Consultant at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
MSP
Top 5Leaderboard
In terms of the installation, ease of use, and user interface, it's been great so far
Pros and Cons
  • "In terms of the installation, ease of use, and user interface, Defender has been great so far."
  • "I think Microsoft needs to improve some of the security aspects of Defender. The email part, in particular, needs to be improved in terms of security effectiveness."

What is most valuable?

In terms of the installation, ease of use, and user interface, Defender has been great so far.  

What needs improvement?

I think Microsoft needs to improve some of the security aspects of Defender. 
The email part, in particular, needs to be improved in terms of security effectiveness.

For how long have I used the solution?

We started using Defender just this year. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

So far, we haven't had any issues, and we're using it for the server right now.

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Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
April 2024
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How was the initial setup?

Installing Defender is straightforward. One person from our security team is enough to deploy and manage it. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

It's a yearly subscription.

What other advice do I have?

I will rate Microsoft Defender eight out of 10 for now, but we need to evaluate it more, especially the virus detection, which still isn't proven. I think we need to evaluate it first. 
Yes. I wouldn't recommend it for end-users who already have a more capable antivirus solution. But if someone would like to try in a small environment, we can recommend Defender security.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Integrator
PeerSpot user
Technical Support Engineer at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Real User
Offers cloud protection and comes embedded with Windows, but isn't very robust
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution's main antivirus capabilities are okay. So far, they have kept us safe."
  • "The solution could use improvement on the interface."

What is our primary use case?

The solution is basically an antivirus and is used to protect users from a number of things. Mainly, the solution protects against cyber-attacks and defends a user from viruses so that files are protected. Of course, it will be very important to have a big antivirus in place so that companies are protected from big attacks. Windows Defender does not really do that.

What is most valuable?

The solution's main antivirus capabilities are okay. So far, they have kept us safe.

There is cloud protection as well, however, we don't utilize that very much.

What needs improvement?

The solution does not have deep protection. Sometimes you find that you have some virus attacks. Most times we're on the internet. As you search so many websites, chances are high you visit sites that are fraudulent. There could be cases like phishing, where software could be embedded in some websites or some other viruses could come into your PC under Windows Defender. The security is basically limited. It's not so strong, in my understanding. It could be more robust.

The solution could use improvement on the interface. Most different Defender software comes with a different graphical user interface and some tend to be a bit complex. They should work to make the interface more user-friendly for basic users. For myself, as an IT person, it's fine, however, for a layperson, the interface might be a bit confusing.

It would be nice if they would collect user ratings and feedback. It would help them find ways to better add features and add-ons in the future.

The dashboards always have room for improvement.

For how long have I used the solution?

We've been using the solution for over two years now. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

For the most part, free things are not as effective as licensing or something you purchase. That's why many times our clients ask for a licensed antivirus such as Kaspersky. Our clients do ask for licensed Kaspersky or BitDefender, or other antiviruses. Windows Defender, which is just a free version, is not as effective. It doesn't have deep support or deep protection.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have ten people in our office and everyone is currently using the solution. That's just in our Ugandan office. We have head office in India, for example, and they may use it there as well.

How are customer service and technical support?

I've never reached out to Microsoft's technical support. We haven't had issues that would require us to. I can't speak to their level of service.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We have clients that also ask to license Kaspersky or BitDefender for added protection.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is not complex. We don't have a deployment or installation process, as the solution comes pre-installed with Windows. It's just the default software. It's part of their offering. We don't have to do anything separately.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

There isn't really a licensing process. The solution was pre-installed by default. It simply comes with Microsoft Windows.

What other advice do I have?

We are Microsoft resellers.

The solution is not on the cloud. Our office is small. We use independent computers. It's not in a structured network environment. We just use a small wireless network. As individuals, we are using it on small computers.

In my region, I would not necessarily recommend this solution. I'd still advise my clients to have other antiviruses unless I get to know that there is a licensed version of Windows Defender that Microsoft is selling and licensing. I still go ahead to advise my clients to buy other antiviruses, which are more effective. Kaspersky, for example, is a good option.

