Is Windows Defender the best Antivirus for your Computer
Microsoft has drastically improved Microsoft Windows Defender Antivirus; even more so when compared to its predecessor, Microsoft Security Essentials. As a pre-installed, free-of-cost antivirus, Microsoft Defender seems like a good choice for your PC.
But, considering the growing cybersecurity risks, is Microsoft Defender enough to protect you from all online attacks? Today, TheGhanaTech will review Microsoft’s native antivirus solution and decide if it’s capable enough to block all possible security threats.
Microsoft Defender is the default antivirus on your Windows 10 and 11 and comes pre-installed free of cost. It protects you against viruses, Trojans, and worms, among other malware. Even if you don’t have any other antivirus software installed, your Windows PC will start with some basic protection in place.
Microsoft Defender provides exceptional real-time malicious threat protection, in addition to having a lightweight impact on the computer’s performance. It also has minimal impact in terms of usability; this means you’re very unlikely to be disrupted by false warnings or false detections.
Microsoft Defender also cannot detect low-risk malware such as adware. This is often irritating and can affect your PC from running smoothly. More importantly, it leaves your PC at risk of ransomware or hijacking.
Features of Windows Defender Antivirus
- Real-Time Protection
An essential feature of any antivirus software is detecting malicious threats and eliminating them as soon as they pop up. Antivirus software do this by silently working in the background and notifying you as soon as a possible threat is identified. Microsoft Defender provides robust real-time protection against viruses, Trojans, phishing, worms, and rootkits. The integrated Microsoft cloud infrastructure combines artificial intelligence to analyze data in real-time to detect malicious threats more effectively.
- Firewall
Microsoft includes a dedicated firewall for advanced network protection. The Firewall & network protection allows you to take administrative control over incoming and outgoing network traffic. Although the firewall is comprehensive, setting it up can be troublesome. Once you have set up your firewall, it will protect you from unauthorized web pages that can leave your PC vulnerable to a malicious cyber threat such as ransomware or spyware.
- Parental Controls
The internet can be a dangerous place for children. The Family options provided by Microsoft allow parents to monitor and control their kids’ browsing habits seamlessly. Microsoft offers comprehensive parental controls at no additional cost. Parents can receive activity logs, filter specific websites, limit screen time, and much more. Moreover, you can monitor your kids in real-time as well.