Google Drive for PC brings a feature everyone will appreciate. With AI, it protects against ransomware

This week, Google introduced an important security innovation for the desktop application of its cloud storage, Drive. The feature uses artificial intelligence to detect and protect against ransomware attacks. While native Google Workspace documents (Docs, Sheets) are not affected by ransomware, other files like PDFs or Microsoft Office documents are traditionally vulnerable.

How the new protection works

Unlike conventional antivirus solutions that focus on detecting malicious code before its activation, Google offers an entirely new layer of defense. The Google Drive desktop application now includes a specialized AI model trained on millions of real ransomware samples. This system can identify the main characteristic of a ransomware attack – an attempt to mass encrypt or damage files.

When Google Drive detects suspicious activity indicating a ransomware attack, it automatically pauses the synchronization of infected files to the cloud, preventing the spread and damage of data across the entire organization. Users are immediately informed via desktop notifications and email with instructions on how to restore their files.

Restoring files after an attack

A major advantage of the new solution is the simple way to recover data. While system reinstallation or expensive third-party tools are often required, Google offers an intuitive web interface for easy recovery. Users can restore multiple files at once to their previous, uncorrupted state with just a few clicks.

For IT teams, this feature provides clear management tools. Administrators receive notifications in the Admin console about detected ransomware activity and have access to detailed information in the audit log. This new feature is enabled by default for all customers, but administrators have the option to deactivate it if needed.

Availability for users

The new ransomware protection is available in open beta starting this week. The feature is included at no additional cost in most commercial Workspace plans. The good news is that even regular users have access to the file recovery feature for free. To use this protection, you need to have the latest version of the Google Drive desktop application installed.

Do you regularly use Google Drive on your computer?

Source: Google