Microsoft’s integrated antivirus program named Windows Security now, does not require subscription. It is also free. The software is highly regarded by top AV testing labs around the world and provides strong protection against malware without affecting the performance of your system. It has some extras like ransomware protection, a password manager and other useful features. However, it lacks certain features that are available in premium antivirus suites, and isn’t the most user-friendly of alternatives.
Virus and threat protection includes the usual fast, full and custom scans. It also includes an intensive offline scan mode to combat difficult-to-remove threats. The firewall and network module is simple to use, but it’s not as robust than other options. The main issue, however, is that it’s only compatible with Windows devices and if you’re trying to secure a Mac or Android phone, you’ll need to find a different option.
Family options include parental controls and the ability to monitor the health of your family’s devices. There’s a password manager that is hidden within the Edge browser and can sync to other devices. The downside is that you cannot control the features through the app and need to make use of a browser to manage these features.
Contrary to the majority of antivirus software, it doesn’t hook itself to the Windows kernel – a practice which can open up new attack surfaces for black hats, and could possibly compromise your operating system. It also provides good behavior detection and stops users from accidentally downloading malicious files.