Windows Defender is steadily gaining traction and for good reasons. However, it doesn’t come without its flaws even though it’s part of the latest Windows 10 operating system.
For instance, Ransomware Protection is automatically disabled despite the fact that it’s in the same Windows 10, the 1709 version. So you should enable ransomware protection. Most people just assume that this means Windows Defender is able to identify and block any threats that appear.
However, there are many third-party ransomware programs that exhibit false positives. Keep in mind that ransomware is one of the most dangerous types of malware available. It’s very stealthy and can hide in your files for months without you being the wiser.
This includes documents, videos, and pictures. You’ll know you’ve contracted ransomware when you can’t access these files.
What Can Ransomware Do?
Ransomware may also block your computer so you’re unable to reboot your computer. The malware shows a screen letting you know how much the hacker wants, when the deadline is and what currency they want it delivered in.
There’s no guarantee that you’ll get access to your files once you’ve paid the ransom. Sometimes, ransomware attacks come with a timer which adds even more pressure to the situation. The hacker may even let you know that unlocking your files will become impossible once you’ve passed the timeline or threshold specified in the message.
It’s possible to get decryption tools for certain types of ransomware. But these tools almost always come after the fact, and by that time thousands of users have been affected.
Some of the major ransomware types typically affect hospitals, companies, large government agencies and wealthy individuals. One of the most common ones is the WannaCry ransomware which infected over 100 million people all over the world.
How to Enable Ransomware Protection
Aside from being careful about the way you use your computer, it’s also important to apply certain protection methods to keep ransomware attacks at bay.
- Start by opening the Windows Security Dashboard and hit the Defender taskbar icon. Alternatively, go to Settings and choose Update & Security and then choose Windows Security.
- Select Virus and Threat Protection.
- Move the mouse down to Ransomware Protection.
- Click Manage Ransomware Protection and select OK if you see the UAC pop-up.
- Once you get to the following page, you’ll see a toggle which takes you to Controlled Folder Access. Enable this option and you’re good to go!
A lot of antivirus programs leverage behavioral scanning as a preventative measure against zero-day attacks to defend against unknown malware. This means they have the ability to monitor your PC applications services and any suspicious activity that may be happening in the background.
For instance, if there’s a malicious file that tries to enter one of your folders then Windows Defender will attempt to stop the malware in order to keep your data safe. It’s like an anti-exploit method.
Defencebyte Security Program is another software to try out if you want to enable ransomware protection. As one of the best in the market, this software features endpoint protection that will keep your devices safe.
After you enable ransomware protection, it’ll automatically cater to certain folders. In order to see the secure folders then you should select the protected Folders option. This includes User folders such as Favorites, Desktop, Music, Videos and Pictures as well as Documents.
If ransomware attacks infiltrate other types of folders then the files within will become infected. Or, the ransomware will get quarantined so that it can encrypt your PC files.
If you go to the very top of the Protected Folder screen you should see a message that says, “Add a protected folder.” Select this option and click on any folder you want to protect with Windows Defender. Whether the folders are stored on your hard drive or partition, they’ll be secure.
Conclusion
This is by far the most fool-proof method available to secure your files and folders from ransomware. You should also backup your information in an external storage device or hard drive too.
Now that you know how to enable ransomware, will you apply it to your device? Let us know in the comments below what your approach to ransomware is. Our expert team is open to any suggestion so don’t hesitate please.
