Does Windows 10 Deserve a More Powerful Anti-Virus Solution?

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Petrovic

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Users claim Redmond must offer better anti-virus protection

Windows Defender is the built-in Windows 8.1 anti-virus and anti-spyware solution, and chances are that it’s going to be the default security app in Windows 10 as well.

While this decision pretty much makes sense since users do need basic protection on their computers, there’s a debate online on whether the company should actually make Windows Defender better or bundle a different anti-virus solution in Windows.

The second scenario is practically impossible since third-party software in Windows isn’t really the kind of thing that pleases Microsoft for many reasons, but improving Windows Defender is surely a project that can be done with Redmond’s resources.

Windows is at this point the most targeted platform by hackers and cybercriminals online, so it’s easy to see why users expect Microsoft to offer a protection solution in this regard.

Windows Defender only provides basic protection
The majority of security tests out there put Windows Defender and Microsoft Security Essentials on the last place every time, pointing out that Microsoft’s anti-virus app only offers basic protection to users.

And yes, that’s actually true and Microsoft itself said it on one occasion, explaining that MSE was designed from the very beginning to do just that and nothing more.

But users cannot be pleased with such a thing and a feature request posted on the Windows UserVoice channel is quickly gaining votes from others who want a more effective anti-virus solution for Windows 10.

“Windows Defender should be much better. It doesn't need to have so many functionalities as third party AV, but it should much better at detecting and cleaning virus/malware. It must be nearly as good as third party companies. After all Microsoft has lots of money and people to make OS more safe,” the request reads.

Microsoft could kill third-party AV companies
Imagine what could happen in case Microsoft develops a really powerful anti-virus solution that receives daily updates and doesn’t allow any piece of malware to break into your computer.

Pretty much everyone would stick to this particular solution, so there’s no doubt that third-party companies investing in development of security products and anti-virus software would really be impacted by such a project.

Until now, there’s no information on what could be an improved anti-virus product for Windows 10, and chances are that Microsoft will continue to focus on Windows Defender for the next OS version. Of course, more details on Windows 10’s security apps will be provided in the coming months, as development of the new OS continues.
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jamescv7

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Microsoft could kill third-party AV companies

Pretty much explanatory for that article which is the reason why WD/MSE provides basic protection through signatures/heuristics and likely its just a minimal maintainance for improvements.

Even though they are already enough knowledge and experience on developing AV its rather they focus more on the Operating system itself, except from Smartscreen filter which is a very good protection.
 
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Tani

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Microsoft can rock if they just improve detection feature in their anti virus &/or if they do an agreement for virus signatures with any other good company like many anti malewares take signatures from bit defender.
 

Kuttz

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MSE/WD is very good, but not seen in the "average" tests.
http://securitywatch.pcmag.com/secu...-from-cellar-to-stellar-in-new-antivirus-test
(August 2014) http://www.av-comparatives.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/avc_prevalence_201403_en.pdf - Commissioned by Microsoft, AV-Comparatives.org

From the table on page 9, Microsoft sits under Panda who is placed at #5.

Wow that was an enlightening article about MS AV. So MS AV is not that bad as people think right ?
 

Ink

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Wow that was an enlightening article about MS AV. So MS AV is not that bad as people think right ?
Regardless of any security measures, a computer system can still be infected whether running Windows, Mac, Linux or custom OS, be it by accident, on purpose, or through other means.

Yes, MSE/WD could have better protection measures to protect users. But they are improving in other sectors, such as flagging Adware ridden software, automated malware removal etc.

You will always get some complaining about the lack of security features in MSE/WD when compared to third-party vendors, because that's the way it is.
 

Korora

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Microsoft making an Anti-Virus that is actually good is quite funny, until they hire people who actually take it seriously then maybe, just maybe they'll have a good chance at it.
 

Nightwalker

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Enju

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Wow that was an enlightening article about MS AV. So MS AV is not that bad as people think right ?
MSE is actually pretty decent in the detection of real(!) in-the-wild malware as you can see in the test posted by @Huracan. In conjunction with Smartscreen it's more than enough protection for the average, not completely clickhappy, homeuser.
The biggest downside of MSE is it's adware and crapware detection since the devs of those tend to be trigger happy and start sueing AV-vendors when they get detected (Adware is technically speaking absolutely legal in most countries...).
 

Sloth

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Microsoft could kill third-party AV companies
Imagine what could happen in case Microsoft develops a really powerful anti-virus solution that receives daily updates and doesn’t allow any piece of malware to break into your computer.

Pretty much this. MS can develop a really really powerful Internet Security Software as they have tons of funds & thousands of developers. But I don't think its going to happen any time soon.

Even google can make a Internet Security Software but they won't for the same reason.
 
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