## 5 Discussion  
The testing of the MortalKombat, Hive, and Cerber ransomware variants on Windows 11 Pro offers a comprehensive insight into the operating system's defense mechanisms, both in default and hardened configurations. Here, we provide a discussion of the responses to these ransomware variants to understand the overall robustness and strategy of Windows 11 Pro's security features. The hardened environment demonstrated Smart App Control's dominance in ransomware detection, even overshadowing Real-time protection. When the ransomware variants were introduced, Smart App Control, backed by its cloud intelligence, probably identified the file's hash or metadata matching with known threats, resulting in an immediate halt of the download. While Real-time protection is designed to scan and detect malicious files actively, the Smart App Control feature is more reactive, awaiting an execution attempt. The advantage is that even if a user momentarily disables Real-time protection, Smart App Control remains vigilant. In essence, the behavior exhibited against the ransomware variants reinforces the strategic interplay between Real-time protection and Smart App Control, offering users a robust and dynamic defense mechanism. Detection Timing:  
Detection happened after unzipping in the default and in pre-download completion in the hardened environment. Security Feature Engagement:  
In the default setting, Real-time protection was the primary defense mechanism. In the hardened mode, Smart App Control took the reins, reflecting the strategic shift in defense based on the configuration. User Interaction and Notifications:  
Both variants triggered notifications which, though temporary, were effective in informing the user about the detected threat. Sysmon Observations:  
Sysmon logs revealed that various system processes were invoked, reflecting the operating system's response to a potential threat. Adaptability of Defense Mechanisms:  
The testing of these ransomware variants showcased Windows 11 Pro's dynamic response based on the configuration. While the default setting relies heavily on Real-time protection, the hardened mode introduces a layered defense strategy, emphasizing the role of Smart App Control. While the threat was automatically quarantined, a potential improvement could be allowing the notification to await user acknowledgment, ensuring they're informed about the detected threat. Currently, the notification is temporary, which might be missed by the user. Relevance to End-Users: The Windows Defender protection history offers insights, but we must ensure users can easily access this information. It is essential to prioritize user experience while maintaining stringent security. The hardened configuration in Windows 11 Pro acknowledges that many modern threats are not solely dependent on the presence of malicious files, but rather on the behavior of applications and processes. Attackers often exploit legitimate applications to execute malicious actions, making it challenging for traditional antivirus methods to detect such activities solely based on file signatures or patterns. Interpreting Windows Defender's Defensive Dynamics  
Several key observations and patterns were discerned. Windows Defender showcased its efficacy in both default and hardened configurations, effectively neutralizing the ransomware attempts and underscoring its robust capability to identify and combat a range of threats. The juxtaposition between the default and hardened configurations was enlightening. While the default configuration leaned heavily on Real-time protection, detecting and quarantining ransomware either post-download or during execution attempts, the hardened environment exhibited more proactive defense mechanisms. The download processes were often interrupted, a testament to the layered security approach in this advanced setting. An integral part of the analysis was recognizing the role of browser-based protections.