A free antivirus that provides fair security
Windows Defender is a built-in anti-malware program that comes with every Windows 10 or 11 device. It has been tested conducted by three independent companies and comes with a number of key features to make it stand out, including cloud backup and parental controls. It’s not the only way to guard against all threats. Other top antivirus software programs provide additional features such as a VPN and password manager along with the full range of security for devices and malware.
Windows Security Dashboard shows you what your system is doing. Green ticks indicate that everything is in order and red ticks indicate things that require attention. It’s easy to see what you must do however, navigating through the various settings screens can be a little difficult.
Microsoft Defender offers a range of protection options that are standard like real-time scans and blocking suspicious connections. It can also stop malicious apps from altering the system settings and prevent malware from running in memory. It can also provide advice on password changes and account problems. There are other OS security features that protect you, like virtualisation, code isolation and hardware defences.
Windows Security also has a knowledge base that provides solutions to common problems, and a search engine if you are unable to find what you are looking for. Community videos are available to help you understand how to make the most of every feature. Two incidents of technical support are included for free and can pay more when needed.