What is Windows Defender?

What is Windows Defender? Can I eat that?

Windows Defender, officially known as Microsoft Defender Antivirus, is a cornerstone in Microsoft's efforts to provide built-in security for its Windows Operating System. Windows Defender is designed to protect computers from a wide array of security threats, especially malware.

Windows Defender is installed on most Windows devices, in fact, it's probably installed the device you're using to read this blog.

You can also check that it's enabled from the Virus & Threat Protection dashboard.

For those studying for the OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional), you probably wouldn't have to touch Windows Defender as AV Evasion is outside the scope of the exam.

Shifting from the OSCP's approach of deploying heavily signatured tools without much worry of detection, to adopting a more discreet and detection-conscious methodology may be challenging initially.

The purpose of this blog isn't to provide an exhaustive guide on evading every antivirus vendor out there. Rather, I'm sharing a few methods that I've discovered through my research and found effective in my own experience.