Microsoft Defender (Windows Defender) for macOS

[russell_314]

Has anyone tried this? Apparently you can now get Microsoft Defender formally known as Windows Defender for macOS.

Why would anyone want to install Microsoft Defender that includes telemetry software (Spyware) on their Mac is beyond me but I have a feeling it will gain some following.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Why not? It’s free and better than most third party variants if you like that stuff.

 

[bogdanw]

Why would anyone want to install Microsoft Defender that includes telemetry software (Spyware) on their Mac is beyond me but I have a feeling it will gain some following.

It’s for people who have already handed all their data to Microsoft.
"Microsoft Defender is available for download with a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription"
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/microsoft-defender-for-individuals

 

[Cognizant.]

It’s barely passable as an anti-virus on Windows. Why would anyone want this on their Mac? If you want something free, download Malwarebytes.

 

[shaunclarke04]

It’s just Microsoft making **** to steal your data and take your money. They’ve already made the app so they might as well port it to macOS because someone will download it

 

[Ramias]

Tried to install this for a family member with a M365 family subscription. Defender kept saying no valid subscription found. Anybody actually get this working?

 

[no0nefamous]

It’s barely passable as an anti-virus on Windows.

Nah. It's been proven to be more than adequate for most users. The only people who need anything more in this day and age are those who still haven't learned basic web safety and scam recognition (lots of boomers lol). I couldn't imagine using anything more in 2022.

That said, no need to install it on Mac.

 

[StellarVixen]

Has anyone tried this? Apparently you can now get Microsoft Defender formally known as Windows Defender for macOS.

Why would anyone want to install Microsoft Defender that includes telemetry software (Spyware) on their Mac is beyond me but I have a feeling it will gain some following.

All anti virus software has some form of telemetry by default.

 

[AppleMatt]

Tried to install this for a family member with a M365 family subscription. Defender kept saying no valid subscription found. Anybody actually get this working?

I just spent 2 hours dealing with the same issue. It turns out the 'Download Defender for Individuals' link on the Microsoft website is wrong, as it downloads the Enterprise version.

The correct link is here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb...d17d7-464b-444d-bb47-990b7278369d#ID0EBBH=Mac

 

[bogdanw]

The correct link is here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb...d17d7-464b-444d-bb47-990b7278369d#ID0EBBH=Mac

So https://aka.ms/MacDefender that downloads wdav-consumer.pkg