Windows 7 Boasts of Robust and Bullish Security Features
Security is a perennial issue since time immemorial. From the early days of the Internet and up to this very moment, companies and users alike will do anything to protect and secure their data and hardware from all forms of cyber attacks.
Microsoft is no exception to this. Ever since the release of their first operating system they had vowed to consistently elevate the security ground to a higher level. Sad to say, Microsoft’s release of Vista had jeopardized whatever good intentions the company had. Vista’s security loopholes had led to the loss of credibility on the part of big corporations and ordinary PC users. Thus, the company cannot afford to miss another step but instead once again harness its powers to reclaim its dominance on the computing industry and its rivals.
Indeed, Windows 7 is out to make a redemptive break for whatever security lapses and shortcomings in the past and hopes to emerge as the most reliable and stable OS that Microsoft had ever developed. Recently conducted reviews of the software are showing how convincingly Microsoft had finally nailed it down.
Below is an impressive list of Windows 7 security enhancements:
- Less Annoying User Account Control is an enhancement of Vista’s UAC which constantly pops up to reduce the frequency that users run with administrative privileges thereby lessening the chances of malware attacks. In Windows 7, a four-position slider was introduced to control these pop ups. The new UAC default setting permits Windows executables to automatically run with administrative privileges.
- Configurable Multiple Active Firewall Policies is also an enhancement of Windows Firewall policy wherein Windows distinguishes between Public, Home, and Work Networks and each one having its own profile. In Vista’s case only one profile can be active on the computer at a time and this is where the problem arises. Windows 7 resolved this by allowing multiple firewall policies to be enabled at the same time putting into effect the appropriate firewall policy and ensuring protection for mobile and remote users while giving access to the specific networks.
- Applocker is a Windows 7 feature that offers flexibility for administrators in controlling how users can access and use files such as exes, scripts, dll, etc. This is a very useful feature for computers running in shared or inside organizations for it reduces the risk of information leakages because of unauthorized software.
- Bitlocker was not embraced well in Vista’s time because of it not being so user-friendly. Thus, Windows 7 had simplified the encryption process of a system drive. Bitlocker to Go enhances the technical capabilities of Bitlocker and works independently from it. Seeing that it is a full-disk encryption for removable storage devices, this was designed primarily for enterprise environment in order to protect the loss or theft of corporate or even of personal data.
- ActiveX Installer Service’s crucial role in making an application run well was highly regarded by Windows. As such Windows 7 has enabled this by default making you use the Group Policy to configure the Trusted sites zone that can identify sites that are free to install ActiveX controls on computers.
This list is far from complete and neither is each one a perfect fit solution to all security concerns. Windows 7 can never be a 100% malware and security proof OS, just like any other application in the market. But one thing is for sure, the long wait is over – here is an OS that is equipped enough finally to address a lot of security headaches.
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Filed under: Windows 7 Software, windows 7 features