To ensure that your device is protected by Windows Defender, you will need to check the settings on your device. Here are step-by-step instructions for how to check if Windows Defender is protecting your device:
1. Open the Start menu.
2. Search for “Windows Security” in the Start menu search bar and click on the result that appears. This will open the Windows Security window.
3. In the Windows Security window, click on the “Virus & threat protection” option at the bottom of the left side.
4. Scroll down to the “Ransomware protection” section and look for the “Controlled Folder Access” option. If it’s turned on, then Windows Defender is protecting your device from ransomware.
5. You can also check if Windows Defender is actively monitoring your device by clicking on the “Device performance & health” option at the bottom of the left side of the Windows Security window. From here, you can view the status of your device and make sure that Windows Defender is running.
6. To ensure that Windows Defender is up to date, go back to the “Virus & threat protection” section and click on the “Protection updates” option at the top of the page. This will show you the latest virus definitions and update your Windows Defender protection.
7. For the best protection, you should also check that your firewall is enabled and set to the correct level of protection. To do this, click on the “Firewall & network protection” option at the bottom of the left side of the Windows Security window.
8. Finally, make sure that your Windows Defender Antivirus real-time protection is turned on. To do this, click on the “Virus & threat protection” option again at the bottom of the left side and scroll down to the “Real-time protection” section.
By following these steps, you can check if your device is properly protected by Windows Defender. It’s important to regularly check the settings of your device and update your virus definitions to ensure that your device is safe from malicious attacks.