Microsoft Defender – Questions, Answered

Microsoft Defender Introduction

The built-in antivirus for Windows, Microsoft Defender, is a top choice for many individuals and companies. Microsoft has a security-first focus and protects Azure, Office 365, and other widely-used products, making them a trusted authority.

As an IT professional, I’ll admit, I had my doubts about Microsoft Defender at first. After diving deeper and testing it out, I discovered that Microsoft Defender offers a lot of capabilities at an affordable price point, which pleasantly surprised me. In my opinion, this product will only continue to improve and provide great value for its users.

We must remember the number of flavours now available for Microsoft Defender – it is a suite of products, ranging from an in-built Windows OS Antivirus, a 365 protection suite, an Endpoint for securing servers, and a whole range of additional products for specific usage. Microsoft marketing have without doubt used the umbrella approach, much like 365, to incorporate the term ‘Defender’ as its AV suite, again, a clever move. Just for clarity the majority of this article will elaborate on the in-built Windows version – free and available in all Windows Operating systems (version dependant)

One area where I believe Microsoft Defender could improve is by making it more user-friendly for those who may not have an IT background. Simplifying the configuration process while still delivering on their security promises would make it accessible for businesses of all sizes, whether they have an in-house IT team or outsource their IT needs.

In short, Microsoft Defender is a powerful and cost-effective solution for protecting your computer and business. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to incorporate it into your ongoing antivirus and endpoint detection and response (EDR) strategy.

What is Microsoft Defender and how does it work?

Microsoft Defender is a built-in antivirus program for Windows computers. It is designed to protect against malware, such as viruses, spyware, and ransomware.

The program uses a combination of real-time scanning and cloud-based protection to detect and remove threats. Real-time scanning continuously monitors the computer for malicious activity, while cloud-based protection uses information from Microsoft’s network of users to identify and block new threats.

Microsoft Defender also includes features such as threat history, which allows users to view a history of detected threats and actions taken, and the ability to schedule scans. Additionally, it can work along with other third party antivirus software.

It also uses machine learning and automated systems to detect new and emerging threats, and it can detect and quarantine malware automatically without requiring user intervention.

Is Microsoft Defender enough protection for my computer?

Microsoft Defender is a robust antivirus program that provides a good level of protection for most users. However, it’s important to keep in mind that no single security solution can provide 100% protection against all types of threats.

Microsoft Defender can detect and remove a wide range of malware, including viruses, spyware, and ransomware. It also uses cloud-based protection and real-time scanning to identify and block new threats. Additionally, it uses machine learning and automated systems to detect new and emerging threats.

However, it’s still possible for a computer to be infected with malware if a user clicks on a malicious link or opens a infected email attachment. Also, some advanced malware may be able to evade detection by antivirus software, so it’s important to practice safe browsing habits and be cautious when opening suspicious emails.

It’s also important to note that Microsoft Defender does not offer the same level of protection for mobile devices or MacOS, so it’s important to use a different solution for those devices.

In conclusion, Microsoft Defender provides a good level of protection for most users. However, it is not a 100% guarantee against all types of threats. It’s important to practice safe browsing habits, be cautious when opening suspicious emails, and use a different solution for mobile devices and MacOS.

Can Microsoft Defender detect and remove Malware?

Yes, Microsoft Defender is capable of detecting and removing malware from your computer. Microsoft Defender uses a combination of traditional signature-based detection and advanced behavioral-based detection to identify and remove malware.

Signature-based detection uses a database of known malware signatures to identify and remove known threats. Behavioral-based detection, on the other hand, uses machine learning and other advanced techniques to identify and remove malware based on its behavior, rather than its signature. Microsoft Defender uses its signature database to detect and remove new and emerging threats that have not yet been identified.

Microsoft Defender is also capable of detecting and removing a wide range of malware types, including viruses, spyware, and ransomware. Additionally, it uses cloud-based protection and real-time scanning to identify and block new threats.

It’s important to note that no single security solution can provide 100% protection against all types of threats, so it’s important to practice safe browsing habits, be cautious when opening suspicious emails and use a different solution for mobile devices and MacOS.

How do I turn on or disable Microsoft Defender?

