Where security and cyber threats spread everywhere on the Internet, Two very powerful guards stand on the digital battlefield, and they are Windows Defender, which is included in every Windows system, and Kaspersky, the anti-malware program that is trusted by millions.
In this article, we will compare two powerful programs for protecting against malware and viruses: Kaspersky Vs Windows Defender.
We will try to separate the two programs in terms of basic features, which are features, security and protection, performance and ease of use, and pricing.
And we will decide who is the winner in this challenge for the best antivirus protection program.
As a quick introduction to the two programs, Windows Defender is a well-known protection program since 2006. Its mission at that time was to protect against spyware, and it later developed into an integrated program to combat viruses and malware.
As for the Kaspersky application, it is a paid anti-malware protection program with a free version. It was developed by a cybersecurity company called Kaspersky Lab in the early 2000s. It was founded by Yevgeny Valentinovich Kaspersky, and from here the program took its name.
Read More: Difference Between Bitdefender Vs Kaspersky Antivirus Which Is Best?
Kaspersky Vs Windows Defender: Features
Let's see what you will get in terms of basic features. Notably, you will notice a lot of similarity in the features offered by both Kaspersky and Windows Defender.
Similarities
Both programs provide real-time protection against viruses and spyware, in addition to a powerful firewall that prevents unauthorized access to your computer.
Both programs offer different scanning options, including full system scans, quick scans, or custom scans of files or programs.
The Differences
Kaspersky offers a built-in virtual keyboard feature that protects against keyloggers.
Its heuristic analysis engine, coupled with machine learning algorithms, enables proactive threat detection, keeping users one step ahead against security threats.
It also provides parental controls that allow you to restrict access to specific websites or applications, in addition to the feature of storing and encrypting passwords.
On the other hand, Windows Defender has integration features with the Microsoft Edge browser to protect against phishing, fraud, and malicious websites, in addition to controlling access to folders and protecting them from unauthorized access.
Leveraging the power of cloud-based protection and behavioural analysis, Windows Defender provides real-time threat detection and remediation.
Ransomware protection is a feature that Windows Defender supports, in addition to providing info about device performance and health.
Seamless integration with Windows ensures minimal resource consumption and optimal performance, making it a suitable choice for users looking for built-in security solutions.
Windows Defender is a free program that comes integrated with the Windows system during installation of the system, but its problem is that it lacks the advanced features that paid protection programs provide.
Even if both programs have some similar features, Kaspersky is the one that wins in terms of the features it offers because it is a professional program over Windows Defender that offers the necessary features for protection.
When determining the ideal cybersecurity solution for your needs, there are several factors worth considering:
- Security Requirements:Evaluate your specific security needs, including threat landscape, device compatibility, and budget constraints.
- User Experience: Consider ease of use and intuitiveness of the interface to improve user experience and productivity.
- Support and Updates: Examine the availability of technical support, frequency of updates, and commitment to addressing emerging threats.
Kaspersky Vs Windows Defender: Security and Protection
AV Test.org, a site that gives evaluations of security applications after testing them and putting them under conditions simulating real-world conditions, gave Kaspersky Endpoint Security a score of 6/6 in terms of protection and security in its latest tests.
It's easy to see why this is the case, as Kaspersky uses a set of robust security protocols to provide the most comprehensive protection possible against various security threats, including:
- Signature-based detection
- Machine learning algorithms
- Behavioural-based detection
- Heuristic analysis
- Detecting zero-day threats
- URL filtering
- System watcher
- Firewall
On the other hand, Security.com gave Kaspersky an 8.2/10, due to old security flaws.
There is a known fact against Kaspersky that it still collects some user information such as IP addresses, domain names, etc., which it shares with third parties.
On the other hand, from the same laboratory, I gave a rating of 6/6 in terms of protection for the program, as Windows Defender uses a comprehensive set of security and protection protocols, including:
- Real-time protection
- Cloud-based protection
- Behaviour-based detection
- Firewall
- Controlled folder access
- Exploit protection
All security protocols are used by Windows Defender to identify known and unknown malware, detect suspicious behaviour, and monitor incoming and outgoing network traffic, phishing scams, and fraudulent websites.
Windows Defender is included with the system, and there are no reports that Microsoft collects any user data yet.
Kaspersky Vs Windows Defender: Performance
We'll look at how quickly and efficiently Kaspersky Vs Windows Defender performs security tasks by looking at their impact on your computer's processing power.
We know that both Kaspersky and Windows Defender are effective in detecting and removing security threats, but how efficiently and quickly they perform these tasks is at the expense of the device's performance.
According to AV Test's performance and speed tests, Kaspersky and Windows Defender provided different results when it comes to performance and device resource consumption.
When it comes to performance, Kaspersky and Windows Defender have strengths and weaknesses, depending on your system and specific needs:
Windows Defender:
Pros:
- Lighter space: Uses fewer system resources, making it ideal for older or resource-constrained computers.
- Minimal impact on performance: Significant slowdowns in everyday tasks are unlikely to be noticed while the program is running in the background.
- Seamless integration with the system: No additional software installation or configuration is required.
Cons:
- Potential resource increases: Scans and updates may cause temporary slowdowns, especially on very old systems.
