Better together - Microsoft Defender Antivirus and Office 365 (including OneDrive) - better protection from ransomware and cyberthreats - Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (2024)

  • Article

Applies to:

Platforms

  • Windows

You might already know that:

But did you know there are good security reasons to use Microsoft Defender Antivirus together with Office 365? Here are two:

  1. You get ransomware protection and recovery.

  2. Integration means better protection.

Read the following sections to learn more.

Ransomware protection and recovery

When you save your files to OneDrive, and Microsoft Defender Antivirus detects a ransomware threat on your device, the following things occur:

  1. You are told about the threat. (If your organization is using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, your security operations team is notified, too.)

  2. Microsoft Defender Antivirus helps you (and your organization's security team) remove the ransomware from your device(s). (If your organization is using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, your security operations team can determine whether other devices are infected and take appropriate action, too.)

  3. You get the option to recover your files in OneDrive. With the OneDrive Files Restore feature, you can recover your files in OneDrive to the state they were in before the ransomware attack occurred. See Ransomware detection and recovering your files.

Think of the time and hassle this can save.

Integration means better protection

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 integrated with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint means better protection for your organization. Here's how:

  • Microsoft Defender for Office 365 safeguards your organization against malicious threats posed in email messages, email attachments, and links (URLs) in Office documents.

    AND

  • Microsoft Defender for Endpoint protects your devices from cyber threats, detects advanced attacks and data breaches, automates security incidents, and improves your security posture.

    SO

  • Your security operations team can see a list of devices that are used by the recipients of any detected URLs or email messages, along with recent alerts for those devices, in the Microsoft Defender portal.

More good reasons to use OneDrive

Protection from ransomware is one great reason to put your files in OneDrive. And there are several more good reasons, summarized in this video:

Want to learn more? See these resources:

Tip

Do you want to learn more? Engage with the Microsoft Security community in our Tech Community: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Tech Community.

Better together - Microsoft Defender Antivirus and Office 365 (including OneDrive) - better protection from ransomware and cyberthreats - Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (2024)

FAQs

Does Microsoft Defender Antivirus defend against ransomware? ›

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint helps prevent, detect, investigate, and respond to advanced threats, such as ransomware attacks. Next-generation protection and attack surface reduction capabilities in Defender for Endpoint were designed to catch emerging threats.

Should I set up OneDrive for ransomware protection? ›

OneDrive includes built in ransomware detection and recovery as well as file versioning so you can restore a previous version of a file. And when you edit Microsoft Office files stored on OneDrive your work is automatically saved as you go. Use a secure, modern, browser such as Microsoft Edge.

Is there a better antivirus than Microsoft Defender? ›

1. 🥇 Norton — Best alternative to Windows Defender in 2024 (perfect malware detection + great extras). 2. 🥈 Bitdefender — Better anti-malware engine than Windows Defender with a lot of additional features.

What is the difference between defender for endpoint and defender for Office 365? ›

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is a cloud-based product offering protection against email threats and safeguarding files stored in the cloud. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint provides cybersecurity against malware, spyware and other malicious software.

Which antivirus is best for removing ransomware? ›

Our Top 8 Picks
  • Bitdefender Antivirus Plus. Best for Multi-Layered Ransomware Protection. ...
  • Webroot AntiVirus. Best for Reversing Ransomware Effects. ...
  • Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office. ...
  • Check Point ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware. ...
  • NeuShield Data Sentinel. ...
  • Sophos Home Premium. ...
  • Data443 Ransomware Recovery Manager. ...
  • Panda Dome Advanced.

Do I need antivirus if I have Microsoft Defender Antivirus? ›

Do you need additional antivirus software? With built-in coverage, you may wonder if you should invest in paid antivirus software. The answer is, of course, yes! It can be a good idea to get another antivirus solution because blocking malware and viruses should just be one part of your threat protection.

How safe is OneDrive from ransomware? ›

Yes, ransomware can infect OneDrive.

OneDrive is a cloud storage service provided by Microsoft that allows users to store and sync their files across multiple devices. While OneDrive has security measures in place to protect against malware and ransomware, it is not immune to these threats.

Can Office 365 get ransomware? ›

Ransomware targeting Microsoft 365 operates much like any other ransomware but focuses on the unique aspects of the Microsoft 365 environment. Once the ransomware infiltrates your system, it spreads, encrypting files stored in OneDrive, SharePoint, and even emails in Outlook.

Can OneDrive hide malware? ›

When a malicious file is uploaded to OneDrive, the file is synced to the local machine before being marked as malware. After the file is marked as malware, the user can't open the synced file from their local machine.

What is the downside of Windows Defender? ›

Drawbacks of Windows Defender

While it can stop many known malicious websites and downloads, it cannot block all suspicious connections, reliably monitor all inbound and outbound traffic, or block advanced exploit attacks.

Why is Windows Defender not enough? ›

Windows Defender doesn't come with a password manager. That is a downfall when it comes to protecting your data. A password manager is a tool that generates strong passwords and encrypts them for more online security. Not having a password manager may leave you more vulnerable to internet hackers.

Do I need McAfee if I have Windows Defender? ›

No, it is not necessary to use both Windows Defender and McAfee at the same time. In fact, having two antivirus programs installed on the same system can cause conflicts and performance issues.

What is your best defense against ransomware? ›

Regularly update software and operating systems with the latest patches. One of the easiest and most effective measures against ransomware is updating your software and operating systems regularly with the latest patches. Cybercriminals often target outdated applications and systems.

Does antivirus work against ransomware? ›

Second, antivirus can detect ransomware in inserted devices or visited websites. Upon detection, it alerts the user about the danger. However, it's ultimately the user's decision to proceed with using the USB device and clicking on dangerous links. Antivirus can't prevent a person from doing so.

Does Microsoft Defender protect against hackers? ›

Viruses, ransomware, spyware, and more are all types of malware. Microsoft Defender has powerful built-in features that can help protect your device against malware. Note: Microsoft Defender currently offers anti-malware only on Windows, Mac, and Android.

How safe is Microsoft Defender Antivirus? ›

Is Microsoft Defender antivirus safe? Microsoft Defender antivirus is pretty safe. It has almost 100% real-time protection rates, according to independent tests. It also has additional features for device protection against malware, such as scanning, app and browser control, and account protection options.

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