Does Windows Defender Really Do Anything?

[Wings]

I've been running Windows Defender for a long time now. Once or twice a week I get and definition update (auto). My computer appears to be in top shape and running fine, so this isn't a complaint.

However, Defender has NEVER said it has found anything - ever. When I was running Spybot and some other malware detectors, they found something to work on every time I ran them.

So I guess my question is, anyone else out there running Defender, and is it finding stuff for you?

Just getting kind of curious here...

[Broni]

It's a worthless program, in my opinion.
Got rid of it the very next day, I got new Vista.

[Wings]

My booboo. I just discovered that I WON'T see the results of what it does unless I send the results to MS.

Sorry for wasting your time.

[Broni]

No harm done. It may help someone else.

[evilfantasy]

It's a worthless program, in my opinion.
Got rid of it the very next day, I got new Vista.

Interesting, Windows Defender is built into the Vista OS. How did you get rid of it might I ask?

[Broni]

I spelled it out incorrectly...sorry.
I disabled it.

[dairyman]

I remember someone asked me to fix a problem with their computer. Every 2 o'clock the computer would slow down for some reason. I found that Windows Defender was secretly running a spyware scan. I'm sure there was spyware on the machine, but it didn't detect any spyware at all. It's a useless program with the most ugly interface.

[evilfantasy]

It is more of an intrusion detection device. Not antispyware.

A much better alternative is WinPatrol 2007

There is a paid version of WinPatrol but the 2007 version works the same.

[Broni]

Windows firewall is another piece of M$ crap, so I wonder why they even bother with those non-working security stuff.
Oh, Internet Explorer doesn't perform well, either.
Maybe, they should just stay with OS.
Nah, since windows 95 they can't force their own Windows Explorer to open maximized.
Talking about Windows Explorer, I wonder why it opens by default to who knows what folder, while most people want to see it opened just to drive C, and we have to employ tricks to do so.
Oh well, the list would be long.....

[Broni]

It is more of an intrusion detection device. Not antispyware.

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

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

Most real time protection antispyware programs will do same things, and more, but better.
WinPatrol is one of them.
Another two, I use is Spyware Terminator (free), and Advanced WindowsCare Pro (they have also free version, and the only difference is, that you have to run updates manually).

[evilfantasy]

We all know what MS claims it is. But as I said it is more of an intrusion detection device.

It was first called windows antispyware (beta) and worked very well IMHO
Then when it went live the name changed to WD and the interaction went silent, along with the program itself.

I say it is more of an intrusion detection device. Do you disagree? But wait you don't use it so how are you sure of its functionality?

 

[dairyman]

It was first called windows antispyware (beta) and worked very well IMHO

I agree with you there. Windows Antispyware had a nice interface, and worked very well too.

[Broni]

But wait you don't use it so how are you sure of its functionality?

It's pretty simple. I know how to read. I don't know how about you,  but personally, before I download/install/use any program, I read about it.

I say it is more of an intrusion detection device. Do you disagree?

No, I don't. To me, it's just a fancy name for what we all call by a common name - anti-spyware.

According to Wikipedia:

An intrusion detection system (IDS) generally detects unwanted manipulations of computer systems, mainly through the Internet. The manipulations may take the form of attacks by crackers.

An intrusion detection system is used to detect several types of malicious behaviors that can compromise the security and trust of a computer system. This includes network attacks against vulnerable services, data driven attacks on applications, host based attacks such as privilege escalation, unauthorized logins and access to sensitive files, and malware (viruses, trojan horses, and worms).

...and that's all I'm gonna add, because this discussion is simply academic.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Windows Defender is a free program that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software. It features Real-Time Protection.......

I remember someone asked me to fix a problem with their computer. Every 2 o'clock the computer would slow down for some reason. I found that Windows Defender was secretly running a spyware scan. I'm sure there was spyware on the machine, but it didn't detect any spyware at all. It's a useless program with the most ugly interface.

Lol.

Ugly, just like Microsoft is getting

[evilfantasy]

I forgot, reading is the best way to learn. Hands on experience is nothing.

If you understand what it does and how it is used, it really is not a bad addition to the arsenal. You just have to understand it, which comes from actually using it.

Multi Layered Protection trumps All in One Protection IMO.

[Wings]

I've no desire to get embroiled in the software wars, but it should be pointed out that after many years of neglect MS has finally started moving on the virus/spyware threat. Insiders say they have declared war on the malware writers, and MS is doling out a lot of bucks to back up the effort.

So, for a while at least, I'll withhold judgement until I see how well they do. They certainly have the resources, so hopefully some good will come of this.

On my original WD question. I joined that MS reporting network, and the very same evening it reported a trojan to be zapped. I have nothing to be unhappy over so far.