Ransomware Protection Windows 10

Technology products exist to facilitate human achievement. One of them is the computer, which helps us not only get things done but also store our valuable data. However, besides the convenience that we have gained, there are also risks to be aware of.

You must have been familiar with the names of viruses, such as Trojans that often infect Windows systems. If you do not have adequate antivirus, viruses on the computer can get rid of your important data, even weaken your PC or laptop function.

Another problem threatening your data security is ransomware. Besides making data disappearing, ransomware can harm you in different aspects. To have a better understanding of what ransomware is and how to deal with it, take a look at some explanations below.

What Is Ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malware that can take over PC’s control and prevent its users from accessing their data. The ransomware creators or the attackers will usually ask their victims to pay a ransom to access the data. Although the amount is not as much as malware or viruses, ransomware can cause significant losses and leave trauma to the victims.

One of the worldwide ransomware is Wannacry. It infects various big companies in the world and causes massive losses. The victims were asked for some money to get their data back. This outbreak is a terror for PC users and increases users’ awareness of data backup.

One of Wannacry’s ransomware victims in Indonesia is the Dharmais Cancer Hospital in Jakarta. As a result of the ransomware, there is a buildup of patients since the information technology system cannot run smoothly. According to the hospital, the attackers requested a ransom of around Rp4,000,000.

After knowing the tremendous impact of ransomware, it is important to have preventive measures to save users’ data. Thus, the users will stay calm and carry out their activities as usual if ransomware attacks.

Ransomeware Protection windows 10

How Does Ransomware Work?

Hackers usually send ransomware via email with contents that convince potential victims to click on the link they sent. The link will direct the user to download an attachment containing malicious software. After successfully installing the software on the computer, the attackers can control and even steal the user data.

The attackers do not target victims individually. They attack based on email lists or websites that they have aimed. In other words, they strike in a massive scale. Many ransomware creators allow one victim to experience more than one attack from different attackers.

Even if the victims do not pay the ransom, the attackers will always try to steal their valuable data from the devices they are targeting. They can take all sensitive data, such as user names, passwords, payment information, addresses, e-mails, contacts, and various other information for some purposes. It makes ransomware very detrimental to its victims.

How to Prevent Ransomware?

Many companies or users have not protected their devices from ransomware, as they have built security to prevent malware and viruses.  However, their security cannot cope with the attacks properly, causing many losses due to ransomware. Here are some simple steps that companies can take as mitigation for ransomware protection Windows 10.

  1. Do Backup Data Regularly

The first thing that you must do is to backup data consistently. This step is useful to reduce the attackers’ access to your valuable data. At least, you still have access to data backup. Thus, ransomware attacks will not affect your work.

  1. Be Wary of Emails, Messages, or Websites that Strangers Send

It is best to avoid clicking links sent by strangers or on illegal download sites. You should also be careful if you receive e-mails or strange messages directing you to click on some links. As have mentioned earlier, attackers usually send ransomware using the link to infect your devices.

  1. Activate Firewall

Activating the firewall is one of the most important prevention steps. In this case, the firewall is the initial computer defense. Its function is to control outside access to your private network. By activating the firewall, the computer can automatically block unknown access which might be dangerous for your data.

  1. Install Antivirus

Antivirus will help you detect malicious programs on your computer. If you are a home user who has a limited budget, install the trial or free version. However, if you work for a big company and save a lot of valuable data concerning many people, you should install the paid version.

Those are some preventative steps for Windows ransomware protection. You can reduce the risk of losses due to ransomware by doing some steps above. Do note that you also need to know some necessary steps to remove ransomware if you experience the attack.

How to remove ransomware?

If ransomware infects your device, you can try the following ways to remove it.

  1. Use Antivirus

To remove ransomware using antivirus, you must first remove the hard drive from your laptop or PC. After that, attach it to the other laptop that has been equipped by ransomware-killing antiviruses, such as Kaspersky or ESET. Do a scan to delete the virus on the hard drive.

  1. Remove Manually

First of all, turn off your internet connection. After that, delete your browser cookies. Enter your Windows using Safe Mode and open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.

Next, open the Process Tab and click End Process for programs that you think suspicious. Open the Startup menu and disable all the applications that you have end-tasked earlier. Finally, open the Registry Editor and delete all suspicious files.

  1. Reinstall Your Windows

The last way you can do to remove ransomware is to reinstall your Windows. You need a Windows operating system CD or USB bootable. To avoid similar incidents, you should install an antivirus after reinstalling the Windows.

Those are some ransomware protection Windows 10 you can do. As a side note, you cannot open the previously infected files. Therefore, do backup data to avoid losing your important files.

