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Microsoft Defender vs Norton Antivirus
March 20, 2025 | Author: Michael Stromann
40★
Microsoft Defender is working to protect your Windows 10 PC by scanning for malicious software. Microsoft Defender uses real-time protection to scan everything you download or run on your PC. It will turn itself off if you install another antivirus app.
24★
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Microsoft Defender and Norton Antivirus are two digital bouncers tasked with keeping the riff-raff out of your computer. They both stand at the door, scanning every file, email and suspiciously cheerful website, making sure nothing malevolent slips through. They chat with the cloud, update themselves when you're not looking and occasionally ask annoying questions, just to remind you they're there. If you attempt to do something foolish, like downloading an attachment from "Prince of Nigeria," they will make a disapproving noise and possibly wag a virtual finger at you.
Microsoft Defender is the strong, silent type—always there, never demanding a subscription and generally unfazed by whatever chaos you throw at it. It’s been lurking in Windows since 2006, built directly into the system like an overly helpful but somewhat limited butler. Microsoft, being the omnipresent force that it is, designed Defender primarily for Windows users and it doesn’t feel the need to stretch itself much beyond that. It won’t offer you a VPN, dark web surveillance or a digital hug after a security breach, but it will do a decent job of blocking malware while costing you exactly nothing.
Norton, on the other hand, is like a high-end security firm that insists you need full body armor, a personal detective and a panic button just to check your emails. Around since 1991 and proudly hailing from the same land of hamburgers and Hollywood (the USA), Norton is a subscription-based juggernaut with all the bells, whistles and alarms you never knew you needed. It covers everything—Windows, macOS, Android, iOS—and throws in identity theft protection, a VPN and possibly an exorcism if you ask nicely. If you want total, belt-and-suspenders security and don’t mind the occasional aggressive upsell, Norton will happily guard your digital life with excessive enthusiasm.
See also: Top 10 Antivirus Software
Microsoft Defender is the strong, silent type—always there, never demanding a subscription and generally unfazed by whatever chaos you throw at it. It’s been lurking in Windows since 2006, built directly into the system like an overly helpful but somewhat limited butler. Microsoft, being the omnipresent force that it is, designed Defender primarily for Windows users and it doesn’t feel the need to stretch itself much beyond that. It won’t offer you a VPN, dark web surveillance or a digital hug after a security breach, but it will do a decent job of blocking malware while costing you exactly nothing.
Norton, on the other hand, is like a high-end security firm that insists you need full body armor, a personal detective and a panic button just to check your emails. Around since 1991 and proudly hailing from the same land of hamburgers and Hollywood (the USA), Norton is a subscription-based juggernaut with all the bells, whistles and alarms you never knew you needed. It covers everything—Windows, macOS, Android, iOS—and throws in identity theft protection, a VPN and possibly an exorcism if you ask nicely. If you want total, belt-and-suspenders security and don’t mind the occasional aggressive upsell, Norton will happily guard your digital life with excessive enthusiasm.
See also: Top 10 Antivirus Software
