Windows Security vs Microsoft Defender: Which One Is Better?

What Is Windows Security

Windows Security, formerly known as Windows Defender, is a collection of security features and tools built into your PC. It is designed to protect your Windows operating system from a variety of threats, including malware, viruses, and unauthorized access. Here’s a detailed overview of what’s included in Windows Security.

Virus & Threat Protection: This is the core feature of Windows Security and is responsible for detecting and mitigating malware threats. It includes:

• Antivirus protection: Scans files and systems for viruses, ransomware, and other types of malicious software.
• Threat history: Logs of detected threats and actions taken.
• Scan options: Different scan modes, including Quick Scan, Full Scan, and Custom Scan.
• Virus & threat protection settings: Real-time protection, Cloud-delivered protection, and Automatic sample submission, Tamper Protection.

Firewall and network protection: This component controls network traffic to protect your PC from unauthorized access and attacks:

• Firewall: Monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on security rules.
• Network security: Helps manage network connections and network profiles.
• Advanced settings: Allows configuration of inbound and outbound rules and creation of network policies.

Account Protection: Focus on protecting your user accounts and credentials.

• Sign-in options: Manage authentication methods such as passwords, PINs and facial recognition, and fingerprints.
• Microsoft Account protection: Security features for Microsoft accounts, including security information management and sign-in options.

In addition to the above Windows Security mentioned details, there are also these: App & browser control, Device security, and Family options.

How to access Windows Security? You have two choices.

1. Type Windows Security in the search box and select it.

2. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security.

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What Is Microsoft Defender

Microsoft Defender is a comprehensive set of security tools and technologies designed by Microsoft to protect devices and networks from a wide range of cyber threats. Here are some key features of Microsoft Defender:

• Advanced threat protection: Uses machine learning, behavioral analytics, and threat intelligence to detect and respond to complex threats.
• Device protection: Scans for malicious apps, run malware scans, check blocked app lists, and block unsafe websites.
• Integrated security: Provides a range of integrated security features across different platforms and environments.
• Privacy protection: Use the included VPN service to hide your IP address through encryption for private browsing.

The following will introduce some information about the difference between Windows Security and Microsoft Defender. Let’s move on.

Windows Security vs Microsoft Defender

Windows Security is built into the Windows operating system, provides basic protection, and runs locally on your computer. Microsoft Defender is an additional security layer that runs quietly in the background. Windows Security and Microsoft Defender are complementary services.

# 1. Security Features

Windows Security focuses on basic security features. Its features include antivirus protection, firewall, account protection, and threat history.

• Virus and threat protection: real-time antivirus scanning.
• Firewall and network protection: manage inbound and outbound traffic.
• App and browser control: safe browsing and app protection.
• Device security: core isolation and secure boot.

Microsoft Defender is about advanced and professional security solutions. Its features include enterprise threat detection, cloud security, advanced threat protection, and identity protection.

• Microsoft Defender for Endpoint: EDR, threat and vulnerability management, automated investigation.
• Microsoft Defender for Office 365: email protection, safe links, safe attachments.
• Microsoft Defender for Cloud: security posture management, threat protection, compliance management.

# 2. Integration

Windows Security: Integrated into the Windows operating system, focusing on protecting the local machine and basic network security.

Microsoft Defender: Integrates across various platforms and services, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and cloud environments, offering a unified security management experience.

# 3. Target Audience

The target audience of Windows Security is mainly individual users and small businesses. The target audience of Microsoft Defender is individuals, businesses of all sizes, and large enterprises. Compared with Microsoft Defender, its target audience is wider and its application range is larger.

If you use your computer frequently and store important data on it, and you don’t download a dedicated antivirus solution, you can use Microsoft Defender to make up for the missing security features in Windows Security. For example, identity theft management, VPN, and centralized management of multiple devices are missing features.

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Bottom Line

This is the end of this post. This article introduces Microsoft Defender vs Windows Security. After understanding their respective characteristics, you can choose which one to install.