With the rollout of Windows 11 22H2, Microsoft has enhanced its security framework by introducing a noteworthy addition: Smart App Control (SAC). This innovative feature is designed to thwart malicious applications, serving as a proactive counterpart to Microsoft Defender. By blocking untrusted or unknown code from executing, SAC aims to bolster user safety in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
Proactive Security Measures
In a recent blog update, Microsoft has highlighted the performance advantages of Smart App Control over traditional antivirus solutions. However, it’s important to note that users will need to perform a fresh installation of Windows to take advantage of this feature. Traditional antivirus software, including Microsoft Defender, typically operates on an “Innocent until proven guilty” basis. This reactive approach allows programs to run until their behavior raises a red flag.
Microsoft Defender employs a combination of signature-based detection, behavioral checks, and cloud protection to safeguard systems against malicious software. When confronted with novel threats, such as zero-day malware or polymorphic variants that can evade signature checks, Defender relies on heuristics. This method observes the malware’s behavior until it identifies any suspicious activity.
Enter Smart App Control, which adopts a more proactive stance with its “Guilty until proven innocent” philosophy. This feature evaluates applications by cross-referencing them with Microsoft’s Intelligence Security Graph, a cloud-based reputation service. If the assessment yields inconclusive results, SAC then verifies the application’s digital signature to confirm its legitimacy as originating from a trusted developer. Should an application be deemed potentially harmful in the initial evaluation or unsigned in the subsequent check, it is promptly blocked by Windows Security.
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