Microsoft’s Windows 7 is the most secure version from the software giant’s desktop operating system. The company had updated various security options while transitioned from Windows XP to Windows Vista. But, in the current Windows 7, Microsoft has enhanced those security features and adds various different features as well in the operating routine. The company also incorporates users’ feedback to make the safety characteristics intuitive with user-friendly.

Recently, the company’s security intelligence report has published, which states that there are various enhancements in security flamboyant Windows XP to Windows 7. But, also report few missing apps.

Here are few things that Microsoft came across right with Windows 7 security:

Core System Security
Microsoft has progressed Security Development Lifecycle (SDL) for Windows 7, which offers a strong foundation against malicious software and virus attacks. Like Scenery, SDL features Kernel Patch Protection, Data Execution Prevention (DEP), Address Place Layout Randomization (ASLR), and Mandatory Integrity Levels. It is reported that ASLR makes it difficult to access the core functions reside inside the memory. It means that each time you boot your system; libraries are transferred into arbitrary memory addresses. Further, DEP saves the storage areas that are specifically intended to hold data.

BitLocker-to-Go
In Vista, Microsoft had developed BitLocker drive encryption, which was just capable of encrypting the primary operating system volume. But now, in Windows 7, the company has included the ability to encrypt data on USB thumb drives. Today, USB drives may perhaps store GBs of data therefore enhancement of BitLocker for such drives has increased the security qualities of the operating system. But, to start BitLocker Drive Encryption, users’ disk wealth should be planned properly.

Internet Explorer 8
Users may perhaps also download the Microsoft’s hottest web safari browser for other performing system, but analysts stated that with the begin of IE8, Microsoft started taking browser security seriously. The new updated version has a new protection tool called SmartScreen, which affords anti-phishing/anti-malware URL filtering since the reason that in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.
Further, IE8 highlights the actual empire of the URL in bold on the address bar.

UAC (User Account Control)
UAC, was introduced in Vista, allows firms to deploy the operating structure without granting administrator access to users. In windows 7, Microsoft introduces more flexible interface for UAC. In the settings, user can configure its UAC among four levels of protection, ranging from “Always Notify” to “Never Illustrate to.”

Where Microsoft misses the bus?
However, various developers suggest that few stuffs are missing in the new Operating system and said that the company can take some ideas given that Windows 8.

Windows Firewall
Microsoft has been incorporating personal firewall support into the working system for the basis that the start off of Windows XP. But, experts protest that it only restrict inbound transactions, but, did not allow checking or filtering traffic outbound from the Windows PC. However, Microsoft has restricted that in Windows 7, but experts said that the firm has gathering to do as a right balance between protection and performance.

Hidden File Extensions
In Windows 7, the organization maintains to hide the names of file extensions by default. The guidelines is that it does not covet to confuse the users and details akin to ‘docx’, or ‘xls’, or ‘mp3′. But, analysts said that by knowing the extensions, users may perhaps demarcate “exe” files from variant general formats.

XP Mode Virtualization
Microsoft has introduced the virtualized version of Windows XP called “XP Mode” through which Windows 7 users may run programs that are not compatible with the new operating system. But, the sanctuary concern is that the XP environment the machine is not protected like the Windows 7 security controls.