Windows Defender – Is the Windows 8 and 8.1 utility up to the task? Grasp Support looks into Microsoft’s first built in antivirus utility.
Windows Defender – Is the Windows 8 and 8.1 utility up to the task?
It was once standard practice right up until the last Windows 7 rendition that users would be required to manually install third party antiviral software such as Norton, AVG, Avast, ESET and so forth to ensure systems steered clear of the multitude of viruses that could befall a PC. But with the introduction of Windows 8 and now further on the latest Windows 8.1, Microsoft proclaimed the new, built in Windows Defender a comprehensive inward and outwards firewall protection that would quietly and efficiently keep itself updated and keep you clear of viruses without the need for third party software.
With Windows 8 and now Windows 8.1 the Microsoft predecessor utility “Microsoft Security Essentials” was replaced by Windows Defender. Windows Defender along with another new built in feature for Windows “SmartScreen” promised dual protection against phishing, spyware, malware and other trojan type viruses. But does Windows defender really stack up against its third party rivals in protecting a computer?
“Windows Defender is your first line of defence against spyware and other unwanted software” – Microsoft
Which antivirus should I go for?
This is the golden question. Indeed whilst Windows 8 and above brought with it improved security characteristics within its program language, even coupled with Windows Defender comprehensive comparisons of this and other antivirus packages have shown Windows Defender to be slightly vulnerable still. One such test was carried out last April 14′ by AV-TEST, an independent IT security institution that set about comparing the majority of the top antivirus utilities on the market (including Windows Defender) and the results made interesting reading.
Using a strict criteria of using only the latest versions of these utilities and under test conditions Windows Defender scored amongst the lowest in terms of protection against malware attacks and detection of malware significantly below the industry average although it did perform well in terms of its usability and integration into day to day running of a PC.
Based on plethora of different tests carried out its seems the best options to go for currently for comprehensive antivirus and firewall protection are Kaspersky Internet Security 2014, Avira Internet Security 2014 and BitDefender Internet Security 2014 for Home users and Endpoint Security 5.3, Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1 and Kaspersky Enpoint Security 10.2.
To see AV-TEST’s results of its antivirus software comparison please click here:
