This article explains how to configure and use Microsoft Defender for Endpoint installer for macOS.

Opening Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

If installed, an icon for Microsoft Defender will show in your system tray (near the clock). If no action is required from you it will show a tick, otherwise it will show an exclamation mark.

Single left-clicking on the icon will open its context menu.

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Managing settings

After opening Microsoft Defender, you can manage your settings as follow:

1. Go to the section Virus & threat protection settings

2. Select the link Manage Settings

3. Change the settings according to your needs. Please note that part of the settings might be managed by iSolutions

 

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Checking for updates

Microsoft Defender should keep itself automatically updated. That setting allows it to detect new and emerging threats. If the software is up to date, you will see a notification saying “Protection definitions are up to date” under the section “Virus & threat protection updates”.

You can check if there is any update available by:

1. Selecting the link Check for updates

2. Selecting the button Check for Updates 

 
Please note: Defender might request you to update the software if its definitions have become out-of-date.

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Checking your protection history

Go to the “Current threats” section and select "Protection History" to check whether Defender has picked up any viruses in the past:

Defender will open a new window called Protection history. There you will find more information about:

• The last scan
• The full history of quarantined threats
• Allowed threats

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Running a scan and setting scan options

You can run a quick scan by selecting the Quick Scan button within the “Current threats” section.

You can run a full or custom scan as well by selecting the button Scan options… 

“Scan options…” gives you the chance to choose between:

• A quick scan – quick scans check folders where threats are commonly found
• A full scan – full scans check all files and running programs on your hard disk. This scan could take more than one hour
• A custom scan – you choose which file and locations must be checked

Microsoft Defender has a default "scan on demand" function which will automatically scan all files for threats when they are:

• Copied
• Created,
• Opened for reading

Running a disk scan will detect for "dormant" malware as:

• Files which were already on the computer before Defender was installed or
• Files which it may have missed because its definitions were out-of-date at the time

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Installing the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Installer for macOS