If you are using Windows 10 v1709 or later, you do not have to use EMET as the built-in Exploit Protection features in Windows Defender Security Center performs the same function.
Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit EMET
Today, software vulnerabilities and exploits have become a part of life, what with vulnerabilities being found in every commonly used software every other day. Security mitigation technologies can help keep you protected even before the updates are released by the software vendors, as they make it more difficult for an attacker to exploit vulnerabilities. It basically does this by letting users force applications to use key security defenses like Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) and Data Execution Prevention (DEP). You can use it to protect Microsoft as well as non-Microsoft applications. The latest iteration of the Microsoft security tool – Microsoft Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET) 5.5 is designed to prevent exploits and allow administrators control when third-party plugins should be launched. This is because it has been observed that third-party applications, plugins and programs have become preferred route for attackers since finding vulnerabilities in the Windows OS has become a difficult task. EMET also provides a configurable SSL/TLS certificate pinning feature that is called Certificate Trust. This feature is intended to detect man-in-the-middle attacks that are leveraging the public key infrastructure (PKI). Applications that are vulnerable to attacks by cybercriminals include Java applications as well as applications from Adobe systems. Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET) by Microsoft is designed to strengthen the security of non-Microsoft applications by using defense capabilities built within Windows, such as ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomization) and DEP (Data Execution Prevention). This, makes your machine more secure and immune to attacks. Some features incorporated in Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET): EMET 5.5 includes new functionality and updates, including: Installation is so simple! Once you have downloaded and installed the Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit, you will see a wizard. You have to configure its settings by providing the name and location of the executable file that you want to protect. If you go in for the default recommended settings, then most common programs like Internet Explorer, Oracle Java, Microsoft Office, Adobe, etc. will be protected. You may use the Recommended Settings, if you do not know what to do. But if you are familiar with the working of the tool, you may Configure it manually, or use Existing settings, if you are upgrading your EMET. If you are a beginner, I suggest you stick with the default recommended settings.
EMET is highly configurable and allows granular plugin blacklisting within applications. It helps harden legacy applications and also verify SSL certificates trust while surfing websites. You will see its notifications being displayed in the taskbar.
EMET free download
The new Microsoft EMET Service is another feature our enterprise customers will find helpful in monitoring status and logs of any suspicious activity. You can download the latest version of Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit from Microsoft. The latest version as on 18th April 2017 is EMET v 5.52. EMET 5.5 supports Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012 – as well as Windows 10. The download also contains a PDF User Guide, which will be very helpful if you plan to deploy EMET on your Windows system. Don’t let the name scare you away. Microsoft has a penchant for long complicated names. I use the Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit on my Windows 10, and so should you. Just download it, install it, use the recommended settings and make your computer more secure with this free anti-exploit tool from Microsoft!
