What good is a brand new house if thieves can come and go as they please? That may be what some Windows 10 users at thinking when they see Windows Defender finishing near the bottom of the latest anti-malware test. It seems that Microsoft’s built-in antivirus has ways to go before it protects you or any Windows PC sufficiently.
In the latest results from independent IT security lab, AV-TEST, Microsoft’s Windows Defender came in dead last in terms of stopping “zero-day” malware. “Zero-day” refers to malicious software that has never been seen or documented before. It scored a measly 89% in that area, 10 points lower than the industry average of 98%.
AV-TEST Ratings Explained
Keep in mind that with antivirus software, the amount of threat that has gone undetected under the radar weighs more than the number of malware that has been neutralized. A 95% score, in theory, isn’t equivalent to an A, but a C+ rating. To put that in perspective, Windows Defender’s zero-day score is shockingly comparable to an “F” grade.
It wasn’t all that bad for the Defender, though. It did a better job at stopping the more commonly known viruses, nabbing an impressive 99.7%. That’s slightly better than the industry average of 99.5%.
In Defense of Windows Defender
To be fair, Windows Defender was never designed to compete against full-fledged antivirus software. It has always been intended as a minimum level of defense for Windows-running devices. That’s probably why Microsoft has added new security enhancements into the latest Windows version.
While Windows 10 has added several layers of security upgrades, it may not suffice in protecting users from real-world threats. Until Windows Defender vastly improves in such a critical area, we’re certainly better off installing any of the best third-party antiviruses. Those, or any of these top-ranking antiviruses:
Top 4 Antivirus Programs of 2016
These performed really well in AV-Test’s rigorous lab tests for quite some time. No wonder they’ve been trusted by casual and business users for a long time. We recommend you pair your Windows PC’s built-in Windows Defender with any of them:
Avira Antivirus Pro
A nearly flawless performance in malware protection is enough reason to put Avira Antivirus Pro on top of this list. Besides keeping your PC safe from bugs, it installs in record time while having less impact on the system’s performance. It even offers a unique portal for buying vetted software so you’re totally secure throughout the purchase. The only downside to this no-nonsense antivirus program is that it protects only up to two computers per license.
Kaspersky Internet Security
You’ll have little regret choosing Kaspersky Internet Security to protect your computer. Independent testing labs have been raving about it for years and its many security-centric bonus features aren’t so bad either. It does pretty well in dealing with phishing, too. A hassle-free firewall, great parental control, and an automatic software updater—what more can you ask for? You can forget about malware and hackers and go about your normal digital life with Kaspersky Internet Security around.
Bitdefender Internet Security
Beyond its impressive scores in malware testing labs, the Bitdefender Internet Security offers more features than most antivirus suites. Secure browsing, file encryption, password management, and ransomware protection just to mention a few. That means that it comes with the basics of a firewall, anti-spam, parental control, and anti-phishing features. With all those add-ons in tow, it’s not surprising it has been reported to exhibit noticeable impact on a PC’s boot time. Overall, it’s still a solid pick for malware protection.
Trend Micro Internet Security
It excels in its antivirus capability, but disappoints with its add-on components. Trend Micro Internet Security may be ideal if all you need from your malware security suite are the bare essentials. It has limited parental control yet comes with an accurate spam filter. Additionally, it doesn’t have a firewall and yet it can scan social media security settings for vulnerabilities. Its bonus features either hit it or miss it. On the plus side, you’ll be happy that it does a great job in diagnosing and optimizing your PC’s health.
Fortifying your computer’s defenses is a top priority at a time when malware attacks are becoming increasingly common. These top-performing alternatives certainly won’t disappoint when you need a capable antivirus to pair with the subpar Windows Defender.
