Yes, Windows Defender offers a range of additional features beyond basic antivirus protection. Windows Defender’s signature virus and malware protection is the primary component but it also offers a wide range of other security features designed to keep your system safe. These features vary depending on your operating system, with the most recent versions offering the greatest range of protection.
1. Windows Firewall: Windows Firewall provides a secure barrier between your computer and the internet. It blocks intrusions and malicious activity from outside sources and can be customized to fit your specific security needs.
2. File History: This feature creates periodic backups of your system files so you can quickly restore previous versions should something go wrong.
3. Parental Controls: This feature enables you to restrict what your children access online, as well as the software they use and their access hours.
4. Network Protection: Windows Defender includes an advanced intrusion detection system that can spot and block malicious network traffic.
5. Secure Boot: Secure Boot is an important security feature included in recent versions of Windows. It prevents malicious software from booting up before the operating system starts, ensuring that only approved software will run on your system.
6. Malware Removal: Windows Defender includes real-time scanning of your system that can detect and remove malware. It also includes Automatic Sample Submission, which allows it to send suspicious files to Microsoft for analysis and quarantine them if necessary.
7. SmartScreen Filter: SmartScreen Filter is a feature that helps protect against phishing attacks. It checks URLs and downloads for known malicious activity and warns you if something suspicious is detected.
8. App Security: Windows Defender can help you identify insecure apps, recognize malicious downloads, and remove unwanted software.
9. Exploit Protection: This feature protects against specific exploits that attempt to take advantage of vulnerable applications or system processes.
10. Application Guard: This technology is designed to isolate individual applications from each other and the rest of the system, making them less vulnerable to attack.
11. Device Control: This feature can be used to control how external storage devices are used on your system.
12. Credential Guard: Credential Guard helps protect user credentials by isolating them in a secure virtualized container.
13. Security Center: The Windows Security Center displays all of your security settings in one place, enabling you to quickly check the status of your system’s security and make changes if needed.
14. Vulnerability Assessment: Windows Defender helps you identify potential weaknesses in your system, such as outdated software and broken configurations.
15. Pre-Boot Analysis: This feature runs security scans at startup, helping to ensure that your system is secure before it can be accessed.
The features offered by Windows Defender vary depending on your operating system, but newer versions generally include a wide range of additional features that go beyond basic antivirus protection. With Windows Defender, you have the ability to customize your security settings to meet your specific needs, providing a powerful layer of defense.