Keep your computer secure at home

Keeping your computer secure helps you avoid malware and direct hacking attempts designed to steal your personal information. Here are some ways you can help reduce your online risk when you use your computer at home.

Tips to protect your computer

Use a firewall
Windows 10 and Windows 8 have a firewall already built in and automatically turned on.

Keep all software up to date
Make sure to turn on automatic updates in Windows Update to keep Windows, Microsoft Office, and other Microsoft applications up to date. Turn on automatic updates for non-Microsoft software as well, especially browsers, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and other apps you regularly use.

Use antivirus software and keep it current
If you run Windows 10 or Windows 8, you have Windows Security or Windows Defender Security Center already installed on your device.

Make sure your passwords are well-chosen and protected
To learn how, see Protect your passwords.

Don’t open suspicious attachments or click unusual links in messages.
They can appear in email, tweets, posts, online ads, messages, or attachments, and sometimes disguise themselves as known and trusted sources.

Browse the web safely
Avoid visiting sites that offer potentially illicit content. Many of these sites install malware on the fly or offer downloads that contain malware. Use a modern browser like Microsoft Edge, which can help block malicious websites and prevent malicious code from running on your computer.

Stay away from pirated material
Avoid streaming or downloading movies, music, books, or applications that do not come from trusted sources. They may contain malware.

Do not use USBs or other external devices unless you own them
To avoid infection by malware and viruses, ensure that all external devices either belong to you or come from a reliable source.

Protect your personal information online

Your privacy on the internet depends on your ability to control both the amount of personal information that you provide and who has access to that information. Find out how to protect your privacy on the internet.

Protect yourself from scams

When you read email, use social media, or browse the web, you should be wary of scams that try to steal your personal information (also known as identity theft), your money, or both. Many of these scams are known as «phishing scams» because they «fish» for your information. Find out how to protect yourself from phishing scams and avoid tech support scams.

Prevent and remove malware

One important step toward greater workplace security is to protect your computer against malware.

Windows Security

Windows Security (or Windows Defender Security Center in previous versions of Windows 10) is built in to Windows 10 and Windows 8 and provides real-time malware detection, prevention, and removal with cloud-delivered protection. It is intended for home, small business, and enterprise customers. For more info, see Help protect my computer with Windows Security.

Other ways to remove malware

To assist all Windows customers, including those who are not running Windows Security, Microsoft provides Microsoft Defender Offline.

Microsoft Defender Offline

Microsoft Defender Offline runs outside of Windows to remove rootkits and other threats that hide from the Windows operating system. This tool uses a small, separate operating environment, where evasive threats are unable to hide from antimalware scanners.

With Windows 10, Microsoft Defender Offline is built in to the operating system and can run from Windows Security. It is provided as a separate download for previous versions of Windows.

Stay protected with Windows Security

Windows 10 includes Windows Security, which provides the latest antivirus protection. Your device will be actively protected from the moment you start Windows 10. Windows Security continually scans for malware (malicious software), viruses, and security threats. In addition to this real-time protection, updates are downloaded automatically to help keep your device safe and protect it from threats.

Windows 10 in S mode

Some features will be a little different if you’re running Windows 10 in S mode. Because this mode is streamlined for tighter security, the Virus & threat protection area has fewer options. But don’t worry—the built-in security of this mode automatically prevents viruses and other threats from running on your device, and you’ll receive security updates automatically. For more info, see Windows 10 in S mode FAQ.

Important security info

Windows Security is built-in to Windows 10 and includes an antirvirus program called Microsoft Defender Antivirus. (In previous versions of Windows 10, Windows Security is called Windows Defender Security Center).

If you have another antivirus app installed and turned on, Microsoft Defender Antivirus will turn off automatically. If you uninstall the other app, Microsoft Defender Antivirus will turn back on automatically.

If you’re having problems receiving Windows Security updates, see Fix Windows Update errors and the Windows Update FAQ.

For info on how to uninstall an app, see Repair or remove an app in Windows 10.

To change your user account to an admin account, see Create a local user or administrator account in Windows 10.

Understand and customize Windows Security features

Windows Security is your home to manage the tools that protect your device and your data:

Virus & threat protection. Monitor threats to your device, run scans, and get updates to help detect the latest threats. (Some of these options are unavailable if you’re running Windows 10 in S mode.)

Account protection. Access sign-in options and account settings, including Windows Hello and dynamic lock.

Firewall & network protection. Manage firewall settings and monitor what’s happening with your networks and internet connections.

App & browser control. Update settings for Microsoft Defender SmartScreen to help protect your device against potentially dangerous apps, files, sites, and downloads. You’ll have exploit protection and you can customize protection settings for your devices.

Device security. Review built-in security options to help protect your device from attacks by malicious software.