How to Uninstall Avast Safezone Browser Windows 10

Avast has been developing a new browser especially for the Avast Free Antivirus user which is called the “Avast SafeZone”. In fact, there are plenty of users who feel uncomfortable about this application because this browser application is automatically installed when the antivirus upgrade process is running without giving any confirmation. That is why; if you also feel the same thing, you can uninstall or erase this application.

In the previous version, the Avast SafeZone browser is a part of the Avast Antivirus for the premium edition. However, sometimes ago, Avast decided to release this feature for the free Avast users. Avast hoped that by releasing the Avast SafeZone for the free antivirus users will make them give the positive feedback for the company that can attract more customers later.

In fact, the Avast SafeZone browser will be automatically installed when the upgrade process is running without giving any confirmation. There are a lot of Avast Users who regret this because it just similar likes the ‘malware’. The other thing that makes them feel uncomfortable is that there is not any entry SafeZone in the “control panel > uninstall a program”. It will confuse the users and force them to let the browser on their Windows 10.

So, if you want to delete or uninstall the Avast SafeZone, you don’t have to worry because there are some methods that you can do. Here are those methods that we will share and we hope that you will find the right one.

Uninstall Avast Safezone Browser

 

Uninstalling the Avast SafeZone browser

It will be so easy, especially if you had already known about its location. Although the Avast SafeZone doesn’t have its entry in Control Panel, it can easily deactivate through its own Avast Antivirus uninstall entry. That thing that we will do on this method 1; below is the complete ways or instructions that you can follow:

  1. First of all, you have to open the Control Panel part. To do so, type “Control Panel” in the searching box that is located in the Start Menu.
  2. After that, you have to open this adjustment: Control Panel > Program and Features > Uninstall a Program
  3. Next, you need to find the Avast Free Antivirus 2016 entry and then click the Change button that is located right above the application list.
  4. The Avast Antivirus configuration windows will be opened. Uncheck the part of SafeZone Browser and then click the CHANGE button again.
  5. If it is needed, you can restart your PC first to know and let the change takes an effect.

It is so easy, isn’t it? Next, you just need to re-check whether the Avast SafeZone browser is still on your computer or not. This first method is effective for some people or users. That is why; it is maybe also the right method for you. If it is not working, you can still try the other methods below.

 

Uninstall the Avast SafeZone By AVAST USER INTERFACE

Besides the first method above, there is still the other solution that you can try in order to uninstall the Avast SafeZone on your Windows 10. It can be used through the Avast User Interface. Below are the complete ways to do this second method:

  1. First of all, you have to open the AVAST USER INTERFACE
  2. After that, click on the “Settings” option and then choose the COMPONENTS button that is located in the Settings Windows.
  3. Under the “Security”, you need to scroll down until you can see the option of “SafeZone Browser”. When you find it, double-click on it and then choose the “Uninstall Component” option.
  4. What you need to do next is restarting your computer for the changes to take the effect.

That’s it. This second method can be the other reference to uninstall the Avast SafeZone on your Windows 10.

 

Uninstall the Avast SafeZone via Control Panel

Have you found the right method from both methods above? Some of you are maybe finding it, but the rest are not. You don’t have to be worried because there is still another solution that we can share. This method is perfect if the web browser is already installed on your system. If it is so, you can delete or remove it from your Windows PC. Here are the complete ways:

  1. First of all, you need to hit the Windows – Pause button together. This action will open the Control Panel program of the operating system
  2. After that, choose the option of “Control Panel Home”, that action will open the “Uninstall a program”.
  3. What you need to do next is to right-click the Avast Free Antivirus (it maybe has the different name on your version) and then chooses the CHANGE option from that context menu. For the alternative, you can left-click on the Avast Entry and then pick change at the top part of the menu.
  4. On that page that was opened, you have to choose the CHANGE option again. You will find it listed next to update and repair.
  5. After that, locate the Avast SafeZone and then uncheck the box that is located next to it.

You can do the same action for any of other components that you want to delete or uninstall. All of those components will be erased or removed from the PC. After that, you can click the CHANGE afterward to start the removal process. Usually, you will get a message that states “the product was updated successfully”afterward. For completing the whole process, you maybe need to restart the computer.

Well, that is it. Those are some methods or solution that we can share due to uninstalling the Avast SafeZone on your Windows 10. We hope that you can find the right method for you so that you can use your Windows 10 comfortably. All of those methods are safe and easy to do. You can try it by yourself or you can ask the help from the professional or your friends who are knowing more about the IT and Windows 10.