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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [TECHNOLOGY]

2 clusters · 3 sources · 22 days · First seen · Last updated

Microsoft Windows security features and vulnerabilities

Overview

Windows Security provides an integrated suite for Windows 10 and 11, including Microsoft Defender Antivirus, Microsoft Defender Firewall, and BitLocker encryption. Evaluations by the German organization AV-Test have placed these built-in tools on par with dedicated antivirus programs regarding protection, usability, and performance.

However, security research identified nine vulnerabilities within the Administrator Protection feature introduced in Windows 11, version 25H2. This feature, intended to replace User Account Control (UAC) with a more robust security boundary, was found to allow for the silent elevation of privileges. Microsoft has issued fixes via security bulletins, but as of December 1, 2025, the company has temporarily disabled the Administrator Protection feature to resolve application compatibility issues.

Entities

Microsoft Windows · AV-Test · Microsoft · Windows · Microsoft Defender

Timeline

  1. [TECHNOLOGY] 3 sources
    Microsoft Windows security features and vulnerabilities

    Windows Security integrates Defender, Firewall, and BitLocker. Recent research identified nine vulnerabilities in the new Administrator Protection feature, which Microsoft has since patched.

  2. [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    Windows Security provides robust protection against digital threats

    Windows Security has received top ratings from AV-Test for protection and performance, offering robust built-in defense against viruses and ransomware when configured correctly.

Sources

gravitywiz.com · obsidian.md · techdows.com