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About Microsoft Defender
Microsoft Defender for individuals is a consumer security app sold as part of Microsoft 365. It provides always-on protection for the devices and personal data of one person or a family, and everything is managed from a single dashboard after signing in with a Microsoft account.
The product page also describes identity theft monitoring. Defender scans the dark web for more than 60 types of family personal information and sends an alert if any of it is exposed or compromised. It suits households that already pay for Microsoft 365 and want device protection and identity alerts managed in one place.
Strengths
- Manages security for several family members and devices from one dashboard
- Dark web monitoring for more than 60 types of personal information
- Included with Microsoft 365 subscriptions that many households already pay for
Limitations
- Requires a Microsoft account and a Microsoft 365 subscription
- Closed source, with protection tied to Microsoft's cloud services
- Available features may differ between regions and subscription plans
Details
- Pricing
- PaidIncluded with a paid Microsoft 365 subscription, with a free trial available.
- License
- Proprietary
- Developer
- Microsoft
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Required
- Best suited for
- Microsoft 365 households that want device protection and identity alerts in one app
- Categories
- Security tools, Privacy tools
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.
Alternatives to Microsoft Defender
Compare allSoftware that can replace Microsoft Defender for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
Norton 360
A paid security suite combining antivirus, a VPN, identity protection and scam detection.
Norton 360 bundles antivirus, VPN and identity protection without needing a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Bitdefender Total Security
A paid consumer antivirus suite with malware scanning, ransomware protection and a firewall.
Bitdefender Total Security is a paid multi-device suite with malware scanning, ransomware protection and a firewall.
Malwarebytes
An anti-malware scanner with real-time protection, VPN and scam detection for computers and phones.
Malwarebytes offers malware scanning, VPN and scam detection across devices with a free scanner tier.
McAfee Total Protection
A commercial antivirus and online protection suite with firewall, web protection and identity features.
McAfee Total Protection combines antivirus, firewall and web protection with basic identity features on Windows.
Kaspersky Premium
A commercial antivirus and internet security suite for home users, sold by Kaspersky.
Kaspersky Premium is a paid consumer security suite with a range including VPN and password manager products.
ESET HOME Security
A commercial antivirus and internet security suite for home computers and phones.
ESET HOME Security is a paid antivirus suite with anti-phishing across Windows, Mac, Android and Linux.
F-Secure Total
Consumer security suite bundling antivirus, VPN and a password manager.
F-Secure Total bundles antivirus, VPN and a password manager across desktop and mobile.
Avast Free Antivirus
A free antivirus for Windows, Mac and Android from Avast, alongside optional paid products.
Avast Free Antivirus is a free scanner for Windows, macOS and Android without a subscription.
Microsoft Defender as an alternative
Listings that name Microsoft Defender as an alternative.
Aura
Paid subscription service that protects individuals and families from identity theft, scams and online threats.
Microsoft Defender adds dark web monitoring for personal information and is included with a Microsoft 365 subscription rather than a standalone identity service.
AVG AntiVirus Free
A free antivirus that scans files and downloads and blocks scam websites on computers and phones.
Microsoft Defender manages protection for several devices with dark web monitoring, included in a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Avira Free Security
Free security suite with real-time malware protection and privacy and optimization tools.
Microsoft Defender protects several family members and devices but requires a Microsoft account and a paid Microsoft 365 subscription rather than a free suite.
ClamAV
An open source antivirus engine, used mostly for scanning mail servers and file shares rather than desktops.
Microsoft Defender covers Windows, macOS, Android and iOS from a family dashboard, but requires a Microsoft 365 subscription and is closed source.
Identity Guard
Paid identity theft protection service with fraud monitoring, credit monitoring and insurance coverage.
Microsoft Defender adds dark web monitoring and device protection within a Microsoft 365 subscription, but lacks the credit monitoring and insurance of Identity Guard.
Sophos Home
Antivirus for Windows and macOS home users, with protection managed remotely for the whole family.
Microsoft Defender manages several family devices from one dashboard and adds dark web monitoring, but requires a Microsoft account and a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
Have I Been Pwned
A service that checks whether your email address or password appeared in known data breaches.
Mozilla Monitor
Free web service from Mozilla that checks whether your email appears in known data breaches.
