Security is an inescapable aspect of modern computing. If you use the internet for anything at all, you need to take practical steps to protect yourself and your data. Windows 10 is more secure than previous versions but it is still susceptible to many threats. Here are 10 easy tips to secure your Windows 10 PC.
Securing a Windows 10 computer takes very little time and can be largely automated. Once you have spent that first hour setting up your security, many aspects of it will need no further action. That is how security should be!
10 tips to secure your Windows 10 PC
Here are my top ten tips for securing a Windows PC. They have been compiled with the new user in mind.
Keep Windows up to date – Windows has a regular update schedule that will automatically download security updates, bug fixes and features by default. Make sure to allow it to work. Check in Settings, Update & security, Windows Update to see when your computer was last updated.
Keep all programs up to date - While in Windows Update, click the Advanced options text link and make sure ‘Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows’ is checked. Also allow programs to update as they need to.
Create a Windows Restore Point – This is to enable you to recover should anything happen. Type or paste ‘restore’ into the Windows Search box and make sure you have a recent restore point.
Install a reliable antivirus – Windows Defender is not enough to keep your computer safe. Disable it and use a more robust alternative. Check out AV Comparatives or AV-TEST for the latest highly rated applications.
Install a malware scanner – The best defense is defense in depth and a malware scanner is an important part of that. Programs such as Malwarebytes offer a free malware scanner. Use it regularly.
Install a software firewall – Windows Firewall is okay but isn’t the best. You would be better off disabling it and using a third-party alternative. Many are free and offer comprehensive protection.
Perform backups – Windows Restore is good but it won’t always be enough. An effective backup creates at least two copies of a file in two different locations. Use backup software to upload your documents and files to cloud or network storage for a little extra insurance.
Use a standard account rather than Admin – With an Admin account you can do anything you like on a computer and so can malware. Using a standard account for daily use prevents any major damage from the same malware. Go to Settings, Accounts, Family & other people and create another account. Select Standard user when prompted.
Utilize User Account Control as it is intended - User Account Control, UAC, monitors your system and alerts you to changes to files. While it can be irritating if you install and uninstall a lot, it is there to protect you and your computer. Learn to live with it.
Secure your browser – Most browsers will keep themselves updated automatically or prompt you to update them. Make sure you do as the update can fix holes and increase security. Consider browser addons such as HTTP Everywhere too.
Those are what I think are 10 easy tips to secure your Windows 10 PC. Got any others to share?
More Windows 10 tutorials on Tom’s Hardware:
How to fix Windows 10 error ID 10016
How to fix Windows 10 error ID 7031
How to fix Windows 10 error KMode Exception Not Handled
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