Microsoft Defender Antivirus

Microsoft Defender Antivirus, initially released as Microsoft AntiSpyware in 2005, was developed by Microsoft to enhance security for Windows users. It evolved from the acquisition of GIANT Company Software in 2004. Originally focused on spyware protection, it was rebranded as Windows Defender with the release of Windows Vista in 2006 and expanded to include comprehensive antivirus capabilities. The product aimed to provide built-in protection against a wide range of malware threats, reducing reliance on third-party security solutions.

Strengths of Microsoft Defender Antivirus include its seamless integration with Windows, real-time protection, and being cost-effective as it is free with the operating system. Weaknesses may involve occasional false positives and less comprehensive features compared to some premium antivirus solutions. Competitors include Norton, McAfee, Bitdefender, and Kaspersky, which offer more advanced features and multi-platform support.

A Microsoft Defender Antivirus expert must have skills in Windows operating system administration, knowledge of threat detection and malware analysis, proficiency in configuring and managing security settings, experience with PowerShell scripting for automation tasks, and familiarity with Microsoft Endpoint Manager for enterprise environments. Understanding of security policies and incident response strategies is also essential.