- Limited customization: Performance settings are basic and offer little control.
Kaspersky
Pros:
- Advanced optimization: Offers diverse performance profiles to balance protection and device resource usage.
- Player Mode: Reduces the impact during gaming sessions.
- Power saving mode: It enables scheduled checks to be postponed until the device enters rest mode or while the device is detected consuming less power.
- Cloud-based scanning: Reduces local resource usage by offloading tasks to the cloud.
Cons:
- Higher resource usage: It can affect performance on older or resource-constrained systems, especially during scans.
- More complex setup: Requires installation and configuration knowledge for macOS users.
Kaspersky Or Windows Defender: Usability
It is important to have two things in every security program:
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Ease of use: It is also known as the impact of the security program on the entire usability of your computer, such as bypassing any false warnings, false detections, or anything that may be a source of inconvenience to the user that may lead to the disruption of his workflow.
-
Ease of use of the program: such as how easy it is to use the user interface, and whether the results are easy to understand rather than just huge technical talk.
In terms of technical usability, in an AV Test of thousands of samples looking for glitches or false alarms, both Kaspersky's performed exceptionally well, with both receiving a very close score.
Not observed any case of false alarms on Kaspersky in any case, and the program did not list legitimate files as malicious either during a software installation or a full system scan.
On the other hand, Windows Defender had one example of the wrong occurrence of some actions performed during the installation of some software or while using it.
In terms of actual usability, Windows Defender is the most user-friendly, with a simple-to-use interface that makes it a great choice for those without any technical experience.
On the other hand, Kaspersky offers more customization options that allow more experienced users to fine-tune the software to suit their needs, but some casual users may find it a bit confusing.
Please note that for Macs, the software is installed from several packages, so it may be a bit cumbersome and complex for some users.
Should I just keep Windows Defender or switch to Kaspersky Free?
Deciding between Windows Defender and Kaspersky Free can be tricky, as each offers distinct advantages and disadvantages depending on your specific needs and priorities.
Here's a breakdown to help you make an informed decision:
Stick with Windows Defender if:
- Budget is a major concern: Defender is completely free, while Kaspersky requires a paid subscription for advanced features.
- Ease of use is essential: Defender integrates seamlessly with Windows and boasts a simple interface.
- Your system is older or resource-constrained: Defender has a lighter footprint and minimal impact on performance.
- Basic protection suffices: Defender offers decent detection rates for common threats like malware and viruses.
Switch to Kaspersky Free if:
- Maximum protection is your top priority: Kaspersky consistently outperforms Defender in independent lab tests, especially against zero-day threats and novel malware.
- Advanced features are important: Kaspersky Free offers parental controls, vulnerability scanning, and other valuable tools that Defender lacks.
- Performance impact is less of a concern: You have a modern, powerful system that can handle Kaspersky's resource usage.
- Peace of mind is worth the cost: You're willing to invest in premium security for added assurance.
The Key Difference Between Kaspersky Vs Windows Defender
| Windows Defender | Kaspersky | |
| Pricing | ||
| Price | $0 | $29.99 |
| Money-back Guarantee | ✔︎ | |
| Scanning | ||
| Real-time Antivirus | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
| Manual Virus Scanning | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
| USB Virus Scan | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
| Registry Startup Scan | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
| Auto Virus Scanning | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
| Scheduled scan | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
| Anti-Spyware | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
| Anti-Worm | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
| Anti-Trojan | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
| Anti-Rootkit | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
| Anti-Phishing | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
| Anti-Spam | ✘ | ✔︎ |
| Email Protection | ✘ | ✔︎ |
| Chat/IM Protection | ✘ | ✘ |
| Adware Prevention | ✘ | ✘ |
| Compatibility | ||
| Windows | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
| Mac | ✘ | ✔︎ |
| Android | ✘ | ✔︎ |
| IOS | ✘ | ✔︎ |
| Usage | ||
| Ease of use | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
| Extra features | ||
| Personal Firewall | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
| Parental Controls | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
| Gamer Mode | ✘ | ✔︎ |
| VPN Service | ✘ | ✔︎ |
| Smartphone Optimizer | ✘ | ✘ |
| Device Tune-up | ✘ | ✘ |
| Safe browser | ✘ | ✔︎ |
| Support | ||
| Live Help | ✘ | ✔︎ |
| Phone support | ✘ | ✔︎ |
| Email support | ✘ | ✘ |
| Ticket support | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
Conclusion
It's clear that both Kaspersky vs Windows Defender are excellent, high-performing programs when it comes to protecting against security threats, and that both options have their pros and cons.
While Kaspersky may cost you some money and Windows Defender is completely free, it's other factors that set them apart.
When we look at features, Kaspersky outperforms Windows Defender because it is primarily a security-oriented program.
As for Windows Defender, you can consider it as an additional feature in the Windows system and provides basic protection only.
Well, in terms of performance, Windows Defender wins easily, because the tool is integrated into the system when it is installed, and it can be considered part of the system and not a separate program from the system.
Although Windows Defender may be an excellent security program, we do not recommend it if you want to make it the only security program on your device.
It is preferable to look for an external security program that is strong and reliable to protect your digital life and device.
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