Microsoft Defender will alert users about unsafe Wi-Fi networks.

Using public Wi-Fi is very convenient when you’re away from home or working on the go, but these seemingly reliable networks can be hijacked by cybercriminals trying to trick unsuspecting users into giving up their browsing information and sensitive data. Recently, Microsoft Defender has launched a new privacy protection feature through a VPN, which is now available on macOS, Android, and iOS, along with automatic security detection on Wi-Fi networks.

According to official information, Defender's unsafe Wi-Fi detection can now identify networks with weak encryption, which could allow an attacker to steal user data. When this occurs, the software displays a warning notification and offers the option to activate Defender's protection with a single click.

This functionality is already available on Android, iOS, and Windows devices, and will soon be rolled out for macOS. Additionally, automatic activation of the VPN for public Wi-Fi will be implemented on all compatible devices in the near future. Android and iOS devices have received an enhancement that allows users to activate Defender’s VPN directly from the warning notification, providing almost instant protection for network traffic. This feature will also soon be available for Windows and macOS.

To enable advanced detection on mobile devices, users need to download Microsoft Defender from the App Store, Google Play, or Microsoft Store, log in, and click on the ‘Get Started’ icon within the privacy protection options. Microsoft introduced Defender for Endpoint in 2023 to enhance IT teams' ability to protect their networks against cyberattacks and ransomware.