WHY YOU CAN STOP PAYING FOR ANTIVIRUS
I’ve always paid for antivirus. Why should I stop now?
Because you don’t need to – unless you want to – and could save a lot of money. It used to be the case that the first thing you needed to do when setting up a new PC was install antivirus software, preferably a paid-for suite from a reputable name in cybersecurity. But Windows (10 and 11) now comes with Windows Security built in, which automatically protects your computer against malware and other threats, so you don’t have to worry about installing and paying for third-party security software.
But isn’t Microsoft security software rubbish?
It certainly used to be, but not any more. The original Windows Defender (initially called Microsoft Antispyware when it launched in 2005) did little more than scan your system for spyware, so you still needed a separate antivirus program, while the firewall in Windows XP only blocked incoming traffic, so malware on your PC was able to connect to the internet.
The successor to Windows Defender, Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE, 2009-2015, see screenshot above right), was more effective and offered real-time protection against security threats, but regularly came bottom in antivirus lab tests, beaten by rival free tools from Avast and AVG. In 2013, Microsoft admitted that Windows users should install antivirus above and beyond its “basic” MSE program to stay fully protected against the “bad guys” (www.snipca.com/41372).
However, with the release of Windows 10, Microsoft finally got its security software right, by introducing the powerful and reliable Windows Defender Security Centre (later renamed Windows
Security) and a new anti-malware tool called Windows Defender, since rebranded Microsoft Defender Antivirus (hope you kept up with all those changes!).
How has Microsoft improved Defender?
Microsoft has tightly integrated Defender with Windows, so it can instantly identify and prevent attempted changes to the registry and program settings, and install updates as soon as they’re available to protect you against the latest threats. The tool runs quietly in the background, looking for malware and quarantining any it finds, and also scans new files and installers for anything suspicious.
Most importantly, Microsoft has improved Defender’s malware-detection capabilities by using online protection to keep it updated with the latest virus definitions (the strings of code that identify specific threats) as soon as they emerge. This information allows Defender to block dangerous files before they reach your system to safeguard you against zero-day threats.
In contrast, early versions of Microsoft Security Essentials required you to check for and install definitions manually, leaving your PC at risk. As we explain in our group test on the following pages, Defender’s improved analysis, detection and instant blocking of suspicious files mean it offers equivalent – and in some cases superior – protection to many rival paid-for tools.
I already use free antivirus – why should I ditch that?
One advantage Defender has over free antivirus software from Avast, AVG and Avira is that its seamless integration with Windows means it won’t slow your system. It has a very light ‘footprint’ even as it’s actively scanning for malware, with less CPU, memory and power usage than third-party security tools.
Another benefit is that Microsoft Defender Antivirus and the broader Windows Security suite are free, so you won’t see any nags to upgrade to a paid-for version or find that certain useful security features are locked unless you do so.
Can I run Defender with another antivirus program?
When you install a third-party antivirus program, Defender will automatically be disabled so that the two don’t clash and negatively affect the performance of your computer. Windows Security will update its settings to show that you’ve switched to another tool to provide your firewall and protection against malware. Because the best antivirus software now blocks the majority of threats, doubling up doesn’t make your PC twice as secure.
However, it’s still possible to run scans with Defender if you want a second opinion that your system is safe. Select ‘Microsoft Defender Antivirus options’ on the ‘Virus & threat protections’ screen and switch on ‘Periodic scanning’ (see screenshot left). Similarly, you can run other on-demand security tools alongside Windows Security, such as the free version of Malwarebytes (www. malwarebytes.com), provided they don’t compete with Defender to offer real-time protection. Otherwise, one tool may quarantine threats that the other then detects but is unable to remove, which will lead it to display confusing warnings.