Since the computing industry has recently made a shift towards touch-screen gadgets, Windows 8 is becoming more popular amongst users as well as OEMs. Introduced with tiled desktop, multi-tasking capabilities, multiple views screen, and an elaborated Windows Store, the OS comes bundled with some technologically advanced features. Making nicely developed system software available to the users, Microsoft this time has strictly focused on imparting more security to this edition than previous OS versions.
The security features are designed in such a way that they assure the user about the complete safety of the device and the data, or sometimes both. The Windows OS comes with some advanced security features, it doesn't make Windows 8 invulnerable from potential threats, however, it is more secure than any previous Windows version.
Let us read about the 5 top most enhanced security features that Windows 8 has adopted to make their users more secure and protected.
1. UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface)
Tech experts generally claim that viruses and other malicious content get loaded into the system memory, whenever a system boots up or performs any other startup activity. In order to control such threats, the firmware interface gets automatically activated and starts controlling the booting process. Windows 8 has incorporated this feature to replace the older BIOS firmware interface and the Extensible Firmware Interface that are still operating on older technologies.
Incorporation of this technology ensures faster boot up and resume time in order to keep your device up and running even during crucial work hours. Arriving with some advanced features such as Secure Boot and factory encrypted drives, the security factor prevents unreliable codes from running while the OS is loading. Windows 8 has incorporated this feature to support heavier machines because it can easily support larger hard drives (more than 2 terabytes) and drives with more than four partitions.
2. Two new password types to offer enhanced security
To restrict an illegitimate access to your personal devices, Windows 8 has introduced two new password types that you will use to log-in to your Windows account. The twin-packed password protection includes a four-digit PIN and a 'picture password' feature that offers enhanced security to your device as well as data.
A picture password feature allows you to draw three gestures across different areas of the chosen photo to create a password. The gestures can include a nice combination of circles, straight lines, or taps/clicks. A four-digit PIN/password works on a simple ATM PIN technique as you will be required to create a unique 4-digit PIN that can't be easily guessed or traced. A PIN speeds up the way to log-in to your Windows account, while, a picture protected password lets you create an extra security shield in a more creative and funny way.
3. Better download screening to avoid potential threats
Microsoft's Windows 8 incorporates inbuilt program-monitoring feature, which happens to be an integral part of the SmartScreen Filter, to detect and block malicious content while using IE, Firefox, Chrome, or any other browser. This feature will keep a close check on programs that you download and checks it against a list of known safe applications, whenever you run it for the first time. If the feature has detected a threat, it will immediately pop-up an alert and ask you to investigate the program before actually running it. Since the company has introduced the SmartScreen feature in Windows 8, the previous Security Warning alerts have been removed to eradicate the pain of clicking 'Close' button on pop-up alerts.
4. Extra protection as antivirus comes pre-installed
Windows 8 offers optimal protection against viruses, spyware, Trojan horses, rootkits, and other malware from the very first day of the purchase of a Windows PC. In addition to this, you'll be glad to know that all of this will be offered to a Windows 8 user for free. The OS arrives with an updated version of Windows Defender, which includes features of an antivirus, spyware protection, malware protection, and other enhanced security features.
Featuring similar look and features of the free Microsoft Security Essentials antivirus program, the Windows Defender offers equivalent protection that you'll get from downloading a free antivirus package. Users can disable Windows Defender and use any another antivirus utility to provide real-time protection against threats, however, it is an ideal security solution for availing basic protection, by default.
5. Improved Dynamic Access Control for employing more restrictions
This feature is specially developed for organizations that are deploying Windows 8 onto their business machines for ensuring optimal security of their business plans and data. The improved Dynamic Access Control provides enhanced control over restricted access to files and folders and also defines various Active Directory attribute.
IT admins generally use this feature to provide content access rights based on users and groups. But, since many business professionals access the information using the unauthorized access, the newly improved one is capable of controlling them from accessing the folder from their personal devices.
With all these advanced security features, Windows 8 will surely establish a strong foothold in the OS market. The improved Windows Defender, SmartScreen, UEFI, and password protection features will allow a user to create noticeable security improvements at their work environments or devices. In addition to this, the OS has also made improvements in various other Windows components like the Windows kernel, ASLR, and heap and has also updated them to minimize common attacks and security exploits. Not only this, the company has also contributed towards offering better security for the Windows App Store in order to make its Modern UI popular and secured.
He is a Technology writer working with Qresolve as a Technical Support Engineer. Brook M. Perry has been offering online tech support to global customers for issues related to laptops, desktops, Mac and devices including iPods, tablets, iPhones. online pc support She caters to the segment of core technology and provides viable solutions to any issues related to technology and software. Her expertise and skills in handling key technology issues is immaculate and quick result bearing.
