Does OneDrive Protect Against Ransomware Like Cryptolocker?
OneDrive offers some level of protection against ransomware attacks, including Cryptolocker-type threats. However, it’s important to understand its capabilities and limitations to implement a more robust data protection strategy.
1. Ransomware detection and notifications
If OneDrive detects suspicious activity—such as bulk file modifications—it may send an alert notification. While useful, this detection is not guaranteed to prevent real-time attacks.
2. File version history
OneDrive keeps a history of file versions, allowing users to restore unencrypted versions of affected files. This feature is available to all users, but file versions are typically retained for 30 days (for standard accounts).
3. Deleted files and the Recycle Bin
If ransomware deletes files, they are not permanently removed but moved to the OneDrive Recycle Bin, from which they can be recovered within 30 days.
4. Full account restore (Business plans only)
Users on OneDrive for Business or Microsoft 365 plans can use the Restore OneDrive feature to roll back all files to a previous state within the last 30 days. This is particularly helpful in large-scale incidents.
5. Password protection and 2FA
While not a direct defense against ransomware, enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) helps prevent unauthorized access that could lead to malware deployment.
Limitations of OneDrive Protection
OneDrive is not an antivirus and cannot prevent ransomware from encrypting local files. If infected files are synchronized, they may overwrite clean versions stored in the cloud.
To improve your ransomware defense:
- Use an up-to-date antivirus with ransomware protection.
- Perform regular offline backups to disconnected storage devices.
- Pause OneDrive sync immediately if you suspect an infection, to stop it from spreading to the cloud.
Additional protection with Utixo
Utixo provides a complete Microsoft 365 backup service, offering enterprise-grade protection for all critical data—emails, files, SharePoint, Teams, and more. This adds an essential layer of recovery and security beyond OneDrive’s built-in capabilities.
