Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Microsoft Defender has seen a surge in malware and phishing attacks. In response, Microsoft has released a number of tools and features to help reduce your attack surface.

One of the most important things you can do to reduce your attack surface is to keep your software up to date. This includes your operating system, as well as any applications you have installed. Outdated software is one of the most common ways that attackers gain access to systems.

Another way to reduce your attack surface is to use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible. These steps can help prevent attackers from gaining access to your accounts even if they obtain your password.

Microsoft Defender also offers a number of features that can help reduce your attack surface. For example, Windows Defender Application Guard isolates untrusted websites and applications in a secure container. This prevents them from accessing sensitive data on your system and limits their ability to spread malware.

By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce your attack surface and make it harder for attackers to compromise your system.

App Locker

pp Locker is a security feature in Windows that allows you to set restrictions on which programs can be run on your computer. This can be useful if you want to prevent certain programs from being run, or if you want to limit the programs that can be run to only those that are approved by your organization. App Locker can be configured through group policy, and it is available in both Windows 7 and Windows 8.

Application Whitelisting

pplication whitelisting is the practice of explicitly allowing certain programs to run on a computer or network, while blocking all others. The goal is to prevent malicious software from running, while still allowing legitimate software to function.

There are many different application whitelisting solutions available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Some operate at the network level, while others work at the individual computer level. Application whitelisting can be used to supplement or replace other security measures, such as antivirus software.

Application whitelisting is not a perfect solution, and it can be bypassed by sophisticated malware. However, it can be an effective tool for preventing malware infections, and it is often used in high-security environments.

Attack Surface

n attack surface is the total number of vulnerabilities that can be exploited by an adversary. The larger the attack surface, the greater the risk to an organization. Attack surface can be reduced by eliminating unnecessary features and functionality, and by hardening systems and applications.

In computer security, an attack surface is the sum of the different points (the “surface”) from which an unauthorized user (the “attacker”) can try to enter data into or extract data from a system. The attack surface of a system is made up of its components and their interfaces.

A system’s components include hardware, software, users, and data. The interfaces between these components are potential entry and exit points for data. To reduce the attack surface of a system, organizations can eliminate unnecessary features and functionality, harden systems and applications, and segment networks.

Attack Surface Reduction (ASR)

SR is a security measure that reduces the potential for cyberattacks by reducing the attack surface of a system. By reducing the number of exposed system components and entry points, ASR makes it more difficult for attackers to find and exploit vulnerabilities. ASR can be implemented through a variety of means, such as firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and access control lists.

Endpoint Protection

ndpoint Protection is a security measure that helps protect your devices and data from viruses, malware, and other threats. It is important to have endpoint protection in place because it can help prevent infections and data loss. There are many different types of endpoint protection, so it is important to choose the right one for your needs.

Exploit Guard

indows Defender Exploit Guard is a new security feature that provides protection against potential exploits. This feature is designed to block malicious programs that try to take advantage of vulnerabilities in software. It can also help prevent unauthorized changes to system files and settings. Windows Defender Exploit Guard is available in Windows 10 Creators Update and later versions.

Firewall

firewall is a network security system that filters and controls incoming and outgoing traffic based on predetermined security rules. A firewall can be hardware-based, software-based, or a combination of both.

Hardware-based firewalls are physical devices that are installed between a network and its connection to the internet. They inspect all traffic passing through the firewall and block or allow traffic based on the security rules that have been configured. Software-based firewalls are installed on individual computers and devices and control traffic in and out of those devices.

Firewalls are an important part of a layered security approach to protecting networks and data. They can help prevent unauthorized access to a network and protect against malware infections.

Host Intrusion Prevention System (HIPS)

host intrusion prevention system (HIPS) is a security system that monitors and analyzes a computer’s operating system and applications for suspicious or malicious activity and blocks or reports any suspicious activity.

HIPS monitors all system activity, including file and application changes, registry changes, process creations and network traffic. If HIPS detects any suspicious activity, it will block or report the activity.

HIPS can be used to supplement or replace traditional antivirus software. HIPS is not a replacement for good security practices, such as patching vulnerabilities and using strong passwords.

Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP)

icrosoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) is a service that helps protect your business by providing visibility into, and protection against, advanced threats. It uses a combination of machine learning, behavioral analysis, and other security technologies to identify and block threats.

Microsoft Defender ATP can be used to protect on-premises and cloud-based workloads. It provides a central location for security teams to view and investigate incidents, as well as take action to prevent or mitigate threats.

Microsoft Defender ATP can help your business in the following ways:

· By providing visibility into advanced threats that may be targeting your organization

· By helping to block those threats before they can do damage

· By providing a central location for security teams to investigate incidents and take action to prevent or mitigate threats

etwork Protection

Microsoft Defender ATP
– Windows 10 security
– Endpoint security
– Cybersecurity
– Threat protection
– malware
– Zero-day exploits
– Vulnerabilities
– Phishing
– Ransomware