Windows Defender question

[Sal]

Is there any advantage to running Windows Defender in real-time mode
if you're not using MS Internet Explorer? I prefer Firefox. I have no
other network connections.

 

[JS]

Is there any advantage to running Windows Defender in real-time mode
if you're not using MS Internet Explorer? I prefer Firefox. I have no
other network connections.

What other AV software are you using beside Defender?

 

[MowGreen]

Sal,

Running Windows Defender has absolutely nothing to do with which browser
you choose to use. It protects the Operating System.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx

" Windows Defender is software that helps protect your computer against
pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and
other unwanted software by detecting and removing known spyware from
your computer. Windows Defender features Real-Time Protection, a
monitoring system that recommends actions against spyware when it's
detected, minimizes interruptions, and helps you stay productive. "

It is not a substitute for an antivirus as it does not protect against
viruses, trojans, nor worms.

MowGreen
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============

banthecheck.com
"Security updates should *never* have *non-security content* prechecked"

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Windows Defender is NOT an anti-virus application!

 

[JS]

I know that but Sal may not and having only Defender installed is no
substitute
for AV Software. In addition most better AV software already provide real
time
protection and having both Defender and another suite both running real time
can cause problems.

--
JS
http://www.pagestart.com

 

[MowGreen]

JS, you did a *great* job with this article:

How to delete unused folders and files located within the $hf_mig$ folder
http://www.pagestart.com/hfmigpart1.html

Your conclusion is spot on: http://www.pagestart.com/hfmigpart2.html

" With PC purchased with the last 5 years hard drive sizes range from
160GB on up to 500GB or more. The exceptions being laptops and entry
level desktop computers where a PC only a few years old may still have a
40GB or smaller hard drive. For users who are limited by smaller size
hard drive sizes freeing up 2GB or more space can make a difference. For
the rest of us who have one or more large hard drives it most likely not
worth your time or effort. "

BTW, Windows Defender will only conflict with security suites or AVs
that contain an antispyware component. The AV or suite is supposed to
disable WD when it installs. But, that doesn't always occur.
In XP, it behooves the User to open the Services console and ensure that
the WD service has been disabled.


MowGreen
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============

banthecheck.com
"Security updates should *never* have *non-security content* prechecked"

 

[Jose]

Is there any advantage to running Windows Defender in real-time mode
if you're not using MS Internet Explorer? I prefer Firefox. I have no
other network connections.

Microsoft is not in the malicious software detection/removal business.

You should find a company(s) that is in the anti malicious software
business and use the products that suit the needs of your environment
and Internet habits.

WD is also slow to come out with definitions of new threats. Once a
month, once every two weeks - depends on where you get your questions
answered.

There are some very good third party products that update sometimes
daily, or more than daily and have very good detection/removal
ratings.

Several with real time protection are known to be heavy system
resource consumers and don't play well with other applications.

No single program is likely to know about every threat, so you should
have more than one.

Many respectable ones are free, but may not offer any real time
protection for free - they are manual updates/scans, but that is fine
for a lot of people.

The more features you want/need may want you to have a paid
subscription to get those features.

 

[JS]

Thanks for the complement Mow, very much appreciated coming from you !!!

Yes, I seen some AV software turn of Defender as part of the install
process.
But the list of free and other packages that cost $$ is far too long
to see which do and which don't have the smarts to do so.