Windows 10 devices are widely popular in enterprises as well as educational organizations. Windows Operating System still holds up the majority of the market share for desktops. Thanks to user familiarity, Windows desktops are here to stay.
As Windows 10 computers are deployed for education or business, one of the major challenges is to configure them for designated purposes without hampering the overall user experience.
One of the most critical tasks while managing Windows 10 devices for business or education is to create a comprehensive application policy. In the enterprise environment, non-business or entertainment apps can not only cause employee distractions and lead to excess data usage but also can impact the security of corporate data lying on enterprise Windows 10 devices.
Without a stringent application policy, employees can download any malicious or untrusted application on Windows 10 devices, imposing a threat to data as well as device security. In schools and other educational institutions, uncontrolled app access can cause distractions, defying the purpose of deploying Windows 10 devices.
This is why Windows application whitelisting is critical. With Scalefusion MDM for Windows 10 devices, IT teams can create and enforce extensive application policies.
What is Windows Application Whitelisting?
Windows Application Whitelisting is a security practice that involves creating a list of approved applications that are permitted to run on a Windows operating system. This approach ensures that only pre-approved, trusted software can execute, thereby preventing unauthorized or potentially harmful applications from being installed or run. The primary goal of application whitelisting is to enhance security by reducing the risk of malware and other malicious software from executing on a system.
Application whitelisting can be implemented through various methods, including using built-in Windows features such as AppLocker, Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) and application whitelisting software like Scalefusion. These tools allow administrators to define policies that control which applications can run based on various criteria, such as file attributes, digital signatures, or paths. By restricting execution to a defined set of applications, organizations can better protect their systems from threats, reduce the attack surface, and ensure compliance with security policies.
IT admins can whitelist or blacklist applications on Windows 10 devices with ease. IT teams can alternatively lock the Windows 10 device to Single App mode and block access to any other app.
Best Practices for Managing Windows Application Whitelisting
Managing Windows application whitelisting effectively helps enhance security by ensuring only trusted software can run on your systems. Here are some best practices for managing Windows application whitelisting:
1. Leverage Native Windows Application Whitelisting Solutions
Use built-in tools like Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) or AppLocker for application whitelisting. These tools provide robust whitelisting software capabilities, ensuring that only trusted Windows whitelist applications run on your systems.
2. Start in Audit Mode
Begin by running application whitelisting policies in Audit mode. This allows you to monitor which apps are used before enforcing restrictions, ensuring that your application whitelisting solutions don’t disrupt essential operations.
3. Whitelist Based on Certificates and Hashes
Base whitelisting rules on publisher certificates or file hashes to ensure flexibility and security. This method allows your whitelist applications to stay updated and reduces the risk of unauthorized changes.
4. Automate Policy Updates
Use Windows Group Policy or automation scripts to streamline the management of your application whitelisting software. Regularly update policies to accommodate new versions of trusted software.
5. Monitor Logs for Continuous Improvement
Regularly check event logs to track attempts to run unauthorized apps. Monitoring logs helps you fine-tune your Windows whitelist applications and maintain optimal security.
By applying these best practices, you can improve your organization’s Windows application whitelisting strategy and ensure secure, efficient software management.
How To Do Windows Application Whitelisting:
Let us see how to whitelist applications Windows 10 devices
1. Navigate to Device Profiles in the Device Management section of the Scalefusion dashboard.
2. Select the Windows 10 device profile you want to create the application whitelisting for. You can also start off by creating a new profile.
3. Now your screen will display the settings for Windows application whitelisting and blacklisting.
4. Select the ‘whitelist selected apps’ option. You can add the primary username or choose to auto-create a kiosk account.
5. Now, you can proceed to select the apps that are to be whitelisted on the Windows 10 devices. You can choose from a list of UWP and Win32 apps. You can also edit the app details such as the app name and app icon for further configuration. Click on next to continue and save settings.
All the apps except the ones whitelisted will be automatically blocked on the Windows 10 devices managed by Scalefusion. This is how you blocklist apps on Windows.
Learn more:
What is Windows Kiosk Mode? – A Fundamental Elaboration
How to lockdown Windows 10 devices to multi-app kiosk mode6. Instead of application whitelisting on Windows 10 devices, you can also opt for application blacklisting.
In these simple steps, applications can be whitelisted on Windows 10 devices. Application whitelisting can help mitigate the preliminary IT challenges of blocking non-business apps and ensuring employee productivity with up-to-date business apps on Windows 10 devices.
What are the Benefits of Windows Application Whitelisting?
Here are the key benefits of Windows application whitelisting:
1. Enhanced Security
Application whitelisting significantly reduces the risk of malware and unauthorized software by only allowing pre-approved Windows whitelist applications to run. This approach blocks any software not explicitly authorized, adding a strong layer of defense against cyber threats.
2. Reduced Attack Surface
By controlling which applications can be executed, application whitelisting software limits the entry points for malware, ransomware, and other threats, reducing your overall attack surface.
3. Prevention of Unwanted Software
application whitelisting solutions prevent the installation of unauthorized software, reducing potential system instability, data leaks, and performance issues caused by unapproved applications.
4. Simplified Compliance
Many industries have strict regulatory requirements for software usage. Windows application whitelisting helps ensure compliance by maintaining strict control over which software can be installed and used, making audits easier.
5. Improved System Performance
By allowing only necessary whitelist applications to run, systems often experience better performance. Fewer background processes from unwanted software result in optimized resource usage and smoother operations.
Overall, application whitelisting software strengthens security, ensures regulatory compliance, and helps maintain a streamlined, efficient IT environment.
FAQs
1. What is application whitelisting?
Application whitelisting is a cybersecurity measure that restricts the execution of only approved applications on a system. It creates a list of authorized programs and blocks any unauthorized ones from running. This enhances security by preventing malware and unauthorized software from compromising the system.
2. Does Windows have built-in application whitelisting?
While Windows has some application control features, it doesn’t offer comprehensive whitelisting capabilities out of the box.
3. What are the benefits of using application whitelisting on Windows?
windows application whitelisting protects against ransomware, malware, and zero-day attacks. It also helps enforce compliance regulations and prevents unauthorized software usage.
4. What are some common application whitelisting tools for windows?
Some common application whitelisting tools are Windows AppLocker and Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC). There are also good third-party options like Scalefusion MDM.
5. How do I choose the right Windows application whitelisting software for my organization?
Consider factors like the size of your organization, the complexity of your IT environment, and specific security requirements. Evaluating different software options through demos or trials is recommended.
