Author Topic: Windows Defender Released (Read 1825 times)

Clive · « **on:** October 25, 2006, 16:04 »

Windows Defender is a free program that helps you stay productive by protecting your computer against pop-ups, slow performance and security threats caused by spyware and other potentially unwanted software.

Specific features of Windows Defender include:
A redesigned and simplified user interface
Improved detection and removal
Protection for all users
Support for 64-bit platforms, accessibility and localization
Delta definition updates
Free Limited Support
WGA enforcement
Please Note: Windows Defender no longer supports Windows 2000 as it will be out of mainstream support in October 2006. Please refer to the support lifecycle website for more information.

DOWNLOAD

Clive · « **Reply #1 on:** October 25, 2006, 17:55 »

It seems quite good! I've used it without any problem and it's quite fast.

Simon · « **Reply #2 on:** October 25, 2006, 21:12 »

How many layers of spyware protection is that now, Clive?

Clive · « **Reply #3 on:** October 26, 2006, 07:22 »

Many!

Strange how XoftSpy is still finding "severe risk" spyware that is unknown to any of the others! Strange also how Norton's has never once found anything remotely "interesting". At least AdAware and Spybot find an occasional "light risk" problem - which at least proves they are working! MS Defender discovered the WhenU adware which I think I've had and removed before. But I'm going to remove a few of these programs - especially XoftSpy and AVGAntispyware which will be asking me for money very soon.

Simon · « **Reply #4 on:** October 26, 2006, 11:55 »

I removed XoftSpy last week, as I just don't trust it any more. If you read some of the threads on the Wilders Security Forums, it has a pretty poor reputation. I have played with several anti-spyware apps over the last couple of weeks, including CounterSpy, SpywareSweeper, AVG Anti-Spyware, and Cyberhawk, and found that all of them that offer 'real time' protection have some level of detrimental effect on performance, AVGAS being the least resource heavy. I have now decided to strip back to basics, and have Kaspersky Internet Security, Spyware Blaster and Windows Defender running, with Ad Aware, SuperAntiApyware and Spybot installed, but only for on-demand scanning, which I will do on a weekly rotational basis.

Clive · « **Reply #5 on:** October 26, 2006, 12:29 »

....and you call me Mr Paranoid?

Delgado · « **Reply #6 on:** October 27, 2006, 17:10 »

Quote from: "Simon"

I removed XoftSpy last week, as I just don't trust it any more. If you read some of the threads on the Wilders Security Forums, it has a pretty poor reputation. I have played with several anti-spyware apps over the last couple of weeks, including CounterSpy, SpywareSweeper, AVG Anti-Spyware, and Cyberhawk, and found that all of them that offer 'real time' protection have some level of detrimental effect on performance, AVGAS being the least resource heavy. I have now decided to strip back to basics, and have Kaspersky Internet Security, Spyware Blaster and Windows Defender running, with Ad Aware, SuperAntiApyware and Spybot installed, but only for on-demand scanning, which I will do on a weekly rotational basis.

Interesting-I thought you were running F-Secure Internet Security?

I have a licence for Kaspersky Internet Security, but have taken it out in favour of Look n Stop Firewall and AVG Professional Anti virus. The reason for this was, I was not sure how Kav would run with my Belkin router.

Incidentally, my Internet Connection is now rock solid (two fingers crossed)

Simon · « **Reply #7 on:** October 27, 2006, 18:17 »

I was running F-Secure, but started having problems shutting down my machine. After a couple of weeks of communications with F-Secure's support desk, all they could end up recommending was for me to uninstall half of my other existing software, which I have used for years, due to possible incompatibilities. I came to the conclusion that if F-Secure isn't capable of running along side other software, and demands sole protection rights on a machine (which is what they seemed to be suggesting), I would be better off with something else, so I went with Kaspersky Internet Security, which is brilliant, doesn't conflict with anything (except possible Cyberhawk - see other thread!), and doesn't compromise system performance, with only one running process. I would recommend it to anyone, but none of the security suites cover every instance of spyware one could come across, so I like to have a back up or two.

Delgado · « **Reply #8 on:** October 27, 2006, 21:50 »

I had exactly the same with my F-Secure suite, Pc went wild, conflictions and crashes everywhere, so it had to go!

Look n Stop Firewall is extreemly light, although not too sure about AVG, although it works well-seems to be a lot running at once!