How Synology Snapshots Stopped a Cryptolocker Attack
When a Client’s Synology Snapshot Saved Them from Cryptolocker Encryption Across Multiple Volumes
Ransomware remains one of the most significant cybersecurity threats facing businesses. Modern ransomware groups have evolved far beyond simple file encryption. Today’s attackers target backups, cloud storage, administrative accounts, and recovery systems in an effort to maximize disruption and force organizations into paying ransom demands.
At Epis Technology, we recently helped a client recover from a cryptolocker-style ransomware attack that spread across multiple storage volumes within their environment. What initially appeared to be a routine malware incident quickly escalated into a major business continuity event as critical files became encrypted across several departments.
Fortunately, the organization’s investment in Synology Snapshot Replication turned what could have been a devastating outage into a rapid recovery success story.
The First Signs of Trouble
The client operated a growing business with centralized storage supporting:
Shared departmental files
Project documentation
Financial records
Operational data
Client information
Historical archives
Employees began reporting unusual file behavior.
Warning signs included:
Files suddenly becoming inaccessible
Unexpected file extensions
Error messages when opening documents
Missing project folders
Increased storage activity
Within a short period, multiple departments were affected.
The Attack Spreads
The ransomware successfully gained access through a compromised endpoint.
Once inside the environment, it began targeting network-accessible storage resources.
The attack rapidly spread across:
Shared folders
Departmental volumes
User directories
Collaborative project repositories
The organization’s primary concern was determining how far the encryption had progressed and whether backups remained intact.
Why Modern Ransomware Is So Dangerous
Unlike earlier generations of ransomware, modern cryptolocker attacks often attempt to:
Encrypt network shares
Delete backups
Target cloud data
Compromise administrative accounts
Disable recovery options
Many organizations discover too late that their recovery systems were not adequately protected.
Fortunately, this client had implemented multiple layers of protection.
Immediate Incident Response
When Epis Technology was engaged, our first priority was containment.
We worked quickly to:
Isolate affected systems
Disable compromised accounts
Stop additional encryption activity
Review storage activity logs
Validate backup integrity
Assess recovery options
The goal was to preserve clean recovery points before any further damage occurred.
Discovering the Value of Synology Snapshots
The client’s Synology infrastructure had been configured with Snapshot Replication.
This technology creates point-in-time copies of data that remain independent of live file changes.
Unlike traditional file versions, snapshots can provide extremely rapid recovery capabilities.
Most importantly, the snapshots had been created before the ransomware attack began.
How Snapshot Recovery Worked
Because the snapshots remained intact, Epis Technology was able to identify clean recovery points immediately preceding the attack.
The recovery process included:
Snapshot Verification
We confirmed that unaffected snapshots existed across impacted volumes.
Recovery Point Selection
Administrators selected recovery points that preceded encryption activity.
Volume Restoration
Affected storage volumes were rolled back to clean versions.
Validation Testing
Recovered files were reviewed to ensure integrity and completeness.
Because recovery occurred directly from local snapshots, restoration was significantly faster than rebuilding systems from traditional backups.
Why Snapshots Outperformed Traditional Recovery
Traditional backup recovery can involve:
Large data transfers
Extended restore times
Lengthy validation processes
Complex recovery workflows
Snapshot-based recovery offered several advantages:
Near-instant access to recovery points
Minimal downtime
Reduced operational disruption
Faster restoration of critical data
For the client, this translated into dramatically shorter recovery times.
Strengthening Protection After Recovery
Although the organization recovered successfully, the incident revealed opportunities for further improvement.
Epis Technology enhanced:
Multi-factor authentication
Endpoint security controls
Administrative access management
Backup monitoring
Security awareness training
Recovery testing procedures
The objective was to strengthen both prevention and recovery capabilities. Protect your Synology with our expert Security Check-up service
Building a Layered Recovery Strategy
One of the key lessons from the incident was that no single technology should serve as the only line of defense.
The client expanded protection to include:
Synology Snapshots
Backup repositories
Offsite replication
Microsoft 365 backups
Disaster recovery planning
This layered approach significantly improved resilience against future attacks.
The Results
Following the incident, the organization achieved:
Full recovery of encrypted data
Minimal operational downtime
No ransom payment
Improved security controls
Enhanced recovery readiness
Greater confidence in business continuity planning
Most importantly, critical business information was restored without permanent data loss.
Why Snapshot Protection Matters
Ransomware continues evolving at an alarming pace.
Organizations need protection against:
File encryption attacks
Administrative compromise
Backup tampering
Accidental deletions
Data corruption
Operational disruptions
Snapshot technologies provide one of the fastest and most effective recovery mechanisms available when properly integrated into a broader backup strategy. Strengthen your defenses with comprehensive cyber security solutions
About Epis Technology
Epis Technology helps organizations strengthen cybersecurity resilience through Synology consulting, snapshot protection, backup automation, disaster recovery planning, and business continuity services. The company specializes in enterprise storage solutions, Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace backups, cloud data protection, fully managed PC backups, and infrastructure modernization. Get expert Synology consulting with our 5-hour service blocks
By combining Synology Snapshot Replication, layered backup architectures, and proactive security strategies, Epis Technology helps businesses recover quickly from ransomware attacks while minimizing downtime and protecting critical data assets.