Thanks for that, Doc ...I was looking for a link for it a while back...

The way it works is to add its own folders and potential target files...eg doc, docx etc at the front/rear of every hard drive attached...and watches them for attack....blocking the system from net-nasty access instantly and before real files are affected....

And it works...I've never been attacked...bit like..."What's that you're spraying on you?" "Elephant repellent"  "There are no elephants in Melbourne" "See? it works!"

Thanks, Jim, much appreciated.  Thing is, it's the nice blokes and nice blokettes that it happens to.  Anybody who's evil knows it's a scam or a damned hack before getting hit because it's similar to shit they think up themselves

 It has been so time consuming and laborious but I have to ensure things are fixed and that any damage is minimised.  Thing is, I have so much other stuff away from my computer as well, and I have to balance it out so as not to neglect anything completely.

Also, thanks for the link to CyberReason Free, much appreciated. I've downloaded it and will install when I'm done here in the forums.  I'll also look into those other suggestions for other means to block the nasties out there.

Um, it's license. Well it was when I went to Skewl  

Currently we're not talking....

Were you ever?  KIS speaks Russian, you know!  

In American English, the noun is spelled the same as the verb—license. But in British English, the noun is spelled licence. All the while, the meaning stays the same—permission, a permit, a document that states you are qualified or allowed to do something.

Depends how often you're frequenting Pommie-land sites etc...you get back into the habit...

Mark, I wouldn't do that if I were you. I would use the alternative programs instead. These are free programs which are being maintained. I copied the warning from Filehorse. Here it is again:

"CybereasonRansom Free provides  ransomware protection for computers and servers running Windows PC. Ransomware encrypts files on your PC including documents, photos, music, email, etc. It uses an encryption key known only to its operators. In order to unlock these files, you need to pay a ransom.

⚠ Note: This product is not developed anymore and might not function properly.

If you are looking for alternatives, we recommend you to download Malwarebytes, ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware or GridinSoft Anti-Ransomware." - Filehorse

I changed the color in their warning to red. The programs in blue are the ones they recommend instead of CyberRansom Free.

Doc....as far as I'm aware it's still functioning as designed....tho without an attack you can't really tell....

Paul, I've personally never used it and that warning, to me, meant it might not give the protection one might expect, as well as not functioning correctly (harming the machine it's on). I'd hate for that to happen to Mark after what's just happened to him...

BUT, after reading what you wrote in you prior comment, I decided to research  Cybereason (the company). It's quite active, so I'm not sure why Filehorse gave that warning, but maybe they went on to bigger and better stuff.

Cybereason's CEO is an Israeli as are many of the leaders of the company. I'd bet they're graduates of Unit 8200 which is the cyber unit of Israeli Military Intelligence. He (Lior Div, the CEO) was highly decorated in the past, and last year Cybereason (in the civilian sector) uncovered an Iranian spy network (https://www.maariv.co.il/business/tech/Article-868963) 

Also, the date on the last release of the program is: October, 5th 2021...not ancient by any means. So, I'm not sure why they gave that warning at all.

As such,  thanks, and I think I might give the program a whirl...   

* edit: Filehorse says the latest version is 2.4.2.0 as if that is the version available for download, however, the version on Filehorse is 2.3.0.0. Perhaps THAT was the reason for the warning.

Not wishing to leave it at that, I went looking for 2.4.2.0 and found it at Major Geeks (a highly trustworthy site). I installed it from there, and the program updates any prior versions you might have on your machine. 

Download link: https://m.majorgeeks.com/files/details/cybereason_ransomfree.html

I suggested Avast Free, not because it is considered the best, but due to how it's Shields Work. I am sure we have all come upon False Positives before, even Jafo has mentioned them, some protection just deletes the files or sends them to quarantine not allowing you to use them, Avast in the right hands can be alongside other Security programs, very flexible allowing the dropping of shields for false positives you trust very easy also allowing you to restore those files and add an exception with 2 clicks. I know other software can do this but i find Avast easier to handle than others i have used. The Firewall will not work with windows firewall but replaces it and when set to learning mode will allow you for a short time to see all in and out activity so you know what program is doing what and when. Zone Alarm Free Firewall also has a Ransomware Module.

Many years ago i was a Nod 32 Anti Virus all the way, but there was a compatibility issue with Windowblinds or another Stardock product, can not remember so far back, just that i had to find an alternative.

Security Programs on the net are many and numerous, all have pros and cons, and should be decided on , not by what is thought of as best (as we all have different views and needs)but how they work matching how and what kind of places you visit, for me, Overall Control and understanding how it works is best for me, based on how i use the net.

You now have all you need based on these responses to beef up your security, now it boils down to what you need from them and what you prefer in how they work for you.

Doc...thanks for that link too...tho on Major Geeks the file date listed is 2017....unless that's a place holder that was since updated.

Yes, they are the gang you mentioned...and my thinking was they'd gone back to military only ...and the 'domestic' version was left to languish...

About 20 years ago I vowed never to let anything with the name 'Norton' in it anywhere near a computer.

When your AV program disables BITS and you have to download and reinstall service packs manually to get back to a functioning BITS it's simply one step too far....and no, there was no other way to get BITS functioning again.

I still had 8 months of the sub left...but enough was enough...and went to Bitdefender instead.

False positives are mostly just the compression algorithm that's a recognized signature for a known 'pest'.... and it's primarily the common/cheap/nasty AV programs that hit them.  Avast Free is one of those.  KIS is not...and in the dozen or more years has only hit 'Kjofol' on the head wrongly [I assume wrongly as it's been around forever]...

Paul, I sent Cybereason an email asking if they're continuing to update the program. If they answer, I'll update everyone.

Thanks, mate....sounds like a plan....

They didn't answer my email, so I called their Tel Aviv office. They stopped updating the program more than two years ago, so I'm uninstalling it and going with something being maintained.