How Effective Is Windows Defender?
There are many spyware removal tools out ther--some fare ree and others are not. Windows Defender is a free security tool designed to protect your computer from malicious activity. How effective or ineffective it is depends on many different factors; therefore it is important to understand some of its key features and how it works to protect your computer. Make sure it supports your operating system (see Resources).
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Benefits
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The Internet is wonderful but it is also a dangerous breeding ground for malicious tools such as viruses, Trojans and spyware. These programs can secretly install on your computer and cause serious damage to system components. Windows Defender is a free spyware removal tool that monitors your computer's processes in real time and removes threats. It installs quickly and easily and includes a simple interface that allows you to scan for and remove malicious files. Windows Defender automatically launches at startup and begins monitoring processes.
Features
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Windows Defender consists of three scan modes (Quick, Full and Custom), which is ideal for both novice and advanced users. It includes background monitoring functions to handle spyware based on the preferences you set. It relies on a large spyware database to trace malicious files, which it then deletes automatically. Windows Defender analyzes the registry and scans files and folders for spyware programs. It can also be set to perform scheduled scans when you are not on the computer.
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Warnings
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Before installing Windows Defender, make sure that your computer has the necessary system requirements (see Resources) necessary to run it. It is important to have an antivirus program installed on your computer to run along with Windows Defender. If you don't have an antivirus program, consider AVG (see Resources), which is also free. While Windows Defender removes malicious files, it is only as effective as the updates; therefore update your program frequently so it has the latest spyware definitions to combat new threats.
Expert Insight
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Windows Defender is a decent spyware removal tool for its price (free). It is better for removing less threatening spyware (e.g., tracking cookies) rather than more complicated viruses and Trojans (e.g., rogue anti-spyware programs). This is because it removes infections but does not remove the causes, which means malicious files have the ability to reinstall on your computer. While running Windows Defender, consider running additional more powerful programs such as Malwarebytes' Anti-malware (see Resources).
Misconceptions
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There isn't one single security program that will remove or fix all problems related to spyware, viruses and Trojans. Since these malicious programs affect different parts of a computer system, running multiple security tools will increase the chances of solving most problems. No matter how many programs you run, there is still a chance of malicious tools secretly downloading on your computer. As long as you practice proper computer maintenance, (frequent virus scans, disk cleanup) you decrease the likelihood of infections.
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