Weak Settings Scan

In this section, you will learn about weak operating system settings, and how to search for and fix weak settings in the operating system.

About weak settings of the operating system

When you are working with a computer, operating system settings can be changed as a result of your actions or the actions of applications that you run. Changing the operating system settings can pose a risk to the security of your computer. For example, if automatic sign-in with the current user name and password is enabled in the browser, a third-party website can intercept your password.

Weak settings in the operating system can be divided into two types:

• Critical settings. Such settings are equated with vulnerabilities of the operating system.
• Recommended settings. You are advised to fix these settings to improve the security of the operating system.

By default, the application scans for weak settings of the operating system at least once a day. If the application detects weak settings in the operating system, it prompts you to fix them to restore the security of the operating system. More details about each weak setting are available on the Kaspersky Technical Support website.

You can click the link in the notification window to go to the Weak Settings Scan window that displays the weak settings detected in the operating system. Information about weak settings is also displayed in the Notification Center. You can proceed to view and fix the weak settings from the Notification Center.

In the Weak Settings Scan window, you can perform the following actions:

• Fix weak settings in the operating system.
• Ignore: Leave weak settings of the operating system unchanged.
• Cancel: Restore previously fixed weak settings of the operating system to their original state.

The application identifies weak settings of the operating system for all user accounts on your computer. You can fix weak settings for other user accounts on the computer only if you have logged in to the operating system under an administrator account.

If you are not an administrator of the computer, you can ignore weak settings only for your own user account. Only a computer administrator can ignore weak settings of all user accounts.

You can manually start a scan for weak settings or disable the scan for weak settings.

You can remotely manage the protection of your computer and send a command to fix weak settings from My Kaspersky.

How to find and fix weak settings in the operating system

To find and fix weak settings of the operating system:

1. Open the main application window.
2. Select the Security section.
3. Under Security, select Weak Settings Scan.
4. Click the Scan button.

   This runs a Weak Settings Scan. After the scan is complete, you will see scan results in the Weak Settings Scan section.

5. Click View to go to the Weak Settings Scan window.
6. In the Weak Settings Scan window, select an action to take on weak settings:
   • Detected weak settings. Do one of the following:
     • Click the Fix all button to fix all weak settings.
     • Click the Fix button to fix a weak setting.
     • If open applications are interfering with fixing a weak setting, click the View button to view the list of interfering applications.

       To close applications that prevent the setting from getting fixed, do one of the following:

       • Click the button to the right of the name of the interfering application to shut it down normally. If the application detects any unsaved changes, it will prompt you to save them.
       • Click the Force close link to close all interfering applications without saving data.
     • In the drop-down list next to the Fix button, select Ignore to leave a weak setting unchanged.
     • In the drop-down list next to the Fix button, select Read more to view information about a weak setting on the Kaspersky Technical Support website.
   • Previously fixed weak settings.
     • Click the Cancel button to restore the fixed setting to its original state.
     • In the drop-down list next to the Cancel button, select Read more to view information about a weak setting on the Kaspersky Technical Support website.
   • Ignored settings. Click the Show all link next to the <N> ignored settings message to open the list of weak settings that you left unchanged, and click the Fix button.

How to enable Weak Settings Scan

To disable the Weak Settings Scan:

1. Open the main application window.
2. Click in the lower part of the main window.

   The Settings window opens.

3. Go to the Performance settings section.
4. Click PC resource consumption.
5. Clear the Scan for weak operating system settings check box.

The application will not scan for weak settings of the operating system or show alerts about them.