Redazione RHC : 2 October 2025 13:08
Google has unveiled a new AI tool for Drive for desktop. The model is said to have been trained on millions of real-world ransomware samples and can suspend syncing to mitigate the damage of a ransomware attack.
Google Drive for desktop is an application designed to sync Google Drive with Windows and macOS, allowing you to keep local files synchronized with cloud storage.
The developers say the new AI will look for signs of ransomware (such as attempts to encrypt or damage large numbers of files) and will be able to suspend file syncing, which will help prevent the malware from spreading further.
If an attack is detected, the tool will send the user an email or pop-up notification and help them recover their files “in just a few clicks,” Google says.
Recovery capabilities are maintained even when using “traditional software” like Microsoft Windows and Office, rather than cloud-based solutions. Additionally, the AI model constantly analyzes file changes and receives threat information from VirusTotal , which should, in theory, help it detect even new attack variants.
The new feature is enabled by default, but administrators can disable it for end users if needed. Additionally, administrators can receive alerts about any malicious activity detected.
According to Google representatives, the feature is now available in open beta at no additional cost for most commercial Workspace plans. Users will also have the option to restore files at no additional cost.
The company emphasizes that artificial intelligence will not prevent ransomware attacks (which cost each victim company more than $5 million on average), but will only help contain their spread.
“The primary goal is to reduce the damage caused by ransomware attacks and prevent their spread across the network using a new layer of protection,” Google emphasizes.
Essentially, the new AI feature is designed to “help stop ransomware before it can do its main job: corrupting important files and rendering them unusable.”
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