Yes, Windows Defender does provide protection against viruses.
Windows Defender is a free security program for Windows-based computers that provides built-in protection from malicious software, including viruses, spyware, and other unwanted programs. It also helps protect your computer from dangerous websites, phishing attacks, and other online threats.
The program is included with the Windows operating system and is automatically turned on by default when you set up or log in to your computer. You can also manually enable or disable Windows Defender at any time.
Windows Defender works in real-time to help detect and block threats as they appear, but it also scans regularly to check for potential malicious activity. When it finds something suspicious, it creates a detailed report showing you what was found and offers advice on how to remove it.
In addition to providing protection against viruses, Windows Defender also includes dedicated protection against ransomware, which is a type of malware designed to block access to your computer or data until a ransom is paid. It also helps protect against new and emerging threats by leveraging cloud-based analytics.
Windows Defender is designed to work alongside other security solutions, such as anti-virus programs, to help provide comprehensive protection for your computer. However, if you already have an anti-virus program installed, you may want to turn off Windows Defender because two programs running at the same time can compete with each other and cause performance issues.
Overall, Windows Defender provides an effective and reliable way to protect your computer from viruses and other malicious software. It works proactively to identify and block threats in real-time, while also offering protection against ransomware and emerging threats. While it’s recommended that Windows users also have an additional anti-virus program installed, Windows Defender is a great place to start to keep your computer safe.