How to Enable Ransomware Protection in Windows 10?

If you’re looking for an easy way to keep your computer safe from malicious ransomware attacks, then you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps of enabling ransomware protection in Windows 10. We’ll provide you with all the necessary information and resources you need to protect your data and your system from the latest ransomware threats. So, if you’re ready to safeguard your system and your data, let’s get started!

What is Ransomware Protection?

Ransomware protection is a type of security feature that helps protect your computer from being infected by malicious software, known as ransomware. Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts or locks your files, rendering them inaccessible until a ransom is paid. It’s important to protect yourself from ransomware attacks, as they can cause serious financial and data loss if not handled correctly.

Ransomware protection can be enabled in Windows 10, the latest version of Microsoft’s popular operating system. Windows 10 provides a number of built-in security features that can help protect your computer from ransomware attacks. In this article, we’ll discuss how to enable ransomware protection in Windows 10.

Enable Windows 10 Ransomware Protection

The first step in enabling ransomware protection in Windows 10 is to enable the Windows Defender Antivirus. Windows Defender Antivirus is a free security tool that comes pre-installed on all Windows 10 devices. It is designed to protect your computer from malicious software, including ransomware. To enable Windows Defender Antivirus, open the Windows Security app and select ‘Virus & threat protection’. Then, click the ‘Virus & threat protection settings’ button and make sure the ‘Real-time protection’ switch is turned on.

The next step is to enable Controlled Folder Access in Windows Defender Antivirus. Controlled Folder Access monitors the folders on your computer and prevents any unauthorized programs from accessing them. To enable Controlled Folder Access, open the Windows Security app and select ‘Virus & threat protection’. Then, click the ‘Virus & threat protection settings’ button and scroll down to the ‘Controlled folder access’ section. Make sure the ‘Controlled folder access’ switch is turned on.

Using Windows Security Center

The Windows Security Center is a feature of Windows 10 that provides a centralized view of your computer’s security features, including ransomware protection. To open the Windows Security Center, open the Windows Security app and select ‘Security Center’. The Windows Security Center page will provide an overview of the security features on your computer, and you can use it to check the status of your ransomware protection.

Configure File History

File History is a feature of Windows 10 that allows you to create backups of your important files. These backups can be used to restore your files if they become corrupted or inaccessible due to a ransomware attack. To enable File History, open the Windows Settings app and select ‘Update & Security’. Then, select ‘Backup’ and make sure the ‘Save copies of files with File History’ switch is turned on.

Enable Ransomware Protection in Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office is a popular suite of productivity applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Microsoft Office includes its own ransomware protection, which can be enabled from within the application. To enable Microsoft Office’s ransomware protection, open the Microsoft Office application and select ‘File’. Then, select ‘Options’ and click the ‘Trust Center’ tab. Then, select ‘Protected View’ and make sure the ‘Enable protected view for files originating from the Internet’ switch is turned on.

Using Third-Party Security Tools

In addition to the built-in security features of Windows 10 and Microsoft Office, there are a number of third-party security tools that can help protect your computer from ransomware attacks. These include anti-virus programs, firewalls, and malware scanners. When choosing a third-party security tool, it’s important to select one that is reliable and up-to-date.

Conclusion

Ransomware attacks can cause serious financial and data loss if not handled correctly. It’s important to protect yourself from these attacks by enabling ransomware protection in Windows 10. To enable ransomware protection, you can use the built-in security features of Windows 10, such as Windows Defender Antivirus and Controlled Folder Access. You can also enable Microsoft Office’s ransomware protection and use third-party security tools to further protect your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that is designed to block access to a computer system or its data until a ransom is paid. It works by encrypting the data on a computer, making it inaccessible to the user. Once the ransom is paid, the attacker will provide a decryption key which can be used to restore access to the data. Ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly common and can cause significant financial losses and disruption to businesses.

How Can I Enable Ransomware Protection in Windows 10?

Ransomware protection in Windows 10 can be enabled by turning on the Controlled Folder Access feature. This feature is part of the Windows Defender Security Center and is designed to protect your important files from being encrypted by ransomware. To enable the feature, open the Windows Defender Security Center and click on the “Virus & threat protection” option. From there, click on “Virus & threat protection settings” and then scroll down to the “Controlled Folder Access” section. Toggle the switch to “On” to enable the feature.

What Does Controlled Folder Access Do?

Controlled Folder Access is a feature of Windows 10 that helps protect important files from being encrypted by ransomware. It works by monitoring the actions of applications and preventing them from making changes to files in certain folders. If an application attempts to make a change to a protected folder, it will be blocked and the user will be notified.

What Folders Are Protected by Controlled Folder Access?

By default, Controlled Folder Access will monitor and protect the Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos, and Desktop folders. It can also be configured to monitor additional folders.

Are There Any Drawbacks to Using Controlled Folder Access?

The main drawback of using Controlled Folder Access is that it can cause some applications to malfunction. If an application requires access to a protected folder, it may be blocked and the user will be notified. The user can then choose to allow access or block it.

How Do I Check the Status of Controlled Folder Access?

The status of Controlled Folder Access can be checked by opening the Windows Defender Security Center and clicking on the “Virus & threat protection” option. From there, click on “Virus & threat protection settings” and scroll down to the “Controlled Folder Access” section. The status will be displayed at the top of the window.

How To Enable Ransomware Protection In Windows Defender In Windows 10

Ransomware is a real threat to your data and privacy, but with the help of Windows 10, you can easily enable ransomware protection. This feature will keep your files safe from malicious attacks and will give you peace of mind. Taking the time to set up ransomware protection is well worth the effort, and you’ll be glad you did when your data remains secure.