Word of the Day: Microsoft Windows Defender

Word of the Day Daily updates on the latest technology terms |August 18, 2017

Microsoft Windows Defender Windows Defender is Microsoft's antimalware software. Defender works with Windows Update to automatically install new virus definition files as they are published and provide computers using the Microsoft operating system (OS) with both real-time and anytime scanning options. Defender was originally released in 2006 as an add-on for Windows XP. With the release of Windows Vista, however, the software was enabled by default. Since the release of Windows 8, should a computer's default antivirus software be from a third-party and that software expire, Defender will automatically become the default AV once again. This is to ensure that every computer running a Microsoft operating system is using antivirus software. Windows Defender is considered to be primarily a consumer-oriented security tool, geared toward the non-technical user who is not interested in purchasing additional protection. It does have the advantage of knowing the Windows OS better than any other tool and is quite good at removing malware when it is detected. Because it is a Microsoft product, however, it is also a target for malware designed specifically to attack and disable Defender. Quote of the Day "Regardless of whether you use Windows Defender or something else, having antimalware tools in place isn't enough. You must make sure your defenses actually work." - Brien Posey   Trending Terms anti-spyware software antimalware Microsoft Security Essentials ransomware Trojan horse Microsoft Windows Server Antimalware   Learning Center Microsoft antivirus policy changes under Kaspersky pressure Microsoft antivirus policy changes for Windows 10 Fall Creators Update to get Kaspersky to drop an European antitrust case. Windows Defender bug could allow full-system takeover Google's Project Zero found another dangerous, remotely exploitable Windows Defender bug that Microsoft rushed to patch. Here's what you need to know about it. How to create an ideal Windows 10 security setup To create an effective Windows 10 security setup, IT admins have to look at encryption, password complexity, data loss prevention and more. Apparent Win10 Defender Update Issues Illusory Recent cumulative updates have led to reports of Windows Defender update errors. Fortunately, these apparent Win10 Defender Update issues are illusory. Protect against malware Microsoft Windows Defender Microsoft Windows Defender, installed by default in Windows Server 2016, protects against known malware, a step towards automatic Windows Server hardening. Quiz Yourself This is a malicious code that is used by cybercriminals to launch data kidnapping and lockscreen attacks. a. ransomware b. Trojan horse Answer       Stay In Touch For feedback about any of our definitions or to suggest a new definition, please contact me at: mrouse@techtarget.com   Visit the Word of the Day Archives and catch up on what you've missed!   FOLLOW US About This E-Newsletter This e-newsletter is published by the TechTarget network. To unsubscribe from Whatis.com, click here. Please note, this will not affect any other subscriptions you have signed up for. TechTarget, Whatis, 275 Grove Street, Newton, MA 02466. Contact: webmaster@techtarget.com Copyright 2016 TechTarget. All rights reserved.