Windows Security Settings & Policies

-

 

🔐 Windows Security Settings & Policies

Windows provides built-in tools to protect your system, data, and network from viruses, hackers, and unauthorized users.

🔹 What is Windows Security?

👉 Windows Security is a collection of features that protect:

  • Device

  • Network

  • User accounts

  • Data

Main tool: Windows Security (Defender)

🛡️ Main Parts of Windows Security

1️⃣ Virus & Threat Protection

👉 Protects against malware and viruses.

Features:

  • Real-time protection

  • Quick scan

  • Full scan

  • Threat history

  • Ransomware protection

Use:

Settings → Privacy & Security → Windows Security

2️⃣ Firewall & Network Protection

👉 Controls incoming and outgoing traffic.

Types of Networks:

  • Domain

  • Private

  • Public

Functions:

  • Block unauthorized access

  • Allow safe apps

3️⃣ Account Protection

👉 Protects user login.

Includes:

  • Windows Hello (PIN, Face, Fingerprint)

  • Dynamic Lock

  • Password policies

4️⃣ App & Browser Control

👉 Protects from unsafe apps and websites.

Includes:

  • SmartScreen

  • Exploit protection

  • Reputation-based protection

5️⃣ Device Security

👉 Hardware-based security.

Includes:

  • Secure Boot

  • TPM

  • Core isolation

6️⃣ Ransomware Protection

👉 Protects files from being locked.

Feature:

  • Controlled folder access

  • OneDrive backup

📜 Windows Security Policies

Security Policies control what users can and cannot do.

Open using:

secpol.msc

or

gpedit.msc

🔹 Important Policy Types

✅ 1️⃣ Password Policy

👉 Controls passwords.

Settings:

  • Minimum password length

  • Password complexity

  • Maximum password age

  • Account lockout

✅ 2️⃣ Account Lockout Policy

👉 Locks account after wrong attempts.

Controls:

  • Lockout threshold

  • Lockout duration

✅ 3️⃣ User Rights Assignment

👉 Defines user permissions.

Examples:

  • Log on locally

  • Access this computer from network

  • Shut down system

✅ 4️⃣ Audit Policy

👉 Tracks user activity.

Logs:

  • Login attempts

  • File access

  • Policy changes

✅ 5️⃣ Software Restriction / App Control

👉 Blocks unwanted software.

Controls:

  • Allowed apps

  • Blocked apps

✅ 6️⃣ Windows Update Policy

👉 Controls updates and patches.

Ensures:

  • Security updates

  • Bug fixes

🔹 Group Policy (GPO)

👉 Used to manage security in multiple computers (Domain).

Tool:

gpedit.msc

Use for:

  • Disable USB

  • Block Control Panel

  • Enforce password

  • Restrict apps

🔹 Best Security Practices in Windows

✔ Keep Defender ON
✔ Use strong passwords
✔ Enable Firewall
✔ Keep Windows Updated
✔ Use standard user account
✔ Enable BitLocker
✔ Backup data

📝 Short Notes (Exam Ready)

  • Windows Security protects system.

  • Firewall filters traffic.

  • Policies control user behavior.

  • Group Policy manages security.

  • Audit policy logs activities.

🎯 One Line Summary

👉 Windows Security Settings and Policies protect your computer, network, and users by using Defender, Firewall, and Policy rules.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Introduction to Computer

-
Image
Computers are electronic devices that are designed to process, store, and retrieve data. They are used for a wide variety of purposes, from personal computing to complex scientific simulations and industrial automation. A computer consists of various hardware components, including a central processing unit (CPU), memory, storage devices, input/output (I/O) devices such as keyboards, mice, and displays, and various other peripherals. Computers communicate with each other over networks, which are interconnected groups of computers that share resources and information. The internet is a global network that connects millions of computers around the world and enables communication and information sharing on an unprecedented scale. The field of computer science is concerned with the study of computers and computational systems, including their design, development, and application. It encompasses many subfields, including artificial intelligence, computer graphics, databases, programming lang...
Read more

History of Computer

-
Image
  History of Computer Topics  Definition of computer  Earliest computer  Computer History  Computer Generations Definition of Computer  Computer is a programmable machine.  Computer is a machine that manipulates data according to a list of instructions.  Computer is any device which aids humans in performing various kinds of computations or calculations.  Definition of Computer Three principles characteristic of computer:  It responds to a specific set of instructions in a well-defined manner.  It can execute a pre-recorded list of instructions.  It can quickly store and retrieve large amounts of data.  Earliest Computer  Originally calculations were computed by humans, whose job title was computers.  These human computers were typically engaged in the calculation of a mathematical expression.  The calculations of this period were specialized and expensive, requiring years of training in mathematics.  T...
Read more

Computer Generation

-
Image
 There are five generations of computer:  First generation– 1946 - 1958  Second generation– 1959 - 1964  Third generation– 1965 - 1970  Fourth generation– 1971 - today  Fifth generation– Today to future The First Generation   The first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory, and were often enormous, taking up entire rooms.  They were very expensive to operate and in addition to using a great deal of electricity, generated a lot of heat, which was often the cause of malfunctions. The Second Generation   Transistors replaced vacuum tubes and ushered in the second generation of computers.  One transistor replaced the equivalent of 40 vacuum tubes.    Allowing computers to become smaller, faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient and more reliable.  Still generated a great deal of heat that can damage the computer. The Third Generation  The development of the integrated circuit was ...
Read more