14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 7 is an integral part of Microsoft’s End to End Trust vision, the Redmond company underlined at the RSA Conference. Announced just a year ago, the End to End Trust strategy is designed as nothing more than a concept that will drive the evolution of the Internet toward an offering a trustworthy experience by leveraging technology innovations. And in this regard there are a variety of pillars designed to make Windows 7 a piece of Microsoft’s End to End Trust puzzle, by contributing to bulletproofing the operating system.
“I feel great about Windows 7 and the security enhancements we have been able to make. Hopefully as you learn more about the security work that we have put into it, you will reach the same conclusion that I have: Windows 7 is the most robust platform we have ever delivered, it helps support End to End trust, helps keep you and I safe, and was designed to prevent malware from getting onto our PCs to begin with,” explained Paul Cooke, director, Windows Client Group.
There are a few key aspects of Windows 7 that contribute to enhanced security, some aimed at all users, with others tailored specifically to business customers. Windows 7 comes to the table with an enhanced User Account Control. The new UAC no longer requires the end user to shut the feature down completely and do away with all the benefits, as it delivers a new level of flexibility and control.
Gavriella Schuster, senior director, leading Product Management for Windows Client, enumerated additional security enhancements: “AppLocker: is an administered mechanism that allows a business’ security expert to specify what is allowed to run on each user’s PC. Network Access Protection: This allows IT Pros to create solutions to validate computers that connect to their network and limit the access or communication of noncompliant computers. Microsoft Asset Inventory Service: Part of Microsoft Desktop Optimization, complements the OS security and compliance technologies by allowing our IT Pro a comprehensive view of the enterprise desktop software environment.”
Microsoft is also applauding Internet Explorer 8 as contributing decisively to improving security for Windows 7. IE8 with the new SmartScreen Filter was indeed found to deliver the best protection from social engineering schemes, as indicated by a comparison performed by NSS Labs. At the same time, Windows 7 allows for scenarios in which administrators can set Multiple Active Firewall Policies, an option that was not available with Windows Vista. Essentially, in Windows 7 the firewall is no longer dependent on the type of connection, and instead ensures that rules are enforced appropriately.
“DirectAccess lets mobile workers connect quickly and securely to a corporate network over any Internet connection, without having to manually access their virtual private network. IT can leverage DirectAccess to manage the Group Policy settings and deliver updates to mobile computers, even if the user is not logged on. BitLocker, introduced in Windows Vista, now allows end users to right-click on a drive to quickly enable it, making it more intuitive and easier to use. BitLocker To Go now extends support of BitLocker drive encryption to USB removable storage devices – like our mobile worker’s flash drive,” Schuster mentioned additional Windows 7 features.
At the same time, with extended Biometric Framework Microsoft has worked to guarantee that Windows 7 will play nice with fingerprint scanners. And along with the enhanced Biometric Framework, Windows 7 will also sport improved Smart Card Support. The software giant has made sure to include in Windows 7 drivers for smart card infrastructures in order to offer a complete plug-and-play experience.