Microsoft’s integrated antivirus program, called Windows Security now, does not require a subscription. It is also free. The product is highly regarded by the world’s most renowned AV testing labs and delivers strong malware protection without affecting the performance of your system. It also includes a number of useful features, including ransomware protection and a password manager. However, it lacks some important features found in more expensive antivirus programs, and isn’t among the most user-friendly choices.
Virus and threat protection includes the standard quick, complete and custom scans as well as an intense offline scan mode to tackle hard-to-remove threats. The firewall and network protection module is fairly simple to use, even though it’s not as comprehensive as rivals. The main issue, however, is that it’s only available on Windows devices which means if you want to secure a Mac or Android phone, you’ll need to look for a different option.
Family options include parental controls and the possibility of monitoring the health of the devices in your family. There’s even a password manager in the Edge browser that can be synced with other devices. The drawback is check these guys out that you cannot control the features from the app and must use a web browser to manage them.
It differs from other antivirus programs in that it doesn’t tie itself into the Windows Kernel. This could create new attack areas for hackers, and can destabilize the operating system. It also has good behavior detection and helps users avoid accidentally downloading malicious files.