A free antivirus that offers fair protection
Windows Defender is a built-in anti-malware software that is included with every Windows 10 or 11 device. It has been tested conducted by three independent organizations and includes a handful of key features that help it stand out, like cloud backup and parental controls. It’s not the only solution to safeguard against all threats, however. Other top antivirus software packages provide additional features such as a VPN and password manager alongside an array of device security and malware.
Windows Security Dashboard shows you what your system is doing. The green ticks indicate that everything is in order and red ticks indicate things that require attention. It’s easy to see what you have to do however, navigating through the various settings screens can be a little difficult.
Microsoft Defender comes with a variety of standard security features, including real-time scanning and blocking of suspicious connections. It can also block malicious applications from changing system settings and prevent malware from running in memory. It also gives guidance on changing passwords and account issues. There are other OS security features that protect you, like code isolation, virtualisation and hardware defences.
Windows Security also has a knowledgebase with solutions to common problems, and the ability to search for information if it isn’t able to locate the information you’re seeking. Community videos are available to show you how to use every feature. You receive two days of technical assistance for free You can also purchase additional services if needed.