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Windows Defender: Software

Windows Defender is a new security technology that helps protect your computer against spyware and other unwanted software.

In addition to Windows Defender, Microsoft offers a broad range of consumer and enterprise anti-malware solutions that provide defense through several services:

  • Windows Live OneCare safety scanner is a web service that helps to ensure the health of your PC with free scanning tools that check for and remove viruses, remove junk files on your hard disk, and improve your PC’s performance.

  • Malicious Software Removal Tool checks your PC for infection by specific, prevalent, malicious software and helps remove an infection if one is found. Microsoft releases an updated version of this tool on the second Tuesday of each month.

  • Windows Defender helps you stay productive by protecting your PC against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats that are caused by spyware and other potentially unwanted software. Real-time protection helps prevent new spyware from installing, while a streamlined alert mechanism minimizes interruptions. From installation to maintenance and updates, Windows Defender is easy to use and comes with pre-configured settings that are designed to help you stay secure. Information and guidance is provided by dedicated analysts to help you stay safe. Windows Defender and on-going updates are available for no additional charge to Windows XP and Windows Vista customers.

  • Windows Live OneCare is an all-in-one home PC care service for busy consumers who want a worry-free computing experience. Working quietly in the background, Windows Live OneCare helps protect against viruses and malware, enhances performance by reducing system slow-down and fixing potential problems. Windows Live OneCare evolves with your needs and PCs as your home computing environment grows and changes. New features in Windows Live OneCare include Multi-PC and home network management, Printer sharing support, Start time optimizer, Proactive fixes and recommendations, Wi-Fi Security, Centralized backup and online photo backup. Windows Live OneCare is available to customers for up to 3 PCs for just $ 49.94 (USD) a year. In addition to what Windows Defender offers, Windows Live OneCare provides comprehensive real-time protection against viruses, worms, and all known variants of malware. Download the trial version.

  • Microsoft Forefront Client Security is a unified anti-malware solution for business desktops, laptops, and server operating systems that is easy to manage and control. Forefront Client Security delivers unified protection from viruses, spyware, and other current and emerging threats, simplified administration through central management and integration with current infrastructure, and critical visibility and control over both threats and vulnerabilities through insightful, prioritized security reports. Download the trial version.

The following chart explains how Windows Defender compares with other antispyware and antivirus technologies that Microsoft offers.

Product name and intended usersSpyware: Scan and removeSpyware: Helps protectViruses: Scan and removeViruses: Helps protectScheduled scanning providedProvided at no additional cost

Windows Defender — Consumers

CheckCheck

 

 

CheckCheck

Windows Live OneCare safety scanner — Consumers

Check

 

Check

 

 

Check

Malicious Software Removal Tool

 

 

Check

 

 

Check

Windows Live OneCare — Consumers

CheckCheckCheckCheckCheck

 

Microsoft Forefront Client Security — Businesses

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