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Microsoft Defender for Individuals
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What Microsoft Defender for Individuals is
Microsoft Defender for Individuals is a security app for people and families that helps protect devices, data, and identity across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Its device features include antivirus and anti-phishing protection on supported platforms, plus ransomware protection; the protection set varies by operating system. A dashboard brings together device status, alerts, recommendations, and up to 30 days of alert and activity history. Defender also scans the dark web for identity threats and can monitor more than 60 kinds of personal information. The product includes 24/7 identity theft support and insurance coverage of up to $1 million for restoration-related legal and expert fees, plus up to $100,000 for lost-funds recovery. Identity and credit monitoring are limited to the United States and US territories. Credit monitoring uses single-bureau Experian data, with a VantageScore 3.0 score and monthly reports. Use requires a Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium subscription. Personal covers one person and up to five devices; Family and Premium cover one to six people and up to five devices per person. The service has no free plan, but a free trial is available.
Who it suits
It suits individuals and households seeking device, identity, and data protection across supported operating systems. US residents and people in US territories can also use its identity and credit monitoring features.
What it does well
- Covers Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
- Includes ransomware protection and antivirus and anti-phishing features on supported platforms.
- Scans the dark web and monitors more than 60 types of personal information.
- Provides 24/7 identity theft support and specified insurance coverage.
- Dashboard includes alerts, recommendations, and up to 30 days of history.
What to know first
- Requires a Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium subscription.
- There is no free plan.
- Identity and credit monitoring are limited to the United States and US territories.
- Protection features vary by operating system.
Limits
The service has no free plan and requires a qualifying Microsoft 365 subscription. Identity and credit monitoring are available only in the United States and US territories, and protections differ by operating system.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 Family | $129.99 /year; subscription automatically renews unless canceled · 1 to 6 people · each person can use up to 5 devices simultaneously · 2 TB shared cloud storage · Microsoft Defender included | $129.99 a year |
| Microsoft 365 Premium | $199.99 /year; subscription automatically renews unless canceled · Everything in Microsoft 365 Family · Microsoft Defender included | $199.99 a year |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | $99.99 /year; subscription automatically renews unless canceled · 1 person · up to 5 devices at once · 1 TB cloud storage · Microsoft Defender included | $99.99 a year |
As microsoft.com lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the Microsoft Defender for Individuals website.
- Choose a Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium subscription.
- Start the free trial if you want to try the service before paying.
- Install or access Defender on a supported platform that meets its minimum requirements.
- Use Microsoft Support or the app's Help and Feedback menu for setup assistance.
Verdict
Choose Microsoft Defender for Individuals if you want security and identity features for personal devices under a Microsoft 365 subscription. Look elsewhere if you need a free plan or identity and credit monitoring outside the United States and its territories.
Questions
Is Microsoft Defender for Individuals free?
No. There is no free plan, although a free trial is available.
What subscription do I need?
A Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium subscription is required. Prices are not provided here.
Which platforms does it support?
It supports Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Minimum requirements are Windows 10 version 19041 or later, macOS 11 or later, iOS 14 or later, and Android 8.0 or later.
Where are identity and credit monitoring available?
They are limited to the United States and US territories. Credit monitoring uses single-bureau Experian data and includes a VantageScore 3.0 score and monthly reports.
How many people and devices do the plans cover?
Personal covers one person and up to five devices. Family and Premium cover one to six people and up to five devices per person.
Does it work alongside other antivirus software?
The app can show the status of other antivirus protection, including Norton or McAfee, and works alongside Windows Security or third-party antivirus software.
Facts from Microsoft Defender for Individuals's own pages
- Credit monitoring
- Credit monitoring uses single-bureau Experian data, including a VantageScore 3.0 score and monthly credit reports, and is available in the United States and US territories. · microsoft.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Dashboard
- A dashboard provides device security status, real-time alerts, recommendations, and up to 30 days of alerts and device activity history. · microsoft.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Device limit
- 5 · microsoft.com, 24 Sept 2026
- Device protection
- The app provides antivirus and anti-phishing features on supported platforms, with protections varying by operating system. · microsoft.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- No · microsoft.com, 24 Sept 2026
- Identity monitoring
- Defender scans the dark web for identity threats and can monitor more than 60 types of personal information. · microsoft.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Identity recovery
- The product page states it includes 24/7 identity theft support and up to $1 million in identity insurance coverage for restoration-related legal and expert fees, plus up to $100,000 for lost-funds recovery. · microsoft.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The app can show the status of other antivirus protection, including Norton or McAfee, and works alongside built-in Windows Security or third-party antivirus software. · microsoft.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- Microsoft describes Defender as protection for individuals and families, and separately directs small and midsize businesses to Defender for Business. · microsoft.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Personal information handling
- Microsoft states it does not save or store personal information used for identity and credit monitoring; that information is stored and secured by Experian and is not shared or sold to third parties. · microsoft.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Platform limits
- Protections differ across platforms: iOS includes anti-phishing and identity monitoring, while Windows Security provides antivirus and anti-phishing on Windows. · microsoft.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Protection scope
- complete security · microsoft.com, 24 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- Microsoft Defender is an app for individuals and families that helps protect identity, data, and devices across multiple platforms. · microsoft.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Ransomware protection
- Yes · microsoft.com, 24 Sept 2026
- Regional availability
- Microsoft says Defender is available where Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, and Premium are sold, with some regional exceptions; identity and credit monitoring are limited to the United States and US territories. · microsoft.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Subscription requirement
- A Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium subscription is required to use Microsoft Defender. · microsoft.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- Users can get setup help from Microsoft Support or use the Help and Feedback menu in the Defender app. · microsoft.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- Windows,macOS,iOS,Android · microsoft.com, 24 Sept 2026
- System requirements
- The page lists Windows 10 version 19041 or later, macOS 11 or later, iOS 14 or later, and Android 8.0 or later as minimum requirements. · microsoft.com, 11 Oct 2026
Where Microsoft Defender for Individuals stands on Freedom251
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