How To Secure Your Windows PC

Yes, you can secure your PC / Laptop without having to pay for any anti-virus protection or any other tools.

First thing to remember is that no Anti-Virus/Firewall software can offer you 100% protection.

 

BASIC STEPS

Below Applications should always be on the latest version, which are-

• Ensure your Windows is up to date, i.e. Windows updates are happening.
• Browser (Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Safari, Opera, etc.)
• Keep whatever Browser add-ons you have updated.
• Flash plugin.
• Java Runtime.
• .Net Runtime.
• Silverlight.
• MS Office products should be updated. These can be updated automatically with Windows update.
• Adobe Reader.
• Graphics and Video drivers. 

Disable auto run on all the drives. This prevents at-least 70-90% of viruses from spreading to your PC. (Whenever you insert a CD/DVD, USB pen drive, you’ll have to manually open it.)

SECURITY SOFTWARE

Besides the above, there are freely available anti-viruses / Firewalls, which are very good.

Antivirus (Any One)

• Avira : link
• AVG:  link
• Comodo: Link

 Firewall (Any One)

(Only for the advanced users)

• Comodo: Link
• Zone Alarm: link

(There might be better software available and you will have to do your own research.)

Yes, you’ll have to keep the above software updated as well.

OTHER TOOLS

• CCleaner (Remove junk from PC, but use with caution).
• Kaspersky Security Scan (It scans your PC for the viruses but it’s not a full-fledged anti-virus).
• Bitdefender Quickscan (Online PC scanner) (addon on your Browser).
• WOT (Provides rating for each site you visit) (addon on your Browser).
• Ad-Block plus (Removes Ads from your Webpages) (addon on your Browser).

POINTS TO REMEMBER

• If you are not sure about an exe or document file you have received, you can scan it online at VirusTotal link (Scans online with many anti-virus engines).
• Run your anti-virus quick scan, once in a week.
• Run Bitdefender quick scan, once in a month.
• Run Kaspersky Security Scan, once in three or six months.

OTHER USEFUL LINKS 

• Intel Drivers: Link
• NVidia Drivers: Link
• AMD Drivers: Link

 NOTE! 

• The author of this article has not been paid to support any product and has nothing against any other product.
• The author is not responsible for the damage, which can occur from using any of the software, listed abvove.