Everyone who uses a Windows 8 PC, either an individual user or a business user needs to ensure that their device is fully secured both against online and offline threats such as spyware, Trojan horses, viruses, keyloggers and rootkits. Microsoft has taken Windows 8 security to another level by enhancing its existing security tools such as User Account Control, Windows Firewall, and Windows Defender to make it less vulnerable to such attacks.
Offline threats have the same effects as the online threats. For instance, offline threats are present in USB and other similar external devices such as CDs when they are inserted into computers; they start executing and cause destruction to the system. Let’s take a look at how Microsoft has strengthened the security in Windows 8.
Windows 8 Security Features
Windows Defender was initially built as a security tool for protection against spyware threats. However, Microsoft then launched Microsoft Security Essentials, a tool which added anti virus protection to spyware protection offered by Windows Defender. In Windows 8, Windows Defender integrates the functionality of Microsoft Security Essentials. So you have have an OS that has built-in antivirus, spyware, firewall, and malware protection that will keep such threats away.
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An interesting feature of Window 8 is it is designed in such a way that scans automatically for non-boots and boot drive in case any virus is detected in the USB that is inserted in the system. This OS has a secured boot system that stops malware from nesting and breaking in to the OS. Window 8 keeps the data in various random places of the computer, which makes it crucial for malware and virus to find the data and cause destruction to your system. Besides these built-in tools, Windows 8 also has another security tool that encrypts data on hard drives.
Windows 8 Security Tools
Microsoft has also tweaked its OS to load the security software first. This is to avoid collision among applications which may damage the system. Window 8 also features SmartScreen Filter, a security feature in Internet Explorer that warns users downloading stuff from the internet about a potential security threat. SmartScreen views the file or website, determines if it has a good rating, or if the site or file is infected with malware and displays a warning message to the user. Furthermore, if the item is found to contain malware, it will not be downloaded to your PC, thereby enhancing your security. Window 8 also has an update utility which offers manual and automated updates of Windows.
While the number of features does not match many of the security tools available in the market, Windows Defender in Windows 8 is certainly one of the best free tools available.
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