Is Windows Defender a Firewall? Not Exactly

Windows Defender is essentially an anti-malware scanner. But in Windows 10, it has firewall capabilities through the Windows Defender Firewall, which is the updated version of the classic firewall built into the world’s most popular operating system.

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If you’ve been using Windows for a long time, you will recall that the OS has featured a firewall since Windows XP. Before Windows 10, this firewall was simply known as Windows Firewall.

The “new” Windows Defender Firewall works much in the same way as ever. It filters internet traffic coming in and going out of your computer to minimize security risks.

It prevents possibly unsafe apps from connecting to the internet without your consent, as well as unsolicited external attempts to connect to your network. By doing this, it makes it harder for malware or hackers to get to you.

Windows Defender is essentially an anti-malware scanner. But in Windows 10, it has firewall capabilities through the Windows Defender Firewall, which is the updated version of the classic firewall built into the world’s most popular operating system.

If you’ve been using Windows for a long time, you will recall that the OS has featured a firewall since Windows XP. Before Windows 10, this firewall was simply known as Windows Firewall.

The “new” Windows Defender Firewall works much in the same way as ever. It filters internet traffic coming in and going out of your computer to minimize security risks.

It prevents possibly unsafe apps from connecting to the internet without your consent, as well as unsolicited external attempts to connect to your network. By doing this, it makes it harder for malware or hackers to get to you.

Windows Defender is essentially an anti-malware scanner. But in Windows 10, it has firewall capabilities through the Windows Defender Firewall, which is the updated version of the classic firewall built into the world’s most popular operating system.

If you’ve been using Windows for a long time, you will recall that the OS has featured a firewall since Windows XP. Before Windows 10, this firewall was simply known as Windows Firewall.

The “new” Windows Defender Firewall works much in the same way as ever. It filters internet traffic coming in and going out of your computer to minimize security risks.

It prevents possibly unsafe apps from connecting to the internet without your consent, as well as unsolicited external attempts to connect to your network. By doing this, it makes it harder for malware or hackers to get to you.

So far so good, but can you rely on Windows Defender and its firewall?

In this post, we’ll help you understand Windows Defender’s role better and see what its firewall can do for you.

We’ll also show you why you might still need an antivirus.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR BUILT-IN FIREWALL

A firewall creates a wall between your computer and other computers or networks. It inspects incoming or outgoing packets of data and blocks them or allows them to pass based on simple rules.

Data packets are exchanged whenever an app on your computer connects to the internet, or when a software provider communicates with an app on your device.

Most computers and networks use IP addresses and ports to connect with each other. A firewall looks at both of these, providing or blocking access based on whether it deems the request safe or not.

By default, Windows Defender Firewall allows outbound connections initiated on your computer or network, like browsing a website. It also permits connections that are a response to that, like receiving website content from a server. This is called establishing an inbound connection.

Let’s say you use an online storage service like Dropbox to back up some of your data online. Once you download and install the Dropbox app, the Windows Defender Firewall may prompt you to grant the app access.

If you do, the app will communicate with your computer, syncing files both from your device to your online storage space and vice versa, depending on your app settings.

Once this connection is established, your firewall will remember the IP address and port it uses and not bug you about it again.

So in short, the Defender Firewall is on by default and allows programs or services it deems safe, such as Windows Update. But if you install apps from third-party websites, it may prompt you to grant them access.

You can see the allowed apps and configure the firewall by going to the Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.

WHY IT’S GOOD TO USE THE WINDOWS FIREWALL

If you’ve been following us so far, a firewall is a security feature that does two things:

• It blocks uninvited incoming traffic over the internet that it deems unsafe. For example, it can prevent a web browser or any other app that connects to the internet that you have just installed until you grant it permission to connect to the internet. Lets See Cyber Security Online Course
• It blocks unauthorized access to your network or shared files. If someone tries to connect to your shared network or access your shared data but they don’t have the permission to do so, your firewall can prevent them.

If you’re like most people, you may have been using a firewall without even realizing it.

A firewall is a general security feature that’s good to have. It can block worms and other malware from gaining access to your computer. And it can also prevent hackers from taking over your network.

