drastically. You might also notice unknown background processes running or antivirus software failing to update properly. The most alarming sign is the appearance of ransom notes in folders or on desktops, demanding payment to restore access. If even one of these signs appears, it should be treated as an emergency because quick action can save the rest of your systems and backups.

Common Early Warning Signs:

Files not opening or showing unknown extensions
Shared folders suddenly becoming inaccessible
Server running unusually slow
Unknown processes running in the background
Antivirus or security tools not updating
Ransom notes appearing in folders or desktops

Tip: If anything feels unusual on your server, stop using it immediately and inform your IT team. Early action can prevent total data loss.

What To Do Immediately After a Ransomware Attack on Server

When a ransomware attack hits your server, the first few minutes are extremely important. Panic is natural, but rushing without a clear plan can make the situation worse. I want to walk you through this calmly, step by step, so you know exactly what to do and why each action matters. These steps are written in a practical way, just like I would explain to a friend who is facing this situation for the first time.

1. Disconnect the Server from the Network Immediately

The very first thing you must do is isolate the infected server. This means unplugging network cables, disabling Wi-Fi, and stopping any active VPN connections. Ransomware spreads through shared drives, mapped folders, and network connections. If your server remains connected, the infection can move into other servers, employee systems, backups, and even cloud storage.

By disconnecting the network, you are stopping the ransomware in its tracks. Even if some files are already encrypted, this step protects everything else that is still untouched. Many businesses lose far more data simply because the system was left connected for too long after the attack was discovered.

What to do:

Physically unplug LAN cables
Disable wireless connections
Disconnect external storage devices
Stop file-sharing services

2. Do Not Shut Down the Server

Your instinct might be to power off the server immediately, but this can actually cause more harm than good. When a system shuts down suddenly, encryption processes may corrupt files, and important forensic data stored in memory may be lost. Some recovery methods rely on memory traces or active encryption keys that disappear when the system powers off.

Keeping the system running allows recovery experts to analyze the infection safely and improves the chances of partial or full data restoration. Unless instructed by a professional, never shut down or reboot an infected server.

What to do:

Leave the server powered on
Stop user access to the system
Avoid restarting services
Prevent any further logins

3. Capture Evidence and Identify the Infection

Once the server is isolated and stable, start collecting visible information. Take screenshots of ransom notes, file extensions, error messages, and any unusual behavior. Save copies of ransom messages and note any email addresses, payment instructions, or deadlines mentioned by attackers.

This information helps identify the ransomware variant and determines whether recovery tools or reconstruction methods are possible. It also helps cybersecurity teams trace the attack path and secure the system later.

What to do:

Take screenshots of ransom notes
Write down file extensions and folder changes
Save attacker messages securely
Record the date and time of discovery

4. Inform Your IT Team and Stop Backup Processes

You should immediately inform your IT team, system administrators, and management. Everyone must know not to access infected systems, restore backups, or reconnect devices without proper clearance. Continuing automated backups during an attack can overwrite clean backups with encrypted data, permanently destroying your safest recovery option.

Stopping backup jobs, sync services, and cloud replication is critical until the system is fully cleaned and safe.

What to do:

Alert IT and management teams immediately
Stop scheduled backups and sync tasks
Prevent users from accessing shared folders
Isolate other suspicious systems

5. Do Not Pay the Ransom — Seek Professional Recovery Help

Paying ransom may feel like the fastest solution, but it rarely works the way attackers promise. Many victims receive broken decryption keys, partial recovery tools, or no response at all after payment. Worse, paying signals that your business is willing to negotiate, making you a future target.

Instead, seek professional ransomware recovery support. Specialists can safely remove the infection, analyse the encryption method, and attempt recovery using secure methods — often without paying criminals. This approach protects your business legally, financially, and reputationally.

What to do:

Ignore ransom demands
Do not contact attackers
Consult ransomware recovery experts
Begin controlled recovery planning

Tip: Recovery through safe methods protects your data and your business long-term.

How to Recover Encrypted Files After a Ransomware Attack on Server

Once the ransomware infection is contained and the system is stable, the next and most important step is recovering your encrypted data. This stage requires patience, careful handling, and the right approach. Rushing into recovery without understanding the situation can permanently damage files that might otherwise be restored. Let’s walk through this process step by step in a clear and safe way.

1. Check for Clean and Unaffected Backups First

The first thing we should always do is verify whether clean backups exist. These backups must be created before the attack and stored in a location that ransomware could not access, such as offline drives, secure cloud storage, or isolated backup servers. Even if backups exist, they should never be restored directly onto the infected system until the ransomware has been fully removed.

Testing backups in a safe environment helps ensure the files are intact and usable. Once verified, backups can be restored after system cleanup, allowing business operations to resume quickly and safely.

2. Look for Shadow Copies and System Restore Points

In some cases, Windows servers maintain shadow copies or restore points that contain older versions of files. Although many ransomware strains attempt to delete these, they are not always successful. Checking for these hidden backups can sometimes restore critical data without advanced recovery tools.

Specialised recovery tools can scan the system for remaining snapshots and allow selective file restoration. Even partial recovery from shadow copies can reduce business impact significantly.

3. Use Professional File Reconstruction and Recovery Methods

When backups and shadow copies are unavailable, professional recovery methods become essential. These techniques focus on reconstructing original files using file fragments, metadata, cached versions, and storage patterns that ransomware may not have fully overwritten. This process requires advanced tools and expertise and should never be attempted casually.

