Microsoft Defender, company’s security application, now available to any individual who subscribes to Microsoft 365, online productivity suite including Word, Excel, etc. Different from previously released Microsoft Defender software which is integrated exclusively on Windows computers, this version is available on Windows, Android, Mac OSand iOS devices.
Windows PC owners without Microsoft 365 need not break a sweat; Microsoft is still pre-installing software on Windows to protect against viruses and other malware. That software is now simply named Windows Security. Aside from accessing the security dashboard where all your connected devices are visible, there’s not much additional incentive for Windows owners to download the new Microsoft Defender app.
Microsoft is expanding protection options to owners of Macs and smartphones using Microsoft 365. However, not all devices receive the same protections. For example, on Mac, anti-malware protection is provided by Microsoft Defender, while web protection is not.
On the other hand, iPhones and Android devices can use web protection from Microsoft Defender. Web Guard runs a virtual private network on your smartphone in the background and tries to intervene if any dangerous hyperlinks appear. Microsoft states that data from your browsing history is stored on your device and is not shared with the company. Learn more about VPNs and boost your digital privacy with WIRED writer and senior reviewer Scott Gilbertson’s guide to Best VPN. In addition to web protection, anti-malware protection from Microsoft Defender is supported for Android phones.
The new Microsoft Defender app is designed with consumers in mind — like families and individuals. Although the name is the same, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is a separate security suite for businesses. Microsoft has tutorials on its website to help you understand the Endpoint version and how switch between accounts.
If you are not a Microsoft 365 subscribers but want Microsoft Defender, the personal plan costs $70 a year and the family plan for up to six people costs $100 a year. With a Microsoft 365 subscription, you get access to OneDrive cloud storage, in addition to online and downloadable versions of popular software like Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. (Payment procedures this paragraph from WIRED contributor David Nield if you’re looking for a free version of Microsoft Word.)
So who will benefit from the new Microsoft Defender? The features offered are very thin at the moment and it may not be related to the software from Norton or McAfee, but that can be a good thing considering Defender is lighter than either of those options. Note that the large number of devices being tracked from a single dashboard can be a boon for home leaders trying to monitor the security of an entire crew on multiple devices.
Microsoft 365 personal plan subscribers can get Microsoft Defender to protect five devices at once. For home plan users, you can shield up to 30 devices simultaneously. The suite will send you an alert whenever Grandma downloads malware to her computer (again) or a teenager on their smartphone clicks a malicious link.
Looking for other strategies to boost your digital security? WIRED has helpful advice on everything from password protect your files arrive keep those spicy photos private. You won’t leave your front door unlocked while running errands, and with so many of our lives’ experiences while online, it makes sense to take safeguards on your computers and smartphones as well. similar meaning.
