Microsoft oversells Windows 11’s Smart App Control as a “top antivirus solution”

Huge quote: Microsoft launched Good App Management just a few years in the past, promising a brand new AI-based layer of safety for Home windows customers. However now the software program large is claiming that the function will be thought of a “high PC antivirus answer,” although it would not operate like conventional antivirus software program in any respect.

Good App Management is a Home windows 11 safety function that requires a clean OS installation to work as supposed. Based on a latest submit from Microsoft, customers who improve and allow the function will profit from enhanced safety. Nevertheless, the corporate gives imprecise and arguably deceptive explanations that would do extra hurt than good.

SAC represents a brand new layer of protection launched in latest Home windows 11 releases, according to Microsoft. The function gives a novel strategy to PC safety in comparison with conventional antivirus software program and, unsurprisingly, employs some type of AI to maintain the dangerous guys in verify. Redmond touts SAC as a “high PC antivirus answer” but additionally clarifies that it’s designed to work alongside antivirus software program, not substitute it, to enhance customers’ on-line safety.

Conventional antivirus instruments are based mostly on a reactive strategy to potential threats, as they’re designed to struggle malicious software program after it has been detected on the system (however hopefully earlier than compromising it). In distinction, SAC takes a proactive strategy, allegedly blocking suspicious functions earlier than they’ll hurt the system or compromise person knowledge.

“Good App Management harnesses the ability of AI to assist predict which apps are secure to run on Home windows 11,” Microsoft explains. The instrument is alleged to have a lighter impression on system efficiency, because it doesn’t continuously scan recordsdata for malware the best way conventional antivirus applications do. Antivirus software program is “repeatedly” scanning recordsdata and processes, which may devour extra system sources.

Based on Microsoft, SAC is supposed to enrich, not substitute, antivirus software program. Customers ought to due to this fact use each to get one of the best of each worlds. Whereas Microsoft markets SAC as a groundbreaking innovation, the underlying idea resembles safety practices that many PC customers had been already using on Home windows XP twenty years in the past.

Host-based intrusion detection techniques are nothing new, and Microsoft’s simplistic characterization of conventional antivirus software program is frankly fairly baffling – and in the end unfaithful. Trendy antivirus applications supply excess of primary file scanning. Many embrace superior options that detect and neutralize threats earlier than they ever attain the system.

Furthermore, Microsoft ought to completely cease utilizing “AI” to justify each new single software program function in Home windows 11. Heuristic-based antivirus applications have been round for the reason that DOS period, and machine studying fashions could be ultimately described as heuristic by nature.

Lastly, relating to efficiency: whereas antivirus software program can decelerate particular duties underneath sure situations, SAC might trigger even higher slowdowns as a result of bugs or compatibility points. Simply ask Broadcom.

Customers searching for efficient safety ought to keep away from relying solely on a single vendor like Microsoft. As an alternative, they need to seek the advice of unbiased, AMTSO-accredited testing platforms corresponding to AV-TEST to search out dependable antimalware options. Sure, they exist – even for free.