Windows Defender has been a part of Windows since 2006 when it took over from Microsoft AntiSpyWare as the default tool for protecting users against malware. Over time, Microsoft has made gradual improvements to Windows Defender, making it much more dependable. In 2018, Microsoft revealed that over 50% of Windows users chose Windows Defender over third-party alternatives. 

But is Windows Defender good enough to keep your device secure? The Answer to this question is not straightforward. It may be sufficient for some users, while others may prefer to use it alongside another antivirus program to ensure their security. In this article, we’ll examine all the capabilities and limitations of Windows Defender to help you determine if it can provide the security you need on your Windows devices. 

What You Will Get with Windows Defender

Let’s explore the core security and utility features that you will get with Windows Defender:

Real-time Threat Detection

Windows Defender provides real-time protection by continuously monitoring your system for any signs of malicious activity. It promptly detects and responds to threats as they arise, helping to prevent malware infections before they can cause damage. For instance, if you connect a storage drive that is affected by malware, Windows Defender will prompt you to either remove the malware or block the drive from being connected to your device.  

Firewall & Network Protection

It includes a built-in firewall that monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic, providing an additional layer of defense against unauthorized access and network-based attacks. To block traffic, you will need to go to the Advanced Settings under Firewall & Network Protection. This feature allows you to create inbound or outbound rules based on your requirements, such as program, port, or protocol. 

Phishing Site Protection

Windows Defender helps to safeguard users against phishing sites, which attempt to steal sensitive information such as login credentials or financial data. It identifies and blocks access to fraudulent websites, reducing the risk of falling victim to online scams. For instance, websites that don’t support SSL certificates will automatically be blocked. 

Hardware Security

Windows Defender comes with hardware security features such as Device Guard and Secure Boot. These play a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity of the system’s boot process and protecting against firmware attacks. For instance, device Guard ensures that only trusted applications are allowed to run on the system. 

Secure Boot ensures that only digitally signed and trusted firmware and operating system components are loaded during the boot process. These technologies collectively enhance the security posture of the device by minimizing the risk of firmware-based exploits and unauthorized firmware modifications. 

Parental Controls

Windows Defender’s parental control features provide families with tools to manage and monitor their children’s online activities. These features typically include content filtering, allowing parents to restrict access to inappropriate or harmful websites and content. 

Usage limitations enable parents to set time limits for device usage, helping to balance screen time and promote healthy habits. Parental controls also include location-tracking functionalities that allow parents to monitor their children’s whereabouts and ensure their safety when they are online. 

Account Protection

Windows Defender’s account protection capabilities are designed to safeguard user accounts on the device from unauthorized access and compromise. This includes implementing various security measures to strengthen the authentication process and prevent unauthorized login attempts. 

For example, users can enhance their account security by using strong and unique passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA). Users can also configure security settings to detect and block suspicious login activities. 

App & Browser Control

This feature includes several components aimed at enhancing security while using applications and web browsers. These components include:

• Reputation-based Protection: This feature assesses the reputation of applications and websites based on their behavior and history. It helps to identify potentially malicious software or websites and blocks access to them.
• Smart App Control: Smart App Control uses machine learning algorithms to analyze application behavior in real time. It can detect and prevent the execution of suspicious or harmful applications, even if they are not recognized as malware.
• Exploit Protection: Exploit protection helps mitigate the impact of software vulnerabilities by preventing exploitation techniques commonly used by attackers. It includes features like address space layout randomization (ASLR), data execution prevention (DEP), and control flow guard (CFG) to prevent exploitation attempts.

Device Performance & Health

This feature provides insights into the performance and health of the device, covering various aspects such as:

• Windows Time Service: Ensures accurate time synchronization on the device, which is crucial for various system functions and security protocols.
• Storage Capacity: Monitors the available storage space on the device and alerts users if storage capacity is running low.
• Apps and Software: Assesses the health and performance of installed applications and software, identifying any issues that may impact device performance or security.

Limitations (Missing Features) of Windows Defender

Despite having several security features, Windows Defender still misses several capabilities that could be critical for some users. These features include: 

• Advanced Threat Protection (ATP): Windows Defender lacks advanced threat protection features commonly found in enterprise-grade security solutions. These include capabilities such as behavior-based analysis, threat intelligence integration, sandboxing, and advanced endpoint detection and response (EDR) functionalities.
• File Encryption and Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Windows Defender does not offer built-in file encryption or data loss prevention features. File encryption tools encrypt sensitive files and data to prevent unauthorized access. On the other hand, DLP solutions monitor and control the movement of sensitive data to prevent data breaches and leakage.
• Email Security and Anti-Spam: Windows Defender does not include dedicated email security or anti-spam features. Email security solutions scan incoming and outgoing emails for malicious attachments, links, or content and anti-spam filters block unwanted or unsolicited emails to reduce the risk of phishing and malware distribution. 
• Application Control and Whitelisting: Windows Defender does not provide granular application control or whitelisting capabilities. Application control tools allow administrators to define policies for application execution and whitelisting restricts the execution of software to authorized applications only. These tools are crucial for minimizing the risk of unauthorized software execution.
• Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Windows Defender lacks comprehensive endpoint detection and response (EDR) features for advanced threat hunting, incident response, and forensic analysis. EDR solutions monitor endpoint activity in real time, detect suspicious behavior, and provide detailed visibility into security incidents for proactive threat mitigation.
• Secure File Shredder: A secure file shredder permanently deletes files from the device by overwriting them with random data, making them unrecoverable. This feature is not available in Windows Defender.
• VPN: Windows Defender lacks a built-in VPN (Virtual Private Network) feature. VPNs encrypt internet traffic and provide anonymity and security while browsing the web. A VPN masks the user’s IP address and encrypts data transmitted over the internet. Many third-party antivirus solutions offer integrated VPN services to provide users with an additional layer of protection while browsing online. 

My Final Thoughts

Based on the features and capabilities of Windows Defender, it is suitable for individuals who prioritize basic security functionalities and prefer a built-in solution. Windows Defender includes most of the essential security features, such as real-time threat detection, firewall and network protection, phishing site protection, and hardware security features. For most people, this level of security is sufficient as long as they keep Windows Defender up to date.

However, it may not be adequate for users who require advanced security features such as a built-in VPN, advanced threat protection, file encryption, data loss prevention, and more advanced email security and anti-spam. Such users will need to install more robust third-party antivirus software like Kaspersky or Bit Defender. I would recommend users in high-security sectors such as health, finance, and government to also use third-party antivirus software, as they will likely need the extra security that these tools offer compared to Windows Defender.