MS Windows 11/10 has enhanced its security design. It has a built-in component: Windows Security, which provides the latest antivirus protection. To ensure Windows Security works effectively, you should have to:
- Keep your Windows updating continually;
- Set and use Windows Security in the right ways;
- Enhance data security with third parties' help.
1. Updating Windows
Updating is a critical job to keep your computer safe. One reason is any software has vulnerabilities that need you to fix immediately as long as researchers get them. Otherwise, hackers or cybercriminals will have a chance to exploit them. Besides, we may see new malware or computer virus every day, so Windows Security needs to maintain its virus bank or even sharpen its recognize algorithm from time to time.
Therefore, updating Windows OS is the key to running a safe and healthy computer. Fortunately, updating Windows usually doesn't cost you much extra job. As long as you set a computer in the correct updating mode, it will do it automatically.
You can view updating as the following picture. The updates are downloaded to help keep your devices safe and protect them from threats.
2. Built-in Security Mechanism
Windows 11/10 offers lots of security features. Please note that Windows 11/10 has various versions and modes; we cannot assume its security features are consistent in all scenarios. Below is one of Windows Security. Access it by selecting:
Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows SecurityYou can customize how to protect your computer with these Windows Security features.
- Virus & threat protection.
- Account protection.
- Firewall and network protection.
- App & browser control.
- Device security, performance & health.
- Family options.
3. Windows Defender Antivirus
Windows 11/10 has a built-in antivirus tool. After starting Windows 11/10, it continually scans for malware, viruses, and security threats. Its integrated antivirus program is called Windows Defender Antivirus.
If you have a third-party antivirus app installed and turned on, Windows 11/10 will turn off automatically. If you uninstall the other app, Windows Defender Antivirus runs automatically.
It means that Windows 11/10 already includes an antivirus app on the computer. Even if you don't buy any third-party security software, your Windows 11/10 is still safe as long as your computer keeps updating software and Windows Defender Antivirus.
Windows Security updates you about antivirus protection by showing:
- When the last scan runs.
- When the last updated-definitions that Windows Security uses is.
- Green means the setting is sufficient to protect your device.
- Yellow means there is a safety recommendation for you.
- Red is a warning that something needs your action.
4. Scan manually
The built-in Windows Security component can scan files, folders, or devices on demand.
You can right-click it in File Explorer for a specific file or folder and select Scan with Windows Defender.To get malware or virus on a device, you should run a quick scan, which is much faster than running a full scan on all your files and folders.
Run a quick scan in Windows Security is by:
Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protectionThen, open Windows Security settings; under Current threats, select Quick scan. If you don't find any urgent issues, you may want to check your device more thoroughly.
If you want to run an advanced scan in Windows Security, under Current threats, select Scan options:
- Full scan (on your device)
- Custom scan (scan specific files or folders)
Sometimes you may need to stop running real-time protection. The main reason is to let the computer focus on some particular tasks. Besides, you can add Windows Defender to the scheduled task list; it can scan at a specific time. While real-time protection is off, Windows Defender won't scan threats anymore. However, real-time protection will soon turn on automatically unless you arrange other security mechanisms to replace it.
More details for MS Windows Security5. 2022 Windows Security Software
MS Windows is a safe system; however, the security requirements are diverse for various scenarios. It may help you make the right choice for your Windows devices if you want to enhance security protection. We list some popular security software providers and their products below.
