Windows Defender comes with the usual options to automatically update the program and schedule regular system scans to protect the computer system. Default actions for low, medium and high alerts can be defined that will be executed by the anti-spyware program automatically.

Microsoft’s anti-spyware solution comes with the interesting advanced tool Software Explorer which can display extensive information about startup programs, currently running programs, network connected programs and Winsock service providers.

Each program and provider is sorted by company which makes it easier to find non-Microsoft programs that are running or connected to the computer system.

Microsoft has improved Windows Defender over the years. The company did receive lots of criticism in the beginning which can be attributed to a low spyware detection rate. Several anti-spyware products have performed better in tests, outlined here or here. Please note that the tests linked in this article have been performed about 10 months ago and that the situation may have changed in the mean time.

Which leads to the question: Are you running anti-spyware software? If so which?

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The question that I’m asking myself is if you really need the Windows Defender if you have been using programs like ad-aware or spybot before and I think the answer is pretty obvious: No, Windows Defender is not needed. It might be fine for users who do not know and care about spyware and could help those users protect their computers in a more secure way from spyware and spam but everyone else should really stay with the program that they have been using before.

This is backed up by some tests, for instance by Suzi Turner from Zdnet, who used a virtual spyware infected system and tested the efficiency of Windows Defender. She came to the conclusion that Windows Defender was only able to detect 65% to 75% of the Spyware that was installed on the system compared to the commercial programs Spyware Doctor and Spyware Sweeper.

I personally think that Windows Defender is just another program that does not excel in what it should do. The same can be said for other softwares from Microsoft like the Windows Firewall for instance. I would advise everyone to either use other freely available tools to scan and protect your pc from spyware and spam or buy a commercial product that lives up to its promises. It is furthermore a good idea to test your system from time to time with a tool like Hijack This just to make sure nothing bypassed your anti-spyware program.

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