Should I replace Avast with Windows Defender?

Has Windows Defender (WD) fixed its false positives issues yet? See HERE.

After reaching out to Microsoft about this, I was told that this detection was a false positive and that it has already been addressed, but was not told what definition update pushed the fix or when it was resolved.

According to definition version 1.271.37.0, this detection may have been resolved yesterday, June 26th, as it is listed in this update.

If you are still seeing this behavior, you should check for new updates for Windows Defender and install them.

 

Does WD include a Behavior Blocker?

Windows Defender real-time protection in Windows 10 Anniversary Update includes behavior monitoring and heuristics to identify and block crypto-malware (ransomware) based on known suspicious and malicious activity.

In Windows 10, version 1607, we invested heavily in helping to protect against ransomware, and we continue that investment in version 1703 with updated behavior monitoring and always-on real-time protection.

Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection

Windows Defender Exploit Guard has four components of new intrusion prevention capabilities designed to lock down a system against various attack vectors and block behaviors commonly used in malware attacks before any damage can be done. Windows Defender EG is intended to replace Microsofts EMET which was confusing to novice users and allowed hackers to bypass because the mitigations were not durable and often caused operating system and application stability issues as explained here. Windows Defender Exploit Guard enhanced attack surface area reduction, extended support to Microsoft Office applications and now supports Windows Server as explained here.

A recent test of WD is HERE. It did just fine!

 

My next question: Does WD give excellent protection against exploits of internet facing apps?

 

The reason I ask: Nowadays, internet facing apps are a primary entry point for nasties. For myself, I do not presently rely upon ANY antivirus for full protection in this area. My main internet-using computer is guarded by Malwarebytes Anti-Exploits plus OSArmor plus NoScript plus No Coin.

 

It sounds like a lot but these 4 apps generate no discernible impact on storage space and cpu. By the way, "No Coin" is an anti-mining app. Mining is not an infection but does involve someone else remotely using your computer without your knowledge or permission. I'm NOT an expert on mining. Hopefully someone else will give a more expert explanation.

Edited by bellgamin, 31 July 2018 - 03:30 PM.

What about Win 8.1? I've been using Bitdefender free, but you have to run manual scans

Windows Defender under 8/8.1/10 have been "one and the same" at least up through Version 1803 of Windows 10.   In Version 1809 it has been renamed to Windows Security, and I would suspect the same change will be made in the Windows 8 sphere, too, but have no Windows 8/8.1 machines on which to check this.

As far as I am aware, most of the significant improvements, especially in regards to ransomware protection, are found only in the last few releases of Windows 10.

Windows Defender Antivirus in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, Windows 10 Creators Update and Windows 10 Spring Creators Update continues with improvements and additional security features to protect against ransomware.

Windows 8 Defender includes anti-virus and anti-malware protection that provides the same level of protection against malware as Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) provides on older operation systems plus enhanced protection against rootkits and bootkits and protection against potentially unwanted programs if that feature is enabled.

• Windows 8 Security: Windows Defender
• Windows 8 Security: What's New
• Microsoft changes behavior of Windows Defender in Windows 8
• Windows 8.1 security improvements
• Windows 8.1: The key security improvements

Although Windows 8 Defender provides some anti-malware protection...it is weak, meaning it does not provide comprehensive protection...therefore, you need to add an effective anti-malware solution for maximum protection.

Quietman7,

 

       I was probably thinking about Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection and what's said on that page.   I knew that I read somewhere that there was a mechanism that allowed the improvements in Windows Defender under Windows 10 to be applied to earlier versions of Windows.   I also thought, and probably incorrectly, that the stated plan several years ago was to modify Windows Defender in Windows 8/8.1 to precisely mirror that under Windows 10.

I’m using Windows 7 64 bit. I was using Avast free antivirus but removed it several months ago & started using Windows Defender. And I’ve been doing the regular “Definition Update for Windows Defender Antivirus”.

Recently I noticed the Action Center says I do not have an antivirus program.

On one hand MS is updating the Win7 Defender antivirus definitions, but on the other hand they’re saying there is no AV program on the PC.

IIRC long time ago Win7 Defender was lacking compared to Win10 Defender. Since Win7 Defender is getting antivirus definition updates, has Win7 Defender itself been updated along the way?

Is the Action Center correct or does my Defender provide AV protection?
 

Well in Windows 7, Defender wasn't a Full Antivirus at the time,  In Windows 7 it was Malware/Spyware only, why Security Essentials was released in 2009,   then they renamed Security Essentials to Windows Defender (or reused the name) for full product that started with Windows 8.0/8.1, and Now believe name changed again to WIndows Security in Windows 10 1903 

Starting with Windows 10 Creators Update, Windows Defender is called Windows Defender Antivirus.

Is Windows 7 Defender now a full Antivirus? IOW has it been updated over the years along with other Win7 updates?

 

If it needs to be updated is installing Security Essentials the recommended path?

 

FWIW this is on an HTPC and seldom does any web browsing, so I'm trying to keep it a lean machine.

 

I do have Norton Security which I could use but I'm trying to minimize messages whenever I wake up the HTPC, which is the reason I removed Avast. Norton isn't trying to sell me anything since I already paid for it, but it wants to keep me informed about features, etc. I figured Defender was less obtrusive.

Windows Defender in Windows 7/Vista is an anti-malware (anti-spyware) program intended to supplement your anti-virus program, not replace it.

And, for the record, as of Windows 10, Version 1809, Windows Defender Antivirus was rebranded as Windows Security.  It is a full-featured security suite, much more than just an antivirus.