How to Use Ransomware Protection on Windows 11?
Microsoft Security includes ransomware protection that users can use to prevent ransomware from grabbing sensitive files and blocking them for ransom.
You may have heard or read countless news stories about organizations large and small holding data for ransom and requiring payment to regain access to their files.
Ransomware is a terrible threat, so Microsoft recommends you turn on its new security feature in Windows 11.
TechRadar reports that the tech giant is encouraging users to enable Tamper Protection in Microsoft Defender.
Tamper Protection has several features designed to protect you against ransomware, all of which come as part of Windows 11 for free.
During some types of cyber attacks, hackers try to disable security features like antivirus protection on your devices.
Hackers like to disable your security features to gain easier access to your data, install malware, or otherwise exploit your data, identity, and gadgets. Tamper protection helps prevent this from happening.
In this article, we want to explain how I use Ransomware Protection on Windows 11.
How to Protect PC from Ransomware in Windows 11?
To protect your files and data in Windows 11 from ransomware, you can do the following steps:
1. Go to the Settings.
2. Click on Privacy & Security.
3. Select the Windows Security.
4. Select the Open Windows Security button.
5. Click on Virus and threat protection.
6. Select the Manage ransomware protection.
7. Activate the Controlled Folder Access toggle switch.
Note: Windows 11 can protect system folders and data from ransomware, but another feature is that you can add another list to protect Windows security.
8. Select the Protected Folders.
9. Press the Add a protected folder button.
10. Select the folder.
After completing the above steps, in this section, Windows 11 now controls access to the folders listed in the ransomware protection.
What is ransomware, and why should you be safe from it?
Ransomware is a type of malicious software that locks your device or encrypts the files on it and prevents you from accessing it until a certain amount of money is paid.
This astonishing malware can be delivered via a Trojan, where a user may download something thinking it’s another file, or it can spread without any action, just like WannaCry.
WannaCry spread very quickly and is perhaps the best recent example of ransomware.
Through a Windows vulnerability released by the NSA, it affected 300,000 computers in more than 150 countries.
Another example of ransomware is Cerber, which infects the system via a Trojan horse, then encrypts its files, and demands payment.
You usually encounter it by downloading fake software or videos, and only powerful hackers can decrypt your files.
Other examples of ransomware include CryptoLocker, Petya, Bad Rabbit, AES-NI, and Osiris, among others.
Ways to protect against ransomware
To deter cybercriminals and help protect yourself against a ransomware attack,you can use the following items:
1. Use a security software
To protect your data, install and run a certified security software package that does more than just an antivirus.
There are many options for protecting your computer against ransomware threats, but we recommend Acronis Ransomware Protection software.
This free software comes with a wide range of benefits, including active protection, backup, and file recovery it can be used.
If a suspicious process attempts to encrypt your files or infect your system, Acronis will stop this activity and notify you.
After that, it gives you the option to block its activity permanently or allow the suspicious item to continue its activity.
2. Update your security software
New ransomware is created regularly, so having an up-to-date internet security software can help you protect against cyber attacks.
3. Update operating system and software
Software updates often contain plug-ins that fix discovered vulnerabilities that allow ransomware to infiltrate.
Do not open email attachments automatically
Email is one of the main methods of ransomware transmission. Avoid opening emails and attachments sent from unfamiliar and unsafe sources.
Back up your necessary information on an external hard drive
Attackers gain their power of penetration by encrypting and making valuable files inaccessible users. If the user has a version of that information, the hacker does not have much power.
Backup files allow users to restore their files after deleting infected ones. Make sure backups are adequately protected and offline so attackers can’t access them.
4. Using cloud services
Using these services can reduce the effect of ransomware infection because many cloud services restore your previous versions, so you can go back to the state before encryption.
Types of ransomware
Ransomware comes in different shapes and sizes. Some of them may be more malicious than others, but they all have one thing in common ransomware 5 models of ransomware are:
Cryptographic Malware:
It is a well-known type of malware that can cause a lot of damage. One of the familiar examples of this malware was the WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017, which targeted thousands of computers around the world and spread across networks around the world.
1. Lockers:
This model of ransomware infects your operating system in such a way that you completely lose access to your information and programs and cannot enter your operating system.
2. Malware to scare:
Fake software that acts like an antivirus or cleaning tool.
This malware often sends a message that something suspicious has been found on your computer and requests payment to solve the problem, and clean it.
Some models of this malware lock your computer, and others send a series of worthless and annoying messages to your system.
3. Ransomware:
Generally referred to as infiltrating malware, this type of malware threatens you to spread the information it stole from you online if you don’t pay the ransom.
Many people store sensitive information and personal photos on their computers, and it is understandable why they would pay a ransom to retrieve that information.
4. Raas:
Ransomware as a service is a type of malware that is hosted by a hacker.
These criminals can take control of everything from distributing ransomware and collecting payments to managing decryptors—the software that enables access to data—in exchange for the ransom being removed.
Ransomware is a popular method in cyber attacks, and every year new branches of it are discovered.
Reported attacks in the US decreased from 2,673 in 2016 to 1,783 in 2017. Because the threat of ransomware is still very active on the Internet as a result, you should take precautions to avoid becoming a victim.
Conclusion
You can easily protect your information and data in Windows 11 against ransomware with the explanations and methods that we have provided in this article.
Have you used these methods to protect your data and information in Windows 11 against ransomware?
What other methods do you know to protect your data in Windows 11 against ransomware?
Share your thoughts and experiences with us.