Additional software unnecessary: ​​Defender is the best protection for Windows 10

Many Windows 10 users have installed additional antivirus software to protect their computers from attackers. A current test shows that this is not necessary, Microsoft's Defender on-board means it flawlessly with full points.

After the Microsoft Defender initially weakened while protecting Windows 10, the preinstalled free program increased continuously and showed last year that additional antivirus software is actually unnecessary.

The Defender has repeatedly performed well in various tests, including Stiftung Warentest praising Microsoft's on-board tools to detect threats just as quickly as the very good competing products. The Defender also established itself as a "Top Product" at AV-Test and has now even won the test institute's latest test.

Two test candidates with a white vest

AV-Test tested a total of 40 antivirus programs in May and June. To prove their protective effectiveness, they had to fend off 22,000 malware attacks. They were able to use all the means at their disposal, such as URL and web filters, behavior-based detection and heuristics against threats for which no patches exist yet (zero-day threats). At the same time, the test candidates were not allowed to trigger false positives on over a million benign websites and files. Finally, AV-Test checked whether the virus guards were slowing down computer systems too much with their work.

Eight antivirus programs received the full number of points 18. But only two did not make a single error or false alarm, only barely recognized all attackers and loaded systems: Kaspersky Internet Security and Microsoft Defender.

Less is more

So the case is actually clear: First, the Defender is free, Kaspersky Internet Security costs money. Second, any program that you don't install increases security. Because additional software is always another potential source of error. This not only applies to antivirus programs, but especially to this type of software. Because to be able to do their job, they have to be able to intervene deeply in the system and have permissions that attackers can exploit. This happens again and again, according to "Heise Online" manufacturer Avast recently had to deactivate a fire-hazardous component in its protection program.

Such problems cannot be ruled out with the Defender either. Around three years ago, the BSI had to warn of a critical vulnerability in Microsoft's on-board resources. However, the risk of code breakdowns is generally lower for software that comes from the same company as the operating system.