Endpoint protection that can roll back files encrypted by ransomware

If you need endpoint protection that can restore files encrypted by ransomware, these are current options worth evaluating:

• Sophos Endpoint / Intercept X — CryptoGuard detects malicious encryption and automatically rolls back affected files. Sophos says it can also protect files on network shares from remote ransomware. (sophos.com)
• SentinelOne Singularity — offers rollback to restore files maliciously encrypted or deleted; confirm the specific rollback capability and supported operating systems in the edition you’re considering. (sentinelone.com)
• WithSecure Elements Endpoint Protection — its Rollback feature can restore files and registry changes made by a process identified as malicious. (support.withsecure.com)
• FortiEndpoint — its anti-ransomware feature can restore files encrypted by detected ransomware, with protected folders and file types configurable. The cited documentation says this feature isn’t supported on macOS or Linux. (docs.fortinet.com)
• Check Point Harmony Endpoint — provides a file-restoration process for ransomware incidents. (sc1.checkpoint.com)
• ESET Endpoint Security — has managed ransomware remediation with a restore-files setting; check licensing and management requirements. (help.eset.com)

Shortlist: I’d start with Sophos and SentinelOne, then compare them against your environment and budget. Before buying, ask vendors to demonstrate recovery on your actual Windows/macOS mix and test local files, network shares, and large files. Rollback is a recovery layer—not a replacement for isolated, tested backups—and it can’t recover data that was stolen or files outside its coverage.

Several mainstream endpoint products include rollback for ransomware-encrypted files. The main options:

• Sophos Intercept X: Its CryptoGuard module watches for mass encryption and reverts the affected files. One review says it rolls back encrypted files from any process, even remote encryption from an unprotected neighbour machine.
• SentinelOne Singularity: It can restore files and the endpoint to a pre-attack state with one click or automatically. Reviewers say it works from its own local journaling, not from a separate backup product.
• Bitdefender GravityZone: If ransomware is detected, it can automatically recover encrypted files using tamper-proof backups.
• Acronis Active Protection: It monitors process and file activity in real time, halts suspicious encryption and reverts affected files from a local cache.
• Barracuda Managed XDR: A SOC team can roll back an endpoint to the last saved, pre-attack state.
• Malwarebytes (ThreatDown): One roundup describes it as strong rollback and cleanup with low overhead, aimed at smaller organizations.

Points to weigh before choosing:

• Verify the claims yourself. Most of what I found comes from vendor blogs or sites that rank products, so the performance claims are not independently tested. Ask for a proof-of-concept against a simulated encryption attack.
• Check the platform. Rollback is often strongest on Windows. One roundup describes Bitdefender's rollback as one-click or automatic rollback on Windows.
• Check the scope. One reviewer lists as a drawback that rollback covers the local endpoint, which may not cover files on network shares or cloud storage.
• Check the costs. Reviewers flag module-based pricing and high resource use as common drawbacks.
• Keep backups anyway. Rollback depends on local caches or journals that a determined attacker might target. Offline or immutable backups are the safer fallback. Acronis, for example, offers immutable storage so backups cannot be encrypted or deleted by ransomware on the protected endpoint during the retention window.

For a general mid-market Windows fleet, Sophos and SentinelOne are the most commonly recommended starting points in these sources. Tell me your platform mix, size, and whether you have an in-house SOC, and I can narrow this down.

Ransomware rollback is a specialized feature in certain Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Extended Detection and Response (XDR) solutions. It functions by continuously monitoring file system activity and creating temporary, tamper-proof snapshots or backup copies of files before they are modified.

If the security software detects ransomware-like behavior (such as mass encryption), it can automatically or via a single administrator click revert the affected files to their pre-attack state, effectively "undoing" the damage.

Prominent Solutions Offering Ransomware Rollback

Several industry-leading platforms are well-known for this capability:

• SentinelOne (Singularity Platform): Widely recognized as a pioneer in this space, SentinelOne uses proprietary behavioral AI to monitor system activity and allows for one-click restoration of endpoints to a pre-infection state.
• ThreatDown (formerly Malwarebytes EDR): Offers a robust ransomware rollback feature that uses a kernel-mode driver to track file changes. It is often praised for its ability to revert file changes up to a certain window (typically up to 7 days).
• Sophos (Intercept X): Features "CryptoGuard" technology, which specifically monitors for unauthorized encryption behavior and automatically rolls back affected files from local, protected caches.
• Datto EDR: Provides a "Ransomware Rollback" feature that uses a custom minifilter driver to track disk space changes, designed to work even if Windows Shadow Copies are targeted and deleted by the ransomware.
• Other Solutions: Various other EDR/XDR providers, such as Heimdal Security, also incorporate similar "system restore" or "rollback" capabilities as part of their comprehensive security suites.

Key Considerations

While these features are powerful, they are not a substitute for a comprehensive backup strategy. When evaluating these tools, keep the following in mind:

• Not a Silver Bullet: Rollback features are a "last line of defense". They are most effective against typical ransomware encryption but may not recover all system configurations or database-heavy applications in every scenario.
• Resource Usage: Because these tools track file changes in real-time, they may consume additional system resources, though most modern solutions are optimized to keep this impact minimal (often <1% CPU).
• Reliability: It is always recommended to test the recovery capability in your specific environment (e.g., using a proof-of-concept) rather than relying solely on marketing claims.
• Layered Security: The most resilient organizations use rollback-capable EDR in conjunction with immutable, off-site backups to ensure that data remains recoverable even if the endpoint itself is destroyed or the security agent is disabled.

Disclaimer: I am an AI, not a security professional. You should conduct a pilot test of any security software in a controlled environment to ensure it meets your organization's specific technical and operational requirements.

If automatic rollback of files encrypted during an attack is your main requirement, Sophos Endpoint with CryptoGuard is a clear option to evaluate. Sophos says CryptoGuard detects malicious encryption, blocks the activity, and automatically restores affected files; its protection also covers some remote encryption against network shares. ¹

Other points to consider:

• Sophos Endpoint: Ask the vendor to confirm that rollback is included in the specific subscription and supports your operating systems and file-share setup. Sophos lists CryptoGuard in its endpoint offerings. ²
• Microsoft Defender: Microsoft’s documented file restore action is for files placed in quarantine—not a general rollback of files encrypted by ransomware. For Microsoft 365 files, OneDrive Files Restore may help return files to an earlier state, subject to its recovery window. ³⁴
• Backups still matter: Endpoint rollback is a response feature, not a substitute for isolated, tested backups. Microsoft recommends offline backups as part of ransomware recovery. ⁵

Before choosing, verify rollback coverage for your devices, servers, and network shares, and test recovery in a controlled pilot. Sources: ¹ Sophos CryptoGuard overview · ² Sophos Endpoint · ³ Microsoft file response actions · ⁴ OneDrive ransomware recovery · ⁵ Microsoft ransomware response guidance