14 DAY TRIAL // They say third-party antivirus protection is a must on the majority of Windows computers, and it turns out that this is perfectly true if we look at the latest tests performed by AV-TEST.
As we've reported to you recently, tests involving antivirus software for Windows 8.1 home users revealed the top security products available at the moment, but there's one dark side that Microsoft probably hopes no one would notice.
Windows Defender, which is pre-installed on Windows 8.1 and is supposed to offer you “basic protection” against zero-day threats and other forms of malware, scored awfully in this new test.
Specifically, Windows Defender received no more, no less than zero points for protection against malware infections such as viruses, worms, or Trojan horses.
AV-TEST performed two different tests to determine protection against 0-day malware attacks, inclusive of web and e-mail threats (Real-World Testing), and detection of widespread and prevalent malware discovered in the last 4 weeks (the AV-TEST reference set).
Windows Defender managed to block 77 percent and 74 percent of the malware, respectively, while the industry average is 97 percent and 99 percent. This brought Windows Defender the remarkable score of 0 points out of a maximum 6.
Better scores for performance and usability
Fortunately for those who still rely on Windows Defender to keep their computers protected, Microsoft's security solution scored a little bit higher during performance and usability tests, gaining 3.5 points and 6 points, respectively, again out of a maximum of 6.
What's more, Windows Defender provided no false warnings or blockages when visiting websites and 0 false detections of legitimate software as malware during a system scan.
In the end, it's pretty clear that Windows Defender does not provide more than basic protection against malware, so if you really want to stick to this particular security app to stay away from computer infections, you're strongly recommended to check twice before clicking any suspicious link.