I would rate the solution at a six out of ten. There are other more robust antiviruses on the market that you can license.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
April 2024
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: April 2024.
768,857 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Co-Founder at a tech services company with 1-10 employees
Real User
Stable, easy to use, and scalable
Pros and Cons
  • "It is stable and very easy to use."
  • "It can be more secure."

What is our primary use case?

It is installed on my personal computer. I use it to protect my personal computer.

What is most valuable?

It is stable and very easy to use.

What needs improvement?

It can be more secure.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for more than five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is scalable.

How are customer service and technical support?

I didn't use their technical support.

How was the initial setup?

It came with Microsoft Windows.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I got it with the Microsoft Windows license.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution to others. It is very easy to use.

I would rate Microsoft Defender Antivirus an eight out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Network Administrator at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Reseller
Easy to use, comes included with windows, and it's a good way to secure your PC
Pros and Cons
  • "This software is easy to use."
  • "It could be easier when it comes to managing exceptions."

What is most valuable?

I like that this product comes included with Windows.

This software is easy to use.

What needs improvement?

It could be easier when it comes to managing exceptions.

In the future, I would like to see better integration with web browsers.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Windows Defender for three years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Windows Defender is very stable. We have not experienced bugs or glitches at a rate higher or lower than other software.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability is good. Most of the people in the company use it, for a total of about 30 users.

How are customer service and technical support?

We have not needed to contact technical support.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Microsoft Windows Defender was the first solution of this type that we used. However, we also use the Sophos EPP Suite for endpoint protection.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

This solution is part of Windows and comes included with it.

What other advice do I have?

My advice for anybody who is looking into using this product is that it's a good and easy way to secure your PC.

I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
it_user826284 - PeerSpot reviewer
MIS Director at a real estate/law firm with 5,001-10,000 employees
Real User
A good out-of-the-box solution to protect from data loss but scanning sometimes freezes the memory
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature is that we can use the solution right out of the box without too much configuration."
  • "There's scanning going on that occasionally topples the memory, causing everything to freeze. This should be fixed."

What is our primary use case?

We primarily use the solution to save our data from getting lost in the case of network attacks or viruses.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature is that we can use the solution right out of the box without too much configuration.

What needs improvement?

There's scanning going on that occasionally topples the memory, causing everything to freeze. This should be fixed.

In future releases, it would be helpful if they included something that can control any handset viruses.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using the solution for more than two years.

What other advice do I have?

We are using the on-premises deployment solution.

I would rate the solution seven out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
it_user1083 - PeerSpot reviewer
Manager of Operations at a tech company with 51-200 employees
Vendor
Defender antivirus provides internet security at a lower price.

Valuable Features:

Defender is an antivirus program available at a lower price than other products, like Symantec, McAfee, etc. Recently, Defender has now been integrated with Kaspersky Labs. There are two variants available for this product, Home basic edition and Pro. It has features that all other antivirus programs have like anti-spam, URL syntax checking, Firewall, Anti-spyware, etc. Defender has one surprise feature though called Secret Surf, which leaves no trail of your browsing history. There is feature, like free update of Anti-spyware database, that most other common Anti-virus programs don't provide.

Room for Improvement:

The most problematic part of this program is the difficult customer service. Upgrading the software may cause a little bit of trouble. Your computer may lock down soon after your first reboot. There have also been some problems with the connectivity and with the internet, soon after the installation of the program. Trouble-shooting by Customer Support Engineer may take some time to figure out the problem and fix it. You may find your computer slowing down after installing the program.

Other Advice:

Defender Pro or Home Basic antivirus provides some sort of security against the latest internet threats, but going for the reputed Anti-virus software like Symantec Endpoint, Quick Heal, etc. would be a wiser choice. The price of this program may be a bit lower, but safety of you and your computer is of greater importance.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: April 2024
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.