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Paid antivirus vs. Windows Defender: Do you really need to pay for proper protection?
Can you save money on antivirus protection while still keeping your device safe? Windows Defender might be your answer.
https://www.windowscentral.com/windows-defender-vs-paid-antivirus
Antivirus software options that keep your digital world safe have been around nearly as long as the viruses that warrant their use. As such, they stick to the older model of pay-to-own, which can leave you out of pocket for the privilege of simply being safe online. That's changing as a new wave of protections start to offer similarly high-level safety without the usual costs you'd expect from paid-for antivirus software. Enter Windows Defender, aka Microsoft Defender.
Big-name antivirus protection platforms like McAfee, Norton, Avast, AVG, Kaspersky, and more have long defended computers and mobile devices from potential viral threats. News that Avast has been selling user data makes it a great time to drop excess unnecessary potential snooping threats. Now Microsoft has built up its Windows Defender to a level that, many say, is enough to protect you without the need for these other services. Is this true? We lay it all out for you to decide.
What is Windows Defender?
Microsoft's Windows Defender was first available with Windows XP and has since evolved to what it is now, Microsoft Defender. This free service now comes built into Windows 10 as standard. While this started off as an inferior antivirus system, rated as dead last in tests by AV-Test back in 2013, it's changed. That same testing lab now ranks Windows Defender as one of the top services.
Microsoft has started taking endpoint security seriously, and as such the current Windows Defender is often found to outperform a lot of the third-party dedicated antivirus software competition when it comes to malware protection.
What's good about Windows Defender?
One of the stand-out features of Windows Defender is that it's really fast. Since this is built by Microsoft, into Microsoft systems, it can be optimized to perform far more efficiently than a third party option. As such, the system impact of Windows Defender is minimal, making it ideal for use on a tablet or laptop where battery life will be impacted far less.
As such, Windows Defender works away quietly in the background keeping your system safe. That means it's far less effort than the competition since it just works. You don't have to think about it or worry about it slowing you down or eating through your battery.
Unlike a lot of the free software out there, this won't try to get you to sign up to a paid service, continually pestering you or using ads. This is a refreshing offering when you consider this is free to use and is as, if not more, capable than the paid services.
What does Windows Defender offer?
The software can scan your system for known malware signatures, but it can also monitor your software for signs of an infection.
One of the stand-out features that Defender offers is its ability to make sure that absolutely no malware can take over its test systems. That's something that even some of the paid-for services fail at from time to time, including names like McAfee and Symantec, according to AV-comparatives.
Another area that the Defender did well in was zero-day attacks. This was previously a problem area for the service. Now, in recent testing, since the June update, it scored perfectly when it came to zero-day attacks. Say no more.
The fact that Windows Defender keeps itself updated and scans, all without you needing to do a thing – or even noticing it running – really makes this a very appealing option.
Why get extra antivirus software?
There are still instances where you might want to pay for an antivirus service. These are mainly due to the extras that some of these software packages bundle in for you. Many offer related services like VPNs, credit monitoring and protection, online password vaults, and more.
Ransomware is also an issue where specifically targeted software can help. Ransomware takes control of your system, and you're then told to pay money to the hacker, or your files will be either deleted or shared, whichever does you the most damage. For protection here, services like Malwarebytes and BitDefender are great options to keep you ransomware free – and that's the operative word as both those services are free.
Which services work well?
Even with Windows Defender, and everything we've said so far, another layer of security can't hurt. Also, for malware, another option is essential.
What downsides are there to Windows Defender?
While near perfect at keeping you safe and protected from malware, there are a few instances where Microsoft still has work to do. Granted, these are largely superficial menu gripes, but they're worth mentioning.
When it comes to parental controls, you're limited to Microsoft browser use only. For other, non-Microsoft browsers like Chrome or Firefox, you'll have to install internet security features separately.
You don't get a VPN or integrated password manager like the paid-for options offer, and also the menus could be clearer for first time users.
There have also been complaints about Microsoft not updating its database often enough. But based on performance, this complaint seems to be unfounded since the results speak for themselves with the AV-Test lab results near perfect in the most recent tests.
