Microsoft Defender also for iOS and macOS
Microsoft Defender is presented as a cross-platform antivirus app, but that feature is not available on every platform. This is mainly due to restrictions imposed by Apple. The good news is that Microsoft Defender is free to use if you already have a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family account. You just need to sign in with the same email address you use for Microsoft 365. Windows users have long known the name of the Windows Defender Security Center, the built-in antivirus solution. This still exists, but has now been renamed Windows Security Center.
According to Microsoft, Microsoft Defender is something completely new, also for Windows users. It is “even more robust” and has a completely new interface. The functions vary per platform. For example, you get malware protection on macOS and Android, but not on iOS and Windows. There are several reasons for this: on iOS, Microsoft doesn't have the ability to scan the operating system and dig into third-party apps, while Windows already has malware protection built in. You also get security tips, but they only appear on macOS and Windows.
On Android, Microsoft Defender can scan third-party apps for malicious code and protect against phishing by scanning links for potentially suspicious situations. On the iPhone, you get anti-phishing protection when you're browsing the web. On Windows, Microsoft leaves the work to any antivirus packages that may be present. If these do not work, Defender will take over the task in collaboration with the Security Center already mentioned. If something goes wrong, you will immediately receive a warning.
Microsoft also gives you an overview of the security on all your platforms. If you are an administrator of a Microsoft 365 Family account, you will get an impression of how family members can improve their security.
How to download Microsoft Defender
If you have a Microsoft 365 account, you can download Microsoft Defender for free on your iPhone, Mac, Android device or Windows computer. You can find the links here. You can also look in an App Store of your choice.