Stand Alone Windows Defender

[hogndog]

Has anyone tried using Windows Defender as a stand alone application?

Thanks guys..
Hogndog

If so what were the results?

Tried it briefly under Vista. I didn't use it long enough to get a good picture. It produced very few notifications, had no learning mode, and was not configurable at all. It seemed to be designed to work more as a behavior blocker than a normal HIPS.

I'll note BTW that the Windows 7 version seems to no longer have the HIPS feature. I've heard it's been moved to MSE, but I'm not sure if that's true.

If you decide to try it out though, I would be interested to hear how it works. The idea of a security setup relying only on normal Windows components is attractive; it might involve less maintenance and reduce the attack surface. The question is whether it would work against enough malware.

[hogndog]

Maybe i should have worded this differently, I've been using Windows Defender for a long time, always used it with another security application until recently. I've been told by a number of technicians that antivirus antimalware applications are designed to do their best work when left alone, adding more protection just confuses things, so, has anyone tried running the Defender stand alone?

Thanks..
Hogndog

[hogndog]

Originally Posted by Gullible Jones

Tried it briefly under Vista. I didn't use it long enough to get a good picture. It produced very few notifications, had no learning mode, and was not configurable at all. It seemed to be designed to work more as a behavior blocker than a normal HIPS.

I'll note BTW that the Windows 7 version seems to no longer have the HIPS feature. I've heard it's been moved to MSE, but I'm not sure if that's true.

If you decide to try it out though, I would be interested to hear how it works. The idea of a security setup relying only on normal Windows components is attractive; it might involve less maintenance and reduce the attack surface. The question is whether it would work against enough malware.

Thanks i didn't see you there until my post.. Oops'

I'll try and keep you posted..

I don't think Windows Defender in "normal" mode is designed to be used alone. Personally I wouldn't.

(And I'm not sure I'd rely on it in "HIPS mode" - or whatever it should be called - either. Like I said, it produced very few notifications.)

[hogndog]

In your Defender settings you have the choice to join SpyNet with basic membership advanced membership or no not at this time membership. If you join with the advanced membership it gives you H.I.P.S with alerts and that's about it.

Yeah, that's what I mean. Last I checked the notifications never appeared in the Windows 7 SP1 version, SpyNet or no.

[hogndog]

There are at least one million arguments over the dependability of the Defender but I've yet to see it tried stand alone to really test its metal.. maybe someone has tried it in a VM?

[Dark Shadow]

I tried Windows Defender alone But while in Shadow mode,I loaded up some trojans from MDL (Malware Domain List) Nothing was detetected by WD.They installed and where doing there thing. AppGuard blocks them in it's high setting as a stand alone and there also blocked by Kingsoft AV.

[hogndog]

I'm not familiar with Shadow Mode, what kind of software is it?

[Dark Shadow]

Shadow Defender in virtualization is called shadow mode

[hogndog]

Thanks I'll read up on it..

Hogndog

[hogndog]

I've used Buffer Zone Pro and GesWall which i believe are similar to Shadow Defender, all of them prevent applications from writing anything to your hard drive, do you suppose they may have an influence on Windows Defender's ability to detect spyware?

Thanks..
Hogndog

They'd provide extra layers of protection, but I doubt they would help (or hinder) Windows Defender detection rates. But I am not an AV expert.

[hogndog]

I've had these questions about the Defender for a long time, hearing from both sides of the argument good and bad, eventually "hopefully" something good will come out of this. Microsoft seems to think the Defender good enough to have it come stock in at least one of their OS..

Thanks for your reply..
Hogndog

[Dark Shadow]

I dont see why it would since it dont hinder other Antivirus or Antimalware as far as detection.Windows defender is not good enough to stand alone.MSE would be a better choice then WD.

[hogndog]

Just found this, you guys may like to have a look at the comparison chart first I've seen it..

http://antivirus-software.findthebes...ity-Essentials