Time-sensitive. If you are mid-incident, do the first 1-2 self-help steps below immediately, then book a session.
Security · Fix
Ransomware Attack? Don't Pay — Call Us First
Ransomware is a security emergency: every minute the infected machine stays connected, encryption spreads further and other devices on the network become targets. Before you do anything, before you even think about paying, get a security tech on the line. CyberITEX runs ransomware response constantly — we contain the spread first, recover from backups when possible, identify how the attacker got in so it does not happen again, and tell you honestly when paying is and is not appropriate (it almost never is).
$150 $79 per 30-minute session · No contract · You watch every action
Fast response
Typical response within minutes during business hours.
Encrypted CyberDesk session
End-to-end encrypted. Removable at session end. You watch the whole time.
No contract, no upsell
$79 for the session. If we cannot help, we tell you upfront.
Try this first
Real, useful steps to try before you book. If they do not resolve it, the next sections explain what is actually wrong and how a remote session fixes it.
- 1
Disconnect from the network immediately
Unplug ethernet, turn off WiFi, disable Bluetooth. Containment is everything — if the machine stays on the network, encryption can spread to shared drives, NAS, and other computers within minutes.
- 2
Do NOT power off the machine
Powering off destroys memory artifacts that could help identify the variant and any decryption keys still in RAM. Leave it on, just disconnected from the network.
- 3
Do NOT pay the ransom yet
Paying funds the criminals, marks you as a payer for next time, and rarely returns all your data. Most cases have better outcomes via backups + cleanup + hardening. Get our advice before any payment.
- 4
Document what you see
Photograph the ransom note. Note when it appeared, what you were doing just before, and which file extensions changed. This helps us identify the variant.
What is actually going wrong
Ransomware almost always enters through one of: a phishing email with a malicious attachment or link (still the #1 vector), an exposed Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) port being brute-forced, a vulnerable internet-facing service (firewall, VPN, web server) with known unpatched flaws, a compromised software update or malicious installer, stolen credentials sold on dark-web markets, or a "managed service provider" themselves being compromised and pushing ransomware to their customers. Once inside, modern ransomware moves fast — privilege escalation, lateral movement to other machines, exfiltration of sensitive data (for double-extortion), then encryption. Knowing the entry point is critical because that is what you need to fix to prevent re-infection.
What we do in a 30-minute session
Immediate response: confirm and contain the infection (isolate the machine, identify other affected systems on the network), identify the ransomware variant from the note and file extensions, check if a public decryptor exists (No More Ransom, Europol, vendor tools), determine the entry point (phishing email, RDP, vulnerability), assess what data was likely accessed before encryption, restore from backups when available, and harden the environment so it does not recur. We document the entire response for insurance, legal, and (if applicable) regulatory reporting. Ransomware cases almost always lead to a longer engagement — we will tell you upfront if your environment has structural issues that justify ongoing managed security.
CyberDesk encrypted remote session
One-click connect. No software stays on your machine after the session unless you choose to keep it.
You stay in control
See your screen the whole time. End the session in one click. We document what we did when the session ends.
Why trust us with this
CyberITEX is a managed security service provider. Ransomware response is one of our core services. We do not pay ransoms on your behalf. We do not promise miracle decryption — modern ransomware uses unbreakable encryption, period. What we deliver: containment within minutes, honest assessment of recovery options, structured response, and prevention going forward. Many of our largest managed-IT clients found us through a ransomware response.
FAQ
Should I pay the ransom?
Almost never. Statistically, only about 60% of payers actually get a working decryption key. Paying funds the next attack, marks you as a future target, and may violate sanctions law if the operator is on a blocked list. Better outcomes come from containment + backups + hardening. We will tell you honestly if your specific case is the rare exception where paying is the only option, but it is genuinely rare.
Can you decrypt my files?
Honestly, usually no. Modern ransomware variants (LockBit, Akira, BlackCat, Phobos derivatives) use proper cryptography that is not breakable. Decryptors exist for older or weaker variants — we check first. The realistic path to data recovery is backups and snapshots, plus shadow copies if the ransomware did not delete them.
Do I have to report this?
Often yes, depending on your industry and the data accessed. HIPAA, GDPR, state breach laws, and PCI all have notification requirements. We help you identify what is required and document the incident properly. We are not lawyers — large or sensitive cases need legal counsel — but we know what evidence to preserve.
How did the ransomware get in?
Identifying the entry point is part of the response. The four most common: phishing email (clicked link or opened attachment), exposed RDP, unpatched VPN or firewall vulnerability, or stolen credentials. We trace it during the engagement so the same path is closed.
My business is small — am I really a target?
Yes. SMBs are increasingly targeted because they have weaker defenses than enterprises, often have cyber insurance that may pay, and are heavily dependent on their data. Many ransomware operators specifically target the 10-100 employee range.
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