Microsoft Defender wants to improve your security on Android, iOS, Windows and macOS

Microsoft has released a new application that is supposed to manage the security of each of your devices. Microsoft Defender wants to act as an interface between the various protection tools of a device and its user.

Microsoft is launching a new service accessible to all people who subscribe to its 365 offer. Microsoft Defender wants to be an all-in-one solution to improve online security on smartphones, PCs or Macs.

The application, not to be confused with Windows Defender (the default antivirus on the Microsoft OS), is presented as a service of “cross-device security” which puts in front of everyone all the useful information to properly protect their terminals. The software’s features vary by platform, but in its most basic version, Defender is a centralized dashboard meant to alert in the event of a security issue.

One app to secure them all

“To maintain data privacy and device security, consumers often use different services, resulting in fragmented alerting and device management. This fragmentation makes it even more difficult to keep track of ever-growing online threats”, explains Vasu Jakkal, head of security at Microsoft. To solve the problem, Windows Defender therefore offers a single interface that centralizes all the user’s devices and details their cybersecurity needs.

On Windows, the application will present all antivirus reports in a unified interface and inform whether or not malware is present. On iOS, it will simply offer protection against phishing, while on Android it will integrate a proper antivirus. It will also offer platform-specific tips to potentially improve gadget security.

Microsoft 365 subscribers might appreciate seeing at a glance if their Android PC or smartphone isn’t riddled with security vulnerabilities, but the fact is that the software does a bit of duplicating the services already natively integrated. on different platforms. Other than offering tips and recommendations on how best to protect yourself online, Microsoft Defender doesn’t go very far. As it stands, the app looks more like a fleet management service for individuals than a real cybersecurity tool.

To try Microsoft Defender, a Microsoft 365 subscription is required. You can download the application from the official page of the publisher.