Windows 7 includes Parental Controls to limit and protect kids' computer use. This feature will most likely not be used in a business environment but could prove popular as a cost-effective solution to home users. This feature allows the limiting of computer use as well as setting restrictions as to what programs and games can be executed by the end user.
Parental Controls may be setup from within the Control Panel. It requires more than one computer user, that is one for the kid and one for the parents. Remember to password protect all user accounts for best security.
Introduced in Windows Vista, UAC has been greatly improved in Windows7. UAC helps defend the system from malware and malicious hackers. By default, the UAC will prompt for permission before installing any unsigned and approved software. Thanks to Microsoft digitally signing its .dll and executable files in Windows 7, UAC is now much less intrusive.
Windows 7 includes Windows Defender for front line defense against spyware and other malicious software. It works much like an antivirus program with signatures and some behavioral detections of spyware. Window Defender definitions are updated with Windows Update and attempt to scan and clean the system from malicious infection. Windows Defender can be configured and run from the Action Center console within the Control Panel or from Control Panel > Windows Defender. It is a best practice to run this software as added protection but should not be the only anti-malware solution, as it does not provide signatures for most viruses.
The Windows Firewall was introduced in Windows XP as an inbound only firewall. Windows 7 now configures the Windows Firewall to block both inbound and outbound traffic. Additionally, it is much more flexible to configure custom firewall settings. These settings may be saved as profiles, another new feature that requires user education. The profile chosen is based on the prompt to Choose a Network when the Windows 7 computer detects a connection to a new network. Depending on the end user's choice of Home, Work, or Public, the proper Windows Firewall profile is set.
Public network settings block incoming traffic by default, a setting that may be too high for a Home or Work network. Windows 7 will automatically recognize when the computer is connected to a network it was on before, such as a Work or Home network, and apply the correct profile. The Windows Firewall can be configured from the Control Panel under the Windows Firewall or Systems and Security consoles.
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