Top 5 Security Features In The New Windows 8.1

By Author: Brooke Perry
Total Articles: 84
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Microsoft has already released the Windows 8.1 that will incorporate several changes to upgrade the existing Windows 8 operating system to perform better than before. Windows 8 OS was released by Microsoft in October 2012. Users from all around the globe complained about some shortcomings in the OS such as absence of ‘Start’ button and deficient security features. The software took these grievances with due seriousness and recently released a Windows 8 update labeled as Windows 8.1.

Below discussed are the five important security features of Windows 8.1 that are meant to address the security issues related to protection of devices and enterprise data.

Remote business data removal

This is a new security feature which Microsoft has introduced with the Windows 8.1 update. Using this feature, administrators can wipe the data stored on PCs that are used in bring your own device (BYOD) programs. Certain devices included in the BYOD program that are running on Windows 8.1 program may carry personal information and data that may not require corporate safeguards. These data can either be managed by classifying ...
... them in two separate categories of ‘corporate’ or ‘user’ or administrator can classify the data that can be encrypted later. Moreover, IT professionals can also use the Exchange ActiveSync protocol to wipe the corporate or user’s data by instructing the Windows.

Assigned access

This newly introduced feature with Windows 8.1 is meant for kiosk, academic environment or call centers. Using this feature, you can lock a workstation to one Windows Store-based application and in this way prevent the user from accessing any other application or part of the system. This feature has one limitation because it can’t work with desktop PC applications.

Biometric Folder and Authentication Security

The feature which is known as biometric folder and authentication security lets users log on to the device by using biometric means. So you will be able to access the device by giving your finger which is a better security deployment to prevent others from using your PC. Therefore access to specific folders can be controlled significantly by using the finger print rather than a password or smartcard. In nutshell, it improves the system security many times.

Most of the users are already aware of the user-friendly and fully secure BitLocker drive-encryption product version that Microsoft first introduced with Windows Vista OS. This encryption software got improved later with each successive version of the operating system (OS).

Windows 8.1 Device Encryption

Now encryption methods and feature of encryption with Windows 8.1 have been further improved. Now Windows RT tablets are automatically encrypted if a Microsoft account has been used for login. Moreover, for the first time all versions of Windows 8 including Windows RT, 8.1, consumer or Enterprise editions can use BitLocker for data and device encryption.

Workplace Join

Being a user of Windows 8 operating system you are provided a quite advanced feature to join a particular domain. Using this feature called 'Workplace Join' a device user can subscribe his PC to a set of security policies that allows a Windows Server 2012 R-2-based domain to monitor and safeguard certain assigned data. This is a prominent security feature that has been introduced with the Windows 8.1 upgrade.

Above discussed are the five most important security features that have been introduced with the Windows 8.1 upgrade recently. Apart from these Microsoft also claims to introduce more features with the upgrade that make your PC securer than ever before.

Brooke M. Perry is an ardent technician associated with Qresolve pc security support, with wide experience of fixing issues with PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones. With a strong track record of devising effective ways of android tablet support and system security, she has so far helped thousands of users across the globe. Her writings on tech issues are the reflection of her in-depth interest and command she carries as a online pc repair technician. Her blogs and articles have been rated high for their lucid style and easy to understand language.