Windows 8 Security: 6 Ways It's Better Than Windows 7

Windows 8: Beyond the Interface – A Focus on Security Enhancements

Regardless of individual opinions, Windows 8 represents a significant departure from simply being a cosmetic update to Windows 7. The operating system incorporates substantial advancements in security protocols.

These improvements encompass a range of features, including a built-in antivirus solution, a system for evaluating application trustworthiness, and robust defenses against rootkits that activate during the system startup process.

Under-the-Hood Security Improvements

Beyond the visible changes, Windows 8 benefits from numerous security enhancements at a foundational level. While Microsoft hasn't detailed every modification, the operating system now employs more secure memory management techniques.

Furthermore, features have been integrated to increase the difficulty of successfully exploiting potential security vulnerabilities. This proactive approach strengthens the overall security posture of the system.

Key Security Features in Windows 8

• Integrated Antivirus: Provides real-time protection against malware.
• Application Reputation System: Helps users identify and avoid potentially harmful applications.
• Boot-Time Rootkit Protection: Safeguards the system from malicious software that attempts to compromise it during startup.
• Secure Memory Management: Reduces the risk of memory-based attacks.
• Vulnerability Mitigation: Features designed to make exploiting security flaws more challenging.

These combined enhancements demonstrate Microsoft’s commitment to bolstering the security of Windows 8, offering users a more protected computing experience.

Integrated Antivirus

With Windows 8, an integrated antivirus solution is now standard. This program, known as Windows Defender, will appear quite similar to those familiar with Microsoft Security Essentials.

Essentially, Windows Defender is a rebranded version of its predecessor. Should a different antivirus application be installed, Windows Defender will automatically deactivate to prevent conflicts.

However, the built-in antivirus remains a robust and effective security measure. Crucially, this integration guarantees that all Windows 8 users have antivirus protection immediately upon installation.

Benefits of Integrated Protection

• Provides baseline security for all users.
• Automatically disables when third-party software is present.
• Offers a familiar interface for existing Microsoft Security Essentials users.

The inclusion of Windows Defender represents a significant step towards enhanced security for the Windows ecosystem. It ensures a fundamental level of protection is available to everyone, right from the start.

This proactive approach to security helps safeguard users against potential threats without requiring additional purchases or configurations.

Early Launch Anti-Malware

With Windows 8, antivirus solutions gained the capability to initiate scans at a much earlier stage of the system boot sequence.

This proactive approach focuses on examining system drivers for the presence of malicious software.

Protecting Against Rootkits

The primary benefit of this early scanning is enhanced protection against rootkits.

These sophisticated threats often activate before traditional antivirus programs load, allowing them to evade detection.

Windows Defender and ELAM

Windows Defender is configured to leverage this early boot scanning functionality by default.

Furthermore, third-party antivirus developers are also able to integrate the Early-Launch Anti-Malware (ELAM) feature into their respective products.

This allows for a consistent and comprehensive security posture across different antivirus solutions.

How ELAM Works

ELAM essentially ensures that a security driver is loaded very early in the boot process.

This driver then monitors the loading of other drivers, checking for any signs of compromise or malicious activity.

By intercepting drivers before they fully initialize, ELAM can effectively neutralize threats that would otherwise remain hidden.

The result is a more secure system, less vulnerable to advanced malware attacks.

SmartScreen Filter

Initially available solely within Internet Explorer, the SmartScreen filter has now been integrated into the operating system itself. This allows for the scanning of executable (EXE) files downloaded through various browsers, including Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome.

Upon downloading and executing an EXE file, Windows undertakes a scan and transmits the file’s signature to Microsoft’s servers for analysis. Applications recognized as safe, like installers for software such as iTunes or Photoshop, will be permitted to run without interruption.

Conversely, if an application is identified as malicious, potentially containing malware, its execution will be blocked by the system. In cases where the application is new and its reputation is unknown, Windows will present a warning to the user, offering the option to proceed despite the alert.