To turn on Microsoft Defender on Windows:

Click the Windows icon in the bottom left corner of the screen and type “Windows Security”
Click on “Virus & threat protection”
Under “Virus & threat protection settings,” toggle the “Real-time protection” switch to “On.”
To disable Microsoft Defender on Windows:

Click the Windows icon in the bottom left corner of the screen and type “Windows Security”
Click on “Virus & threat protection”
Under “Virus & threat protection settings,” toggle the “Real-time protection” switch to “Off.”
Please note that disabling the real-time protection will make your computer more vulnerable to malware and other threats, so it’s not recommended to do this unless you are installing another antivirus program or for some specific troubleshooting needs.

Also, keep in mind that if you have a third-party antivirus software installed, it might have its own settings to disable the real-time protection, so you’ll need to check the settings of that software to completely disable the Microsoft defender.

How do I update Microsoft Defender?

Microsoft Defender updates automatically by default, which ensures that your computer has the latest protection against new and emerging threats. However, you can also manually check for updates if needed.

To manually update Microsoft Defender on Windows:

1. Click the Windows icon in the bottom left corner of the screen and type “Windows Security”
2. Click on “Virus & threat protection”
3. Under “Virus & threat protection updates,” click on “Check for updates”

Included in Windows Update

You can also check for updates for the Windows operating system itself which would also update the windows defender if needed.

To check for Windows updates:

1. Click the Windows icon in the bottom left corner of the screen and type “Check for updates”
2. Click on “Check for updates”
3. Windows will check for any available updates, and you can install them by clicking “Download and install”

If no updates are available, you should see a message indicating that your device is up to date.

It’s important to keep your Microsoft Defender and Windows updated to ensure that you have the latest protection against new and emerging threats.

How do I run a scan with Microsoft Defender?

To run a scan using Microsoft Defender on Windows:

Click the Windows icon in the bottom left corner of the screen and type “Windows Security”
Click on “Virus & threat protection”
Under “Virus & threat protection scans,” click on “Scan options”
Select the type of scan you want to run:
Quick scan: checks common locations for malware and only takes a few minutes
Full scan: checks all files and folders on your computer, can take a long time depending on the size of your hard drive
Custom scan: allows you to select specific files or folders to scan
Click on “Scan now”
You can also run a scan by right-clicking on a file or folder and selecting “Scan with Microsoft Defender”

After the scan is complete, you will see a summary of the results, including the number of threats found and removed. If any threats are found, you will be prompted to take further action, such as removing the threat or quarantining it.

Please note that if you have a third-party antivirus software installed, it might have its own scan options and settings, so you’ll need to check the settings of that software to run a scan.

It’s recommended to run a scan periodically, especially if you suspect that your computer might be infected.

How do I check the status of Microsoft Defender on my computer?

To check the status of Microsoft Defender on Windows:

• Click the Windows icon in the bottom left corner of the screen and type “Windows Security”
• Click on “Virus & threat protection”
• Under “Virus & threat protection status,” you will see the current status of Microsoft Defender, including if it is up-to-date and if the real-time protection is on.
• You can also check the status of Microsoft Defender by opening the Windows Security app and look for the shield icon in the system tray. A green shield icon indicates that Microsoft Defender is running and protecting your device. A red shield icon indicates that there is a problem with your protection.

You can also check the status of Microsoft Defender by using the command line by opening command prompt and running the command “Mpcmdrun -GetStatus”

It is important to ensure that your Microsoft Defender is running and up-to-date to ensure that your computer has the latest protection against new and emerging threats. If you notice that the status is not as expected, you should check for updates or run a scan to check for any potential issues.

How do I configure settings for Microsoft Defender?

To configure settings for Microsoft Defender on Windows:

• Click the Windows icon in the bottom left corner of the screen and type “Windows Security”
• Click on “Virus & threat protection”
• Under “Virus & threat protection settings,” you can change the settings for:
• Real-time protection: Turn on or off the real-time protection feature which scans your device for potential threats in real-time.
• Cloud-delivered protection: Turn on or off the feature that uses the cloud to detect and block new and emerging threats.
• Automatic sample submission: Turn on or off the feature that automatically submits samples of detected malware to Microsoft for analysis.
• Tamper protection: Turn on or off the feature that prevents unauthorized changes to Microsoft Defender settings.
• Within “Exclusions” you can add file paths, processes, file types or extensions that you want Microsoft Defender to exclude from scanning.
• Under “Manage ransomware protection”, you can configure settings related to the ransomware protection feature.
• Under “Scans”, you can configure settings related to the scan schedule, and the types of scans.
• You can also access some of the settings by opening the Windows Security app and clicking on the settings icon in the top-right corner of the app.

