Microsoft has unveiled a new tool that it believes should help protect Windows 11 users from losing valuable passwords.
As part of the recently announced Windows 11 22H2 update, the new Enhanced Phishing Protection feature will now alert users when they type their passwords into certain applications or websites that may be unreliable.
This even includes Microsoft’s own applications, including Notepad and Microsoft Word, as the company tries to keep users protected at all times.
Password protection
In a blog post (opens in a new tab) announcing the launch, Microsoft says the new tool should stop unsuspecting users from accidentally saving passwords in plain sight and keep them safe from hackers or scammers.
It uses the company’s SmartScreen protection platform to detect any saved passwords before entering it, displaying the warning “Saving the password in this app is dangerous … we recommend removing the password from this file”.
Users will have to enable this feature because while Windows 11 22H2 has phishing protection turned on by default, password protection options are disabled.
To turn it on, go to S.tart> Settings> Privacy and security> Windows Security> Application and browser control> Reputation protection settings.
Scroll down to the Anti-Phishing section for “Warn When Reusing Password” and “Warn About Insecure Password Storage”.
Microsoft adds that IT administrators can customize alerts by using a mobile device management (MDM) solution such as Microsoft Intune.
The launch was one of several new security-related additions to Windows 11 22H2, which was the first major platform update in several months.
Also included is Smart App Control, a new AI-enabled system that stops users from running malicious applications on Windows 11. Using an AI model that is refreshed daily, the tool assesses the level of threat posed by the executable and whether the threat level is high. the application will not be able to run.
Separately, Windows 11 users will benefit from new security measures designed to protect against the threats posed by vulnerable drivers that are often targeted by malware writers due to the permission level given to the Windows kernel.
By Hissing computer (opens in a new tab)