Do I have the following information correct:
-WPS Office was detected as a threat (even though it was, in actuality, a false positive). As a result, Avast automatically placed it in the Blocked List BUT its related folder did not also automatically get added to Ransomware Shield's protected list.
Answer: I dont know if ransomware shield automatically put things on the blocked app list (never happened to me yet), what i do know it will ask you if to allow or block the program and option to add it to the list
-After moving it to the 'Allowed List' earlier this week (it functions without issue now), that was the only step that I needed to take.
Answer: You only need to add the app to the allowed list, no need to removed the folder in the protected folder as only those listed are being protected
The protected folders are the places that ransomeware shield protect from modification (if the files are not on those folder it wouldn't be protected),
While the Allowed/Block list are the program that are allowed or blocked from modifying files in the protected foldes
not all files types is protected only those with extension in the Menu > Settings > Ransomware file types
(I figured that it was a two-step process-Move it from the Blocked List to the Allowed List AND 'unprotect' its folder from RS).
*By the way, what do you mean that the Blocked List is in 'three places?' The only location that I see the list is Settings >General >Block and Allow Lists.
Answer: What i meant was the Ransomware shield settings are divided in 3 areas
1. Protection > Ransomware Shield = the protected folder list
2. Menu > Settings > General > Block / Allowed app = the list of program/app allowed or blocked from modifying files under protected folder
3. Menu > Settings > Protection > Ransomware Shield = Smart/Strict mode and what files types/extensions are protected
Edit
Removed the image links and attached them instead
