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.
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)
Firewall (Any One)
(Only for the advanced users)(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
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.