what is windows defender

Question

My computer is saying that windows defender has temporary disabled my internet connection and computer for suspicious activity from Facebook. What are we supposed to

Answer 1

Welcome Carol Cadwallader,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum. 

I understand you are asking what Windows Defender is and what it does. 

Please make sure you already tried the Q&A Assist steps. In addition, please try the following. 

Step 1: Understand the role of Windows Defender 

• Windows Defender is the built-in security solution included with Windows 
• It helps protect your device against viruses, malware, ransomware, and other threats 

Step 2: Verify its status on your device 

• Go to Settings > Windows Security 
• Select Virus and threat protection 
• Under Current threats, click the " Quick scan" button 
• Confirm that protection status shows as active 

Step 3: Understand compatibility with other antivirus software 

• If a third-party antivirus is installed, Microsoft Defender antivirus may turn off automatically 
• Other protection features in Windows Security can still remain available 

I really hope that the information I gave above was helpful to you. Please feel free to reply below and let me know if you have further concern on this matter.    

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Answer 2

Hi! Let me help you with this issue.

Can you please take a screenshot of the screen that you are getting? Thank you!

Answer 3

Windows Defender is a built-in antivirus and anti-malware software that comes with Windows operating systems, including Windows 10 and Windows 11. It helps protect your computer from various threats, such as viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. Windows Defender runs in the background, monitoring your system for potential threats and providing real-time protection.

If your computer is indicating that Windows Defender has temporarily disabled your internet connection due to suspicious activity from Facebook, it may be reacting to a perceived threat. In such cases, you can take the following steps:

1. Check Notifications: Look for any notifications from Windows Defender that provide more details about the suspicious activity.
2. Review the Threat: If Windows Defender detected a specific threat, it should provide options to either remove, quarantine, or allow the detected item.
3. Allow Safe Sites: If you believe the activity from Facebook is safe, you may consider allowing it through Windows Defender's settings.
4. Run a Full Scan: Conduct a full system scan with Windows Defender to ensure there are no other threats on your computer.
5. Consult Help: If you're unsure how to proceed, you may want to consult Microsoft Support for further assistance.

It's important to ensure that your system remains protected while also allowing access to legitimate sites.