Producer | Name | Area | Free | |
---|
BitDefender, LLC. | Bitdefender Premium Security | Internet Security Password VPN Service File Security Parental Control
| | |
| Bitdefender Antivirus Plus | Antivirus Password Privacy Security File Security
| | |
| Bitdefender Premium VPN | VPN Service
| | |
McAfee, LLC. | Mcafee Total Protection | Antivirus Password VPN Service Internet Security File Security Parental Control
| | |
| Mcafee Identity Protection - Individual | Privacy Security VPN Service
| | |
| Mcafee Connect VPN | VPN Service
| | |
NortonLifeLock Inc. | Norton 360 AntiVirus | Antivirus Data Backup Internet Security Password Parental Control VPN Service
| | |
| Norton Secure VPN | VPN Service
| | |
| Norton Family | Parental Control
| | |
ElcomSoft Co. Ltd. | Advanced Office Password Recovery | File Security
| | |
| Advanced PDF Password Recovery | File Security
| | |
Passware Inc. | Passware Kit Basic | File Security Privacy Security Password
| | |
| Passware Encryption Analyzer | File Security
| | |
Piriform Ltd | CCleaner | File Security Privacy Security
| | |
| Recuva | File Security
| | |
Microsoft Corporation | Microsoft Defender Antivirus | Antivirus
| | |
| Microsoft OneDrive | Data Backup
| | |
F-Secure Cyber Security Limited | F-Secure SAFE/TOTAL | Internet Security Password VPN Service Parental Control
| | |
| F-Secure Id Protection | Password Privacy Security
| | |
Trend Micro Inc. | Trend Internet Security | Internet Security Password VPN Service Parental Control
| | |
| Trend Antivirus Plus | Antivirus
| | |
Nord Inc. | NordPass Password Manager | Password Privacy Security
| | |
| NordVPN | VPN Service
| | |
Webroot Inc. | Webroot SecureAnywhere | Antivirus Internet Security Password Data Backup
| | |
| Webroot WiFi Security | VPN Service
| | |
Kaspersky Lab | Kaspersky Anti Virus & Security | Antivirus Internet Security Password Data Backup Privacy Security Parental Control
| | |
| Kaspersky Safe Kids | Parental Control
| | |
TotalAV Software | Total Security | Antivirus Internet Security VPN Service
| | |
Avast Software | Avast One | Antivirus Internet Security VPN Service
| | |
Malwarebytes Inc. | Malwarebytes Security | Antivirus Internet Security VPN Service
| | |
ESET, LLC. | Smart Secuirty | Antivirus Internet Security Password Data Backup Parental Control
| | |
K7 Computing Pvt Ltd. | K7 Antivirus & Secuirty | Antivirus Internet Security Parental Control
| | |
Comodo Security Solutions, Inc. | Comodo Internet Security | Antivirus Internet Security Data Backup VPN Service
| | |
Quick Heal Technologies Ltd. | Quick Heal Internet Security | Antivirus Internet Security Data Backup Privacy Security Parental Control
| | |
Avast Software s.r.o.(AVG) | AVG Ultimate | Antivirus Internet Security File Security VPN Service
| | |
Avira Operations | Avira PRIME | Antivirus Internet Security File Security VPN Service
| | |
Sophos Ltd. | Sophos Home | Antivirus Internet Security
| | |
Panda Security Inc. | Panda Free Antivirus | Antivirus VPN Service
| | |
G DATA CyberDefense AG. | G Data Antivirus | Antivirus
| | |
Emsisoft Ltd | Emsisoft Anti-Malware Home | Antivirus
| | |
Aura | Hotspot Shield | VPN Service Password Antivirus Privacy Security
| | |
CyberGhost | CyberGhost VPN | VPN Service
| | |
Express VPN International Ltd | ExpressVPN | VPN Service
| | |
Surfshark Ltd. | Surfshark Starter - VPN | VPN Service
| | |
Keeper Security, Inc. | Keeper Password Manager | Password File Security Privacy Security
| | |
LogMeIn,Inc. | LastPass Password Manager | Password File Security Privacy Security
| | |
AgileBits, Inc. | 1Password Password Manager | Password File Security
| | |
Bitwarden, Inc. | Bitwarden Password Manager | Password File Security
| | |
Siber Systems, Inc. | RoboForm Password Manager | Password File Security
| | |
Dashlane Inc. | Dashlane Password Manager | Password
| | |
Qustodio LLC. | Qustodio Family Premium | Parental Control
