Microsoft Windows 10 Fall Creators Update To Feature Built-In AI Powered Malware Protection
Recent ransomware scares such as the WannaCry outbreak have collectively put a spotlight on PC security. It has even prompted Microsoft to release patches for unsupported operating systems, including Windows XP and Windows Vista. However, it is Windows 10 that receives the lion's share of Microsoft's security efforts, and we will see that on display when the Fall Creators Update arrives in a few months.
Among other things, the Fall Creators Update will represent a "hardening" of the Windows platform. Security has always been a major focal point with Windows 10, but in a blog post outlining some changes that are headed to the OS, Microsoft explains that the old way of doing things is no longer enough. Going forward, it will rely more heavily on artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to stay ahead of the bad guys.
"In addition to building new mitigations to harden the platform, we’re adding evolved, intelligent threat detection capabilities to view, report and manage. The new threat prevention Windows Defender ATP offers is made possible through the unique intelligence that only Microsoft has in terms of the sheer volume of optics and engineering expertise. Using the cloud power of the ISG, along with its data science and machine learning, we can identify evolving threats from trillions of signals to block and tackle the malware and hacking threats that you encounter," Microsoft explains.
Microsoft will also use its cloud intelligence to improve its Windows Defender antivirus software that is baked into Windows 10. In that sense, Microsoft views Windows Defender as a next-generation AV platform, one that it says will be able to identify threats and render verdicts on malware in a matter of seconds, even zero-day malware that has not been seen before.
The ultimate vision here is for Windows 10 to include end-to-end security features. Where does that leave third-party AV makers? That's a good question, assuming that Microsoft can make good on its security promises. We have already seen some blow back, most notably from Kaspersky, which has accused Microsoft of unfairly favoring its Windows Defender software over third-party solutions.
We do not suspect that third-party AV solutions are on their way out. At the same time, it is nice to see Microsoft taking such an aggressive approach to securing Windows 10. It is also interesting to see Microsoft leverage AI technologies, which has been point of emphasis under the leadership of Satya Nadella.
Among other things, the Fall Creators Update will represent a "hardening" of the Windows platform. Security has always been a major focal point with Windows 10, but in a blog post outlining some changes that are headed to the OS, Microsoft explains that the old way of doing things is no longer enough. Going forward, it will rely more heavily on artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to stay ahead of the bad guys.
"In addition to building new mitigations to harden the platform, we’re adding evolved, intelligent threat detection capabilities to view, report and manage. The new threat prevention Windows Defender ATP offers is made possible through the unique intelligence that only Microsoft has in terms of the sheer volume of optics and engineering expertise. Using the cloud power of the ISG, along with its data science and machine learning, we can identify evolving threats from trillions of signals to block and tackle the malware and hacking threats that you encounter," Microsoft explains.
Microsoft will also use its cloud intelligence to improve its Windows Defender antivirus software that is baked into Windows 10. In that sense, Microsoft views Windows Defender as a next-generation AV platform, one that it says will be able to identify threats and render verdicts on malware in a matter of seconds, even zero-day malware that has not been seen before.
The ultimate vision here is for Windows 10 to include end-to-end security features. Where does that leave third-party AV makers? That's a good question, assuming that Microsoft can make good on its security promises. We have already seen some blow back, most notably from Kaspersky, which has accused Microsoft of unfairly favoring its Windows Defender software over third-party solutions.
We do not suspect that third-party AV solutions are on their way out. At the same time, it is nice to see Microsoft taking such an aggressive approach to securing Windows 10. It is also interesting to see Microsoft leverage AI technologies, which has been point of emphasis under the leadership of Satya Nadella.
