If you are looking for a place to start with keeping your Windows device secure, a good first step is to run the best antivirus software, which monitors your app downloads and watches for malicious software and suspicious software behavior.
Why do we need antivirus? I heard it just slows down a computer.
We should all know the rules of how to protect our privacy and keep Windows secure: Don't download apps from shady sites or tap questionable links, do not open unexpected messages and emails, use secure passwords, don't give out personal information, and keep your Windows software up to date.
You can also take a few extra steps to make sure you are safe online with a PC: use a password manager to keep track of login credentials, a VPN to protect your internet traffic, and an end-to-end encrypted messaging app to keep people from spying on your communications. And a solid antivirus program.
And here's the first important thing for you to know about the best antivirus solutions: Microsoft Defender -- the free antivirus program and security software that comes free with Windows 10 and until recently was called Microsoft Windows Defender -- does a fine job of protecting your PC. (Amazingly, Microsoft provided no built-in protection for Windows back in the days of Windows 98 and XP.) Using Microsoft Defender should be your starting point for the best antivirus security on Windows, and most users will find they don't need to go any further.
I go all over the internet and test links and sites that are from known bad guys. I use Malwarebytes. Unfortunately, the free version does not have real time protection, you must pay for that feature – and you do need real-time. (NOTE: I am NOT receiving compensation for this. It is my honest recommendation based on years of experience.)
But allow me to reiterate, I recommend Defender. Why? The tests in Feb 2021 show the following about Windows Defender:
Offers 100% protection against zero-day attacks.
Has only an 8% web browser slowdown compared to the industry average of 16%.
Yields fewer false positives than competitors.
All of this and it is included with your purchase of Windows 10 at no additional charge!
Why do you get adware?
The most common ways for adware to infect PCs today are through toolbars/browser extensions, bundled software, and downloads offered by pop-ups and ads you see on the internet.
A Trojan containing adware may pretend to be something you want, such as a plug-in or video player, but what you end up downloading is an adware installer. Adware may also hide inside a legitimate download from an unethical site. Often, it shows up in downloaded files from torrents or piracy sites. It's even making its way into the Google Play Store—with more frequency these days—and blessing Android devices with its garbage content.
The common theme among these delivery methods is deception. Adware makers trick users into willfully downloading programs they won't like by pre-populating checkboxes, greying out or minimizing options to skip, or plastering "recommended" next to a preferred option one too many times. Half the battle in avoiding adware intrusion on your device is reading install wizards and EULAs with hawk-eyed precision.
But let's be honest. No one does that.
That means you need a way out when you rush through an install agreement to download the free version of Bejeweled, only to be dazzled by a flurry of ads, all but ruining your screen time.
What to do to remove adware
Your way out is relatively simple. If you think you've got an adware problem on your PC, you can manually remove it in a few easy steps.
Backup your files. Faced with a potential infection, always an excellent first precaution is to grab an external hard drive or save your most important data to the cloud. (But you should already be doing this!)
Download or update necessary tools. To get your computer sparkly clean, you'll need to download or run updates to a scanner that specializes in removing adware and PUPs (such as AdwCleaner or the free version of Malwarebytes). If you suspect your computer is heavily infected and you do not have these tools, you'll want to install them on a friend's machine and transfer them to yours via CD or USB. Of course, you can always contact me.
Uninstall unnecessary programs. Before scanning with a security product, check to see if the adware program has an uninstaller. To do this, go to the Add/Remove Programs list in the Windows Control Panel. If the unwanted program is there, highlight it and select the Remove button. After removing the adware, reboot the computer, even if you're not prompted to do so.
Run a scan with an adware and PUPs removal program. Once the program has scanned and found adware, it will likely quarantine the stuff so you can look and decide whether or not to delete it. Our recommendation is to delete, delete, delete; this will eliminate adware and any other residual files that could bring the adware back.
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