14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has been working hard on improving its very own antivirus, and right now, Microsoft Defender, formerly known as Windows Defender, serves as a fully-featured security hub for Windows 10.
In other words, Windows Security now provides access not only to antivirus scanning options but also to parental control and system health information, thus offering more advanced tools to Windows 10 users.
But as far as the antivirus itself is concerned, everybody knows that its performance has gradually improved over the years. And the latest research conducted by the experts over at AV-TEST shows that the performance of Microsoft Defender is now on par with the one of third-party security products.
In the August testing, Microsoft Defender earned the maximum of 18 points after scoring 6 points for protection, 6 points for performance, and 6 more points for usability. This is the top score in each test.
Microsoft Defender, now a top product
Microsoft Defender is thus part of a group of 8 different security products that received the maximum rating in the research, eventually being awarded a “top product” certification that also shows just how much its antivirus engine has improved lately.
As far as the detection rates are concerned Microsoft Defender managed to block 100 percent of all threats in the July and August real-word testing and the reference set. So overall, the Windows 10 antivirus should be able to provide solid protection against both known and new threats.
You can read more about the best Internet security suites for Windows 10 here.
At the end of the day, users who stick with Microsoft Defender are getting the same protection as those who install and pay for a third-party product. Microsoft Defender, however, comes pre-loaded with Windows 10 and doesn’t cost a single cent extra.