For businesses, there's also the Application Guard, which is designed to help prevent web-based attacks using hardware isolation. The tool also sends out an alert if you attempt to download potentially malicious files.įor those in a work environment, Microsoft has given IT professionals even more control over SmartScreen.

Meanwhile, with built-in Microsoft Defender SmartScreen technology, Microsoft Edge can protect you from accidentially visiting locations online previously reported as phishing or malware websites. Better still, you can switch back and forth between the three levels at will depending on your circumstances or location. Nonetheless, I'm impressed Microsoft has moved past an all or nothing approach when it comes to tracking. Like Microsoft, I believe the Balanced approach is optimal for most users. Depending on the site, the limit could also disable video and login capabilities. Under this scenario, your surfing experience becomes even less personalized. With Strict tracking, Microsoft blocks harmful trackers and the majority of all trackers across most sites. The trade-off is you receive a less robust and personalized experience compared to the Basic option. The Balanced approach, which Microsoft recommends for most users, blocks harmful trackers and those from sites you haven't visited. Under Basic, Microsoft blocks trackers it thinks are potentially harmful, while allowing others that are intended to personalize your web content and ads. At launch, Microsoft Edge offers three levels of tracking prevention, Basic, Balanced, and Strict. Unfortunately, separating the two isn't always easy. The trackers, which collect data about how you interact with a site, includes a mix of good and bad actors. In Microsoft Edge, you get to decide how much free rein web trackers have while you're surfing. While nothing is 100 percent secure, Microsoft is doing its part to push its Edge browser closer to absolute security through tracking prevention and a so-called SmartScreen tool. Hackers will always target web browsers and I don't expect that will ever change.

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