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The best antivirus software and apps

A roundup of the best software and apps for Windows and Mac computers, as well as iOS and Android devices, to keep yourself safe from malware and viruses.

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Microsoft looks to be close to launching a preview of a version of its Microsoft Defender for Windows security product for consumers interested in protecting a 'family' group of devices. This version of Defender, codenamed "Gibraltar," asBleepingComputer.comreported last year, has been in testing inside Microsoft for a number of months. A placeholder for the preview has been in the Microsoft Store for a while, but the actual Defender preview itself is now available in the Microsoft Store for U.S.-based users to download and install. (Thanks to @ALumia_Italia on Twitter for the heads up.)

The new Defender app is meant to offer "your personal defense against cyberthreats." More from the Store description:

"Easily manage your online security in one centralized view, with industry-leading cybersecurity for you, your family, and your devices. Stay safer with real-time notifications, security tips, and recommend steps that help?keep you ahead of hackers and scammers for your peace of mind."

The Store page notes that no subscription is required for the Microsoft Defender app during preview; users can download and log in using their personal Microsoft account. However, in the future, this version of Defender will require a Microsoft 365 Family or Personal subscription, the page adds.

The Defender preview will provide consumers with a centralized view for managing and monitoring their online security status. They'll be able to see the status of their Windows PC plus up to four additional devices (as long as they are signed in using the same personal Microsoft account), including phones and Macs. Users will be able to add or remove devices and view malware protections on all covered devices. The app will also provide recommendations for ensuring better data, computer and phone protection, delivering security tips, and providing real-time security alerts.

I think Microsoft's addition of a consumer-focused version of Microsoft Defender could play into its MetaOS strategy, about which I've written in the past. As part of MetaOS, Microsoft seems to be making sure it has consumer-focused versions of key apps and services, including Teams and Lists, that it will market alongside the existing business versions of those same apps.

Also, in case you're confused about Microsoft branding (and who isn't?), Microsoft has been rebranding more and more of its security products with Defender as part of the name over the past few years. Products already in the Defender family include Microsoft 365 Defender (previously Microsoft Threat Protection); Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (previously Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection); Microsoft Defender for Office 365 (previously Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection); Microsoft Defender for Cloud (formerly known as Azure Security Center and Azure Defender); and Microsoft Defender for Identity (previously Azure Advanced Threat Protection).

Simultaneously, Microsoft has been rebranding a number of products from Windows-something to Microsoft-something (example: Windows Store is now Microsoft Store). Microsoft Defender is not the rebrand of Windows Security -- which, to add further to the confusion, was formerly known as Windows Defender. For now, the Defender antivirus product is part of the Windows Security app that is built into Windows 10 and 11.

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