How secure is the standard Windows virus protection?

In the days of the Windows XP operating system, everyone knew that a good antivirus program was essential. At that time there was only a very simple firewall as standard, which malware usually had nothing to counter.

Windows Defender has been an integral part of the operating system since Windows 7. But many are wondering whether this is really sufficient and can reliably protect against security risks caused by malware.

We want to take a closer look at Windows Defender and explain what it can really do. Additionally, we will talk about other useful security measures that one can take.

Table of contents Hide

1 Technical facts about Windows Defender

2 What users like about Windows Defender

3 This is what experts think of Windows Defender

4 A comparison of Windows Defender and third-party antivirus software

5 Additional security measures for more security in the network

Technical facts about Windows Defender

The Defender became known under the name Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware . It was developed by Microsoft itself. But what exactly does Windows Defender do? The answer to this question is very simple: Essentially, it is designed to detect malware – mainly spyware – and render it harmless.

It is preinstalled for the operating systems Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10 . For older versions there is the possibility to download and install the Defender free of charge. The necessary system requirements are listed in the following table:

Since Windows Vista, Defender is no longer limited to protection against malware, but also includes other useful features. For example, it blocks processes that require administrator rights in autostart . The autostart also lists all applications that start immediately when booting. All browser extensions that are automatically loaded when opened are listed under the Internet Explorer Add-ons menu item . If you go to the settings , you can easily check the security settings of Internet Explorer.

What users like about Windows Defender

It shouldn't come as a surprise that most PC users prefer security solutions that just work and don't require them to spend much time on. Antivirus software, which you may first have to configure yourself, is too complicated and takes time. Windows Defender is already pre-installed in the operating system and you don't even notice the automatic scan processes. All important functions are already preset or come automatically with the updates. So it's no wonder that Windows Defender satisfies the needs of many users so well.

That's what experts think of Windows Defender

Windows Defender can convince many of its users, but what do the experts say about it? Here, most agree: It is basically a simple real-time scanner that is not really an alternative to a good antivirus program. While its overall malware detection rate is as high as 76 percent, when it comes to new types of viruses, trojans, etc., it drops to an alarming 25 percent. In comparison, the common external antivirus programs can come up with a hit rate of 90 to 98 percent.

However, there are currently opinions from experts who claim that only Defender can serve as an acceptable security solution to protect against malware. They justify this by saying that third-party virus protection can itself lead to security gaps.

A comparison of Windows Defender and third-party antivirus software

A fundamental advantage is that third-party security software detects a very large number of malware samples. As mentioned above, Windows Defender is not convincing here and detects far less malware.

On the other hand, unfortunately, there are errors hidden somewhere in all software. Many of these are harmless, like simple bugs that can be annoying but do no harm. Others, in turn, cause further security gaps through these errors. The providers try to close these security gaps with regular updates, but that doesn't mean that new ones can't arise elsewhere.

Windows Defender has now been able to compensate for some deficits and has been expanded into a security suite. Additional features from the Microsoft tool EMET have also been added. But everything has its pros and cons. In terms of security, some things have been improved for users, but unfortunately the Windows security software is now packed with questionable additional tools, such as tuning tools or game modes, which don't have much to do with security.

A clear plus point for Windows Defender is its price. While other virus scanners from third-party providers usually have annual subscription costs of 20 to 80 euros, the Defender is already included and there are no additional costs.

Additional security measures for more security in the network

Even though Windows Defender is constantly being improved, you should still take some other security measures to be able to surf the net more safely. Below are some of them.

1. Log out of all programs when you are no longer using them to prevent someone else from using your account.
2. Never open links in emails from unknown senders. You should also be careful with e-mail addresses that you know, because hackers are able to forge e-mails and websites that are deceptively real. It is therefore best to always enter the URL yourself.
3. Use a Virtual Private Network. With the help of a VPN for Windows, you can enjoy the greatest possible security and anonymity on the Internet. Through a VPN network, all your data is transmitted in encrypted form through a kind of tunnel. Your IP address is also not visible to others because you are surfing via the IP address of the VPN provider.
4. Avoid public networks as much as possible, because it is easy for hackers to get hold of personal data here. If you cannot avoid using public hotspots, make sure that you do not visit any sites that require you to enter personal information. In addition, https:// should appear at the beginning of the URL bar, because this stands for an encrypted website.
5. Use strong passwords that are not so easy for outsiders to crack. Protect them from strangers' eyes and use different passwords for different accounts.

So, it remains to be said that it is important to choose the right antivirus program. However, if you are reckless yourself and don't do your best to protect your data, even the most reliable antivirus program will not help you. On the other hand, if you stick to the security specifications, pre-installed antivirus software such as Windows Defender can be sufficient.