what is the best free malware and virus protection

From this menu you can also enable the Firewall: Click Firewall & network protection on the menu on the left side and then select the option under Public network.Įnabling antivirus isn’t the only step in securing your Windows PC, though, and we have more suggestions for protecting Windows.ĭespite what some people think, Macs can get malware, but we still don’t recommend installing an antivirus utility.

Click that and confirm everything is enabled. On Windows 11, click the search icon and then search for and open “Windows security.” Click Virus & threat protection and look for the Manage settings option. For another layer of protection, you can also enable the Windows Defender Firewall by clicking Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Firewall & network protection and then flipping the toggle to On.

Once it opens, make sure Real-time protection, Cloud-based protection, and Automatic sample submission are all enabled. On Windows 10, to make sure Defender is enabled, click the Start menu, type “defender,” and open the Windows Defender Security Center.

But as a backup for anyone on a PC, the free tool included with Windows, called Windows Defender, is typically as reliable as any paid software. Whether using a Windows PC or a Mac, most people don’t need to buy antivirus software-as long as you download only from trusted sources and refrain from clicking on sketchy links, you can avoid many of the problems that third-party antivirus software purports to protect you from.

For more information, see our complete Simple Online Security series. This is just one step in a series created to help anyone improve their online security regardless of their technical knowledge.

What is the best free malware and virus protection