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In order to keep your computer secure and free from viruses, malware infections, spyware and many other threats, you must have an efficient security program installed on it. For instance, you may prefer using Windows Defender (WD) or Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) as the right tool to protect your computer as well as the data stored on it. As far as the Windows Defender is concerned, it is a free Windows inbuilt security program, which you can enable for system security. In contrast, the other – Microsoft Security Essentials – is a free Windows security program though; it protects your computer from certain critical threats.
Windows Defender v/s Microsoft Security Essentials
Windows Defender and Microsoft Security Essentials, both the security programs have some significance and are preferred to achieve high security. However, users often get into trouble
when they have to choose one out of both of these. Let us delve a little deeper and find out the level of security both the programs are able to provide.
Windows Defender – Introduction
Windows Defender is a free security program added to Windows 7 and Vista to provide security against malware. The program is also available as a free download for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. Windows Defender, initially, was antispyware program, and was originally developed to combat malware. With the release of Windows 8 and 8.1, this security program is replaced with an antivirus program.
Features
Earlier to the launch of Windows 8 and its successor Windows 8.1, the operating systems in Windows series did include Windows Defender as the security program, including certain real-time security agents targeting specific areas of Windows and monitoring the changes done by spyware. This security program did have the ability to remove the unwanted ActiveX programs and enhanced support for SpyNet to discuss with Microsoft about the spyware, such as what they should consider the spyware and how to remove it using this program, etc.
Windows Defender has been quite popular and preferred security program, which was later conquered by enhanced security program in Windows 8. The newer program, actually, is an antivirus program that is quite similar to Microsoft Security Essentials. Besides, this antivirus implements the same algorithms for security of computer as well as data.
Microsoft Security Essentials – Introduction
Microsoft Security Essentials is a freeware antivirus program that runs on a range of Windows operating systems and able to conquer a wide range of malware programs, such as virus, Trojan horses, rootkits, and more. The program essentially performs on Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP, while the latest Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 OSes do have inbuilt antivirus component.
Features
Microsoft Security Essentials, abbreviated as MSE, is available as a freeware security programs for home and small businesses on accepting the license agreement. This security program conquers a range of malware, viruses, spyware, rootkits, Trojan horses, and more. The primary platforms running this security program are Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP, but not Windows 8 and 8.1 since these platforms do not require any such utility.
The reason why Windows 8 and 8.1 do not require antivirus program is that both the latest operating systems include built-in antivirus programs. Well, MSE has the same virus definition and scan engine as some other security tools from Microsoft do. MSE not only provides real-time protection from viruses and other threats, but it also keeps a watch on the activities going on inside the computer. For example, it scans each file being downloaded and filters out the threats if finds.
Threats Causing Damages to Computers and Data
Threats like computer viruses, malware, spyware, and the like are quite common and do affect the read and write operations performed with the data. They often corrupt the files severely when gathered in a large number. For instance, a database files when leads to corruption may give random results each time on execution of the same query. The database server may not be able to read and write access the data files, and linked applications ultimately fail to retrieve data.
When things get weird, even the computer fails to boot normally and perform different functions. For instance, the performance of the computer falls down gradually, applications crash all of a sudden, files and folders take almost forever to open, or many other similar scenarios may encounter.
Fixing the Issues Efficiently
When it comes to fix the issues caused by viruses, malware, spyware, and some unknown threats, one of the productive steps to take implement is to install an efficient antivirus program and scan the computer thoroughly for infections. At this stage, using Windows Defender, you can only fix the issues caused by spyware on Windows 7/ Vista/ XP. On the other hand, MSE can fix the issues caused by the threats like virus, worms, Trojan horses, and the like on computer based on Windows 7/ Vista/ XP. In case you run Windows 8 or 8.1, you do not need any such program; you can run the inbuilt antivirus program and fix the threats
Sometimes, the situation becomes critical and your computer fails to boot. In a like scenario, you must install and use commercial Windows data recovery software, and then you can perform data recovery from inaccessible computer based on the type and extent of corruption caused.
The Bottom Lime
Viruses, malware, and some like threats causing corruptions must be fixed at the earliest, as the issues may lead to data loss when goes beyond repair. In such a scenario, the best and productive thing is to restore the data from a recent backup. In case there is no recent backup available, the situation becomes very critical and you may have to endure the loss of the huge amount of precious data.
Well, it does not matter whether you are using Windows Defender or Microsoft Security Essentials (or a similar freeware security tool) to fix the issues, all what matters is whether the tools is efficient to carry out the intended task effectively. Always prefer professional and recommended security tools.