Windows 10 Tip – Enabling Ransomware Protection on Windows 10

Windows 10 update malware

One of the most insidious threats to your Windows 10 device or PC is ransomware.

While some threats can be less harmful than others, malware is a major problem that is potentially debilitating.

In light of the fact that a lot of you are working from home now, this is something that we should probably discuss.

But first of all…

What is ransomware?

The idea behind ransomware, a form of malicious software, is simple: Lock and encrypt a victim’s computer or device data, then demand a ransom to restore access.

In many cases, the victim must pay the cybercriminal within a set amount of time or risk losing access forever. And since malware attacks are often deployed by cyberthieves, paying the ransom doesn’t ensure access will be restored.

Ransomware holds your personal files hostage, keeping you from your documents, photos, and financial information. Those files are still on your computer, but the malware has encrypted your device, making the data stored on your computer or mobile device inaccessible.

While the idea behind ransomware may be simple, fighting back when you’re the victim of a malicious ransomware attack can be more complex. And if the attackers don’t give you the decryption key, you may be unable to regain access to your data or device.

Fortunately, Microsoft has a new security feature in the Windows 10 Fall Creators’ Update (Version 1709) that potentially guards you against ransomware.

Enabling ransomware protection on Windows 10:

  1. Open the Start menu and type settings in the search bar. Click on the Settings app to proceed.
    Open the start menu
  2. In the Settings menu, select the Update & Security tab.
    Update and security
  3. Click on the Windows Security panel in the Update & Security menu.
    Windows Security
  4. Select Virus & threat protection from the Windows Security panel.
    Virus threat protection
  5. Scroll down to reveal the Ransomware protection menu and then select the Manage ransomware protection option.
    manage ransomware protection
  6. Simply toggle the Controlled folder access button to ON to enable ransomware protection on Windows 10. This basically restricts any unknown entities from making any changes to the files of your PC.
    Controlled folder
  7. Once the Controlled folder access is turned ON, you can edit the Protected folders on the PC or Allow an app through Controlled folder access.
    allowed app controlled

That’s the process.

This is something you should probably take extremely seriously. Ransomware is one of the toughest and most annoying pain in the ass problems you can face on your Windows 10 PC.

Make sure that you protect your computer as soon as possible.

Stay tuned for more including some (third party) anti-malware software recommendations.

Have you had any problems with malware? Use the comments and let us know.

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