Can you save money on antivirus protection while still keeping your device safe? Windows Defender might be your answer.
https://www.windowscentral.com/windows-defender-vs-paid-antivirus
Antivirus software options that keep your digital world safe have been around nearly as long as the viruses that warrant their use. As such, they stick to the older model of pay-to-own, which can leave you out of pocket for the privilege of simply being safe online. That's changing as a new wave of protections start to offer similarly high-level safety without the usual costs you'd expect from paid-for antivirus software. Enter Windows Defender, aka Microsoft Defender.
Big-name antivirus protection platforms like McAfee, Norton, Avast, AVG, Kaspersky, and more have long defended computers and mobile devices from potential viral threats. News that Avast has been selling user data makes it a great time to drop excess unnecessary potential snooping threats. Now Microsoft has built up its Windows Defender to a level that, many say, is enough to protect you without the need for these other services. Is this true? We lay it all out for you to decide.
What is Windows Defender?
Microsoft's Windows Defender was first available with Windows XP and has since evolved to what it is now, Microsoft Defender. This free service now comes built into Windows 10 as standard. While this started off as an inferior antivirus system, rated as dead last in tests by AV-Test back in 2013, it's changed. That same testing lab now ranks Windows Defender as one of the top services.
Microsoft has started taking endpoint security seriously, and as such the current Windows Defender is often found to outperform a lot of the third-party dedicated antivirus software competition when it comes to malware protection.
What's good about Windows Defender?
One of the stand-out features of Windows Defender is that it's really fast. Since this is built by Microsoft, into Microsoft systems, it can be optimized to perform far more efficiently than a third party option. As such, the system impact of Windows Defender is minimal, making it ideal for use on a tablet or laptop where battery life will be impacted far less.
As such, Windows Defender works away quietly in the background keeping your system safe. That means it's far less effort than the competition since it just works. You don't have to think about it or worry about it slowing you down or eating through your battery.
Unlike a lot of the free software out there, this won't try to get you to sign up to a paid service, continually pestering you or using ads. This is a refreshing offering when you consider this is free to use and is as, if not more, capable than the paid services.
What does Windows Defender offer?
The software can scan your system for known malware signatures, but it can also monitor your software for signs of an infection.
One of the stand-out features that Defender offers is its ability to make sure that absolutely no malware can take over its test systems. That's something that even some of the paid-for services fail at from time to time, including names like McAfee and Symantec, according to AV-comparatives.
Another area that the Defender did well in was zero-day attacks. This was previously a problem area for the service. Now, in recent testing, since the June update, it scored perfectly when it came to zero-day attacks. Say no more.
The fact that Windows Defender keeps itself updated and scans, all without you needing to do a thing – or even noticing it running – really makes this a very appealing option.
Why get extra antivirus software?
There are still instances where you might want to pay for an antivirus service. These are mainly due to the extras that some of these software packages bundle in for you. Many offer related services like VPNs, credit monitoring and protection, online password vaults, and more.
Ransomware is also an issue where specifically targeted software can help. Ransomware takes control of your system, and you're then told to pay money to the hacker, or your files will be either deleted or shared, whichever does you the most damage. For protection here, services like Malwarebytes and BitDefender are great options to keep you ransomware free – and that's the operative word as both those services are free.
Which services work well?
Even with Windows Defender, and everything we've said so far, another layer of security can't hurt. Also, for malware, another option is essential.
What downsides are there to Windows Defender?
While near perfect at keeping you safe and protected from malware, there are a few instances where Microsoft still has work to do. Granted, these are largely superficial menu gripes, but they're worth mentioning.
When it comes to parental controls, you're limited to Microsoft browser use only. For other, non-Microsoft browsers like Chrome or Firefox, you'll have to install internet security features separately.
You don't get a VPN or integrated password manager like the paid-for options offer, and also the menus could be clearer for first time users.
There have also been complaints about Microsoft not updating its database often enough. But based on performance, this complaint seems to be unfounded since the results speak for themselves with the AV-Test lab results near perfect in the most recent tests.
