Windows Defender - Is it really that good?

[Chaky]

I was just browsing through my Add/remove Programs list this afternoon, and thought to myself - Do I really need Windows Defender?
I have used it, since it was released, and have NEVER found anything in the way of malicious bodies on my system whilst using it, but have nearly always found something, whilst using a different spyware/Virus-type program.
If I deleted it, would it really be missed? I have read in various PC magazines that it is "essential", but im not so sure personally...
What do you think?

[Jim]

I use it and it seems to work okay for me. Though I personally don't use Explorer my wife does and Defender has seemed to keep it clean from hijackers and adware.

I have nothing protecting my Seamonkey or Firefox browsers and guess what? They don't have a problem anyway! They're created with better security than Explorer. I suggest you use them for most surfing instead of Explorer. The advantage to Seamonkey is that you can create multiple user IDs and if you think one is getting full of trash then delete it along with the files and create it again. Only takes a few seconds.

My biggest complaint is that Windows is and has always been created so full of holes that you have to continually buy or run programs to protect yourself from hijackers and viruses. It would be great if Microsoft could just construct a browser and operating system that wouldn't let every two-bit hacker on the planet creep in through their software sieve.