| | |
Cisco Systems | OPENDNS Home/Prosumer | Parental Control
| | |
Content Watch Holdings, Inc. | Net Nanny Family Pass | Parental Control
| | |
Mobicip LLC. | Mobicip Parental Control | Parental Control
| | |
AOMEI International Network Limited | AOMEI Backupper | Data Backup File Security
| | |
Acronis International GmbH | Acronis True Cyber Protection | Data Backup File Security
| | |
Google LLC | Google One | Data Backup
| | |
Apple Inc. | Apple iCloud Drive | Data Backup
| | |
IDrive Inc. | iDrive | Data Backup
| | |
Dropbox, Inc. | Dropbox Basic/Plus/Family | Data Backup
| | |
CHENGDU Yiwo Tech Development Co., Ltd. | EaseUS Todo Backup | Data Backup
| | |
Paragon Technologie GmbH. | PARAGON Backup & Recovery | Data Backup
| | |
AxCrypt Inc. | AxCrypt Encrypt Premium | File Security Password
| | |
NewSoftwares LLC | Folder Lock | File Security Data Backup
| | |
Skymatic Inc. | Cryptomator Encrypt | File Security Data Backup
| | |
Stellar Information Technology Pvt. Ltd | STELLAR DATA RECOVERY for Windows | File Security
| | |
iSunshare Studio | iSunshare Windows Password Genius | File Security
| | |
Cypherix Software | Cryptainer Data Encryption | File Security
| | |
Prosoft Engineering, Inc. | Data Rescue 6 | File Security
| | |
Defiant Technologies, LLC. | DiskDigger | File Security
| | |
MacPaw Inc. | Encrypto | File Security
| | |
KLDiscovery Ontrack, LLC | Ontrack EasyRecovery | File Security
| | |
6. Free Windows Security Software
Information security shouldn't rely on free stuff, either services or tools. It's a painful area for a person, family, and any organization. In general, we don't recommend using free software to protect your valuable data or privacy. However, if you aren't familiar with Windows security software, some good free products may be your first option to evaluate how these tools work for you.
Here we list some popular ones to help you understand mainstream Windows security software.
6.1 Free Anti-virus for Windows
Feature | Sophos Home | Device |
---|
Antivirus | | Full list |
Safe web | | Full list |
Web Protection | | Full list |
Remote Control | | Full list |
Anti identity theft | | Full list |
Realtime anti-phishing | | Full list |
Microsoft Defender Antivirus
(2)
Feature | Built-in Windows | Device |
---|
Antivirus | | Windows |
Safe web | | Windows |
Safe family | | Windows |
Firewall to internet | | Windows |
Account protection | | Windows |
Device security | | Windows |
Device performance | | Windows |
Kaspersky Anti Virus & Security
(3)
Feature | Standard | Plus | Premium | Device | Note |
---|
Antivirus | | | | Full list | |
Realtime anti-phishing | | | | Full list | |
Stop webcam hijack | | | | Windows Mac | |
Encrypt for transaction | | | | Windows Mac | |
Safe family | | | | Full list | 1 year free |
Password manager | | | | Full list | |
File protection | | | | Windows | |
6.2 Free VPN for Windows
Feature | Free | Premium | Premium Family | Device | Note |
---|
Secure VPN | | | | Full list | Up to 1 Gbps, unlimited traffic |
Secure VPN | | | | Full list | up to 1 Gbps, unlimited traffic |
Streaming access | | | | Full list | |
Virtual locations | | | | Full list | |
Realtime anti-phishing | | | | Full list | |
Password manager | | | | Full list | by 1Password |
Monitor privacy breach | | | | Full list | |
Antivirus | | | | Windows Mac | |
Feature | Free | Device | Note |
---|
Antivirus | | Windows Android | |
Secure VPN | | Windows Android | limited 150MB/day |
USB protection | | Windows | |
Panda rescue kit | | Windows | |
Game mode | | Windows | |
Location | | Android | |
6.3 Free Parental Control for Windows
Feature | SHIELD | HOME | VIP HOME | PROSUMER | Device |
---|
Safe web browsing | | | | | Windows Mac |
Realtime anti-phishing | | | | | Windows Mac |
Remote Control | | | | | Windows Mac |
Content filter | | | | | Windows Mac |
Restrict access | | | | | Windows Mac |