That Windows 8 is a standard setting OS, there are no doubts about. However, do not allow yourself to believe all those naysayers harping on about the so called security flaws of Microsoft’s latest Windows OS offering. Windows 8 has many security enhancements and most of them are by default, active. However, there is still enough room for you to be proactive enough in ensuring the safety of your data.
Guard Your Microsoft Account
Windows 8 has introduced a feature that lets users sign-in to the operating system by using a Microsoft account created through their personal email ID. This account plays host to a number of different but important things like Windows settings, saved passwords, and preferences apart from others like favorites, browser history and of course, all Windows 8 apps. All this information is stored on Microsoft’s own servers. The very instance you log-in to your account from another new machine, all this stored information is automatically synced to the new machine.
While a thoroughly user-friendly feature, this syncing opens up enormous possibilities for miscreants who gain access to your account. With the falling of your Microsoft password into the wrong hands, anyone can easily acquire all your information through the syncing feature. Furthermore, if you are using Microsoft’s SkyDrive cloud service, your important files stored online could also be stolen.
How to Prevent Such a Possibility?
The easiest and simplest way of beefing up the security of your Microsoft account is by strengthening your account’s password. While creating an account, use different characters and cases to design a strong password. Make it a point to avoid using definite words. Also do not use this password anywhere else, especially online, so as to prevent the string from leaking onto the web. Storing highly sensitive documents and files in SkyDrive should also be avoided.
Note that you can also sign-in to a new Windows 8 account using a Windows Live (or Microsoft) account. Also remember to strengthen the existing password of this Windows Live or Microsoft account if it is not good enough.
Inherent Security Features
As mentioned before, Windows 8 has many active security features in place. A notable example is the fact that none of your personal data like passwords belonging to networks, Internet Explorer, and apps of Windows 8 are synced to any new machine until and unless you confirm that new machine as a, ‘Trusted PC’. Whenever you log-in to your Windows 8 account from a new machine, Microsoft sends an alert in the form of text/email message to confirm the action. The protection from this mechanism is great. The threat here can arise if someone also gains access to your email’s login details. With regular updating of your login information along with the phone number, your Windows 8 account can be made virtually hack-proof.
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