Microsoft Decrypting Your Files in the Cloud
Microsoft has announced that it will begin decrypting files stored in its cloud service, OneDrive, in an effort to combat ransomware attacks. The company says that the new feature will allow users to access their files even if they have been encrypted by ransomware.
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a user’s files and demands a ransom payment in order to decrypt them. The malware typically targets businesses and individuals, and can cause significant financial and data loss.
Microsoft’s new feature will work by scanning all files stored in OneDrive for signs of ransomware encryption. If a file is found to be encrypted, Microsoft will attempt to decrypt it using a variety of methods. If the file cannot be decrypted, Microsoft will provide the user with a link to a support page where they can learn more about how to recover their files.
Microsoft says that the new feature will be available to all OneDrive users starting in May 2023. The company also says that it will continue to improve the feature over time, and that it is working on ways to decrypt files that have been encrypted by newer, more sophisticated ransomware variants.
The announcement of Microsoft’s new feature has been met with mixed reactions. Some people have praised the company for taking steps to protect users from ransomware attacks, while others have expressed concerns about the privacy implications of Microsoft scanning users’ files.
Microsoft has said that it will only scan files for signs of ransomware encryption when a user signs in to OneDrive. The company has also said that it will not store any information about the files that it scans.
Despite these assurances, some people remain concerned about the privacy implications of Microsoft’s new feature. They argue that the company should not be scanning users’ files without their consent.
Only time will tell how Microsoft’s new feature will be received by users. However, it is clear that the company is taking steps to address the growing threat of ransomware attacks.