Need explanation for this feature | Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Navigation Throttle

[HotCakeX]

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Navigation Throttle

If enabled, Microsoft Defender SmartScreen will replace the current method of protecting against potentially harmful browser navigations.

Mac, Windows #edge-smartscreen-nav-throttle

The flag is in Edge Version 87.0.658.0 (Official build) dev (64-bit)

• I want to know what is the current method of Edge protecting against potentially harmful browser navigations, if not using Microsoft Defender SmartScreen?
• And also how is this possible on Mac that doesn't have Windows Defender?
• Lastly, is that flag connected to this option in Edge settings?

[#2 · Accepted solution]

@HotCakeX In short, nothing changes in terms of user expectations or security.  The flag is more for controlling the code flow (just use code path 1 in place of code path 2) but the end-result is same.

Windows defender is not a pre-requisite for Edge's SmartScreen so it works on Mac too. 

[#3]

@bhkumar007 

Thank you!