Experts analyse how the ransomware encrypted files and whether it left behind usable data remnants. In many cases, partial or full recovery becomes possible without paying ransom, especially when the system is handled carefully from the start.

4. Check If Safe Decryption Tools Exist for Your Ransomware Variant

Some ransomware variants have known decryption tools developed by security researchers. These tools work only for specific versions and encryption methods. Identifying the exact ransomware strain is essential before attempting decryption, as incorrect tools can damage files.

Recovery specialists can analyze ransom notes, extensions, and encryption patterns to determine whether decryption tools exist or whether reconstruction methods are safer.

5. Restore Files Only After the System Is Fully Clean

No recovery effort should begin until the ransomware infection is completely removed from the server. Restoring files onto an infected system can lead to immediate reinfection and permanent data loss. Once the system is verified clean, recovered files can be restored carefully and monitored for unusual behavior.

After restoration, system security should be strengthened to prevent repeat attacks, including patching vulnerabilities, improving authentication, and securing backups.

Did You Know?

In many ransomware cases, encrypted files are not deleted, they are simply locked. This means safe recovery is often possible without paying attackers if the right steps are taken early.

Why Paying the Ransom Is Not the Right Solution

When your server files are locked and business operations come to a halt, paying the ransom can feel like the fastest way out. The pressure created by attackers is intentional — they want you to panic and act quickly. But in reality, paying rarely delivers the results victims hope for. Many businesses never receive a working decryption key after payment, and some only get partial recovery tools that fail midway. Worse, once attackers know you are willing to pay, your organisation may become a repeat target, which is why trusted Ransomware Solutions focus on safe recovery instead of negotiation.

Another serious concern is that paying ransom does not remove the ransomware infection itself. Even if files are decrypted, hidden backdoors may remain inside the system, allowing attackers to strike again. There is also no legal or customer protection when dealing with cybercriminals. Choosing professional recovery methods, such as those offered by a reliable Virus Solution Provider, gives you a safer and more dependable way to restore data and rebuild security without funding criminal activity.

How to Protect Your Server from Future Ransomware Attacks

After recovering from a ransomware incident, the most important thing is making sure your business never goes through this pain again. Many companies relax once files are restored, but attackers often return to systems that were already compromised. Real protection comes from strengthening your security habits, systems, and people. Let me explain the most important protection steps clearly and practically so you can apply them with confidence.

1. Use Strong Passwords, Two-Step Verification, and Restrict Remote Access

Weak passwords are one of the biggest reasons ransomware enters servers. Attackers use automated tools that try thousands of password combinations until they find one that works. If remote access like RDP is open and protected by weak credentials, your server becomes an easy target.

Strong passwords should be long, unique, and different for every user. Two-step verification adds an extra safety layer by requiring a code or device approval in addition to the password. Remote access should be allowed only when necessary and restricted to trusted IP addresses. These simple changes alone block a huge number of attacks before they even start.

2. Keep All Server Systems, Software, and Security Tools Updated

Outdated systems are like unlocked doors for hackers. Many ransomware attacks happen because servers are running old operating systems, unpatched applications, or outdated security tools. Attackers actively search the internet for such vulnerabilities and exploit them automatically.

Regular updates close these security gaps. This includes Windows or Linux updates, antivirus definitions, firewalls, database servers, and third-party software. Keeping everything updated ensures your server is protected against known threats and newly discovered weaknesses.

3. Maintain Offline and Tested Backup Copies

Backups are your strongest safety net — but only if ransomware cannot reach them. Many businesses lose their backups because they are connected to the same network and get encrypted along with the main data. That’s why offline or isolated backups are essential.

You should keep at least one backup copy disconnected from your network or stored securely in the cloud with version protection. Backups must also be tested regularly to make sure they restore properly. A backup that cannot be restored is as bad as no backup at all.

4. Train Employees to Recognise Phishing and Suspicious Behaviour

Most ransomware attacks begin with a simple email — not hacking. A staff member clicks a fake invoice, delivery notice, or urgent message, and malware enters silently. Technology alone cannot stop this. Awareness is your strongest defense.

Employees should be trained to recognize suspicious links, unknown attachments, urgent language, spelling mistakes, and unusual sender addresses. They should feel comfortable reporting anything doubtful instead of ignoring it. One alert employee can stop an entire ransomware attack before it begins.

Did You Know?

More than 90% of ransomware infections start with phishing emails, making employee awareness one of the most powerful security tools available.

Why Professional Ransomware Recovery Services Matter

When your server is hit by ransomware, trying random tools or quick fixes can permanently damage your data. Professional recovery services work with structured methods that focus on removing the infection safely, analyzing encryption behavior, and restoring files without risking further loss. This is where a trusted virus solution provider becomes essential, because experts understand how ransomware works at a deeper level and know which recovery paths are safe and effective.

A reliable Virus Solution Provider not only helps recover encrypted files but also strengthens your system against future attacks. They identify security gaps, secure vulnerable entry points, and guide you through long-term protection strategies. This approach restores not just your data, but also your confidence, stability, and business continuity.

Conclusion

A ransomware attack can shake any business, especially when critical server data becomes inaccessible. But with the right steps, calm decision-making, and expert support, recovery is absolutely possible. Whether it involves restoring backups, rebuilding files, or strengthening system security, every action you take today protects your business tomorrow. Remember, rushing or paying ransom rarely leads to long-term solutions — safe recovery and prevention always work better.

If your system is hit by ransomware, contact a trusted ransomware data recovery expert immediately. 👉 Visit now: https://virusolutionprovider.in/ransomware-data-recovery/
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