Microsoft Says Windows 10 Helps Stop Ransomware Spread

In some ways, the Internet feels like the Wild West. We don’t have enough ways to protect ourselves online, meaning that new scams and malware pop up every second. Nothing is more indicative of this idea than ransomware, which is a type of malware that holds your data or system hostage until you pay a hacker money for its release. Ransomware isn’t a thing of the Internet’s past either: in 2016, ransomware attacks increased significantly.

Read More: Ransomware Attacks Increased Heavily in 2016

What is Ransomware?

Ransomware is a kind of malware that downloads onto your device without your knowledge. The ransomware attacks your system by holding your data hostage in some way. For example, it may threaten to release your data publicly until you pay a ransom fee. In other circumstances, ransomware encrypts the user’s files, making them unreadable until the user pays the ransom. Ransom fees typically range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. They affect anyone from individual users to large corporations.

How Windows 10 Can Protect You From Ransomware

Windows 10 promises to help stop the spread of malware using its Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) system. Microsoft suggests that if they stop the infection early, it can prevent the large-scale spread of ransomware. The company says that if attacks take place, they have the tools to stop the spread.

Unlike other types of protection, ATP works after a breach has already happened, figuring out how to stop the attacks from happening again. This method contrasts with other types of software generally focused on stopping attacks before they start. This software stops the spread of a ransomware infection. In this case, Microsoft will find “patient zero,” or the first device infected with the disease. If they can pinpoint this computer, then they will be better able to stop the infection from traveling from this computer to other places.