Microsoft aims to protect users of Windows 10 from ransom software

Microsoft is making some important security changes to Windows 10 with the next major update expected to be released to all users this fall.

Windows 10 Insider Preview users can experience the new features by downloading the new version 16323, which includes Folder Access Control.

Microsoft said in a publication on its blog that the new feature is designed to allow only specific applications to access and read / write in a folder. When the feature is activated, the default menu prevents applications from accessing desktop folders, images, movies, and documents.

"Folder Access Control monitors the changes that applications make to files in certain protected folders," says Donna Sarkar, president of the Microsoft Windows Insider program. "If the application tries to make a change to these files, and the application is blacklisted, you will receive a notification about the attempt."

Microsoft said the new folder access control feature was designed to protect against viruses and dangerous ransom programs and prevent them from closing certain folders and preventing users from accessing them, as in recent cyber attacks.

Ransom software has recently become the latest, with viruses such as Wana Krai and Betia making unprecedented strikes worldwide and infecting hundreds of thousands of devices.

Microsoft also included Windows Defender in Windows 10 with intrusion protection, helping prevent viruses and malware from exploiting vulnerabilities in the first place.