Windows 10: Ransomeware protection with Windows Defender

I was recently shocked by a loud siren and threatening messages about my computer being infected and all files being lost. Near panic, I regained enough calm to open Task Manager and shut down Edge. Everything then returned to normal and a full system scan found nothing amiss. I did, however, have trouble with the offline scan. A screen appeared asking me to choose my "keyboard layout," but the screen was frozen and I eventually had to shut down the computer by holding the power button.
I stumbled across a Ransomeware Protection page in Windows Defender--and was surprised to find it "Off" by default. Why is that, and is it advisable to turn "Controlled folder access" on? Are there dangers here?

Also, isn't that protection covered by the UAC setting?
Any suggestions or advice?

:)

 

Protection from Ransomeware.

I have genuine Windows 10 installed on my laptop. How do I know that my system is protected from ransomeware "wannacry" malware.

 

windows defender

Can windows defender protect ransomeware AKA wannacry virus?

 

Windows defender real time protection cant be turned on.

Go to Security and Maintenance, look in 'Security' and see what program is listed under Virus Protection. Windows Defender will not be enabled and functioning properly if there is a program other than Windows Defender listed.

You tried all suggestions in my previous post and Windows Defender “real time protection”
still will not turn on?

Did you try everything suggested in Problems
starting Windows Defender in Windows 8/8.1/10 to include (but not limited to) running SFC, scanning for malware and running the software removal tools for any security software (AVG,
McAfee, Norton, whatever) that may have previously been on the computer followed by a reboot? List of
anti-malware product removal tools