Microsoft Defender comes to iPhones, iPads, Macs & more

Defender to rule them all, or is that not quite right?

Microsoft continues to do useful things for the world’s remote workers, offering up its Defender cybersecurity app across all platforms via Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers.

Defender becomes a security advice and management console

The software is available for Macs, iPhones, iPads, Windows, and Android.

It’s a new version of the Defender antivirus protection the company has offered up for years, but has been given a handy usability boost, with a simplified dashboard that also lets you access other device protections you may have installed. I guess this maintains the vibe of Microsoft being a team player, which has done the company so much good in recent years.

If you are a Microsoft Personal or Family subscriber you can download the software, though the features may be different across platforms.

On iPhones and iPads you don’t get antivirus protection but you do get phishing protections and an alert system to keep an eye on other devices. See it as part dashboard, part protection. On Mac and Windows devices you’ll find security tips to help put guards in place.

What Microsoft says

“The expansion of our security portfolio with Microsoft Defender for individuals is the natural and exciting progression in our journey as a security company,” wrote Vasu Jakkal, corporate vice president of Microsoft security.

“This is just the start. As we look forward, we will continue to bring more protections together under a single dashboard, including features like identity theft protection and secure online connection.”

He explains:

“To help keep your data private and devices secure, people often turn to multiple security products, with scattered security monitoring and device management. This fragmentation makes keeping up with increasing online threats even harder.”

[Also read: Apple, Google and Microsoft want FIDO to kill passwords]

This matters, of course, because most every CIO can explain how managing multiple systems can generate massive problems when handling vast device fleets across multiple platforms.

What does this Defender do?

• Manage your security protections and view security protections for everyone in your family, from a single easy-to-use, centralized dashboard.
• View your existing antivirus protection (such as Norton or McAfee). Defender recognizes these protections within the dashboard.
• Extend Windows device protections to iOS, Android, and macOS devices for cross-platform malware protection on the devices you and your family use the most – though new malware protection isn’t available where these protections exist on iOS or Windows.
• Receive instant security alerts, resolution strategies, and expert tips to help keep your data and devices secure (on Mac and Windows).

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