The security solution provides a simple firewall that stops ads, provides low-level exploit protection, stops visits to malicious sites or downloads, blocks dangerous URLs, and more. Windows Defender free download comes with an array of features including automatic scanning, blocking, anti-phishing, and offline maintenance. This app is similar to Windows Defender and provides anti-malware protection to non-Windows users. Microsoft has also ventured into cross-platform protection with Microsoft Defender ATP for Mac users. In case you install a third-party security solution, Defender goes dormant to avoid any conflict. You won’t even have to configure anything as the antivirus software starts working right after getting installed. However, if you do have to install or download Windows Defender, it can be done with ease. The evaluation places the latest version of Windows Defender among the top-ten software suites considered to be reliable.Īn essential benefit of Defender is that it comes integrated with most Windows and stays on by default. According to AV lab tests, Defender’s security center protects a PC against trojans, ransomware, spyware, viruses, and other security threats.

However, the recent updates have turned Microsoft Defender into a security product that directly competes with paid antivirus software.

Defender ranks high on AV tests!Īntivirus has always been a part of Windows. The full-featured Microsoft Defender is also free to use and requires little effort to download and install.

As of today, the software provides reliable protection against almost all cyber threats and has consistently scored 100% in malware protection tests. Although the antivirus product has been around for over a few years now, the latest update has upped Defender’s security game. Windows Defender is an anti-malware tool by Microsoft that comes preinstalled in Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows 11. Joe Wainer Updated 6 months ago An antivirus that is free and secure

Windows defender on mac