Windows defender reviews ratings

In most cases Windows comes configured for proper security. As noted, the main thing you should change here involves ransomware protection—you need to turn it on. The Account protection page links to system settings related to your Microsoft account, including Windows Hello for logging in and the optional Dynamic lock, which locks the PC when a paired device isn't nearby.

If your PC supports Windows Hello, you can configure it to log you in based on facial or fingerprint recognition. And configuring the system to lock when your phone or other paired device goes out of range is smart. It also offers quick access to network troubleshooting and firewall configuration. Windows Firewall is effective enough that you may not need a third-party firewall. It comes configured to warn if you download dangerous files or venture to dangerous websites.

SmartScreen also checks web content used by Windows Store apps. Just leave these turned on. If you don't already know what those abbreviations stand for, you're not qualified to meddle with the settings. Likewise, most users probably won't grasp details of the information displayed on the Device security page. On this page, you can also click for a "fresh start," a full reinstallation of Windows that retains your documents and some settings and restores your Windows Store apps.

The final page, Family options, tracks the parental control options built into Windows Parental control features include content filtering, screen time control, and limiting kids to age-appropriate apps, as well as locating the children's mobile devices.

However, it works only on Windows and only in Microsoft browsers. It's of little use in this modern multiplatform world. Certainly, it can't compare with the best third-party parental control software.

Making sure that every Windows PC has at least some degree of antivirus protection is a good move on Microsoft's part. At present, we're willing to say it's good. Some of its lab test scores are excellent now, though it took a while to reach this point. It earned a good score in our hands-on malware protection test, but it didn't do so well at detecting phishing frauds.

The very best free antivirus utilities give you even more protection, and they earn great scores from the independent testing labs. Kaspersky consistently gets perfect or near-perfect lab scores. Avast comes with a network inspector, a password manager, and a passel of security bonus features. You're free to try these two, or any of our other top-rated free antivirus tools, and choose the one that suits you best. If your choice proves to be Windows Defender, go ahead and run with it.

Good 3. Bottom Line Microsoft Windows Defender Security Center protects Windows 10 PCs that have no other antivirus protection, and it has significantly improved in lab test results and our own hands-on tests.

Pros Built into Windows Good lab scores. Excellent hands-on malware protection score. Simple ransomware protection. Always on if no other antivirus is present. Cons Poor results in phishing protection test.

Awkward scan scheduling. SmartScreen Filter works only in Microsoft browsers. No Installation Required Windows Defender differs from other free antivirus tools in that there's no installation required; it's already present.

More Inside PCMag. He was present at the formation of the Association of Shareware Professionals, and served on its board of directors. By , he had become PC Magazine 's technical editor, and a coast-to-coast telecommuter.

His "User to User" column supplied readers with tips and solutions on using DOS and Windows, his technical columns clarified fine points in programming and operating systems, and his utility articles over forty of …. More From Neil J. Most users will not need to change these settings. There's also an option to join or leave SpyNet.

As a member, quarantine lists will be sent to SpyNet for processing, alerting Microsoft to new outbreaks and new spyware. Software Explorer is also a cool tool, allowing you to look at startup programs, currently running programs, network connected programs, and Winsock service providers. Reviewing these lists is another way to check against rogue applications running on your desktop. Many name programs are automatically listed as "permitted," but we found several Google products, such as Picasa, marked "not yet classified.

Performance Windows Defender is fast at scanning, but we found it always removed all the traces of sample spyware in our tests. Overall, Windows Defender is neither excellent nor seriously deficient.

In exclusive testing by CNET Labs, Windows Defender's active shields identified and blocked seven out of eight spyware samples we attempted to install, missing only one generic Trojan, Compare-prices.

For scanning and removing existing spyware samples, Windows Defender faired worse, catching and removing only half. As for the removal itself, in half the cases Windows Defender left some spyware residue behind, creating the possibility that some of the sample spyware could reinstall itself. Support Windows Defender includes two free support incidents, except Microsoft qualifies it by adding "examples of valid support scenarios are installation, configuration, definition update, detection, and removal errors.

Microsoft does host several free user forums around its Windows Defender product. Conclusion It's hard to knock a free product that works and gives you some technical support. We only wish that Microsoft would be more aggressive with its threat ratings and actually remove items that other vendors agree could pose a danger.

Now that the Anti-Spyware Coalition has agreed upon best practices, perhaps Microsoft will improve its test results next year. Robert Vamosi. But for the vast majority of people — those who need their PC for work, for online shopping and banking, for communicating with friends and family, etc. My top recommendation of for Windows users is Norton Sophie Anderson has spent the last 10 years working as a software engineer for some of the biggest tech companies in Silicon Valley.

She now works as a cybersecurity consultant and tech journalist, helping everyday netizens understand how to stay safe and protected in an online world. Professional Reviews. Affiliate Commissions. Reviews Guidelines. Ranked 56th from 67 antivirus companies. Windows Defender Coupons. This article contains. Security Windows Defender Security Center provides basic protection against viruses, Trojans, ransomware, and other malware forms.

Strong Endorsement from Testing Labs After evaluating Windows Defender over three days, I was pleasantly surprised by the wealth of features in this free default tool. Feature-Rich Parental Control Options What really impressed me is the fact that Defender includes a comprehensive parental control filter.

Ease of use Windows Defender comes pre-installed on every Windows PC and, if no other antiviruses are installed, is automatically enabled. Support Windows Defender is a factory-installed component, so Microsoft will resolve any issue you may encounter. Pricing Windows Defender and all its components are included in the Windows operating system. Read More. Visit Windows Defender. Was this article helpful? Please tell us what we can improve This field is required.

About the Author Sophie Anderson Cybersecurity researcher and tech journalist. About the Author Sophie Anderson has spent the last 10 years working as a software engineer for some of the biggest tech companies in Silicon Valley. Share this Review 0. Check the top 3 alternative antivirus programs 9. Windows Defender User Reviews 26 Show first. English 9. Spanish 7. Italian 5. Polish 5. Dutch 4. Portuguese 4. Russian 2. Arabic 1. German 1. Hebrew 1.

Swedish 1. You can trust the Community! Companies can't ask us to delete or change user reviews. Was it helpful? Great Antivirus. Windows Defender is great. I actually had an experience getting malware on the system. McAfee, Norton, and Windows Defender detected it.