Windows Defender is a solid antivirus program that provides effective protection against malware threats. It is included with Windows 10 by default and has improved significantly over the years.
For a long time, Windows Defender was considered to be weak and ineffective, but Microsoft has worked hard to improve the product over time. Today, Windows Defender is seen as a viable solution for protecting against threats on Windows 10.
In independent tests from AV-Comparatives, Windows Defender scored 100% detection rate of zero-day (unknown) malware and 99.9% for widespread and prevalent malware in the last test. It received an advanced+ rating, the highest available, for its performance in the Protection category. This puts it in the same league as more established antivirus programs such as Kaspersky and Norton.
Windows Defender also includes numerous features such as real-time protection which monitors files and web traffic for suspicious activities, cloud-delivered protection which uses Microsoft’s cloud-based intelligence network to identify and block emerging threats and exploit protection which uses Windows system-level protections to stop malicious attacks.
In terms of usability, Windows Defender is easy to use and understand. It comes pre-installed on Windows 10 so there’s no need to download any extra software. Additionally, it runs quietly in the background and doesn’t require too much intervention from the user.
Overall, Windows Defender is a perfectly viable choice for protecting your PC and can be used in combination with other security measures such as a firewall and secure internet browsing habits. While it is not as feature-rich as some other antivirus programs, it gets the job done and provides users with effective protection against malware threats.