Windows 10: Win 10 Ransomware protection blocks iTunes

Enabled Ransomware protection and now iTunes won't open. If I turn it off iTunes opens fine. I assume its because a default folder that iTunes uses (Music?) is part of the protected folders. I use the iTunes program, not the new app that MS recently added to their store.

I searched and see no other reports of this and cant figure out how to add iTunes to the whitelist. So its either disable Win 10's newest security feature or not be able to use iTunes.

:)

 

How Avoid Ransomware

The best defensive strategy to protect yourself from malware and ransomware (crypto malware) infections is a

comprehensive approach. Make sure you are running an updated anti-virus and anti-malware product, update all vulnerable software, use supplemental security tools with

anti-exploitation features capable of stopping (preventing) infection before it can cause any damage, close

RDP if you do not need it, use
secure passwords and routinely backup your data...then disconnect the external drive when the backup is completed.

• Use an Anti-Exploit Program to Help Protect Your PC From Zero-Day Attacks
• The smartest way to stay unaffected by ransomware? Backup!

For more suggestions to protect yourself from ransomware infections, see my comments (Post #2) in this topic...Ransomware
avoidance.

The user is the first and last line of defense and security is a constant effort to stay one step ahead of the bad guys. Unfortunately, it as been proven time and again that the
user is a more substantial factor (weakest link)
in security than the architecture of the operating system or installed protection software.

No amount of security software is going to defend against today's sophisticated malware writers for those who do not practice

safe computing and stay informed. That includes educating yourself on

How crypto ransomware spreads.

 

iTunes in Win 10

Here's a tricky one for you (well I think it is anyway!)


One of the casualties of my upgrade to Win 10 Home was my iTunes library. Basically, iTunes could no longer find my music, even though it hadn't moved. To cut a long story short, I ended up creating a new
library and all was well - or so I thought. Since then, however, every time I boot my PC, iTunes loads at startup, and the curious thing is that there is no reference to the programme in any of the startup folders, nor in Task Managers Start Up list. I also
use CCleaner, and that also shows that nothing apple related should be running at startup.

Clearly something is causing iTunes to run - any ideas? I should add, there are no iPods connected to the PC, and iTunes helper is also disabled via CCleaner.

Steps taken so far:

• Un-installed iTunes, then re-installed. Still runs at start up
• Tried loading Windows with all services disabled - iTunes still auto starts
• Found a restore point prior to iTunes misbehaving. Restored to that point - iTunes still auto starts
• Un-installed iTunes again, this time using Revo Uninstaller Pro. It found a shed load
  of registry entries and files etc left behind after the standard install. Removed the lot, and then did the same for Bonjour; Quick Time; and all the other sundry Apple programmes and services. Rebooted
  - all good. Re-installed iTunes from scratch - not good. Back to auto running at start up.

Just to check my sanity, I installed iTunes on our lap top (also Win 10). It runs fine, with no auto loading issues. Seriously, what the hell is going on here, why won't iTunes play nicely on my PC? There
surely has to be a rogue registry entry somewhere causing the issue. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Cliff