Skip to main content

Microsoft recommends you turn on this important Windows 11 security feature

Ransomware is an ever-increasing threat, and that’s why Microsoft is strongly recommending you turn on its new security feature in Windows 11. As TechRadar reports, the tech giant is encouraging users to activate Tamper Protection in Microsoft Defender.

Tamper Protection has a number of features designed to protect you from ransomware, and it all comes for free as part of Windows 11.

Laptop sitting on a desk showing Windows 11's built-in Microsoft Teams experience
Image used with permission by copyright holder

As part of the final version of its security configuration, Microsoft recommends using the Tamper Protection feature to stop third-parties from tampering with your security settings, particularly during installs.

Microsoft is recommending this for businesse transferring to Windows 11, but it’s recommended for everyone. The feature was originally released in 2019 and is available for Windows 10 and Windows Server 2022/2019/2016.

In Microsoft’s own words:

“During some kinds of cyber attacks, bad actors try to disable security features, such as antivirus protection, on your machines. Bad actors like to disable your security features to get easier access to your data, to install malware, or to otherwise exploit your data, identity, and devices. Tamper protection helps prevent these kinds of things from occurring.”

Tamper Protection will lock down the default settings for Microsoft Defender and make sure they are not changed during the installation process. These settings include:

  • Disabling virus and threat protection
  • Disabling real-time protection
  • Turning off behavior monitoring
  • Disabling antivirus
  • Disabling cloud-delivered protection
  • Removing security intelligence updates

If you’re wondering what ransomware is, it’s a unique form of malware that locks up a user’s system and will only release the data when the user has forked over some cash for it. Ransomware first started gaining traction in 2013, and the problem has only grown since then.

Ransomware is particularly tough because it is resistant to system resets and even hard drive swaps. While antivirus companies have developed solutions to counter ransomware, the best way to combat it is by not getting it in the first place.

If you plan on upgrading to Windows 11, this will be an important step to follow. Businesses aren’t the only targets of ransomware attacks.

Editors' Recommendations

Caleb Clark
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Caleb Clark is a full-time writer that primarily covers consumer tech and gaming. He also writes frequently on Medium about…
7 beloved Windows apps that Microsoft has killed over the years
A screenshot of Internet Explorer 9.

Microsoft's history is littered with the discontinuation of once-beloved applications. Most recently, WordPad, the renowned text editor app, was conspicuously absent from the latest beta build of Windows 11, indicating an end to its 28-year-long journey. I have fond memories of using the app back in my college days when Microsoft Office was too pricey for me.

WordPad is far from the only app to get canceled by Microsoft over the years. From pioneering productivity tools to nostalgic multimedia players, let's reminisce about some of the most famous applications that Microsoft has consigned to the annals of tech history.
Internet Explorer

Read more
How to start Windows 11 in Safe Mode
Windows 11 on a tablet.

If your Windows 11 PC is having issues, one way to troubleshoot those issues is start your PC in Safe Mode. Safe Mode is essentially a very basic version of Windows 11, without all the bells and whistles and only a restricted set of features, drivers, and files. This mode essentially lets you take a look at your computer and helps you figure out exactly what issue is plaguing your PC.

But booting into Safe Mode on Windows 11 isn't as easy as just pressing a single button. You'll need to navigate through a series of menus first and the method for getting there depends on your PC specific situation (Is your PC still working or is it just a blank or black screen?).

Read more
Copilot’s most exciting Office features will cost $20 a month
Microsoft Copilot creating a PowerPoint presentation for a user.

Microsoft is expanding its AI integration again, enabling anyone to subscribe to a new service called Copilot Pro, which will be used in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. That means you can do things like generate full slideshows in Powerpoint with just a few words typed into the chatbot.

Having generative AI built right into Office apps was an exciting idea when it was announced last year, but so far, it's only available for enterprise accounts as part of Copilot in Microsoft 365. Now, that option is available for all Microsoft 365 and Office customers, but it won't be free.

Read more