Windows 10: Ransomware Protection: How to use Controlled folder access?

Nowadays, ransomwares are considered great risks for users. They infect system and encrypt your files and ask you to pay money to gives you the key to decrypt them. Even if you made payment, there is no guarantee to get back all your files and paying them would make cybercrime ecosystem stronger and they use this money to improve their resources to infect more people. In general, having a proper backup plan and creating regular backup and making sure Windows Defender or any other anti-malware product is fully updated is the best way to protect yourself against ransomwares. You should also take caution on clicking on suspicious links or opening suspicious files.

In case you are using Windows Defender as your default antimalware in Windows 10, you have feature calledControlled folder access which provides great protection against ransomwares. You could access it by openingWindows Security just open Start or Searchand type for Windows Security and then go to Virus & threat protectionand scroll down and you should see Manage ransomware protection and click on it and it should open menu where you seeControl folder access option like picture below.







When you turn it on, it will start protecting you against ransomwares and default setting is recommended one but you could change it as like. Let’s take a look at options in thisControlled folder access:


Block history: When Windows Defender block access to any changes to files, it will show you notification and you could see list of blocked actions here. In case, if you want to investigate incorrect blocking or check how well it protects you, this is great place to check it out.


Protected folders: by default, it will protect windows system folders, however if you want it to protect additional folders or you have any important folder which you want it to be protected, you may add it in this menu. Note that it only protects folders which are listed here.


Allow an app through Controlled folder access:There is mechanism to automatically allow trusted application to make legitimate changes to folders but sometimes due to behavior of certain application or if application is not trusted,Control folder access might block its change. In this case, you could add application to allowed app. Please make sure you only add applications which you trust and you are sure they are not malicious.


Important Notes:


Controlled folder access isnot replacement for antimalware or any protection product and it is only additional protection layer against ransomwares.


If your system is already infected with ransomwares,Controlled folder access could notprotect and recover your files. It is protection step before your system get infected and it will start protecting your system when you enabled it.


In case you are using Windows 10 and you won’t see this option, you are using older build of Windows 10 and you will have to upgrade to the latest build and make sureWindows Defender is your default antimalware product.

:)

 

Controlled Folder Access is off. Shouldn't this be on?

Suggestion to also read

• this article (ignore ads):
  How to Protect Your Files From Ransomware With Windows Defender’s New “Controlled Folder Access”
• and this thread:
  Controlled Folder Access Feature in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update Questions?
  

 

Controlled Folder Access blocked

Hi Aeolus0,

The Controlled Folder Access is an enterprise-class ransomware protection component that was recently added to Windows Defender. When you turn on Controlled folder access, a lot of the folders you use most often will be protected by default. This means that
content in any of these folders cannot be accessed or changed by any unknown or untrusted apps. Once you add additional folders, they become automatically protected as well. To add protected folders:

• Select Virus & threat protection settings.
• Under Controlled folder access, select Protected folders.
• Select Add a protected folder and follow the prompts to add folders.

If you see an App is blocked message when you try to use a familiar app, you can simply unblock the app. If this message displays:

• Write down or take note of the path of the blocked app.
• Select the message, and then select Add an allowed app.
• Browse for the program you want to allow access.

As for your query about having no sounds on your computer, it could be caused by an outdated or corrupted audio driver. For us to assist you better, kindly answer the questions below:

• Have you made any changes to your computer prior to this issue?
• What troubleshooting steps have you done so far?
• Which version and OS build number of Windows 10 is currently installed? To check, press the
  Windows key, type winver, and press the
  Enter key.
• Have you tried to download and install the latest audio driver from the manufacturer's website of your device?

Meanwhile, you can try the steps in this
link to troubleshoot sound issues on Windows 10.

We'll be looking forward to your reply.

 

Say goodbye to ransomware with Windows 10 Fall Creators Update

Yes, ransomware will be a thing of the past with Windows 10 Fall Creators Update thanks to something called "Controlled Folder Access" in Windows Defender.

Windows 10 will hide your important files from ransomware soon | The Verge

These are protections for your files against ransomware at the kernel and Windows Defender level. Rest easy, your files are safe.

About damn time Microsoft!