Microsoft Defender Antivirus facts for kids
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| Other names | Windows Defender |
|---|---|
| Original author(s) | Microsoft |
| Developer(s) | Microsoft |
| Stable release |
4.18.23110.3 / 5 December 2023
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| Operating system |
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| Platform | Windows |
| Predecessor | Microsoft Security Essentials |
| Type | Antivirus software, personal firewall, parental control, intrusion prevention, email filtering and anti-phishing |
| License | Proprietary |
Microsoft Defender Antivirus (once called Windows Defender) is a special program built into Microsoft Windows. It helps protect your computer from harmful software like viruses and spyware. It first came out as a free program you could download for Windows XP. Later, it was included with Windows Vista and Windows 7.
Over time, it became a full antivirus program. It took the place of Microsoft Security Essentials in Windows 8 and newer versions. In 2019, Microsoft also made versions for Mac computers and later for Android and iOS phones. These versions help keep your devices safe from online threats. They can even stop bad apps from getting to your important work files.
Contents
What is the Microsoft Defender Family?
Since 2021, Microsoft Defender Antivirus is part of a bigger group of security tools. This group is called the Microsoft Defender brand. It includes many other programs and services that help keep computers and networks safe. Think of it like a whole team of protectors for your digital life.
Some of these tools include:
- Microsoft Defender XDR (for finding and stopping big threats)
- Microsoft Defender for Cloud (for protecting online data)
- Microsoft Defender Endpoint (for protecting many devices in a company)
- Microsoft Defender for Individuals (for protecting your personal devices)
How Does Microsoft Defender Protect You?
Microsoft Defender Antivirus has several important features. These features work together to keep your computer safe from harmful software. In Windows 10, you can find and change its settings in the Windows Defender Security Center.
Real-Time Protection
Real-time protection means Microsoft Defender is always watching. It checks files and programs as you use them. If it finds something suspicious, it acts right away to stop it. This feature can also use "Block at First Sight." This uses smart technology to guess if a file is bad before it can cause trouble.
Browser Protection
Microsoft Defender works with web browsers like Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge. It scans files as you download them. This helps catch harmful software before it even gets onto your computer. There was also an extension for Google Chrome that helped with this, but it is no longer available.
Application Guard
Application Guard is a special feature for Microsoft Edge. It lets you open websites in a super safe, separate space. This space is called a sandbox. If a website is harmful, it can't affect your computer or browser outside of this safe space. This feature is mostly for Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise versions. It helps keep your system safe from dangerous websites.
Controlled Folder Access
This feature helps protect your important files from ransomware. Ransomware is a type of harmful software that locks your files. It then demands money to unlock them. Controlled Folder Access watches your important folders. If a program tries to change files in these folders without your permission, Defender blocks it. It will then ask you if you want to allow that program access.
A Brief History of Microsoft Defender
Microsoft Defender started its journey as a program called GIANT AntiSpyware. Microsoft bought the company that made it in 2004.
Early Versions: AntiSpyware
The first test version, called Microsoft AntiSpyware, came out in 2005. Microsoft made it free for users with legal copies of Windows. This was to help protect computers from the growing threat of spyware.
Renamed to Windows Defender
In November 2005, Microsoft AntiSpyware was renamed Windows Defender. A new test version came out in 2006. This version had a fresh look and worked better. It also started running as a Windows service. This meant it could protect your computer even when no one was logged in.
Windows Defender is Released
The final version of Windows Defender was released on October 23, 2006. It worked on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. This version had better detection for threats. It also got updates automatically to stay current. It could even remove unwanted programs that installed themselves.
Becoming a Full Antivirus
Windows Defender was first just for spyware. But in Windows 8, Microsoft made it a full antivirus program. It became very similar to Microsoft Security Essentials. It uses the same powerful tools to find and remove all kinds of harmful software. In Windows 8 and newer, Microsoft Defender Antivirus is turned on by default. If you install another antivirus program, Defender will usually turn itself off.
Windows Server 2016 was the first server version of Windows to include Windows Defender. This showed that Microsoft was serious about protecting all types of Windows systems.
Windows Defender Offline
Windows Defender Offline is a special tool. It can scan your computer for harmful software when Windows isn't even running. You can start it from a USB drive or CD. This is very useful if your computer is so infected that Windows can't start properly. Since the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, you can even start this scan from within Windows itself.
Microsoft Defender for Individuals
In June 2022, Microsoft released "Microsoft Defender for Individuals." This app is for people who have a Microsoft 365 personal or family plan. It works on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices. It helps you manage security for all your family's devices from one place. On phones, it also helps protect you from bad websites.
How Well Does It Work?
Independent labs often test antivirus software. Microsoft Defender has done very well in these tests. For example, in a December 2017 test, it scored perfectly at finding different types of harmful software. In a February 2018 test, it caught 100% of bad websites. In October 2019, tests showed it gave excellent protection against viruses and new, unknown attacks. In December 2021, it got a top score for finding and stopping ransomware. This shows that Microsoft Defender is a strong protector for your computer.
Images for kids
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Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta 1 running on Windows XP
See also
In Spanish: Microsoft Defender para niños
- Security and safety features new to Windows Vista
- Windows Security Center