It’s important to note that some of these options can be locked by an administrator if you are using it on a corporate network, or if you are not the administrator of the device.

It is important to review the settings of your Microsoft Defender periodically to ensure that it is configured to best meet your needs, and to make sure that your computer is properly protected against new and emerging threats.

Can I run Microsoft Defender alongside another antivirus program?

It is generally not recommended to run two antivirus programs on the same computer at the same time, as they may interfere with each other and cause conflicts.

Microsoft Defender is designed to be the primary antivirus solution for Windows devices, and it is built into the operating system. It is designed to work seamlessly with other security features in Windows to provide comprehensive protection.

Running multiple antivirus programs at the same time can cause performance issues, such as increased resource usage and slower system performance, and may also lead to conflicts between the programs, which can cause them to malfunction or produce false positive results.

If you have another antivirus program installed on your computer, you should remove it before enabling Microsoft Defender. If you want to use a different antivirus program, you should disable Microsoft Defender first.

How can I troubleshoot issues with Microsoft Defender?

There are a few common issues that users may encounter when using Microsoft Defender, and several troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve them:

Real-time protection is turned off:

If you’re unable to turn on real-time protection, or if it keeps turning off, you can try the following steps:

• Open the Windows Security app and click on “Virus & threat protection”
• Click on “Manage settings” under “Real-time protection”
• Make sure the switch for “Real-time protection” is turned on
• If it still does not work, you can try resetting Windows Security settings by going to the “App and browser control” settings and click on “Reset”

Scan is stuck or taking a long time:

If a scan is stuck or taking a long time, you can try the following steps:

• Restart the computer and try running the scan again
• Manually run a full scan by going to the Windows Security app and clicking on “Virus & threat protection” then “Run a new advanced scan” and select “Full scan”
• Exclude certain large folders or files from the scan that you know are not infected.

Updates are not installing:

If updates for Microsoft Defender are not installing, you can try the following steps:

• Check that your computer is connected to the internet
• Make sure you are running the latest version of Windows
• Try running the Windows Update troubleshooter by typing “Troubleshoot” in the Windows search bar and selecting “Troubleshoot settings” then “Windows Update”
• If you’re still having issues, try resetting Windows Update by going to the “Troubleshoot” settings and clicking on “Windows Update” then “Run the troubleshooter”

False positive detections:

If Microsoft Defender is detecting a file or program as malware when it is not, you can try the following steps:

• Add the file or program to the exclusions list by going to the Windows Security app and clicking on “Virus & threat protection” then “Manage settings” under “Exclusions”
• Submit the file or program to Microsoft for further analysis by going to the Windows Security app and clicking on “Virus & threat protection” then “Virus & threat protection history” and select the file or program and click on “Submit a sample”

What can go wrong with Microsoft Defender, and how do I fix it?

Scans are stuck or taking a long time

When scans are stuck or taking a long time, there are several things you can try to resolve the issue.

1. Restart your computer and run the scan again. Sometimes, a simple restart can fix issues with scans getting stuck.
2. Check your computer’s performance. If your computer is running slowly or is low on resources, this can cause scans to take longer or get stuck. Close any unnecessary programs or windows, and free up space on your hard drive.
3. Check for any updates. Make sure your version of Microsoft Defender is up to date.
4. Run a scan in Safe Mode. Some malware or other programs can interfere with scans, so running a scan in Safe Mode can help to avoid these interference.
5. Disable any other antivirus software you have installed. If you have another antivirus program running on your computer, it can interfere with scans.
6. Check for any known issues. Microsoft may have released a fix for a known issue that is causing scans to get stuck. Check their support website for more information.
7. If the problem persists, you can contact Microsoft Support for further assistance.

Real-time protection is not working or keeps turning off

If real-time protection is not working or keeps turning off, there are several things you can try to resolve the issue:

1. Restart your computer and check if the problem persists.
2. Check if the real-time protection is enabled. Go to the settings of Microsoft Defender and make sure that the real-time protection toggle is on.
3. Make sure your version of Microsoft Defender is up to date. Check for updates and install any that are available.
4. Disable any other antivirus software you have installed. If you have another antivirus program running on your computer, it can interfere with the real-time protection of Microsoft Defender.
5. Run the troubleshooter. Microsoft Defender has a built-in troubleshooter that can help identify and fix problems with real-time protection.
6. Check for any known issues. Microsoft may have released a fix for a known issue that is causing the real-time protection to not work or turn off. Check their support website for more information.
7. If the problem persists, you can contact Microsoft Support for further assistance.
8. You can also try to perform a full scan with Microsoft Defender, and it will detect and remove any malware or virus that might have stopped the real-time protection.

