Windows 7 Security guide and checklist and Security Enhancements in Windows 7

Windows 7 Security guide and checklist and Security Enhancements in Windows 7

Windows 7 Security guide and checklist Microsoft recommends that you use this checklist to make sure you are taking advantage of all the ... 2:26:00 PM

Windows 7 Security guide and checklist

Microsoft recommends that you use this checklist to make sure you are taking advantage of all the ways that Windows 7 can help keep your computer as secure and safe as possible.

Windows 7 Security guide

Action Center:  Use Action Center to make sure your firewall is on, your antivirus software is up to date, and you have your computer set to install updates automatically.

Windows Defender:  Use Windows Defender to prevent malicious software, like spyware or viruses, from infecting your computer.

User Account Control:  User Account Control prompts you for your permission before installing software or opening certain kinds of programs that could potentially harm your computer or make it vulnerable to security threats.

Back up and Restore:  It’s important to back up your files and settings regularly so that if you get a virus or have any kind of hardware failure, you can recover your files.

Windows Update:  Set Windows Update to download and install the latest updates for your computer automatically.

Windows Firewall:  Use Windows Firewall to help prevent hackers and unwanted software from gaining access to your computer through the Internet.

The need for securing Windows is still there. In view of its immense popularity, hackers and malware writers always want to target this popular operating system. It therefore becomes imperative to secure your already battle-hardened Windows further. You need to make sure your copy of Windows is secure and that it provides you with optimal protection against malware and hackers. Head over to read this post on security tips for Windows.

Security Enhancements in Windows 7

Windows 7 builds upon the strong security lineage of Windows Vista and retains and builds upon the development processes and technologies that have made Windows Vista the most secure version of the Windows client to date. 

Fundamental security features such as Kernel Patch Protection, Service Hardening, Data Execution Prevention, Address Space Layout Randomization, and Mandatory Integrity Levels continue to provide enhanced protection against malware and attacks.

* Windows 7 is built upon the security foundations of  Windows Vista while improving auditing and UAC experience.
* Windows 7 helps IT control what software can run in their environment with AppLocker™.
* Windows 7 enhances the core features of BitLocker™ Drive Encryption with the introduction of BitLocker To Go™ for removable storage devices.

Enhanced Auditing

Windows 7 provides enhanced audit capabilities to make it easier for an organization to meet its regulatory and business compliance requirements.

Streamlined User Account Control

User Account Control (UAC) was introduced in Windows Vista to help legacy applications run with standard user rights and help ISVs adapt their software to work well with standard user rights. Windows 7 continues the investment in UAC with specific changes to enhance the user experience. These changes include reducing the number of operating system applications and tasks that require administrative privileges and providing a flexible consent prompt behavior for users who continue to run with administrative privileges. As a result, standard users can do even more than ever before and all users will see fewer prompts.

AppLocker

Windows 7 re-energizes application control policies with AppLocker, which is a flexible, easy-to-administer mechanism that allows IT to specify exactly what is allowed to run in the desktop infrastructure and gives users the ability to run applications, installation programs, and scripts that they require to be productive. As a result, IT can enforce application standardization within their organization while providing security, operational, and compliance benefits.

BitLocker and BitLocker To Go

BitLocker Drive Encryption (BitLocker for short) helps prevent a thief who boots another operating system or runs a software hacking tool from breaking Windows 7 file and system protections or performing offline viewing of the files stored on the safeguarded drive. BitLocker To Go extends BitLocker support to removable storage devices, including USB flash drives and portable disk drives.

Read more at Technet.