Windows 7 / Security and Privacy

Windows Defender Alert Levels

When Windows Defender detects potentially malicious software, it assigns one of the following alert levels to it:

  • Severe Assigned to potentially unwanted software that can severely affect your computer or compromise your privacy. You should always remove this software.
  • High Similar to the severe rating, but slightly less damaging. You should always remove this software.
  • Medium Assigned to potentially unwanted software that might compromise your privacy, affect your computer's performance, or display advertising. In some cases, software classified at a Medium alert level might have legitimate uses. Evaluate the software before allowing it to be installed.
  • Low Assigned to potentially unwanted software that might collect information about you or your computer or change how your computer works but operates in agreement with licensing terms displayed when you installed the software. This software is typically benign, but it might be installed without the user's knowledge. For example, remote control software might be classified as a Low alert level because it could be used legitimately, or it might be used by an attacker to control a computer without the owner's knowledge.
  • Not yet classified Programs that haven't yet been analyzed.
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In this tutorial:

  1. Windows 7 Client Protection
  2. Understanding the Risk of Malware
  3. User Account Control in Windows 7
  4. UAC for Standard Users
  5. UAC for Administrators
  6. UAC User Interface
  7. Secure Desktop
  8. How Windows Determines Whether an Application Needs Administrative Privileges
  9. How to Control UAC Using Application Properties
  10. How UAC Examines the Application Manifest
  11. UAC Heuristics
  12. UAC Virtualization
  13. UAC and Startup Programs
  14. Compatibility Problems with UAC
  15. How to Configure UAC
  16. Group Policy Settings
  17. Control Panel
  18. Msconfig.exe
  19. How to Configure Auditing for Privilege Elevation
  20. Other UAC Event Logs
  21. Best Practices for Using UAC
  22. AppLocker
  23. AppLocker Rule Types
  24. Auditing AppLocker Rules
  25. DLL Rules
  26. Custom Error Messages
  27. Using AppLocker with Windows PowerShell
  28. Using Windows 7 Defender
  29. Understanding Windows Defender
  30. Automatic Scanning
  31. Real-Time Protection
  32. Windows Defender Alert Levels
  33. Understanding Microsoft SpyNet
  34. Configuring Windows Defender Group Policy
  35. Configuring Windows Defender on a Single Computer
  36. How to Determine Whether a Computer Is Infected with Spyware
  37. Best Practices for Using Windows Defender
  38. How to Troubleshoot Problems with Unwanted Software
  39. Network Access Protection
  40. Forefront