Microsoft Defender Extend Protection To Windows, macOS, iOS & Android

Today, Microsoft announced that it is making available a new security product aimed at helping simplify personal device security. This new security product is called Microsoft Defender for individuals, it would be bringing together various security elements right on a single dashboard. The Microsoft Defender antivirus product was built into Windows 10 and 11 primarily but it is now available to protect a wide range of devices, not just PCs running on Windows. The new cybersecurity app is now available across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android starting today. 

While Microsoft has used the Defender moniker for its antivirus protection for years, this new cross-platform is now designed for individuals as a simplified dashboard that taps into existing antivirus software or offers additional device protections. Microsoft Defender is also included with Microsoft 365 Family or Personal plans.

Microsoft’s corporate vice president for Security, Compliance, Identity & Privacy Vasu Jakkal noted that since people use a variety of devices that security efforts can be split. “To help keep your data private and devices secure, people often turn to multiple security products, with scattered security monitoring and device management. This fragmentation makes keeping up with increasing online threats even harder.”

Microsoft Defender for individuals is designed to protect devices and offers security tips that bridge any security gaps that may arise. Also, it includes continuous anti-virus and anti-phishing protection for data and devices. According to the software giant, there are four ways that Microsoft Defender for individuals primarily provides protection to users. They are:

-Manage a user’s security protections, and view security protections for everyone in the family, from a single, easy-to-use, and centralized dashboard.

-View your existing antivirus protection (Norton, MacAfee, etc.). Defender recognizes these protections within the dashboard.

-Extend Windows device protections to iOS, Android, and Mac devices for cross-platform malware protection on the various devices used by you and your family.

-Receive instant security alerts, resolution strategies, and expert tips4 to help keep your data and devices secure.

The new Defender software is typically an offshoot of Microsoft’s Defender product for businesses. The Defender app is built to support devices on different operating systems. On macOS and Android, users will get real-time malware protection and the ability to scan for malicious apps. The app will also scan links to offer web phishing protection. On Windows, it doesn’t include this feature since the Defender Antivirus software is already included by default with all installs of Windows 10 and 11. Antivirus protection is also unavailable on iOS and iPadOS, where Apple restricts the kinds of things third-party apps can do.

Microsoft Defender for Individuals will be available to users with a Microsoft 365 account, which also allows users to gain access to 1TB of OneDrive storage, Outlook email inbox, Microsoft Office apps, and video calls with Microsoft Teams. An individual Microsoft 365 account starts at $70 per year and will cover up to five devices. A family account starts at $100 per year and covers up to six people, who can be logged in to five devices apiece.