Simplewall offers a powerful alternative. It’s a 2MB download that transforms your PC from a leaky sieve into a digital ...

Update, March 31, 2025: This story, originally published March 29, has been updated with an explanation of LOLBINS as well as further technical information regarding the Windows Defender Application ...

To disable Microsoft Defender on Windows 11, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection, click Manage Settings, and toggle off ...

All modern Windows PCs come with Microsoft Defender built in. For the unaware, this tool is Windows’ native antivirus. Over time, it has matured into a reliable security tool capable of blocking a ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Davey Winder is a veteran cybersecurity writer, hacker and analyst. There are a number of antivirus, anti-malware, and internet ...

In a proof-of-concept, a security researcher demonstrated how the Windows Security Center API can be used to block the scans by Microsoft’s built-in antivirus tool. Windows Defender can be tricked ...

There are some situations where you might want to temporarily disable Windows' built-in security tool. I'll show you how to do it safely.

To permanently remove Windows Security, use Local Group Policy Editor, Windows Registry tweaks, or the Windows Defender Remover tool. Be cautious— removal can leave your PC vulnerable. Always back up ...

It’s common sense that if you have a Windows PC, you need a third-party security suite to protect it. Right? Well, maybe not. That might’ve been the common sense mantra for decades, but things are ...

There could be times when Windows Defender or Windows Security Quick Scan might not be working on Windows 11 or Windows 10 computers. In such situations, you could follow these tips and tricks to ...

If you think your PC is infected with some kind of malware or you just want to do a scan as part of a digital cleanup, Windows has a built-in security tool that can help you on your way — no ...