Windows Defender Security Center is a unified security platform that provides proactive and all-in-one protection for your Windows device. The security center offers integrated solutions such as Windows Defender Antivirus, Firewall, Network Protection, App & Browser Control and more. It serves as the main interface for managing and monitoring security-related features on the computer.
Windows Defender Antivirus is a built-in antivirus software found in Windows 10 and earlier versions of Windows. It is designed to protect the computer from viruses, malware, spyware, rootkits, worms, Trojans, and other online threats. It uses real-time protection and heuristics to detect malicious activity, and as a result, it can prevent infections from occurring in the first place. Additionally, when it finds a virus, it can quarantine, remove and clean up the infection from the computer.
The most significant difference between Windows Defender Security Center and Windows Defender Antivirus is that Windows Defender Security Center is the main user interface for monitoring and managing the security of a Windows device, while Windows Defender Antivirus is the specific antivirus software solution within the bigger Windows Defender Security Center umbrella. The Security Center allows users to set up and configure security settings and take advantage of Windows Defender’s protection features as well as view notifications and warnings about potential threats.
Windows Defender Security Center also includes a built-in firewall, which helps protect the computer from external threats by controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic. Additionally, its App & Browser Control feature will scan and monitor applications and browser extensions for any malicious activities, and its Network Protection feature monitors network activities for suspicious behavior. Finally, the Security Center also allows users to access and configure parental control settings, so parents can decide how much time their kids can spend on the computer and which websites they can visit.
On the other hand, Windows Defender Antivirus works independently from the Security Center. It includes an on-demand and real-time scanning engine that proactively monitors installed applications and downloads, as well as scans an entire system or specific files and folders. Its heuristics engine is also able to detect malicious behavior that might not be detected with traditional definitions. In addition, its cloud protection feature allows it to receive regular updates from Microsoft’s global network of threat intelligence sources, helping it keep up with the latest threats. Windows Defender Antivirus can also be configured to be used with other third-party antivirus solutions for additional protection.
In conclusion, Windows Defender Security Center is a unified security platform that provides users with proactive and all-in-one protection against online threats, while Windows Defender Antivirus is the specific antivirus software that provides real-time scanning and protection against malicious activity. The Security Center allows users to manage and monitor their overall device security, while the Antivirus offers additional protection with its on-demand and real-time scanning engines, heuristics and cloud protection features. Both serve important functions in protecting your computer from malicious activity.