

As it has been for the past few months, Microsoft’s goal is to move as many of its customers off of the older Windows XP operating system onto something more modern and protected-Windows 8.1, if at all possible. Microsoft security officials spoke on the eve of its latest Security Intelligence Report, ( direct download link) which was released Tuesday. Two other technologies, Smart Screen and App Rep, also are present to help determine if a file or app should be considered as potential malware, based on a reputation system Microsoft developed. If a third-party anti-malware system is activated, Windows Defender will automatically turn off in favor of the third-party solution, Microsoft said. However, Windows Defender will be turned on, automatically, if there is no other anti-malware on the system the first time the PC is activated, Microsoft said.
