Strengthening PC Security with Windows Whitelisting

Windows Defender, the built-in antivirus tool in Windows, provides real-time protection against malware by scanning for suspicious activity and blocking known threats using an extensive virus definition database. However, no antivirus software can completely prevent users from unknowingly installing harmful programs. 

Just like the famous Trojan horse deception, malicious software often enters systems disguised as legitimate applications. To counter this risk, Windows offers a security feature called whitelisting, which restricts access to only approved programs.

Whitelisting allows administrators to create a list of trusted applications. Any new program attempting to run is automatically blocked unless explicitly authorized. 

This feature is especially useful in environments where multiple users access the same device, such as workplaces, schools, or shared family computers. By implementing a whitelist, users cannot accidentally install or run malware-infected software, significantly reducing security risks. Additionally, whitelisting provides an extra layer of protection against emerging threats that may not yet be recognized by antivirus databases. 

To configure a whitelist in Windows, users can utilize the Local Security Policy tool, available in Windows 10 and 11 Pro and Enterprise editions. While this tool is not included by default in Windows Home versions, it can be manually integrated. Local Security Policy enables users

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