Google rolls out new security feature against ransomware

Google has rolled out a new security feature to stop the automatic syncing of files to the cloud when ransomware or malware is detected in users' computers, allowing them to recover from the attack without losing access to their data.

- Sarah Koh

Millions of paying Google users around the world, including those in Singapore, are expected to benefit from this service, which was rolled out on Sept 30.

Ransomware is a type of malware that hackers use to lock a victim's files or computers. Hackers then demand a ransom in exchange for restoring access.

Traditional antivirus tools do not protect users adequately from ransomware as these tools can only pick up known malware.

When malware slips past the antivirus tools, there is no stopping it from reaching files on the cloud.

"Google's entirely new ransomware protection will deny these attacks the oxygen needed to spread across networks," said a Google spokeswoman.

"Antivirus tools will continue to focus on keeping the ransomware out. (But) our new defences will keep ransomware from doing damage if it gets in."

The tech update comes on the heels of a global surge in ransomware incidents and malware infection in 2024.

A report published on Sept 3 by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) showed that the number of systems here infected by malware leapt to 117,300 in 2024, a 67 per cent spike from about 70,200 in 2023.

Most of the incidents occurred because users had failed to update vulnerable software.