Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS)

Windows Automatic Updates include the latest security and critical updates and service packs. These updates ensure that the computer is protected against the latest viruses and other security threats. Through Automatic Updates, Windows automatically downloads the latest updates on the computer on a pre-determined schedule.

Windows Update can be setup to automatically update your PC by automatically downloading and installing both Important updates and Recommended updates in Windows Vista. Windows Update is a free service built into Windows. It is designed to help you keep your PC more secure, reliable, compatible with devices, and able to run new features that may enhance your experience. With Windows Update, you can easily get the following:

For security reasons, a firewall is essential for a computer. It prevents any malicious program from running. It is a set of related programs configured to protect private networks connected to the Internet from intrusion. It regulates the network traffic between different computer networks. It permits or denies the transmission of a network packet to its destination based on a set of rules.

Sometimes there is a need to allow certain programs to pass through the firewall. In this post, the procedure to configure firewall to allow certain programs is discussed.

The steps for configuring firewall access for specific programs are as follows:

Windows Defender is a software product from Microsoft to prevent, remove and quarantine spyware in Microsoft Windows. It was formerly known as Microsoft AntiSpyware. It is included and enabled by default in Windows Vista and Windows 7, and is available as a free download for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.

Windows Defender features system scan capabilities similar to other free products on the market, and includes a number of real-time security agents that monitor several common areas of Windows for changes which may be caused by spyware. It also includes the ability to easily remove ActiveX applications that are installed. If it detects anything suspicious, an alert will appear on the screen.

BitLocker Drive Encryption is a full disk encryption feature included with the Ultimate and Enterprise editions of Microsoft’s Windows Vista and Windows 7 desktop operating systems, as well as the Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 server platforms. It is used to protect all files stored on the drive Windows is installed on. It encrypts the entire system drive and helps block hackers from accessing the system files they rely on to discover user passwords. By default it uses the AES encryption algorithm in CBC mode with a 128 bit key, combined with the Elephant diffuser for additional disk encryption specific security not provided by AES. BitLocker also prevents hackers from accessing the hard disk by removing it from a computer and installing it on a different computer.

Internet Explorer 7+ provides the following security features to help protect security and privacy when a user surfs the Internet:

1. Protected mode: The protected mode feature of IE 7+ prevents a computer from saving the files or programs of a Web site. Protected mode makes it more difficult for malware to be installed. In case such a program is installed, it makes difficult for the program to damage a user’s file and other operating system files. Protected mode is enabled by default for Internet, local intranet, and restricted sites. However, it is not enabled for trusted sites.

There are a number of security and safety features of Windows Vista that are not available in prior versions of Windows operating system.

The security and safety features of Windows Vista are as follows:

1. User Account Control: User Account Control (UAC) is a security feature introduced with Microsoft’s Windows Vista operating system. It helps in preventing unauthorized changes to a user’s computer. UAC asks the user for permission or an administrator password before performing actions that could potentially affect a computer’s operation or that change settings that affect other users. It improves the safety and security of the computer by preventing harmful programs from making changes to the computer. This feature works with Windows Defender and Internet Explorer 7 to help reduce the impact of viruses, spyware, and other threats.

By getting MCAS certified, you can prove your expertise in using the latest Microsoft Office programs and the Windows Vista operating system. Getting certified will help you to differentiate yourself in today’s competitive job market, broaden your employment opportunities by displaying your advanced skills, and result in higher earning potential. Research indicates that certified individuals have increased competence, productivity, and credibility with their employers, co-workers, and clients.

Candidates must pass one certification exam in order to earn the MCAS credential:

1. MCAS: Windows Vista for the Business Worker (Exam 77-600)
2. MCAS: Microsoft Office Word 2007 (Exam 77-601)

Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) certification validates the productivity skills of candidates for using Microsoft Office 2007 applications and the Windows Vista operating system. It helps a candidate to meet the demand for the most up-to-date skills on the latest Microsoft technologies. Individuals interested in validating their skills can take hands-on certification tests for Windows Vista, Microsoft Office Word, Microsoft Office Excel, Microsoft Office PowerPoint, Microsoft Office Outlook and Microsoft Office Access.