Benefits of SmartScreen

This functionality is designed to protect less technically proficient users from inadvertently downloading and launching harmful programs from the internet. Even recently created malware can be flagged by the SmartScreen filter as an unfamiliar program requiring careful consideration.

The filter enhances security by proactively identifying and mitigating potential threats. It provides an additional layer of defense against malicious software, even for applications not yet widely recognized.

Further details regarding the updated SmartScreen filter can be found here.

Secure Boot

Modern Windows 8 systems, utilizing the UEFI firmware in place of traditional BIOS, incorporate Secure Boot. This feature ensures that only software with verified digital signatures and authorization is executed during the startup process.

Previously, computers were vulnerable to malware installation of a compromised boot loader. This malicious software would activate prior to the Windows boot loader, establishing a boot-level rootkit – often termed a “bootkit” – before Windows initialization.

Such rootkits could effectively conceal themselves from both Windows and antivirus programs, operating covertly in the background.

Customization and Control

For Intel x86-based PCs, the UEFI firmware allows users to integrate their own security keys. This capability enables the system to boot exclusively from secure Linux boot loaders that have been digitally signed by the user.

Further information regarding Secure Boot can be found through this link.

This provides enhanced control over the boot process and strengthens system security.

Enhancements to Memory Handling

Significant internal optimizations have been implemented by Microsoft concerning how Windows 8 allocates and utilizes system memory. These advancements can bolster system security, potentially rendering certain vulnerabilities unexploitable or substantially more challenging to compromise.

Exploits effective on previous Windows iterations may prove entirely ineffective when targeting Windows 8 due to these changes.

Specific Improvements Detailed

While a comprehensive list hasn't been released, Microsoft has highlighted several key areas of improvement:

• ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomization) has been broadened in scope, now applying to a greater number of Windows components. This randomization of code and data locations within memory increases the difficulty of successful exploitation.
• Protective measures previously limited to Windows applications are now also enforced within the Windows kernel itself.
• The Windows heap, the primary source of memory for applications, incorporates enhanced validation procedures to counteract common exploit methods.
• Internet Explorer 10 features security enhancements that mitigate the exploitability of approximately 75% of vulnerabilities reported within the preceding two years.

These changes represent a substantial step forward in securing the Windows 8 operating system.

The expanded application of ASLR and kernel-level protections are particularly noteworthy improvements.

Modern Windows Apps Operate Within Sandboxes

Applications designed for the new Modern interface in Windows 8 (previously referred to as Metro) are contained within sandboxes. This restricts their capabilities and access to your computer’s resources.

Traditionally, on the Windows desktop, applications possessed unrestricted system access. Downloading and executing a Windows game, for example, could result in driver installations, unrestricted file access, and even the introduction of malware. Even with User Account Control (UAC) limiting credentials, programs often install with administrative rights.

Windows 8 apps, however, behave similarly to web pages and mobile applications found on other platforms. Installation of an app from the Windows Store grants it limited system access. It is prevented from running continuously in the background and intercepting sensitive data like keystrokes.

Unlike traditional desktop applications, these Modern interface apps lack access to all files on your system. This enhanced security is a key feature of the new platform.

The exclusive availability of Windows 8’s Modern interface apps through the Windows Store is a point of discussion. However, this centralized distribution prevents the installation of harmful Modern apps from unofficial sources.

Any potentially malicious applications must pass through the Windows Store, allowing Microsoft to remove them if detected.

Enhanced Security in Windows 8

Windows 8 demonstrably offers improved security compared to Windows 7. The combination of a built-in antivirus solution, an application reputation system, and a more controlled app environment significantly enhances protection.

These changes will likely be most beneficial for less experienced users who may not have previously utilized antivirus software or exercised caution when installing applications. Furthermore, underlying improvements to Windows’ memory management benefit all users, including those with advanced technical skills.

• Sandboxing limits app capabilities.
• The Windows Store provides a controlled distribution channel.
• Integrated antivirus and reputation systems offer proactive protection.

These security enhancements contribute to a more secure computing experience with Windows 8.