Microsoft is on a quest to make the Edge browser as secure as it may be, and a new feature in the works is about to make it even tougher. Not everyone will be able to take advantage of the update, but those who can will enjoy yet another layer of security when browsing with Edge.
Microsoft Edge's New Security Feature
You can see all the juicy details on the Microsoft 365 Roadmap, which is the Redmond tech giant's way of showing people what it's working on.
Right now we're taking a look at Feature 84183, titled "Microsoft Edge v.94: Control-flow Enforcement Technology (CET)." Here's what it does:
Microsoft Edge will begin supporting an even safer browsing mode that uses hardware-dependent control flow for browser processes on supported hardware (Intel 11th Gen. or AMD Zen 3). You can disable CET by manipulating Image File Execution Options (IFEO) using group policy.
Unfortunately, the feature is still in development and scheduled come out in September 2021. However, once it does come out, it'll help people browse safer than ever before.
Sounds Great, What on Earth Is It?
The feature's title and description has a lot of technical terms in it, and it's not inherently clear as to what it's doing. So, what is CET, and why is it so good?
Intel takes a really in-depth look into CET on the Intel Developer Zone, but in short, it's a new feature on processors that prevents certain kinds of malware from working. Developers can code their programs to work alongside CET and stop hackers from exploiting the software via control-flow attacks.
Unfortunately, as stated in both Intel's post and in the Microsoft Roadmap entry, not every processor has CET. Intel 11th Gen and AMD Zen 3 processors will have this shiny new feature, but older processors won't.
As such, this security update will only affect those with newer PCs. However, those that do have modern processors will enjoy a stronger Edge browser when September 2021 rolls around.
A Modern Browser for Modern Processors
If you own an Intel 11th Gen or AMD Zen 3 processor, your copy of Microsoft Edge is about to get a lot safer at no additional cost to you. Hopefully, in the future, more software developers will adopt CET to make the internet a safer place.
If you haven't been keeping tabs on Microsoft Edge lately, you've likely missed the wave of security-focused updates for the browser. For instance, it's now getting a HTTPS mode to keep your connections encrypted.
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