Windows 8 Security Features – Part 2 of 4

This post is part 2 of 4 about the new security features in Windows 8. This 4 part post is based on the “Protect your PC” section of the getting to know Windows 8 Site on Microsoft’s website:

Windows Defender and Windows SmartScreen fight viruses and other malware

Windows Defender and Windows SmartScreen are built into Windows 8 and Windows RT and help guard your PC against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software in real time. Windows Defender uses green, yellow, and red color codes to show your PC’s security status.

If there’s a red or yellow threat, Windows Defender notifies you and recommends what to do.

When Windows Defender detects a suspicious app or other unfamiliar software, it checks it against a Microsoft database to make sure it isn’t known to do anything potentially harmful. Windows Defender keeps track of known malware automatically, but you can also get updated lists whenever you want.

These definitions are updated automatically, and whenever you tap or click Update.

Windows Defender runs in the background, and only notifies you if there are specific actions to take—but you can also run your own scan whenever you want. If your PC isn’t working properly, or you got an email from someone you know that just doesn’t seem right, use Windows Defender to check for malware you might have downloaded inadvertently.

Note

In Windows 8 and Windows RT, Windows Defender provides the same level of protection against malware as Microsoft Security Essentials. You can’t use Microsoft Security Essentials with Windows 8 or Windows RT, but you don’t need to—Windows Defender is already included and ready to go.

Windows SmartScreen is a new safety feature in Windows 8 and Windows RT that can help protect you from new malware that antimalware software hasn’t detected yet. When you download and run an app downloaded from the Internet, SmartScreen uses information about the app’s reputation to warn you if the app isn’t well-known and might be malicious.

Running unrecognized apps might put your PC or your personal information at risk

SmartScreen Filter in Internet Explorer helps protect users from phishing and malware attacks by warning you if a website or download location has been reported as unsafe.

You’ll see a warning like this if you browse to an unsafe website

Scan your PC with Windows Defender

Here’s how:

From the Search charm, search for defender and then open Windows Defender.
On the Home tab, choose a scan option and then tap or click Scan now.

Choosing what to scan

There are several ways to scan only certain files, drives, or processes with Windows Defender. Not scanning everything on your PC can help speed up a Windows Defender scan, but it can also leave your PC vulnerable to threats in the areas you didn’t check.

Run a one-time scan of specific drives and folders
Exclude items from a scan

Windows Defender found something! What do I do?

In addition to the color codes for your PC’s overall security status, Windows Defender applies an alert level to any suspected malware it detects. You can decide whether to remove an item entirely, research it further, or let it run because you recognize it.

Adjust Windows SmartScreen settings

You can adjust SmartScreen settings in Action Center. Here’s how:

From the Search charm, search for Action Center and then open Action Center.
Tap or click Change Windows SmartScreen settings.

Decide how Windows SmartScreen should treat unrecognized apps
Windows 8 Security Features – Part 1 of 4
Windows 8 Security Features – Part 3 of 4

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