Windows Defender is part of the Windows Security suite of products, and it helps protect your computer and data from malicious software, also known as malware. Windows Defender is a built-in application included in all versions of Windows since Windows 8. It scans and guards against viruses, spyware, ransomware, and other malicious software.
Windows Defender is designed to detect and remove, or quarantine, a variety of malware types including viruses, Trojans, worms, rootkits, and spyware. In addition, it can scan for potentially unwanted software such as adware, potentially unwanted programs, and PUAs (potentially unwanted applications).
Windows Defender is also able to detect and block websites with malicious code. It can also scan for redirected URLs and provide information on sites that have been blocked due to malicious content. Lastly, it can monitor traffic from incoming web requests and alert you if any malicious content is detected.
The application also includes features such as Real-time Protection and Cloud-based Protection. Real-time Protection monitors applications and processes for suspicious behavior, and Cloud-based Protection allows Windows Defender to access Microsoft’s cloud-based service to check for any new threats.
When the Windows Defender application is enabled, it runs in the background and will scan all files and programs being downloaded or used on the computer. Depending on the settings configured, it may also scan periodically or in response to an event. If a threat is detected, Windows Defender will take action to quarantine or remove the malicious file or application.
Overall, Windows Defender protects against many of the most common and dangerous types of malware, providing users with an additional layer of security to their system. It is important that users keep Windows Defender up to date and scan regularly to ensure optimal protection against the ever-evolving threat landscape.