How Windows Defender Works

We can say that Windows Defender is one of the main security barriers that Microsoft systems have. It comes integrated with the operating system, so we are not going to have to install it or even configure it, if we do not want to touch anything as it comes from.

Is a security application which aims to detect threats and viruses, eliminate them if necessary, or quarantine potential dangerous files or software. In this way we can avoid downloading files that are actually malware, installing programs that may be false, etc.

If you wonder how can you use Windows Defender, the answer is quite simple. If you use Windows 10 or Windows 11, you only have to follow the following steps:

• • You go to the Start menu in Windows
  • You write Anti-virus and Threat Protection and open it

From there you will already be inside the Windows antivirus. You can make changes, run an analysis or just check that you really have this tool active and it is protecting your computer. You will see a screen like the one in the following image:

As you can see, there will be different options such as taking a quick exam. You can even see that it can be used with another antivirus, as long as you configure it correctly. However, this is one more option and it will not always be like this. In fact, it is normal that we only have one installed.

You can check the option of Periodic review, which is very useful if you use another security program.

Also offers protection against ransomware, which is undoubtedly one of the worst security threats that exist. In this case, what malware does is encrypt all your files. A major problem that could cause all the documents you have stored to be lost.

Beyond having antivirus protection in real time, Windows Defender will also protect the cloud by detecting and blocking possible new security threats. This is important, as we increasingly use the cloud in our day to day.

¿Is Windows antivirus enough?

But hey, at this point you will surely wonder if it really is enough to have Windows antivirus or you need something else. The truth is that it has become in recent years one of the best security tools. Always updated, easy to use and protects against all kinds of threats. We can analyze a flash drive, work from a network drive or simply when we download something from Chrome or Firefox.

Therefore, we can say that the basic protection, the most essential to avoid problems on the Internet, we did it with Windows Defender. In fact, in all the tests that have come out of security firms in recent years, Windows antivirus has always come out very well.

Now, it is a free and simple antivirus. If you are looking for a more complete program, which has many more options available, then you would have to install a third-party antivirus. For example Avast or Bitdefender are some widely used and well-functioning options.

We can say that Windows Defender will be enough or not according to the type of user that you are. At a general level, if you are simply a user who surfs the Internet, uses secure programs and wants basic general protection, it is certainly a more than valid option. You will be protected and you will not have any problem.

On the other hand, if you are looking for extra protection because you are going to make many downloads, you are going to use a public computer that many users are going to access or you are even going to carry out tests that put protection at risk, So there you may need to choose an alternative that protects you even more. However, if you are going to use another security program you should check that it works well and that it is a reliable application.

Protect your equipment beyond an antivirus

We have focused on the security offered by Windows Defender and how it might be interesting to use a different option. Now, can we be more protected than simply with the antivirus? The answer is yes and we are going to give you some safety advice to avoid problems.

Updates the team

A very important step to protect any equipment is to always keep it updated. You must have the latest versions. There are many occasions when security problems arise. Vulnerabilities may appear that are exploited by attackers and in this way they manage to access your personal data or compromise the proper functioning.

You should apply this to both the operating system and any program you have installed. In the case of Windows, to update it you have to go to Start, you enter Configuration and you will Windows Update. There will appear the possible updates that are available.

But you should always do this, in any system and application. You should avoid having obsolete tools installed that can be used to put your privacy at risk. This also includes any plugin you install.

Always use official programs

Of course, any application you install in the system must always be official. It is true that sometimes you can find third-party programs that have certain interesting characteristics, but this could be a problem for security. You could be putting your personal data at risk.

Therefore, our advice is that you always install software downloaded from legitimate and official sites. For example you can go to the official pages of those applications or to application stores such as Google Play. On these sites, even if it does not mean that there is 100% security, you will have less risk of computer attacks.

Beware of public networks

Beyond using antivirus like Windows Defender to maintain your security, you must be careful where you connect. Public Wi-Fi networks, As they can be at airports or shopping centers, they could be a major problem for your privacy. You could be exposing data without you knowing.

