Yes, Windows Defender can help protect against ransomware attacks.
Ransomware is a type of malicious software (malware) that seeks to encrypt your files, making them inaccessible by you or anyone else. Once the malicious software has succeeded in encrypting your files, it will typically demand payment in exchange for releasing the encryption.
However, it does not have to be this way.
Windows Defender, Microsoft’s free antivirus program, provides several layers of security designed to prevent ransomware from encrypting your files and demanding payment.
The first layer of protection provided by Windows Defender is a real-time scanning system. This real-time scanning system continuously scans incoming files and emails, looking for known malicious code or suspicious behaviors. If any malicious code is identified, Windows Defender will block it before it can infect your computer. In addition, the real-time scanning system can detect potential ransomware attacks, but will only quarantine the suspicious file instead of deleting it.
The second layer of protection that Windows Defender provides is a malicious software removal tool. This tool will scan through your computer and identify any malicious software that has already been installed. The tool then quarantines or removes the malicious software, preventing it from activating and encrypting your files.
The third layer of protection is a heuristic scanning system. This system uses algorithms to analyze incoming files and emails for any unusual or suspicious behaviors that may indicate a potential attack. If any of these behaviors are identified, Windows Defender will quarantine the file until further investigation can be completed.
The fourth layer of protection that Windows Defender provides is an exploit protection system. This system works by identifying any areas of vulnerability that could be exploited by malicious software, such as outdated programs and plugins, and compares them to a database of known vulnerabilities. If any vulnerabilities are discovered, Windows Defender can alert you, enabling you to take the necessary steps to update or uninstall the vulnerable software.
Finally, Windows Defender includes a ransomware protection system. This system uses behavioral analysis to monitor any processes on your computer, looking for activities that could indicate a potential ransomware attack. If any suspicious activities are identified, Windows Defender will block them and alert you of the potential threat, allowing you to take the necessary steps to protect yourself.
In conclusion, Windows Defender can help protect against ransomware attacks. Its multiple layers of protection, including real-time scanning, malicious software removal, heuristic scanning, exploit protection, and ransomware protection, provide a comprehensive defense against ransomware threats. Using Windows Defender and taking the necessary steps to protect yourself can help ensure your files remain secure against malicious software.