Windows 10 to Get Built-in Protection Against Most Ransomware Attacks

 Ransomware Everywhere Not a Single Place to Hide!

But, Microsoft has a simple solution to this problem to protect millions of its users against most ransomware attacks.
Microsoft had update for older versions about ransomware with Microsoft security patchs.

Two massive ransomware attacks — WannaCry and Petya (also known as NotPetya) — in a month have caused chaos and disruption worldwide, forcing hospitals, ATMs, shipping companies, governments, airports and car companies to shut down their operations.

Most ransomware in the market, including WannaCry and NotPetya, are specifically designed to target computers running Windows operating system, which is why Microsoft has been blamed for not putting proper defensive measures in place to prevent such threats.

But not now!

In the wake of recent devastating global ransomware outbreaks, Microsoft has finally realized that its Windows operating system is deadly vulnerable to ransomware and other emerging threats that specifically targets its platform.

To tackle this serious issue, the tech giant has introduced a new anti-ransomware feature in its latest Windows 10 Insider Preview Build (16232) yesterday evening, along with several other security features.

Microsoft is planning to introduce these security features in Windows 10 Creator Update (also known as RedStone 3), which is expected to release sometime between September and October 2017.

The anti-ransomware feature, dubbed Controlled Folder Access, is part of Windows Defender that blocks unauthorized applications from making any modifications to your important files located in certain "protected" folders.

Applications on a whitelist can only access Protected folders. So you can add or remove the apps from the list. Certain applications will be whitelisted automatically, though the company doesn't specify which applications.


Once turned on, "Controlled folder access" will watch over files stored inside Protected folders and any attempt to access or modify a protected file by non-whitelisted apps will be blocked by Windows Defender, preventing most ransomware to encrypt your important files.

So, whenever an application tries to make changes to Protected files but is blacklisted by the feature, you will get a notification about the attempt.

How to Enable Controlled Folder Access, Whitelist Apps and Add or Remove Protected Folders

Here's how to enable the Controlled folder access feature:

■Go to Start menu and Open the Windows Defender Security Center
■Go to the Virus & Threat Protection settings section
■Set the switch to On

Here's how to allow apps that you trust is being blocked by the Controlled folder access feature to access Protected folders:

Go to Start menu and Open the Windows Defender Security Center
■Go to the Virus & Threat Protection settings section
■Click 'Allow an app through Controlled folder access' in the Controlled folder access area
■Click 'Add an allowed app' and select the app you want to allow

Windows library folders like Documents, Pictures, Movies, and Desktop are designated as being compulsorily "protected" by default, which can not be removed.



However, users can add or remove their personal folders to the list of protected folders. Here's how to add folders to Protected folders list:

■Go to Start menu and Open the Windows Defender Security Center
■Go to the Virus & Threat Protection settings section
■Click 'Protected folders' in the Controlled folder access area
■Enter the full path of the folder you want to monitor

Users can also enter network shares and mapped drives, but environment variables and wildcards are not supported at this moment.

Other Security Feature Introduced in Windows 10 Insider Program
With the release of Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 16232, Windows Defender Application Guard (WDAG) for Edge — a new system for running Microsoft Edge in a special virtual machine in order to protect the OS from browser-based flaws — also received improvements in usability.

Windows 10 Insider Preview Build also comes with support for Microsoft Edge data persistence when using WDAG.
"Once enabled, data such as your favorites, cookies, and saved passwords will be 

How to protect yourself from ransomware

The cyber attack that wreaked havoc across the NHS over the weekend, leading to patients being turned away from A&E and some operations being cancelled, has continued to spread.
By Monday afternoon, it the ransomware had targeted around 200,000 organisations in 150 countries.
 The "WannaCry" ransomware appears to have used a flaw in Microsoft's software, discovered by the National Security Agency and leaked by hackers, to spread rapidly across networks locking away files.

The attackers download malicious software onto a device and then use it to encrypt the victim's information. They threaten to block access to the files until a ransom is paid. It is common for criminals to ask for a fee between 0.3 and 1 Bitcoins (£400 - 1,375). Such attacks are mostly waged against businesses, but can also affect individuals.

 Here are some ways to protect yourself from ransomware .


Back up your files

 The greatest damage people suffer from a ransomware attack is the loss of files, including pictures and documents.
 The best protection against ransomware is to back up all of the information and files on your devices in a completely separate system. A good place to do this is on an external hard drive that isn't connected to the internet. This means that if you suffer an attack you won't lose any information to the hackers.Businesses often save copies of their data to external servers that won't be affected if their main network is attacked.

Be suspicious of emails, websites and apps 

For ransomware to work hackers need to download malicious software onto a victims computer. This is then used to launch the attack and encrypt files.
 The most common ways for the software to be installed on a victim's device is through phishing emails, malicious adverts on websites, and questionable apps and programs.
People should always exercise caution when opening unsolicited emails or visiting websites they are unfamiliar with. Never download an app that hasn't been verified by an official store, and read reviews before installing programs.

Use an antivirus program

An age-old computer security tip, antivirus programs can stop ransomware from being downloaded onto computers and can find it when it is.
Most antivirus programs can scan files to see if they might contain ransomware before downloading them. They can block secret installations from malicious adverts when you're browsing the web, and look for malware that may already be on a computer or device.

 Always install updates

 Companies often release software updates to fix vulnerabilities that can be exploited to install ransomware. It is therefore advisable to always download the newest version of a software as soon as it is available.

Never pay the ransom

 Victims of ransomware attacks are advised to never pay the fee as it encourages attackers and may not result in files being recovered. There are some programs that can help decrypt files. Or, if you have a back up, you can restore your device from that.

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