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| Windows 10 automatically blocks unwanted apps |
Microsoft is adding a new security feature to Windows 10 that will automatically block unwanted apps starting this month.
It should be noted that the ability to block unwanted applications in Windows is nothing new. Microsoft added this option to Windows Security in the Windows 10 2004 and May 2020 updates.
However, it is disabled by default. So you have to configure it yourself to activate it. However, according to the security notice published by the company, this situation has now changed.
By default, Microsoft Defender and Microsoft Edge in Windows 10 automatically block unwanted apps when they are detected.
The company said, “Starting in early August 2021, we will roll out this feature by default to make it easier to keep your system at peak performance.”
By default, OS users who do not want to block unwanted applications can disable this feature. Open the Windows Security Settings screen, click App and browser controls, and select Connection-based protection settings.
In the connection-based protection settings screen, you can turn off the setting to block potentially unwanted applications.
The Block apps option allows Microsoft Defender to scan and block unwanted applications.
Download blocking controls whether blocking of unwanted apps should be enabled in the new Microsoft Edge browser. Once enabled, SmartScreen will prevent unwanted apps from downloading.
This automatically blocked change is useful for all Microsoft Defender users as software that has been flagged as unwanted applications should be classified as malware because it performs malicious actions on the computer.
However, for legal reasons, many companies will not automatically block or ignore this. But Microsoft will block it automatically. This can encourage the security industry to block these unwanted applications.
What is unwanted application?
Not all potentially unwanted applications are malware. But it is very close. They are usually created by legitimate legal entities beyond the scope of what is considered legitimate software. In most cases, this leads to bad behavior across the computer.
These programs include browser extensions, adware, programs that send usage data without permission, system cleaners, antivirus programs that use false positives, and programs that do not provide the functionality that was promised.
Windows 10 apps are not required
Microsoft has defined a number of criteria to distinguish software as potentially dangerous applications:
Advertising: Software that displays advertisements or promotions, or requires you to fill out surveys about other products or services.
BitTorrent (for business only): A program used to create or download torrent files or other files intended for peer-to-peer file sharing technology.
Crypto: A program that uses your device's resources to mine cryptocurrency.
Compilation: Providing software that installs other software that was not developed by the same organization or that does not need to run the software.
Marketing: For market research purposes, monitor and push user activity to apps or services rather than your own software.
Workaround: Software that tries to avoid detection by secure products, including programs that work differently when there are secure products.
Known Software: Software that was discovered by a trusted security vendor while using their security products.