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Windows 10 Will Soon Protect Files and Folders From Ransomware (theverge.com)

Posted by msmash on from the smart-move dept.

Microsoft is making some interesting security-related changes to Windows 10 with the next Fall Creators Update, expected to debut in September. From a report: Windows 10 testers can now access a preview of the changes that include a new controlled folder access feature. It's designed to only allow specific apps to access and read / write to a folder. If enabled, the default list prevents apps from accessing the desktop, pictures, movies, and documents folders. "Controlled folder access monitors the changes that apps make to files in certain protected folders," explains Dona Sarkar, head of Microsoft's Windows Insiders program. "If an app attempts to make a change to these files, and the app is blacklisted by the feature, you'll get a notification about the attempt."

5 of 219 comments (clear)

  1. Petty useful by qbast · · Score: 4, Interesting

    It should prove quite useful, especially for backups. Currently even doing a backup every day I am risking that malware will become active during the process and encrypt backups on connected external disk along with everything else. With this feature I can specify that only backup program can have access to the external drive.

  2. will be used to block steam unless you buy gamer by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 3, Interesting

    will be used to block steam unless you buy windows 10 pro gamer

  3. Great, so... by Smidge204 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    ..the next generation of Ransomware will exploit a vulnerability in this new service to prevent YOU from accessing these folders and files.

    How very convenient!
    =Smidge=

  4. Re:Specific apps? by postbigbang · · Score: 5, Interesting

    It's just one more slap-dash fix in a creaky operating system riddled with legacy APIs that are now being easily strangled with NSA-ware. Adding strict user space is what made XP SP2 somewhat tenable, but this is just one more embarrassing and glaring hole, and IMHO, a great reason to take a serious look at devops and agile as software development models. Windows 10 isn't new; it's the lipstick on a pig made from thousands and thousands of attempts to get it right.

    I'm just entirely shocked that Microsoft's stock price hasn't cratered into the pit it deserves. Don't think that the current wave isn't the last or best; ransomware will be iteratively released until bitcoin shoots past $10,000/coin.

    --
    ---- Teach Peace. It's Cheaper Than War.
  5. Re:Specific apps? by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I'm just entirely shocked that Microsoft's stock price hasn't cratered into the pit it deserves. Don't think that the current wave isn't the last or best; ransomware will be iteratively released until bitcoin shoots past $10,000/coin.

    Because it's not really hurting Microsoft's pocket. There isn't really a legitimate alternative for windows. The general public seemed baffled by Linux (and Linux isn't getting the marketing spent to promote it). Apple is a walled garden that nobody wants.

    Many business apps only run on windows. Microsoft's customers aren't going anywhere.

    At least for the Apple case, you are incorrect:

    In general:

    http://www.vertoanalytics.com/... ...and, more specifically...

    "IBM began replacing PCs with Macs in early 2015, when it began giving employees the choice to upgrade to a Mac when their company kit needed upgrading. The data speaks for itself, at IBM an astonishing 73 percent of employees will choose a Mac when they get the chance to choose for themselves"

    http://www.computerworld.com/a...