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 Windows includes built-in ransomware protection. Here's how to activate it

Ransomware is a nasty thing. This type of malware encrypts files on your PC so you cannot access them unless you pay the attacker to unlock the data. In other words, your files will be held hostage until you pay the requested ransom.

The best protection against ransomware is to avoid websites and downloads that contain malware, but you can also take other protections.Modern antivirus software often limits which applications can modify files in folders commonly targeted by ransomware. Microsoft Defender, built into Windows, can also do this. (Microsoft changed the name Windows Defender a few years ago, but it's the same program.) Some antivirus suites also run automatic backups, in case you need to restore your files. Chapter : Trap?Unlike third-party antivirus software, these additional protections are not enabled by default in Microsoft Defender. You have to activate them yourself.

How to Enable Ransomware Protection in Windows

Step One: Open Windows Security

Open the Windows Security app on your PC. You can access it in several ways:

Press Alt + Spacebar on your keyboard, type Windows Security, then press Enter.

Open the Start menu and type Windows Security, then press Enter.

Open your Settings app, then select Windows. Security in the left pane

Step two: Find your ransomware settings

In the Windows Security app, click Virus & threat protection. Then click Manage ransomware protection at the bottom of the screen.

Next, enable controlled folder access. This setting restricts app access to the default OneDrive, Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, and Favorites folders on your PC.You can also add other folders to the list manually.

Not all applications will be excluded from these areas in Windows: Microsoft Office programs are allowed to automatically open and edit files. But if it's not on Microsoft's internal list of trusted applications, the program won't be able to see anything in those folders until permission is explicitly granted in Windows Security.

Step three: Make sure you're signed in to OneDrive

. Limiting access to files and folders won't completely protect them. Another important protection method is to have good backups, which Windows automatically takes if you sign in to OneDrive. (You can connect your Microsoft account to your entire Windows PC or just the specific OneDrive app.)

To confirm that this protection is enabled, you can go to Ransomware Protection > Data recovery against ransomware.

Of course, to avoid the worst effects of ransomware, the safest backup of your files is an offline backup.You need to make a copy in addition to everything stored in the cloud: if you only have one copy of your data then you won't end up properly backed up.

Should you enable ransomware protection on Windows?

Security and convenience are at opposite ends of each other, and the same is the case here. Controlling folder permissions in Windows can prevent attackers from accessing your important folders, but it can also be a bit annoying. For example, players may find that access to save files may be blocked by default because they are typically saved in your Documents folder.

You can fix this with minimal work: add the app to your access list.Or save game files to another folder on your PC without controlled access. (You'll just need to use third-party software to set up a regular backup schedule.)

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