Malware·2,763 discussions

Windows Defender scan when offline

Tags: Malware, Security, Windows

Dear all

I have a laptop which I use as an offline backup platform.

​1.
Is Windows Defender scan still effective, even though the laptop is offline?
It can’t use an online virus database / “blacklist” to compare the scanned files with.

2.
Is Windows Defender able to detect a custom made / specially developed virus?
Or does it only react to viruses that are listed / known on the “blacklist”?

Thank you

Topic

1. Mostly yes.

In reply to Windows Defender scan when offline

2. No. While there is some behavioral detection in these antivirus systems, there is NO antivirus that can defend against any and all malware and viruses.

I defer to articles on the web about behavioral virus detection systems.

Re: Windows defender

In reply to Windows Defender scan when offline

1. It uses the signatures and rules from the last time it was updated from the web.
2. A new virus might be missed.

[Author]

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