Searching files by risk level involves filtering based on security classifications assigned by protective software, such as "flagged" (potentially suspicious) or "quarantined" (isolated due to confirmed or high-probability threat). This differs from standard searches by content or date; it specifically targets files identified as potentially harmful by security systems, allowing users to focus solely on security-related items within their environment.

In practice, this capability is crucial within Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) platforms and antivirus consoles. Security teams routinely search for all quarantined files to review detections, confirm threats, and initiate remediation. Similarly, IT helpdesk staff might search for files flagged on a user's device to investigate alerts about suspicious downloads before they cause harm.

This targeted search offers significant efficiency benefits for incident response and security hygiene, enabling rapid focus on critical threats. However, its effectiveness relies entirely on the accuracy of the underlying security system labeling; false positives (benign files mistakenly flagged) are a key limitation. Its implementation inherently involves tracking file statuses, which must balance security visibility with user privacy considerations. Future developments will likely integrate deeper context into risk-level searches.