Does Windows Defender Protect Against Ransomware

Will Windows Defender Stop Ransomware?

This entry was posted on October 18, 2019.

Ransomware is a major concern for businesses and individual users. An attack can instantly encrypt all files on your estimator and hold them hostage until a fine is paid to restore access. As the threat of ransomware increases, then do the number of options and methods you can use to protect your business concern or home computers. Windows 10 Defender added a ransomware protection feature in October 2017.

While you may wonder volition Windows Defender stop ransomware, it can be an effective tool in your overall efforts to protect against cyber threats and ransomware attacks. Interestingly, the ransomware protection feature on Windows Defender is actually disabled by default. Beneath, we will explain how to set this upwards so that yous can add together an extra layer of protection to your computers.

Windows Defender Ransomware Prepare-up

If you are operating Windows 10, follow these steps on your reckoner:

Open the Start Carte
Click the Settings icon
Select Updates & Security
Click Windows Security then Virus & Threat Protection
From this menu, enable the 'Controlled Folder Access' option
Controlled Folder Access defaults to protecting your Documents, Desktop, Favourites, Videos, and Pictures. If you accept other folders you want to protect, click the 'Add together a Protected' folder option in the card window.
Navigate to the additional folder you lot want to protect and add the Ransomware protection. This step needs to be repeated for each additional folder.

How Windows Defender Ransomware Protection Works

One time y'all have enabled the controlled folder access, Windows defender will automatically monitor what programs are accessing your protected folders and the files that are independent within them. If information technology determines that some activity is suspicious, it will cake the program from attempting to gain access.

1 downside to Windows Defender is that not all suspicious programs are malicious or trying to cause harm. If in that location is a program that you employ or need admission to that Windows Defender is trying to block, you lot can eliminate this by adding that program to an approved list. To do so, follow these steps:

Open the Start Menu
Click the Settings icon
Select Update & Security
Click on Windows Security – Virus & Threat Protection and so Manage Ransomware Protection
Curlicue through the menu and select the 'Allow an app through controlled binder access' pick
Repeat this process for each app you want to approve.

Fill-in Importance

Fifty-fifty if you are running Windows Defender Ransomware protection or other tools to help observe cyber attacks, don't forget to be oft backing upwards your data. In the event of a Ransomware attack, having an upwards to date backup that tin exist easily restored can avoid disruption and having to pay a fine.

For more data on how you can protect your business from cyber threats, go a free cess today.

Tammy Nyman

EVP & Managed It Services Expert