It’s especially useful if:

• You’re on a broadband connection that you leave on by default at all times. This can make you an easier target for malware attacks.
• You share files with your family over a home network. Your firewall can isolate your network from the rest of the internet, so nobody else can access it.
• You use public Wi-Fi networks to connect to the internet. Networks in airports, train stations, parks, or cafes are less secure than your network at home since anyone can connect to them. A firewall won’t encrypt your connection like a VPN, but it can limit possible threats.

If you turn off the Windows Defender Firewall, you won’t be notified when an app on your computer will try to connect to the internet. This can create a security vulnerability.

But it’s important to remember that a firewall provides macro protection only.

You still need an anti-malware software for micro protection, i.e., to scan downloads, apps, and other files and keep an eye on USB sticks, media players, external hard disks.

And this brings us to the core features of Windows Defender.

HOW WINDOWS DEFENDER CAN COMPLEMENT YOUR FIREWALL

As we’ve seen, Defender and Defender Firewall are different components of the same security feature built into the latest Windows release. They work separately and can be configured independently.

You can turn off the firewall without turning off the anti-malware component of Windows, and vice versa. This is, of course, not recommended.

The firewall functionality and anti-malware functionality integrated into Windows work together to protect your computer. They provide the essential security you need after a fresh Windows install.

But Defender does not provide complete malware protection, nor is its firewall the most advanced on the market.

To stay safe from ransomware and other advanced threats, you need to use an antivirus. When you install an antivirus, Windows Defender automatically disables its malware scanning features. It passes on this responsibility to the antivirus.

But the firewall stays on. Not all antiviruses include a firewall. Nor do you always need a dedicated firewall.

For many Windows users, combining a professional antivirus with the built-in firewall creates a strong defense against potential threats.

CAN YOU TRUST WINDOWS DEFENDER AND ITS FIREWALL?

In the past, the first thing that many people did after installing Windows was to install an antivirus. Now, thanks to Defender, Windows provides basic protection out of the box, so you don’t have to worry about immediate threats.

Windows Defender Firewall is pretty reliable and easy to use. It integrates well with the rest of the OS and won’t bug you too much about apps you download from the Microsoft Store (and which have been already scanned for threats).

For most users, the built-in Windows firewall is good enough. Unless you need a more sophisticated solution, you can stick to it. So make sure it’s on.

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But it’s important to remember that a firewall is not a complete defense against threats. Malware can still sneak through your firewall and through other gateways that your firewall cannot secure, such as email, trusted apps or websites, or USB sticks.

That’s where the anti-malware features of Windows Defender come in.

• Defender can scan your programs and downloads, both on-demand and periodically.
• It comes with a SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge and the Microsoft Store that warns you if you’ve come across a suspected file or app.
• It can protect you against zero-day attacks and doesn’t trigger too many false positives.

But Windows Defender and its firewall has its limitations.

WINDOWS DEFENDER LIMITATIONS

You need to be aware of them, else Defender may create a false sense of security.

• It doesn’t protect you against advanced ransomware, which may bypass your firewall, lock your files, and demand immediate payment in return for restoring access to them.
• It lacks more advanced antivirus features like complete browser protection, email protection, or fake site detection. When it comes to web browsing, Defender was designed for use with Microsoft Edge and may not provide adequate protection for other browsers.
• Nor does it have performance-geared features like gaming mode. In other words, it may start scanning files or updating its database while you’re gaming.
• Full scans may slow your system and take longer than a comparable antivirus scan. Overall scan time depends on your hardware too, but top antiviruses tend to outperform Defender.

Microsoft itself recognizes the limitations of Windows Defender and doesn’t try to pass it off for a complete antivirus.

That’s why in Windows 10, installing an antivirus disables by default Defender’s file scanning and other core functionality.

That said, unless your antivirus offers a more advanced firewall, you can safely leave the Windows Defender Firewall on to do its thing.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Windows Defender features a firewall and a decent malware and virus protection that can be enough for most users, but you could still need a paid antivirus to secure you completely from outside threats. The choice is up to you and it really depends on how smart you use your computer and what type of work you perform on it.

If you are performing high risk tasks on your computer OR you know you are not good with technology and you could easily fall victim to a virus trap you should really consider upgrading.

Leaving the Windows Defender Firewall on at all times is a good idea. And you don’t have to worry about disabling the core protection of the Windows Defender either, since this turns off by itself when you install your antivirus.

Thank you so much for reading my post.