• Data Execution Prevention (DEP) is a processor feature that Windows 7 is capable of using. DEP monitors processes to ensure that they do not access unauthorized memory spaces.


• If your processor does not support DEP, there are some software-based DEP features that can be performed by Windows 7.


• By default, DEP is enabled for only essential Windows programs and services.

Read more about DEP at:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc738483(WS.10).aspx.