Microsoft advertizes security in Windows 7
Last week Microsoft described improved security features in its upcoming Windows 7 operating system, currently in 
beta release.
These security features include a revised User Account Control (UAC) feature, an enhanced BitLocker encryption solution, Authentication Profiles and a new Windows Biometric Framework. Most of these features were first introduced in Windows Vista.
Vista users were angry with UAC because there were too many unclear dialog boxes about security. Microsoft has since announced a plan to tweak the UAC in the release candidate version of Windows 7.
According to a Windows 7 security blog the one way that Windows 7 limits privileges is by setting up most users as “standard users” who are not part of the administrative group. They only get notified by UAC when programs try to make changes to their computers, and not for common administrative tasks.
BitLocker To Go is a new feature introduced with Windows 7. It provides strong encryption to protect data on removable drives.
Authentication Protocols in Windows 7 allows users to share data between home and office machines using an online ID. It uses a new protocol called Public Key-based User to User (PKU2U).
Windows 7 also introduced a new Windows Biometric Framework to support biometric authentication devices, such as fingerprint readers. The framework contains two options for configuring biometric devices that can be managed from the Control Panel or Group Policy.
Microsoft also recently announced that the release candidate version of Windows 7 will be available for download on April 30 by MSDN and TechNet subscribers, with public availability scheduled for May 5.
