A free antivirus that offers fair security
Windows Defender is an anti-malware suite that’s built into every Windows 10 and 11 device. It has performed well in tests conducted by three independent organizations and comes with a few key features that make it stand out. It includes cloud backup and parental control. It’s not a one-stop solution to guard against all threats, however. Other top antivirus software programs include extra features like a VPN and password manager along with an array of device security and malware.
The Windows Security dashboard shows how everything’s running on your system, with green ticks indicating all is good and red ones indicating things that need attention. The Windows Security dashboard is simple to use, but navigating through the different settings screens could be a bit tricky.
Microsoft Defender includes a variety of standard security features such as real-time scans and blocking suspicious connections. It can also block malicious applications from changing the system settings and prevent malware from launching in running memory. It also provides assistance with changing passwords and account issues. There are some under-the-bonnet OS security measures, such as virtualisation-based code isolation and hardware defenses.
The Windows Security app also includes an information base with solutions to common issues and a search bar in case you are unable to find what you require. Community videos are available to show you how to use each feature. Two technical support sessions are included for free and you can pay for more when needed.