When updates are not installing?

If updates are not installing on your computer, there are several things you can try to resolve the issue:

1. Restart your computer and try installing the updates again. Sometimes, a simple restart can fix issues with updates not installing.
2. Check your internet connection. Make sure that you have a stable internet connection when trying to install updates.
3. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter. This is a built-in tool that can help identify and fix problems with Windows updates.
4. Check for any known issues. Microsoft may have released a fix for a known issue that is causing updates to not install. Check their support website for more information.
5. Clear the Windows Update cache. Over time, the Windows Update cache can become cluttered and cause problems. Clearing the cache can help resolve the issue.
6. Check the available disk space on your computer. Make sure you have enough free space on your hard drive to install the updates.
7. Disable any third-party security software temporarily. Some security software can interfere with the installation of updates.
8. Make sure your Windows operating system is activated.
9. You can also try to install the updates manually by downloading them from the official Microsoft website.
10. If the problem persists, you can contact Microsoft Support for further assistance.

Let’s be honest, we don’t want to be in a position to understand whether updates are working or not, or how much time has passed since you realised this is the case? What does that mean to your security posture since the last update? We’ve put together a few options for your to ensure, going forwards you have the tools to be able to check this automatically.

How to automate the checking of updates

There are several ways to automate the checking of updates for Microsoft Defender;

Use Windows Task Scheduler:

You can use the built-in Windows Task Scheduler to create a task that runs the Windows Update check on a schedule. This can be done by opening the Task Scheduler, creating a new task and setting it to run the “wuapp.exe” file (which is the Windows Update application) on a schedule that you specify.

Here is an example script that can be used to check for updates using the Task Scheduler:

Open the Task Scheduler by pressing the Windows key + R and typing “taskschd.msc” and press Enter.
Click on the “Action” menu and select “Create Basic Task”
Give the task a name, for example “Windows Update Check” and click on “Next”
Select the schedule for the task to run, for example “Weekly” and click on “Next”
Choose the day and time for the task to run, for example “Every Monday at 3:00 PM” and click on “Next”
Select “Start a program” and click on “Next”
In the “Program/script” field, type “wuapp.exe” and click on “Next”
Review the task and click on “Finish”

This will create a task that runs the Windows Update application (wuapp.exe) on the schedule you specified. You can also customize the script to send you an email or a message if any updates are found, but that would require some knowledge of scripting and task scheduler, it could be done using powershell or vbscript.

Use PowerShell:

You can also use PowerShell to check for updates and notify you if any are available. You can create a script that checks for updates and sends you an email or a message if any are found.

The script can be used to check for updates and notify you if any are available. Here’s an example of a simple PowerShell script that checks for updates and sends an email notification if any are found:

$Updates = Get-WindowsUpdate
If ($Updates) {
$Updates | Format-Table -AutoSize
Send-MailMessage -To "email@example.com" -Subject "Updates Available" -Body "Updates are available on this computer. Please check the attached list for more details." -Attachments $Updates -SmtpServer smtp.example.com
} Else {
Write-Host "No updates available."
}

This script uses the Get-WindowsUpdate cmdlet to check for updates, and then sends an email to the specified address with the list of updates as an attachment if any are found.

To use this script, you’ll need to have PowerShell installed on your computer and have configured your SMTP settings. You may also need to adjust the script to fit your specific needs, such as changing the email address or SMTP server settings.

You can also schedule this script to run at a specific time or interval using the Windows Task Scheduler or any other scheduling software.

It is important to note that this is just an example, you can customize the script to fit your specific requirements and environment.

Use a third-party tool:

There are many third-party tools available that can automate the process of checking for updates on your computer. Some popular examples include CCleaner, Patch My PC, and SUMo.

Step-by-step process for using a third-party tool to automate the checking of updates:

1. Download and install the third-party tool of your choice. Some popular examples include CCleaner, Patch My PC, and SUMo.
2. Open the tool and run a scan to check for updates. The tool will check for updates for all the installed programs on your computer.
3. The tool will display a list of updates that are available. You can then choose to install the updates, ignore them or schedule them for later.
4. If you choose to install the updates, the tool will download and install the updates for you.
5. The tool may also give you the option to set a schedule for automatically checking for updates. You can set the schedule to check for updates daily, weekly, or monthly.
6. Some tools also give you the option to receive notifications when updates are available.
7. If you encounter any issues with the tool, check the software’s website for troubleshooting information or contact the developer for support.

