SC-900 Practice Question: Describe the capabilities of Microsoft security solutions
A company wants to block users from accessing phishing websites via Microsoft Edge. Which Microsoft security solution should they use?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (a broad EDR platform) with the browser-specific anti-phishing feature, assuming that any 'Defender' product covers all security scenarios, when in fact SmartScreen is a distinct, lightweight component built into Edge.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is the correct solution because it is specifically designed to protect users from phishing and malicious websites directly within Microsoft Edge. It operates by comparing visited URLs against a dynamic list of reported phishing sites and analyzing site behavior in real time, blocking access before the user can interact with the page.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Why it's wrong here
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is a comprehensive enterprise endpoint security platform designed for post-breach detection, automated investigation, and response capabilities across devices. While it offers network protection features that can block access to malicious IP addresses and domains, its primary function is not real-time, browser-integrated phishing website blocking for users. It operates at a deeper system level, focusing on endpoint vulnerabilities and attack surface reduction rather than user-facing web filtering for phishing.
- ✗
Microsoft Purview
Why it's wrong here
Microsoft Purview is a unified data governance solution that helps organizations manage and govern their data across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Its capabilities include data mapping, data cataloging, data loss prevention (DLP), and insider risk management, all aimed at compliance and data protection. It does not, however, provide direct mechanisms for blocking user access to malicious or phishing websites at the browser or network edge.
- ✗
Microsoft Intune
Why it's wrong here
Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based service focused on mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM), enabling organizations to manage endpoints and applications. It allows for the deployment of security policies, configuration settings, and application deployments to devices. However, Intune itself does not directly provide real-time web content filtering or phishing protection capabilities; it can configure devices to *use* such services, but it is not the service that performs the blocking.
- ✓
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen
Why this is correct
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is a security feature integrated into Microsoft Edge and other Windows components that provides real-time protection against phishing sites, malicious websites, and potentially unwanted software downloads. It actively checks websites and files against a dynamic list of reported malicious content, alerting users or blocking access to help prevent them from falling victim to social engineering attacks or malware infections. This direct, browser-level intervention is precisely what's needed to block users from accessing phishing websites.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Core Security Concepts
Key term
Security
Security in IT is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, damage, or theft.
Key term
Phishing
Phishing is a type of cyber attack where criminals impersonate legitimate organizations or individuals to trick victims into revealing sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal data.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This SC-900 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SC-900 exam.