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Application allow-listing

Application allow-listing

(also allowlisting, application whitelisting)

Application allow-listing definition

A list of applications that are allowed to exist or perform any actions on a device. They follow a particular set of conditions that they must always meet to be able to operate. They are used to prevent malware and unauthorized software from performing any actions on a device.

Application allow-listing attributes

• File path. All applications and files in that path or the whole directory are allowed to run.
• File size. Only applications that are a particular size are allowed to run.
• File name. Application has to have a particular name to be able to run. Like file path and size, this attribute is easy to fake.
• Process. Applications must follow a predetermined process to be allowed to run.

Further reading

Whitelisting — what is it and how does it work?

How to tell if you have malware