Microsoft today launched a new Defender cybersecurity app for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android. Here are its features!
Microsoft today launched a new Defender cybersecurity app for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android. While the software giant has been using the Defender moniker for antivirus protection for years, the new cross-platform Microsoft Defender app is available for individuals as a simplified dashboard that integrates with existing antivirus software.
Microsoft Defender is available for Android, iOS, iPadOS, macOS and Windows
Microsoft Defender is available today for Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers. With different features for each platform, the app does not include antivirus protection on iOS and iPadOS, and offers some web phishing protection as well as a dashboard with alerts for other devices.
On Android, the app includes antivirus protection and the ability to scan for malicious apps. The app can also scan links to provide web phishing protection.
Microsoft Defender on Windows, on the other hand, has more basic dashboard features rather than trying to replace the familiar built-in Windows Security app. You can view your existing antivirus protection from Norton, McAfee, Kaspersky or other vendors and manage security protections across devices.
The app also shows security alerts and tips across multiple devices, but only on Windows and macOS. The new app may seem “redundant” to most users, but it’s useful for those who want to protect family members and multiple devices from one place on a simple dashboard. Vasu Jakkal, Corporate Vice President of Security at Microsoft, said that the new security app will have more new features as the days go by.
