Important Defender Update for Windows 11/10/Server
Last month, Microsoft released a vital update for the Defender suite in Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows Server installation images. This latest package addresses the issue of outdated anti-malware definitions and software binaries that may reside in the installation images. By integrating this update, users can significantly enhance their system’s security posture and, in some scenarios, experience notable performance improvements.
Latest Security Definitions Released
The recent security definitions have been delivered through the security intelligence update version 1.423.160.0, which corresponds with the Defender package version. This update is crucial for ensuring that newly deployed Windows installations have the most current protections against potential threats.
Understanding the Protection Gap
As outlined by Microsoft in their support documentation, the initial hours following a new Windows installation can present a vulnerability due to a gap in Microsoft Defender’s protection:
The first hours of a newly installed Windows deployment can leave the system vulnerable because of a Microsoft Defender protection gap. This is because the OS installation images may contain outdated antimalware software binaries.
[..] Devices using either the Windows built-in antivirus or another security solution can benefit from these updates. Defender updates also contain critical performance fixes that will improve the user experience.
[..] This article describes antimalware update package for Microsoft Defender in the OS installation images (WIM and VHD files).This feature supports the following OS installation images:
- Windows 11
- Windows 10 (Enterprise, Pro, and Home editions)
- Windows Server 2022
- Windows Server 2019
- Windows Server 2016
Version information
Defender package version: 1.423.160.0
This package updates the anti-malware client, anti-malware engine, and signature versions in the OS installation images to the following versions:
Platform version: 4.18.25010.11
Engine version: 1.1.25010.7
Security intelligence version: 1.423.160.0
Enhanced Threat Detection Capabilities
According to Microsoft’s security bulletin, the recent security intelligence update version 1.423.160.0 introduces improved threat detection capabilities. It enhances the ability to identify various backdoor exploits, trojans, and ransomware. It’s worth noting that the most current intelligence update is version 1.423.337.0 as of this writing.
Best Practices for Upgrading to Windows 11
In the context of security, Microsoft suggests that users transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 should consider opting for a clean installation. This approach minimizes the risk of carrying over unwanted applications, which could potentially harbor malicious code.
For further insights and updates, please refer to the source.
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