Windows Defender Application Control
Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) is a security feature in Windows that allows administrators to control which applications and code can run on devices. It uses policies to define trusted software, blocking unauthorized or malicious executables, scripts, and drivers. This helps enforce a zero-trust model by ensuring only approved software runs, reducing the attack surface.
Developers should learn WDAC when building or deploying applications in enterprise environments that require strict security compliance, such as government, finance, or healthcare sectors. It's essential for implementing application whitelisting to prevent malware and unauthorized software execution, particularly in Windows-based systems where endpoint security is critical.