Every device connected to the internet is at risk because those devices are prone to viruses, malware, trojans, and many more harmful threats. To protect systems from such kinds of viruses, it becomes important for all to install antivirus software. Antivirus software is software that is installed on the system so as to protect it from dangerous viruses. The software runs in the background to identify the viruses in a file you have opened or installed and compare them to known threats. This helps you protect your system from viruses.
In this article, we will discuss Microsoft Defender Antivirus Solution. Though there are many other antivirus software programs available, because of the popularity of Microsoft products, Defender is regarded as the best to install because of its unique features.
About Microsoft Defender
Microsoft Defender was also known as Windows Defender. Since its launch, it has continuously evolved not only as a product but also in keeping the environment secure. Before, products like Defender ATA, Defender ATP, and Defender AIP were used separately. Now all these products have emerged into one powerful piece of software. Microsoft Defender is the only software that is already installed on Windows. It protects a system from various types of viruses, spyware, malware, etc. Microsoft Defender is regularly updated, so it could have the potential to defend against advanced threats. The software scans the system daily to identify and secure it from various threats.
Why businesses trust Microsoft Defender?
All businesses are dependent on Microsoft 365 for collaborating with team members in real time, as all the products available in Microsoft 365 are perfect for the business to use from anywhere in the world. The amazing features and accessibility of Microsoft Teams, Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, and many more products have made 365 popular, and in the same way, over the years, Microsoft Defender has become a reliable software among businesses because of its unique features. Let us now discuss some of the features of Microsoft Defender:
1. Virus and Threat protection:
It is the main feature of all antivirus software. Buy Microsoft Defender scans viruses and other malware with the help of four different scans:
· Quick Scan
· Full scan
· Custom scan
· Offline scan
The user can choose any type of scan, as all scans function in different ways. A quick scan is useful when you want to scan all the files and folders within a few minutes. On the other hand, a full scan goes through everything that is present on the hard drive. It takes approximately one hour to scan all infected and non-infected files. With a custom scan, you can choose various folders to check whether viruses or malware are present in a file or not. And offline scans are for the detection of malware, which is hard to find and eliminate. In this scan, the system will get restarted, and it could take 15 minutes to detect the malware.
2. Account Protection
With Microsoft Defender, you can protect your account by enabling various management sign-in options in Windows Hello. It includes all biometric log-ins (which could be a face ID or fingerprint ID), a PIN code, a physical security key, or a password. Dynamic Lock is another feature that is included in Windows Hello. To use the dynamic lock, one needs to connect their devices to PCs. This will allow Windows to lock your PC when you are away.
3. Firewall and Network Protection
Firewalls protect your network from unknown threats, and they are always in need of personal information to threaten users. In the worst case, ransomware can happen, in which the money is demanded by the hackers. A firewall has the capability to protect your domain, public, and private networks. Domain networks are networks available at the workplace, and private networks are home networks. On the other hand, public networks are networks that are available at metro stations, airports, and many more places. Public and private networks need more security. Other features that can be enabled in a firewall are allowing the firewall to check an app, and if anything on your device is not working, you can switch on to troubleshoot the network and internet.
4. Family Options
Parental Control features have allowed a lot for parents to control the online activities of their children when they are far away. Every one of us knows what advantages and disadvantages the internet has. This has made it compulsory for parents to regulate the actions of their children through antivirus features. With the parental control feature:
· Parents can prevent children from exploring harmful websites.
· Screen time could be controlled.
· Kids can only buy appropriate apps and games.
· Weekly reports from the kids can be downloaded.
5. Controlled App and browser
Now, Microsoft Defender can control all your applications and browsers. The control section includes reputation-based protection, an isolated browsing option, and exploit protection. All of these settings combine to protect a system from unwanted viruses, malware, spyware, etc.
· Reputation-based protection checks unknown files and applications across the web. It automatically blocks the user from visiting and downloading the file from suspicious websites.
· Exploit protection protects the devices from cyberattacks. In this type of setting, you can customize the setting as per your needs and requirements.
· In isolated browsing, Microsoft Defender opens up the Microsoft Edge so users can enjoy a safe browsing experience.
6. Device security
Microsoft Defender ensures that the device is secured. Therefore, it includes core isolation, a security processor, and a secure boot to enable 100% protection for the users.
· Core isolation: You can switch on and off the memory integrity, which avoids the insertion of suspicious codes.
· Security processor: It shows the functioning of the processor.
· Secure Boot: It prevents the system from loading suspicious software at the beginning.
Advantages of Microsoft Defender
Microsoft Defender is widely used software among businesses and because of its popularity and the features mentioned above. Now let us deeply understand what benefits Microsoft Defender provides to businesses.
1. Real Time scanning:
Microsoft Defender provides real-time scanning against all viruses, malware, spyware, and ransomware. It continuously keeps monitoring and protecting the system from all the harmful threats.
2. Smart Screen Filter:
This feature is available in reputation-based protection (app and browser control), which uses a smart screen to filter and block all types of suspicious websites. Thus, preventing users from downloading a file that contains malware.
3. Tamper Protection:
Tamper Protection is a type of protection that is developed to prevent suspicious actors or software from modifying Microsoft Defender settings. With this antivirus software, no one has control over the settings of protection mechanisms in a system.
4. No need to install it separately:
Microsoft Defender is already available in Windows and to those who have purchased Microsoft 365 for business from an authorized Microsoft Partner. None of the users have to install it separately. Furthermore, it will automatically turn on the best protection option for you so that users can have a chance to sit and relax without feeling stressed about security threats.
5. Offline scanning
It is the most satisfying and beneficial feature for businesses, as in offline scanning, malware could be detected and easily eliminated, no matter how hard it is, but Microsoft Defender does this job within seconds.
Disadvantages of Microsoft Defender
Though Microsoft Defender has some unique and beneficial features, but it has also some disadvantages also and some of them are:
1. Limited features:
In comparison to the other antivirus software, there are limited features that are available in Microsoft Defender, such as password protection. VNP features are not available in Microsoft Defender.
2. Pop-up notifications:
Microsoft Defender sends more pop-up notifications, and users find these notifications irritating and distracting.
3. Limited customization:
This is a drawback for those users who want more control over the settings of antivirus solutions. In comparison with the other solutions, Microsoft Defender provides fewer options to customize settings according to the needs and requirements of users.
Is Microsoft Defender better than any other Antivirus Software?
Either you select Bitdefender Antivirus Online Purchase or Microsoft Defender from a Microsoft Defender reseller. Any choice you make matters according to your needs and requirements. Microsoft Defender is regarded as suitable for those who use Windows for their day-to-day operations. One is able to access all the features of Defender only when they have signed into a Microsoft account. And without signing in, one is not able to have access to the one-drive cloud either. So, it is a must to have a Microsoft account.
To conclude, Microsoft Defender is regarded as the best for users who are using Windows
