Do you rely on Microsoft’s Windows Defender app to protect your PC from malware? If yes, then you’ll be happy to know that the company has incorporated the Ransomware Protection feature on Windows Defender. And it comes with all the recent versions of Windows 10.
Despite being one of the most crucial security features, the Ransomware Protection comes disabled by default. You ask why? The best possible explanation is that it might be prone to false positives, it may detect legitimate apps as threats and block them.
But if you are eager to protect your data from getting attacked by Ransomware & wish to add an extra layer of protection to your PC. Here’s how to enable the new Windows Defender Update – Ransomware Protection on your system.
How To Enable Ransomware Protection On Your Windows 10?
Read the step-by-step process to activate Ransomware Protection in Windows Defender and how to enable the Controlled Folder Access, which also protects against malware.
STEP 1- Click the Start Button and select Settings > Update & Security.
STEP 2- From the left pane, choose the Windows Security option & click on Virus & Threat Protection button.
STEP 3- Scroll down to locate Ransomware Protection, click it, and toggle on the Controlled Folder Access option on the next menu.
STEP 4- In the next pop-up, you’ll be asked permission to allow it to make changes on your PC. Click Yes to proceed.
STEP 5- Enabled Controlled Folder Access secures some folders by default such as Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, Desktop, Favorites. If you wish to extend the protection to more folders, you can simply ‘Add a protected folder’ in the same window.
Click on Protected folders > Add a protected folder > Select the desired folder & click OK
STEP 6- Now that you’ve successfully set up Windows Defender Update – Ransomware Protection on your system. The feature will start monitoring & blocking apps & programs which are accessing the protected folders and files stored within them, to protect your data.
While this gives you some peace of mind, however, not all programs are suspicious, but Windows Defender might detect them as suspicious and block them automatically. But you can avoid this by whitelisting them in Controlled Folder Access. To do so:
How To Whitelist Programs To The Windows 10 Defender Ransomware Protection?
To avoid false positives, add programs to the Controlled Folder Access:
STEP 1- Click the Start Button and select Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection > Ransomware Protection.
STEP 2- Click the option ‘Allow an app through controlled folder access’.
STEP 3- Now locate the program you wish to whitelist. Repeat the process to add more programs.
Even with the fine-tuned Windows Defender – Ransomware Protection, make sure that you regularly back up your files. So, that you never get locked out of anything quintessential!
A Reliable Way To Protect Your Data From Ransomware Attacks!
The Windows 10 built-in tool works great to protect users against illegal encryption tactics, but it remains far from being an ideal solution. If you’re a security-conscious individual, relying solely on Windows Defender would not be enough. Use a dedicated path to safeguard your data.
We recommend using Right Backup which is a cloud storage and ensures tight-knit security for your data. It’s a powerful backup tool that keeps all your data safe and sound. The biggest advantage is, that even if your system gets targeted with any type of cyberattack, your data will still be stored at a secure cloud server. Right Backup can be accessed using a cloud account and therefore transferring files is also made easy.
- Schedule automatic backup.
- Multi-platform.
- Works with standard encryption to ensure no data breach.
- Lets you access your data anytime from anywhere.
NEXT READ:
How To Recover Files Deleted By Windows Defender Antivirus.
How to Enable Crapware Protection In Windows Defender.
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Conk Khalis
Thank you for this tips, i have question. How ransomware protection for user windows 7 sir?Mansi Vijay
Thanks Conk, glad you liked the article. We’ll be soon updating the blog for Windows 7 users!