X
Innovation

Microsoft to add ransomware protection tools, advanced Outlook.com encryption for consumers

Microsoft is bringing more of the OneDrive and Outlook security protection tools it offers its Office 365 business customers to consumers.
Written by Mary Jo Foley, Senior Contributing Editor

Windows 10: Learn to disconnect OneDrive for good

Just a couple of months after rolling out Files Restore for OneDrive for Business, Microsoft is bringing the same capability to OneDrive for consumers.

In January, Microsoft announced that OneDrive for Business Files Restore would be coming to Office 365 Commercial users. On April 5, Microsoft officials said this feature also will be coming to OneDrive for Office 365 Home and Personal subscribers. (It won't be available to OneDrive customers who do not have an Office 365 subscription.) Rollout of this feature begins today, April 5.

Also: Microsoft takes aim at Google, Box, Dropbox with OneDrive switch offer | What's the best cloud storage for you? | Eliminating storage failures in the cloud | 1.5 billion sensitive files exposed by misconfigured servers, storage and cloud services | TechRepublic: 62% of enterprise IT leaders say on-premises security is better than cloud

Files Restore enables users to restore their entire OneDrive cloud storage to a previous point in time within the last 30 days. Users also can use this feature to recover from an accidental mass delete, file corruption, ransomware, or another catastrophic event, officials noted.

Microsoft also will alert consumers through email, mobile or desktop notifications if Office 365 detects a ransomware attack and will guide users in restoring their OneDrives to a point before their files were compromised, officials said.

In addition, Microsoft is making new OneDrive password protection links available for shared OneDrive files and folders which can help prevent forwarding of shared links. This password protection functionality will be rolling out "in the coming weeks," officials said.

On the email front, Microsoft is adding another level of encryption to Outlook.com, according to today's blog post.

Outlook.com already implements encryption at rest and in transit. But starting today, Microsoft will also allow mail recipients to receive a one-time passcode or to re-authenticate with a trusted provider before viewing an Outlook.com email message if they aren't using an Outlook-based mail product (Outlook.com, Outlook for iOS, Outlook for Android and/or Windows Mail app.) If they are using one of these Outlook mail apps, no extra steps will be needed to get this extra level of protection.

Here's what's new in Windows 10 April 2018 Update

Outlook.com also will offer a high-level scan of emails for sensitive information like social security numbers and prompt users to send with encryption and/or to enable "Do Not Forward."

These advanced encryption capabilities are already available to business customers. They're starting to roll out to consumer Outlook users "in the coming weeks," officials said.

Microsoft also will be turning on advanced link-checking in Word, Excel and PowerPoint to prevent users from clicking on links which inadvertently could take them to phishing or other malicious sites.

Users who do click on a bad link will receive a warning about proceeding. Outlook.com already has advanced link checking and attachment scanning built in; the addition of link scanning to Word, Excel and PowerPoint for Office 365 consumer subscribers will be rolling out in the second half of 2018.

Previous and related coverage

Microsoft to drop Outlook on the Web mobile apps for iOS, Android by mid-May

Microsoft is 'retiring' the Outlook on the Web/OWA mobile apps for iOS and Android in favor of the native Outlook mobile apps for iOS and Android over the next couple of months.

Four ways to control outgoing email in Outlook (TechRepublic)

Outlook doesn't have to control when your messages go out. Take charge and send emails when you want.

Building Windows 10 apps? Now Microsoft lets you test new projects in private

New option allows Microsoft Store apps and games to be tested with private groups before general release.

Editorial standards