Ransomware Shield List-Answered

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Avast Antivirus Free (Latest Version)

I understand that Ransomware Shield scans for and automatically secures folders (which may contain personal data and allows the user to specify which other folders to protect from non-trusted applications).

When RS is clicked, there is a list of secured folders

Q1a. In order for the folders to remain secure, should they be left alone (or deleted?).

Answer:

b. Does any ‘maintenance’ need to be performed within RS or, since this component performs its function automatically, is it merely a component to be viewed but not tampered with?

Answer:

2
  1. If the folder in question is protected by the Ransomware Shield ?
    Then changes in this folder could be subjected to warnings like this.

Since you don’t give any examples of a) the folder location or b) the files being updated, it is hard to say what action should be taken.

  1. I don’t use the Ransomware Shield, preferring to be my own protector, if I don’t want to lose it I back my files up to an off-line HDD/SSD.

  2. I believe you should be able to add a program exception to the Ransomware Shield settings.

3

DavidR?

4

As I mentioned I don’t use the ransomware shield, so are you remove the folder from the protected folders in the RS settings ?

5

Suggestion, DavidR?

6

I can’t offer a suggestion about the Ransomware Shield (RS) Contents as I have never used RS.

I’m making an assumption (bad I know) that in the RS settings there is a list of protected folders (in the same way you can add folders) you could uncheck the folder containing the files when WPS Office is updated.

Outside of this it will need input from someone using RS.

7

DavidR-Did you disable it?

8

No I didn’t install it, I do a custom installation leaving out things that I don’t feel I need or have covered in other ways.

9

Thx.

10

Q1a. In order for the folders to remain secure, should they be left alone (or deleted?).

Answer: they should be left alone (or add more if you want :slight_smile: )

b. Does any ‘maintenance’ need to be performed within RS or, since this component performs its function automatically, is it merely a component to be viewed but not tampered with?

Answer: it performs automatically

Ransomeware Shield protects the files with specified extension under the said protected folder from Modification only(changing , deleting only) . You can add program to allowed or block from modifying the said protected files,

Basically it will ask to allow the modification if its not Trusted or allowed

*in the Protection > Ransomware Shield
–you can add folders it would check for said extension

*in the menu > SETTINGS > Ransomeware Shield
–you can set Smart mode (avast automatical trust known safe file), or Strict Mode (only program in allowed app)
–at the bottom part you can check the file category of extensions types also add extension in comma separated in the textbox/textfield

*in the menu > settings > general > Allowed/block (also theres link in the Settings Ransomware shield)
–you can add program to allowed or block list

hope this helps

edit
i think the premium feature sensitive data shield is the one that protect your files from program reading it

i am just a regular free avast user only