Windows 11 to Deprecate NTLM, Add AI-Powered App Controls and Security Defenses

Microsoft confirmed its plans to deprecate NT LAN Manager (NTLM) in Windows 11 in the second half of the year, as it announced a slew of new security measures to harden the widely-used desktop operating system. Smart App Control, which protects users from running untrusted or unsigned applications, has also been upgraded with an artificial intelligence (AI) model to determine the safety of apps and block those that are unknown or contain malware. 
 

These improvements also follow criticism of Microsoft's security practices that allowed nation-state actors from China and Russia to breach its Exchange Online environment, with a recent report from the U.S. Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB) noting that the company's security culture requires an overhaul.
 

"Using the same vendor for operating systems, email, office software, and security tooling [...] raises the risk of a single breach undermining an entire ecosystem," the company said.
 

Reference: Hackernews