Microsoft Windows 11 Security Updates October 2022

Microsoft Windows 11 security updates October 2022

The Windows 11 security Updates 2022, the first major update for Windows 11, has been published. It introduces several features and enhancements, most of which are targeted at enhancing the security of the operating system. In addition to activating more security protections by default for new devices, Microsoft has introduced new capabilities, such as Smart App Control, to provide additional levels of defense against a variety of assaults. A complete list of released patches is available at this URL:

Microsoft releases KB5016629 update to fix Windows 11 Start menu problems  and security issues | BetaNews

Most important security update (as I am an IT administrator) is about Group Policies https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/october-11-2022-kb5018418-os-build-22000-1098-62c0cb53-7562-4089-8672-5c80845932c1. The Windows 11 2022 security Update enables IT, administrators, to further tighten security on all of their group’s devices, even when they are not connected to the internet. Let’s examine each of the brand-new features in further detail. Microsoft has set out on a quest to improve the performance and efficiency of its feature and quarterly cumulative updates for customers. The Windows 11 2022 Update will now prevent new Windows PCs from installing drivers that are known to have potentially exploitable security flaws.

So here are some latest security updates that windows 11 have made in 2022. I have put all these security updates in a single post. You can visit windows to know all updates of this month.

Smart App Control

Smart App Control is one of the major security-related additions to the Windows 11 2022 Update, and it is designed for home and small business users who do not want to pay for specialized security services. It utilizes an artificial intelligence model powered by 43 trillion daily security signals to decide whether a particular app is safe to download and use. Smart App Control may lessen the risk that malware may infect your computer by blocking potentially malicious programs from opening on your PC using a model that is regularly updated.

Although this technique is less interactive than Windows Defender Application Control, which is intended for business users, the basic capabilities are the same. In addition, Smart App Control is accessible on all Windows 11 client devices; no special SKU or organization membership is required to use it.

What is Windows 11 Smart App Control? | Petri IT Knowledgebase

Protections against vulnerable drivers

Despite their normally limited access to the Windows kernel, device drivers are being utilized as attack vectors. Microsoft has made a few modifications to the Windows 11 2022 Update to increase security against driver-based attacks. On new Windows 11 devices, Hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI), which runs Kernel Mode Code Integrity (KMCI) and prohibits modifications to kernel mode code such as drivers, will be activated by default.

Microsoft is furthermore publishing a blacklist of known-vulnerable drivers. With the introduction of Windows 11 in 2022, manufacturers will no longer be permitted to sell machines with drivers patched for known security flaws. This is a huge increase in terms of protection against assaults launched by drivers.

Windows Defender: Vulnerable Driver Blocklist protects against malicious or  exploitable drivers - gHacks Tech News

Greener features

The new Windows 11 upgrade from Microsoft is intended to simplify the process of decreasing your computer’s energy usage and carbon footprint. When a device is plugged in, powered on, and connected to the internet, and regional carbon intensity data is available, Windows will schedule updates for times of day that may reduce carbon emissions. Microsoft has also modified the default power settings for Sleep and Display in an attempt to reduce emissions from idle devices.

One New Upcoming Windows 11 Feature Discovered Early

Anti-phishing

With the use of machine learning, the new SmartScreen feature can identify when a user enters their Microsoft credentials onto a dangerous website and then provide informative warnings about the danger. When it comes to getting initial access to an organization’s IT infrastructure using stolen credentials, phishing remains the most popular attack vector.

As with other features of Windows Hello for Business, presence detection relies on specialized hardware. If the device has the necessary hardware, it may be set to automatically log in and out when the user enters and leaves a certain region.

Windows 11 to get enhanced phishing protection and more security features |  TechSpot

Identity protection

Microsoft has included a variety of identity protection and identity theft prevention enhancements in Windows 11 to lower the risk of identity theft. Windows Defender Credential Guard, which employs virtualization-based, hardware-backed security to guard against credential theft tactics such as pass-the-hash and pass-the-ticket, is now enabled by default on Windows 11 Enterprise SKUs beginning with the Windows 11 2022 Update. In addition, it prevents malware from obtaining access to system secrets even while a process is operating with administrator capabilities.

The SmartScreen feature of Microsoft Defender now provides enhanced phishing protection, alerting you if you attempt to input your credentials on a hacked website. If Windows detects that a website is attempting to mimic a trusted service, it may notify you that doing so might expose you to an attack.

Windows Security: Defender, Antivirus & More for Windows 11 | Microsoft

Configuration lock

The last new feature, Configuration lock, is pretty self-explanatory and geared at IT administrators. Now that the configuration settings of corporate devices may be locked down, anytime an end-user modifies, the device reverts to its initial condition as determined by the IT department. Because this is possible even when the device is offline, it may be used to assure compliance with business policy and the security of all devices.

Microsoft’s choice to add extra security features in Windows 11 PCs is supported by the increasing frequency of hybrid work arrangements, which demands users’ ability to feel secure whether working remotely or from home and growing reliance on computers. Microsoft claims it will continue to invest in security so that computer users may feel protected.

How to Change Windows 11 Lock Screen Timeout - All Things How

Protections against vulnerable drivers

Despite their restricted access to the Windows kernel, device drivers are frequently utilized as entry points for attacks against PCs. Microsoft has made a few modifications to the Windows 11 2022 Update to increase security against driver-based attacks. Windows 11 on new devices, Hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI), which runs Kernel Mode Code Integrity (KMCI) and prohibits modifications to the kernel mode code (such as drivers) that might compromise security, will be enabled by default.

HVCI guarantees that the code integrity system inspects all code executing in kernel mode, making it resistant to attack even if a driver is defective. These guards against WannaCry and other malware that use a Windows security flaw to run malicious code.

How Microsoft blocks vulnerable and malicious drivers in Defender,  third-party security tools and in Windows 11 | TechRepublic

 

Azhar Ali Buttar has 20 years of experience working in different domains within IT industry. From network protocols to server hardening, he knows about multiple areas and has been working side by side with MNCs to provide cost-effective security and infrastructure solutions. Azhar’s expertise lies in off-site and hybrid infrastructure deployment using multiple platforms which includes, but not limited to, Azure, AWS, Google and Private Clouds. He has also been leading several infrastructure and security teams to deploy and perform security optimization in multiple projects, and now leads Nocastra with his decision-making and client-oriented skills.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.