Avast Security for Mac - Ransomware Shield

Access this feature from: Ransomware Shield

Ransomware Shield secures your personal photos, documents, and files from being modified, deleted, or encrypted by ransomware attacks. This feature automatically secures your Pictures and Documents folders and allows you to specify which other folders you want to protect from untrusted applications. Additionally, you can specify which applications are allowed to modify the files in your protected folders.

Ransomware Shield is enabled by default. To disable this feature:

The slider changes to OFF (red). We recommend you keep Ransomware Shield turned on at all times.

Note: Ransomware Shield is a premium feature and is only available in Avast Premium Security.

Specify your protected folders

By default, Ransomware Shield automatically secures your Pictures and Documents folders. To manually add another folder to the list, follow these steps:

  1. Click Protect New Folder.
  2. Select a folder, then click Open.
  3. If prompted, use your Touch ID or enter your Administrator password and click OK.

The folder is added to the list of protected folders. To remove a folder, click the folder path in the list to select it, then click X.

Allow applications

By default, Ransomware Shield only allows applications signed by Apple to access files in your protected folders. To specify additional applications that Ransomware Shield allows to access your protected folders, follow these steps:

  1. Click the Preferences icon on the Ransomware Shield screen to open the Preferences window.
  2. Click Allow An App.
  3. Navigate to the app you want to allow access, then click the app name to select it. Alternatively, press the ⌘ Command + Shift + G keys simultaneously, type the direct app path, and click Go to locate hidden apps. Once you have selected the app, click Open.
  4. If prompted, use your Touch ID or enter your Administrator password and click OK.

The app appears in the Allowed Apps list. To remove an app, click its name in the list, then click the trash can icon.