Microsoft decided to expand the spread of its protection application, Windows Defender, to reach several other operating systems and not be limited to Windows only, in a first step since the launch of the company’s protection program.
Microsoft launched its own anti-virus protection program on its operating system for computers, and with time the application gained the confidence of users despite the fact that the company delayed providing the necessary updates to face cyber security risks.
Windows Defender with a different name
And through a statement on the official Microsoft blog, the company announced the launch of a new application under the name Defender – without Windows – for electronic protection across the world’s most famous operating systems; Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.
The software giant has been using the Defender antivirus moniker for years at Microsoft Defender, and has watched its success as more than a simplified dashboard that takes advantage of existing antivirus software or provides additional device protection.
Microsoft Defender will be available to Microsoft 365 Individual or Family subscribers, and features will vary depending on which platform they’re running.
On iOS and iPadOS, for example, the app will not offer antivirus protection, and will only offer some protection from spyware and scams on the web, with a dashboard that includes alerts for other devices.
The situation is different if used on Android devices, Microsoft Defender will offer antivirus protection and the ability to scan for malicious apps.
The application will also scan the links to provide protection from scams on the web.
Nothing new to Microsoft Windows
On the Windows system, the new application will be a display of information that the protection system does in the system already – also developed by Microsoft – confirming that the new application is a widespread version of the basic Windows Defender.
The user can also consider the application as an interface to display information from other security applications such as Norton, McAfee, or any other applications that provide the same services.
The new security app will also provide security alerts across multiple devices, while advice and solutions will be limited to Windows and Mac only.
The app seems to be superfluous for many, but it will be useful for those who want to protect family members and multiple devices in one simple dashboard, while the company promises that more features are already in the works and coming soon to the app.