To avoid this, it is best to use applications VPN. What these programs do is encrypt your connection and thus prevent them from stealing your personal data. Basically what it does is that everything you send or receive is going to be encrypted, as if it were in a tunnel that intruders cannot access.

In any case, if you are going to navigate through a Wi-Fi network that may be insecure, Ideally, do not make economic transactions or log in to platforms that may be sensitive. Otherwise, your personal data could be in danger and pose a major problem.

Protect your browser

But if there is a program that you must protect it is the browser. It doesn't matter if you use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or any other. It is undoubtedly an application that must work in complete safety, since there you will put personal data, you will log in to multiple pages and services, you will download files…

Our advice is to always keep the browser updated correctly. In this way you will avoid vulnerabilities that can be exploited. In the case of Google Chrome, you have to go to the menu on the top right, you enter Help and you are going to Google Chrome Information. In the rest of browsers it is similar.

In addition to this, it is important that you control the extensions that you are going to install in the browser. You should only install accessories that are secure, that are updated and do not put your personal data at any time at risk. Doing a constant review is interesting. Sometimes they can change, they can receive an update and start working differently and put your personal data at risk without you noticing.

Common sense

We cannot leave behind the recommendation of common sense. Most cyber attacks will require that let's make a mistake. For example, that we download some dangerous file, install some type of software that is not for guarantees, give personal data where we should not, etc.

Ideally always check any file that you receive before opening it, take a good look at the possible links that could lead to fraudulent pages or see the origin of a program that you are going to install. This will increase security as much as possible and reduce the risk of problems.

Windows Defender at the business level

As we have seen, Windows Defender helps us keep files, documents and more data protected, and prevents malicious programs from being installed on our computers. But at the business level, it can also help to have the equipment protected without having to purchase any third-party tool, and we also have a system fully supported by Windows, and with constant updates.

Its great advantage in large networks of teams in corporations is that it runs in the background, which is why it does not bother with the team's usual activities. This also includes security with respect to users, since the more assets work with teams, the more likely it is that someone will use the system improperly, and some type of malware can be cast into the computer, which is why Windows Defender is important, since it analyzes the files and folders that they open, along with external downloads and drives.

It is also useful in terms of notifications, as it warns us if it detects something that can be dangerous. This can be programmed to jump or generate logs where everything it detects is recorded. This helps prevent potential hazards from spreading across the entire network of equipment.

In any case, if we look for higher levels of protection, or a tool of these characteristics is required more, it does not hurt to have other third party protection systems. This is mainly because other tools may perform the same functions more efficiently, as Windows Defender may slow down file opening or access due to previous analysis. This at the domestic level may not be a problem, but in a corporation with large file streams, it can be very important.

Common sense on the Internet

As we have seen it is vitally important to have a good antivirus in our team, as long as it is of quality and reliable it will be a good starting point to be protected. The most recommended will always be to assess all possible options, to see which one best suits our use. But even with the best antivirus possible, when browsing the internet it is very important to apply common sense in everything we do.

The vast majority of malware or attacks that reach computers is by user actions directly. Normally this usually goes unnoticed, since they do not usually receive too serious attacks, but that does not mean that this can happen. Therefore, some measures must be taken to make the antivirus simply be on the team due to an emergency, or due to any mistake or deception that may be done to us.

The first thing we must take into account is access. Knowing the sites we access is very important, and above all, verifying that they are the real sites of the service. Normally when it comes to the right places, we can identify them with the conventional https, which is a good first filter. If you do not have this protocol, it is best to skip the site and not enter any data that may compromise us.

Mail is another of the great dangers. Although its function is well known and recognized, it is still a very common way of straining attacks on user computers. Spam filters usually work, but it may be the case that some email is not categorized as such, so it is important to be aware of this, and apply what we indicated in the previous point.

In short, as you have seen for the basics, it helps you with having only Windows Defender as the only antivirus. Now, if you are looking for something more complete you should install an alternative application. Of course, use the antivirus you use, you should always maximize your safety. We have given some advice for this.