Note: The process may vary depending on the tool you choose, but the basic steps should be similar.

Use Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)

This is a windows server role that can be installed on your network, this way you will be able to manage and distribute updates to multiple windows devices in your network, you can also set policies to approve or decline updates on certain devices or groups.

The process for setting up and configuring Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) to manage and distribute updates on your network is as follows:

1. Install the WSUS role on a Windows Server: Open the Server Manager, navigate to the “Add Roles and Features” section, and select the “Windows Server Update Services” role. Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
2. Configure WSUS: Open the WSUS console and configure the settings for your environment, such as specifying the update source, proxy settings, and storage location.
3. Create and configure update classifications: Select the types of updates you want to approve and distribute to your clients.
4. Create and configure computer groups: Create groups of computers that will receive updates based on their location, role, or other criteria.
5. Approve and decline updates: Review and approve updates for distribution to your clients. You can also decline updates that you do not want to deploy.
6. Configure client-side targeting: Configure your clients to receive updates from your WSUS server. This can be done by editing the group policy settings on your clients or by configuring the registry settings on each client.
7. Run a synchronization: Synchronize the WSUS server with Microsoft Update to retrieve the latest updates.
8. Deploy updates: Once the updates are approved and the clients are configured, the updates will be deployed to the clients according to the schedule you have configured.
9. Monitor and troubleshoot: Monitor the update deployment process and troubleshoot any issues that may arise. You can use the WSUS console or other tools to check the status of updates on your clients and troubleshoot any issues that may arise.
10. Consider using the reporting feature of WSUS to get insights about updates, devices and compliance.

Please note that this is a high-level overview of the process, and there may be additional steps or considerations depending on your specific environment.

Use Azure Update Management:

If you are using Azure as your cloud provider, you can use Azure Update Management to automate update deployment across your Windows and Linux machines in Azure, on-premises, and in other clouds.

The process for using Azure Update Management to automate update deployment on Windows and Linux machines is as follows:

1. Go to the Azure portal and navigate to the Update Management section.
2. Create an Automation account if you don’t have one already.
3. Create a new Update Management deployment by selecting the Automation account you created, the subscription, and the resource group.
4. Select the target machines for the update deployment. This can be done by specifying a tag, a resource group, or an individual machine.
5. Select the schedule for the update deployment. This can be done by specifying a recurring schedule or a one-time schedule.
6. Select the updates to deploy. This can be done by specifying the specific updates or by specifying a class of updates (such as security updates or critical updates).
7. Review the deployment details and click Create.
8. Monitor the progress of the update deployment.
9. Verify that the updates were successfully deployed on the target machines.

You can also use Azure Policy to enforce compliance with the desired update state, this way you can set a policy to ensure that certain updates are installed or certain devices are running the latest updates.

In addition, you can use Azure Monitor to view update deployment status, compliance, and inventory data, this way you can monitor the health of your update deployments, and troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

Keep in mind that you need to have the necessary permissions and access to Azure subscriptions and resources in order to perform these steps.

Summary

Microsoft Defender is a comprehensive security solution offered by Microsoft that provides protection against malware and other threats on Windows computers. It has evolved over the years to become a popular choice for many people and businesses, with its ranking as a high leader in the field. Microsoft’s focus on security for its products, such as Azure, 365, Windows and many others, has positioned them as a prominent authority in the field.

However, from the questions asked, it can be inferred that there are some concerns about the ease of use and configuration of Microsoft Defender. It may be difficult for non-IT professionals to navigate and configure the product, but with a little bit of knowledge, it can be a great value for money. The product can also detect and remove malware, run scans, check status and update itself. However, when issues arise, troubleshooting may be required. Some common issues include scans getting stuck, Real-time protection not working or turning off, updates not installing, and automation of update checking.

Overall, Microsoft Defender is a powerful and comprehensive security solution that can provide excellent return on investment for businesses. However, it would be beneficial if Microsoft makes it more user-friendly and easier to navigate for non-IT professionals. With Azure Update Management, Azure Policy, and, or, Endpoint Manager, businesses can automate update deployment and enforce compliance with the desired update state.