Microsoft enhances Defender to protect you from the threats of accessing public Wi-Fi

Microsoft is enhancing its Defender software to provide individuals with a safer online experience. In a blog post, the company introduced privacy protection and a virtual private network (VPN) feature for Microsoft Defender, which helps protect personal data when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks.

Public Wi-Fi networks are great because they’re free but can also be unsafe. They are convenient, but they can also be risky because anyone can connect to them. Hackers can use public Wi-Fi to spy on people and steal personal information, so security professionals recommend against connecting to public Wi-Fi without a VPN.

Microsoft Defender is designed to protect people from these kinds of threats. With Defender installed, your computer, phone, or tablet will alert you when you connect to an unsecured Wi-Fi network and recommend that you turn on privacy protection. You can also set Defender to automatically turn on privacy protection when you connect to a public network.

Microsoft introduced Defender’s privacy protection feature last year. Initially, it was available only on Windows, but Microsoft has since brought the feature to macOS, Android, and iOS, as well as to more countries. Similarly, Microsoft has expanded support for automatic Wi-Fi detection and notification to all platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

In addition to detecting unsecured Wi-Fi networks, Defender can now identify suspicious Wi-Fi networks. When you connect to a suspicious Wi-Fi network, Defender will alert you and recommend turning on privacy protection. These alerts are powered by a new detection system that examines the characteristics of a Wi-Fi network to determine if it’s safe to connect.

Microsoft says the new features for protecting again the threats of public Wi-Fi in Defender are available starting today. If you’re a Defender user, you can update the Defender app on your device to get the latest capabilities.

If you’re not a Defender user, you can download the Defender app for free from the Google Play Store, Apple’s App Store, or the Microsoft Store.