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Special features in Windows 10 that can improve the security of your computer

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This article presents what we think are the best security features that everyone should try to activate on their Windows 10.

In the Windows 10 operating system, Microsoft has focused on security. This system has numerous features designed to protect the user from malware, exploits and cyber attacks.

A Windows 10 PC is a veritable treasure trove of hidden security features that the user can manually turn on to further enhance the protection they have.

Protection against potentially unwanted applications (PUA)

Starting with the Windows 10 May 2020 Update, otherwise known as the 2004 version update, Microsoft is making it easier to detect potentially unwanted applications with a special utility called Microsoft Defender (formerly known as Windows Defender).

Potentially unwanted applications (PUA) are a category of programs that can slow down your computer or display unexpected ads on your screen. PUAs are not considered viruses or malware, but they can change web browsers, default applications, download extensions, and perform other actions that negatively affect your machine’s performance.

Special features in Windows 10 that can improve the security of your computer

The update, which was released in May 2020, added a new settings section to the Windows security system called "Reputation-based protection" or "Reputation-based protection ". This allows you to manage your potentially unwanted applications and allow or block specific PUAs/PUPs.

To enable security and PUA/PUP verification for Windows 10, follow these steps:

1 Open the "Settings" section.

2 Go to Update & Security > Windows Security > Manage Apps & Browsers.

3 Look for a new section called "Reputation Based Protection".

Click on the “Enable" button to enable this feature. If you want to configure PUA/PUP, you can also use the Reputation Protection Settings menu.

This will allow the user to access the following features:

check applications and files for security;

Activation of SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge;

· Activate SmartScreen for apps from the Microsoft Store.

Memory integrity

Windows 10 version 1803 or later has a built-in feature called Core Isolation that provides additional protection against malware and hacker attacks. With it, the user is able to isolate Windows 10 computer processes and devices, as well as provide an additional layer of security against sophisticated attacks.

Memory integrity is part of kernel isolation and ensures that code running in the Windows kernel is well-designed and safe. It uses hardware virtualization and Hyper-V to prevent attempts to inject and run malicious files in Windows kernel mode processes.

Special features in Windows 10 that can improve the security of your computer

Memory integrity is a powerful security feature, but it is disabled by default. To use it, you must follow the following procedure:

1 Open Settings.

2 Go to Update & Security > Windows Security.

3 Click the Device Security button.

4 In the Core Isolation section, turn on the toggle switch next to the Memory Integrity option.

5 Restart Windows for the changes to take effect.

Enable Windows Hello

Windows 10 has a great built-in feature called "Windows Hello" that allows you to enable biometric security on your computer to verify your face or fingerprint as a credential. It is important to note that such a function implies the presence of special equipment or devices.

You will be able to activate "Windows Hello" to securely log into your computer using a fingerprint sensor or a special camera that can match your face with an already existing "trusted" option.

Special features in Windows 10 that can improve the security of your computer

Once set up, you will be able to log into your computer without entering a long and confusing password.

To enable Windows Hello on Windows 10, follow these steps:

1 Open Settings.

2 In the "Settings" menu, click on the "Accounts" button.

3 Next, click on "Login Options".

4 Add a four-digit Windows PIN.

5 Select "Windows Hello Face" if you want to use your face to authenticate user data. You can also choose "Windows Hello Fingerprint" if you want to use your fingerprint to sign in. Both options require special hardware or device and drivers.

Network scanning

By default, Defender can scan your local files and provide real-time protection against viruses, malware, ransomware, and PUA.

Luckily, Microsoft also allows you to scan network files, but this feature must be manually enabled using PowerShell.

To activate it, follow these steps:

1 Open Windows Search.

2 Find PowerShell and select the Run as administrator option.

3 Enter the following command:

Set-MpPreference-DisableScanningNetworkFiles 0

Special features in Windows 10 that can improve the security of your computer

4 Press the Enter key to start scanning network files.

By following the steps above, you can use Defender to scan network files. If you want to disable this feature, enter the following command in PowerShell:

Set-MpPreference -DisableScanningNetworkFiles 1

Controlled folder access

Windows 10 also has a Controlled Folder Access feature that allows you to prevent unauthorized access to certain folders. In other words, you can control who can access certain folders in Windows 10.

This feature is able to prevent ransomware when someone tries to access and encrypt your documents, photos and other files stored in these folders. To set up Controlled Folder Access, follow these steps:

1 Open Windows Security.

2 Click the Virus & Threat Protection button.

3 Click the "Ransomware Protection" button.

4 Find the "Controlled Folder Access" section and click the enable/disable function button.

Special features in Windows 10 that can improve the security of your computer

5 Select the Secure Folders option.

Special features in Windows 10 that can improve the security of your computer

6 Specify all folders to which you want to restrict access.

DNS over HTTPS (DoH)

Windows 10 has initial support for "DNS over HTTPS (DoH)" and allows you to pass DNS over encrypted HTTPS connections.

With DoH support in Windows 10, Microsoft hopes to improve online privacy by encrypting its DNS requests.

“If you weren’t expecting this and are wondering what DoH is, then keep in mind that this feature will change the way your device connects to the internet. It is in the early stages of testing, so continue to use it only if you are sure that you are ready for it, “says the Microsoft blog.

In version 20185 or newer, you can activate DoH directly in "Settings".

To configure DoH for an Ethernet connection, follow these steps:

1 Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status.

2 Click the Properties button.

3 Select "Change IP Address Value" or "Change DNS Server Value".

Special features in Windows 10 that can improve the security of your computer

4 Enable DoH in the pop-up window.

To configure DoH for Wi-Fi connections, follow these steps:

1 Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.

2 Go to the Adapter Properties section.

3 Select "Change IP Address Value" or "Change DNS Server Value".

4 Enable DoH in the pop-up window.


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