In this article, you will learn how to use the Surfshark Antivirus Ransomware Shield feature on your macOS device.
You will need the .DMG version of the Surfshark app and an active Surfshark One or Surfshark One+ subscription
We will cover the following:
What's Surfshark Ransomware Shield?
Ransomware Shield is the latest addition to Surfshark's Antivirus, available from version 4.12.0.
It will protect you from malicious attacks on your device, which try to encrypt your files and ask for payment to decrypt them. Ransomware shield works by monitoring your selected folders that applications try to access to interact with files.
How to set up and use Surfshark's Ransomware Shield
- Open the Surfshark application and select the Antivirus tab.
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Scroll down, locate the Ransomware Shield feature, and toggle the slider to ON.
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Once done, you will notice an option for Protected folders and Trusted apps appear. Click on it.
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Now, an additional prompt will show up. Here, you'll either have to use your Mac computer's password or Touch ID to continue.
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You can toggle between Protected folders or Trusted apps near the top of the window. You can choose which folders and apps are affected by the Ransomware Shield respectively.
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You can also remove folders or apps by clicking Remove or add new ones by pressing Add a folder or Add an app. Once you do, the app or folder will be under Ransomware Shield's protection.
- In case an app tries to access the files in a folder you have selected and the app is not in the Trusted apps list, you will get a notification:
- You can either add the app to the Trusted apps list or continue blocking it if you do not recognize this activity. You will have to restart the app to make the changes active.
NOTE: You may get notifications from native macOS apps/processes. Most of the time, they are legit processes, and there is nothing to be worried about.
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