Im concerned of getting infected with ransom ware, does Avast have a protection against it ?
avast detect known samples
Search avast blog > Ransomware < https://blog.avast.com/#logo
Or protect yourself also against unkown Malware with Hardened mode Agressive, so only whitelisted files can be opened :
Avast - Settings - General - Enable Hardened mode - Agressive.
Imo Avast has an impressive whitelist, so I use it myself and recommend it to the Avast users I help as well 
Greetz, Red.
There is a new component planned named Software Analyzer and I can confirm it’s highly effective against regular malware as well as ransomware. And they might also release additional specific anti-ransomware protection during this year…