Files have unfamiliar extensions
Documents, databases or virtual disks suddenly carry a new extension and no longer open.
Incident containment and data restoration
Ransomware Data Recovery
Specialist recovery support for encrypted servers, databases, virtual machines, NAS systems and business-critical storage after a ransomware attack.
Confidential handlingEvidence-preserving workflowPriority business restoration
Recognise an active incident
Signs your organisation may be under ransomware attack
Fast containment matters, but rushed wiping, rebuilding or reconnecting backups can destroy evidence and reduce recovery options.
Ransom notes appear
Text, HTML or image-based payment instructions are present across desktops, shared folders or servers.
Servers and shares are inaccessible
Users cannot reach shared folders, databases, virtual machines or line-of-business systems.
Backups were deleted or encrypted
Local backup repositories, snapshots, shadow copies or connected NAS targets were attacked.
Unusual administrator activity
New accounts, disabled security tools, remote logins or unexpected scheduled tasks are visible.
Operations have stopped
ERP, accounts, manufacturing, healthcare or other critical workflows cannot continue.
Business-critical recovery expertise
Systems and data we assess after an attack
Mind Merge focuses on preserving affected storage, identifying viable recovery sources and restoring the highest-value operational data in a controlled sequence.
- Windows Server, Active Directory and file-server incidents
- SQL Server, Exchange and business database environments
- VMware, Hyper-V and virtual machine storage
- NAS, RAID, SAN and direct-attached storage systems
- Encrypted, deleted or damaged backup repositories
- File validation, priority recovery and staged business restoration
Encrypted servers and workstations
File servers, application servers, endpoints and shared storage affected by full or partial encryption.
SQL and business applications
Database files, transaction logs, ERP data and application repositories that require structural validation.
VMware and Hyper-V
Encrypted datastores, virtual disks, snapshots and guest systems across local or shared storage.
Backups, snapshots and deleted originals
Assessment of offline copies, damaged chains, deleted data and partially affected repositories.
Incident recovery scope
A coordinated path from containment to verified data
Every incident is different. The matrix below shows the recovery activities commonly required across business environments.
| Recovery activity | Servers | Databases | Virtual machines | NAS / RAID | Backups |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preservation imaging | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Encryption impact mapping | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Deleted-data analysis | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Structural validation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Priority restoration sets | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Controlled incident workflow
How ransomware recovery is approached
Recovery work is separated from the compromised environment and prioritised around evidence preservation, business value and data integrity.
Contain the incident safely
Affected systems are isolated from networks and storage without destroying volatile evidence or triggering further encryption.
Preserve affected storage
Servers, virtual disks, NAS members and backup media are documented and acquired using controlled forensic imaging procedures.
Map encryption and damage
Engineers identify affected systems, ransomware behaviour, encrypted file types, deleted data, backup condition and likely recovery paths.
Recover priority business data
The most valuable databases, documents, virtual machines and operational datasets are reconstructed and validated first.
Deliver verified restoration sets
Recovered data is organised, checked and supplied in stages so clean-system restoration can begin with clear priorities.
Protect your recovery options
Actions to avoid during a ransomware incident
Well-intentioned emergency actions can overwrite recoverable data, spread encryption or remove evidence needed to understand the attack.
Connected repositories may be encrypted, deleted or used to spread the attack further.
Reinstallation destroys logs, deleted data and system context that may support recovery.
Incorrect tools can corrupt files permanently or introduce additional malware.
Recovered data should enter a rebuilt, secured and monitored environment.
These can help identify the ransomware family and affected scope.
Assume attackers may still have access to email, VPN or administrator credentials.
Ransomware recovery questions
Guidance for the first critical hours
Containment, preservation and clean restoration planning should begin before destructive remediation.
Should we pay the ransom?
Payment does not guarantee a working decryptor, complete recovery or removal of attacker access. Preserve evidence and assess independent recovery options before making high-impact decisions.
Should infected servers be switched off?
Disconnect affected systems from wired and wireless networks immediately. Whether to power down depends on the incident state and evidence requirements, so contact an incident specialist as quickly as possible.
Can encrypted files be recovered without the attacker key?
Sometimes. Recovery may be possible from unaffected backups, snapshots, deleted originals, partial encryption, application replicas, virtual disks or ransomware-specific weaknesses. Results depend on the strain and overwrite level.
Can you recover SQL databases and virtual machines?
Potentially. We assess database files, transaction logs, VMDK or VHDX files, snapshots, backup chains and underlying RAID or NAS storage to identify the safest recovery route.
What should we preserve after a ransomware incident?
Preserve ransom notes, sample encrypted files, logs, firewall and VPN records, backup devices, affected disks, virtual disks and details of events immediately before the attack.
Can recovered data be guaranteed clean?
Recovered files can be structurally validated, but malware clearance requires restoration into a newly secured environment with endpoint, identity and network controls. Do not reconnect recovered data to the compromised environment.
Ransomware incident in progress?
Isolate affected systems and preserve every recovery source.
Contact Mind Merge before wiping servers, reconnecting backups or attempting unknown decryptors. We will help assess the safest recovery path.