What is Ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that can encrypt important files on your Windows device, making them inaccessible until a sum of money (a ransom) is paid. Even after paying the ransom, there is no guarantee that you can recover your files.

What is Ransomware Shield?

Ransomware Shield secures your personal photos, documents, and other files from being modified, deleted, or encrypted by ransomware attacks. This feature enables you to protect your files and folders from untrusted applications and specify which applications have permission to access your protected folders.

How do I access Ransomware Shield?

To access this feature, ensure you have the latest version of Avast Antivirus, then go to Protection ▸ Ransomware Shield.

To access this feature, open Avast Antivirus, then click the Ransomware Shield tile on the main app screen.

Can Ransomware Shield decrypt files encrypted by ransomware?

No. Ransomware Shield can prevent the infection by protecting your files and folders, but it is not a decryption tool. For a list of free ransomware decryption tools you can download, refer to the following Avast webpage:

• Free Ransomware Decryption Tools

How do I manage Ransomware Shield activity?

To learn how to manage Ransomware Shield activity, refer to the following article: Ransomware Shield - Getting Started.

Which files and folders does Ransomware Shield secure?

Ransomware Shield automatically secures folders where you might store personal data (such as your Documents folder). All subfolders will also be automatically protected. To learn how to manually add another folder to the list of protected folders, refer to the following article: Ransomware Shield - Getting Started.