It will secure your PC from most malware and phishing threats, but there’s always a chance something will slip through. Given these features, Microsoft Defender is an okay choice for a free antivirus service. It has a solid set of parental control options, but these only work with Edge and require your child to have a Microsoft account - easy to get around for tech-savvy kids. I was pleased to find Microsoft Defender’s phishing protection works flawlessly on Chrome and Edge browsers. I like that the software is pre-installed on all Windows 10 and 11 devices, ensuring my PC is protected from the moment I boot my computer for the first time. In tests, it scored a 98% detection result for real-time malware - an excellent result for a completely free service. Microsoft Defender also secures your device when browsing the web, blocking phishing sites and malicious downloads.Īs a free service, Microsoft Defender does a reasonably good job of keeping your Windows devices secure.

It has several key features that top-tier antivirus software use, including real-time malware protection, a firewall, parental control options, and performance reports. In its most recent updates, Microsoft Defender has shown significant improvements in device security and functionality. Try Norton on Windows risk-free About Microsoft Defender Best Parental Control for iPhone & iPadĭon’t miss out on even more great alternatives to Microsoft Defender - jump down here to find out about 4 more top choices!.IPVanish VPN vs Private Internet Access.

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