Quick overview:
Defender sounds the alarm. Lucky for him - because he misses a lot of things...
Viruses, worms, spyware or other malware - Windows 8 is the most secure Windows to date, also thanks to the free protection provided by Defender and Smartscreen. However, tests have shown that other security programs are more secure. WINDOWS TWEAKS shows what Defender and Smartscreen can do, how to use them - and how to disable them once and for all.
Windows Defender - free and not entirely secure
Windows Defender is based on Microsoft's Security Essentials. It is designed to protect Windows 8 computers against viruses, worms and other malware, i.e. to replace an antivirus program. Tested by the specialists at AV-Test the built-in protection showed weaknesses in the detection of 0-day exploits. Windows 8 did not even fend off 70 percent of these attacks, while the best security programs caught all the viruses, Trojans and other malware variants tested.
Nevertheless, the virus protection embedded in the operating system is an advantage. This means that Windows 8 is not completely unprotected until a security package is installed. 
Automatic checks
Windows Defender is automatically updated by Windows 8. It works permanently in the background, only sounding the alarm in the event of threats. The software uses color codes (green, yellow and red) to indicate the current security status. If Windows Defender detects a potentially malicious program, it uses a database to check whether it is actually a threat. However, you can also run a scan manually at any time, for example if you want to check data of unknown origin.
Check files manually
This is how it works: On the Windows 8 start screen, type "Defender" and click on "Windows Defender" in the search window. Then click on "Scan now" in the program. If you want to scan a USB stick for viruses, for example, select "Custom" by clicking on it. Then click on "Scan now". Select the stick in the new window. Once this is done, click on "OK" and "Defender" will scan the USB stick.
If it finds what it is looking for, Windows 8 displays a message window (see image above). If you click on "Apply actions" here, Defender removes the malicious program.
Switch off Defender
The Defender can be easily deactivated:
- On the Metro interface, click on Search on the left-hand side,
- type in "Windows Defender".
- Tap on "Settings".
- In the "Administator" menu item, remove the tick from the checkbox.
- Click on "Save changes" - done.
Conclusion: Windwows Defender alone is not enough. Until Microsoft eliminates its weaknesses, an additional virus program should be installed (here's a Software price comparison).
Smartscreen - data-hungry internet protection
Microsoft already introduced the Smartscreen filter with Internet Explorer 9. Now this Internet protection is an integral part of Windows 8, which means that other browsers such as Firefox or Chrome also benefit from the filter. Its task: it warns of fraudulent websites that want to steal private data ("phishing").
Smartscreen also checks programs that the user wants to download. If they are considered risky or come from unsafe sources, Smartscreen sounds the alarm:
In the event of an alarm, you should neither download programs from the respective website nor enter account data, secret numbers or other personal information.
The other side of the coin: Microsoft receives a lot of private data through Smartscreen. This includes information on all installed programs and the current IP address. Microsoft promises to delete personalizable data regularly. If you still don't like this, simply switch off the filter. If you have a security package installed anyway, you have nothing to worry about. Good security programs also check downloads for malware and warn of dangerous websites.
Download files anyway
The Smartscreen filter blocks a file - even though it comes from a trustworthy source? Here's how to download it anyway:
- Click on "Execute" in the warning message window,
- then click on "More information"
- and then click on "Run anyway".
Switch off smartscreen for good
Have you installed an equivalent alternative to the smart screen - and want to deactivate it? Here's how:
- On the start screen, type in "Maintenance center".
- First click on "Settings" in the search window,
- then click on "Maintenance center".
- Click on "Change Windows Smartscreen settings",
- to "No action"
- and click on "OK".
(Photos: Screenshots from windows-tweaks.info)
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