> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-xdr/insights-and-tips-cortex-xdr/security-operations-and-response/ransomware-protection-and-response.md).

# Ransomware protection and response

Learn how Cortex XDR prevents, contains, investigates, and recovers from ransomware across every attack stage.

Cortex XDR stops ransomware in layers, so an attack that gets past one layer is caught by the next.

| Stage                        | Capability                                                                                                                                |
| ---------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Before execution             | Local analysis (machine learning) and WildFire verdicts block known and unknown ransomware binaries.                                      |
| Initial access and execution | Exploit protection, behavioral threat protection, and child process protection stop exploits, malicious macros, and script-based loaders. |
| Encryption                   | The anti-ransomware module detects and halts encryption-like behavior.                                                                    |
| Spread                       | Isolate the endpoint manually, or automatically from a playbook, to stop lateral movement.                                                |
| Investigation                | The causality chain and case timeline show the root cause and every affected asset.                                                       |
| Recovery                     | Restore quarantined files, run remediation, and verify with a malware scan.                                                               |


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-xdr/insights-and-tips-cortex-xdr/security-operations-and-response/ransomware-protection-and-response.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.