Five things you should know about Windows 7 security

Microsoft said that Windows 7 is the most secure version ever developed by the Windows operating system. This is no big deal, right? I'm pretty sure that in the past fifteen years, Microsoft has claimed this for every version of Windows, and of course this is a valid statement.

What else would you expect? Will Microsoft introduce a new operating system and be less secure than its predecessor? I don't think so. Although the promotion around Windows 7 security may be partially exaggerated, there are indeed a number of important security improvements worth noting, especially for users who switch from Windows XP to (or consider) Windows 7. Many security upgrades also exist on Windows Vista, so Vista users should already be familiar with it.

1. Protecting the Kernel

The kernel is the core of the operating system, which makes it a major target for malware and other attacks. Basically, if an attacker can access or manipulate the kernel of an operating system, they can execute malicious code at a level that other applications and even the operating system itself cannot detect. Microsoft developed "kernel mode protection" to protect the core and ensure that unauthorized access does not occur.

In addition to protecting the kernel, Microsoft has made other fundamental improvements to protect the operating system after the launch of Windows XP. Many attacks are based on the attacker's ability to know the location of a particular function or command that resides in memory, or to perform an attack on files that may only contain data.

Address Space Layer Randomization (ASLR) allows attackers to block where they are attacking by randomly distributing critical operating system functions in memory. Microsoft has also developed Data Execution Prevention (DEP) to prevent files of any type that may contain data or files stored in the data area from executing any type of code.

2. Safer web browsing

Windows 7 comes with the latest and most powerful web browser version IE8. You can also download and run IE8 on other versions of the Windows operating system, so it is not specific to Windows 7, but it does bring some security improvements.

First, the InPRivate browsing method provides the ability to access the Internet privately, as revealed by the name private. When you launch an InPrivate browser window, IE does not save any information about your personal web surfing. This means that the information you enter is not stored in the cache, and there is no historical information to record the websites you have visited. This feature is especially useful when you are using IE8 on a shared or public computer (such as in a library).

Another security improvement in IE8 is the protection mode. The implementation of protected mode is based on the security components of Windows 7, which ensure that malicious or unauthorized code is not allowed to run on the browser. Protected mode prevents drive-by download attacks that allow users to install malware onto your system when accessing a compromised website.

3.Protection, let us love Hateful things

User Account Control (UAC) is a model on Windows Vista that makes us love and hate. UAC still exists when using Windows 7, but Microsoft has added a control slider that allows you to control the level of protection provided by UAC - thus allowing the number of pop-ups to be accessed and executed. limit.

The pop-up window is just a small aspect that UAC can do to be seen. Under Windows Vista, many users simply disable all UACs, but that also turns off protected mode IE and some other operating system protection. The slider under Windows 7 is set to the same protection as Windows Vista by default, but you can customize it under the control panel.

4. Security Tools and Application Software

Because of kernel protection and other changes made by Microsoft, how or whether to allow the interaction between the application and the core functions of the operating system, Old anti-virus software and other security

software are not compatible with Windows 7.

Compatible with Windows 7 like McAfee, Symantec, Trend Micro and other vendors, but if you don't want to invest more money, Microsoft also provides free security tools to protect you. system.

Windows Firewall and Windows Defender Anti-Spyware Tools are included in the basic installation package for Windows 7. You can also download and install Microsoft Security Essentials, a free anti-virus product recently released by Microsoft.

5.Monitor Action Center

The security center familiar to XP users is replaced by Windows Action Center. The Action Center is a more comprehensive console for monitoring Windows 7 systems including the Security Center.

The Security section of the Action Center provides a rough overview of the security of the user's Windows 7 system. Includes information about firewalls, spyware and virus software, Windows update status, Internet security settings, and UAC.

There are many good reasons to upgrade to Windows 7. If you are still running Windows XP, the security factor can be said to be the best reason to embrace the new operating system. Windows 7 may or may not be the greatest operating system ever, but it is definitely the safest operating system ever.