I used Windows Defender one time only to test the quality of its protection, and I wasn't satisfied

Question

This image shows a four-hour delay in updates, which is dangerous because threats refresh every few seconds. Is this accurate?

I'm concerned about security; does this represent a weakness in the most important thing, which is updates?

What do you advise me to do? Stay away from it.

I would appreciate a response if you could make a decision. Thank you for your support. 🤝

Scott · Accepted Answer

It depends on what you're doing online, your online, download, torrent etc habits. Over the years, I've routinely had Bitdefender set to update every 3 - 4 hours. I do very little trialing of apps, very little going all over the WWW. I install my 10 - 12 favorite apps on a Windows install or refresh, and I'm done. For those who are hitting the web hard and heavy, doing a lot of downloading, running a lot of apps, the shorter update intervals (definition/malware updates) can be a nice security comfort. Another AV I use as well as BD (I have multiple devices), and have used for years, updates every 3.5 - 4 hours and I've never had malware. Don't forget while our devices are connected online, we do have the cloud and there is also ATD working on our behalf. So again, it depends on what someone is doing online, what they're clicking, ticking and allowing to run!

In my opinion, real world protection is what I'm most concerned with, browsing, phishing sites that are blocked, malware sites that are blocked, downloads that are scanned in real time. IMO, that is the greater gatekeeper of my laptop(s).

Are we hearing of mass malware outbreaks of the millions of people who use WD? I don't, maybe just on some sensational YouTube video reviews where the testing is 1/2 baked, bypassing the the web protection of the sites and of the downloading the files in real time, with files already on the device, then disabling the AV's protection module to open the file, then re-enabling it, then bombarding the system with malware, where once a sample is missed, is still continued anyway. It's very sensational "testing", but not real world.

Sorry, I know my response was longer than you were looking for.

amr loveBitDefender · Accepted Answer

Don't apologize, your response is very important to me.

You see it as normal for any antivirus program as long as I haven't disabled the protection in real time, haven't downloaded a cracked version, and haven't disabled the protection while downloading anything. You think I should rest assured and keep up to date?

Scott · Accepted Answer

And my example of the YouTubers, "sensational, circus like testing" was just that, an example and not of Bitdefender. Just keep Bitdefender updated, the security modules enabled, and for peace of mind, allow it to update every hour, and you'll be fine…along with good browsing, online habits :)

Alexandru_BD · Accepted Answer

Speaking of online habits and best practices, here are the basics:

https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/105278/

Scott · Accepted Answer

That really is a good article, Alexandru, it covers a lot of the critical areas of our online security 😊

amr loveBitDefender · Accepted Answer

Thank you, excellent article.🤝