The best thing about Windows Defender is it offers real time protection. Its free also. (for genuine windows users)

is it real time?cos my sys taskbar doesn't show Window Defender icon and 0 notify msg

It is. You can enable it in the taskbar through options menu.

if i download the software when i using genuine win xp,then i burn the software to cd.after tht i try install the win defender on not genuine win xp.is it works?

U should b able to. To download it from microsoft website u need genuine. But if u burn and install in others, i think can.

Overall windows defender is best.

Juz 2day i was downloading a freeware from tucows, the minute the download finish, an alert box from windows defender told me they quarantined an adware called claria.GAIN.

Its real time protection is very effective.

This post has been edited by Cruiser: May 27 2006, 08:40 PM

The service is running on background

You have the option to enable or disable the icon to be shown all the time in systray

it wont work tat way... i copied from another genuine winxp, and it also prompt me a window asking me to get the product key...

windows defender create system restore point everyday, does u guy also the same?

No, mine did not create any system restore point. There is nothing about creating system restore point in my options.

Do you think that Window Defender alone is enough to act as Firewall?

IMO, don't think on that way, Windows Defender is Anti-Spyware while Firewall is different

My take on MS security product...

Windows Defender makes a good second layer defense as is Live OneCare. Microsoft doesn't seem to have a good reputation with Security. If they can fail an AV test meant for their product, I fail to see a reason why people should rely on it.
My 2 cents is don't solely rely on it. Many other products that have good historical/statistical results that you can DL (some for free even).. I have it but i'm not giving up my other anti-threats program as yet.

Yeah, it only block certain spyware and adware, other viruses will still go through.. thats M$ for u

Vista security is good enough anyway, i only install 1 AVG free on it, thats all

Mind you WD is not a firewall.

How bout Window Firewall then?

Sufficient for starters. Mind you there are plenty of firewalls which is more than basic firewall. If you happen to use ZA, you will see the increased functionality of a firewall rather than just what is seen on Windows firewall.
Gives the additional peace of mind....

ZA is not as concrete as u thing, same goes to all the AV and firewalls in the world

u know y? ZA and other firewall doesnt have a.i build in.. and requires self analysing to configure the incoming and outgoing data from ur computer.. if u are computer ignorant.. then the risk is still there

Yes, agree with both of them, self awareness and definitely alternative firewalls are better than Windows Firewall. Think of it this way, Windows aren't specialised in producing Windows Firewall, yes, it might look safe but it's not, whereas commercial or free firewalls do a better job.

My 2 cents.

IMO, windows firewall is good if u didnt surf to those hardcore pron sites or warez heck its not memory consuming and annoying compared to ZA ( i have to configure the firewall for a game of dota in the past ) .. i dunno bout you, but windows firewall in vista seems to be much better than windows firewall in xp

oh.. i am just using a plain AVG free + windows firewall