Device performance & health. View status info about your device’s performance health, and keep your device clean and up to date with the latest version of Windows 10.

Family options. Keep track of your kids’ online activity and the devices in your household.

You can customize how your device is protected with these Windows Security features. To access them, select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security . Then select the feature you want to explore.
Open Windows Security settings

Status icons indicate your level of safety:

Green means your device is sufficiently protected and there aren’t any recommended actions.

Yellow means there is a safety recommendation for you.

Red is a warning that something needs your immediate attention.

Run a malware scan manually

When you’re concerned about risks to a specific file or folder, you can right-click the file or folder in File Explorer, then select Scan with Microsoft Defender.

If you suspect there’s malware or a virus on your device, you should immediately run a quick scan. This is much faster than running a full scan on all your files and folders.

Run a quick scan in Windows Security

Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and then Virus & threat protection.
Open Windows Security settings

Under Current threats, select Quick scan (or in previous versions of Windows 10, under Threat history, select Scan now).

If the scan doesn’t find any issues, but you’re still concerned, you may want to check your device more thoroughly.

Run an advanced scan in Windows Security

Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and then Virus & threat protection.

Under Current threats, select Scan options (or in previous versions of Windows 10, under Threat history, select Run a new advanced scan).

Select one of the scan options:

Full scan (check files and programs currently running on your device)

Custom scan (scan specific files or folders)

Microsoft Defender Offline scan (run this scan if your device has been, or could potentially be, infected by a virus or malware). Learn more about Microsoft Defender Offline

Select Scan now.

Note: Because of streamlined security, this process isn’t available if you’re running Windows 10 in S mode.

Schedule your own scan

Even though Windows Security is regularly scanning your device to keep it safe, you can also set when and how often the scans occur.

Schedule a scan

Select the Start button, type schedule tasks in the Search box, and in the list of results, select Task Scheduler.

In the left pane, select the arrow (>) next to Task Scheduler Library to expand it, do the same with Microsoft > Windows, and then scroll down and select the Windows Defender folder.

In the top-center pane, select Windows Defender Scheduled Scan. (Point to the choices to see the full names.)

In the Actions pane on the right, scroll down and then select Properties.

In the window that opens, select the Triggers tab, and then select New.

Set your preferred time and frequency, and then select OK.

Review the schedule and select OK.

Note: Because of streamlined security, this process isn’t available if you’re running Windows 10 in S mode.

Turn Microsoft Defender Antivirus real-time protection on or off

Sometimes you may need to briefly stop running real-time protection. While real-time protection is off, files you open or download won’t be scanned for threats. However, real-time protection will soon turn on automatically again to protect your device.

Turn real-time protection off temporarily

Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and then Virus & threat protection > Manage settings. (In previous versions of Windows 10, select Virus & threat protection > Virus & threat protection settings.)
Open Windows Security settings

Switch the Real-time protection setting to Off and choose Yes to verify.

Note: Because of streamlined security, this process isn’t available if you’re running Windows 10 in S mode.

Protect my PC from viruses

This article is about ways to protect your PC from viruses that can screw up your computer, or allow criminals to steal your data, personal information, or money.

Use an antimalware app — Installing an antimalware app and keeping it up to date can help defend your PC against viruses and other malware (malicious software). Antimalware apps scan for viruses, spyware, and other malware trying to get into your email, operating system, or files. New threats can appear daily, so check the antimalware manufacturer’s website frequently for updates.

Microsoft Defender is free antimalware software included with Windows, and you can update it automatically through Windows Update. There are also 3rd party antivirus products that you can choose from.

More isn’t always better

Running multiple antimalware apps at the same time can cause your system to be slow or unstable. If you install a 3rd party antimalware app, Microsoft Defender will automatically turn itself off. If you install two 3rd party antimalware apps, however, they might both try to run at the same time.

Don’t open email messages from unfamiliar senders, or email attachments that you don’t recognize — Many viruses are attached to email messages and will spread as soon as you open the attachment. It’s best not to open any attachment unless it’s something you’re expecting. For more information see: Protect yourself from phishing.

Use a pop-up blocker with your Internet browser — Pop-up windows are small browser windows that appear on top of the website you’re viewing. Although most are created by advertisers, they can also contain malicious or unsafe code. A pop-up blocker can prevent some or all of these windows from appearing. The pop-up blocker in Microsoft Edge is turned on by default.

If you’re using Microsoft Edge, make sure SmartScreen is turned on — SmartScreen in Microsoft Edge helps protect you from phishing and malware attacks by warning you if a website or download location has been reported as unsafe. For more info, see What is SmartScreen and how can it help protect me?

Pay attention to Windows SmartScreen notifications — Be cautious about running unrecognized apps downloaded from the Internet. Unrecognized apps are more likely to be unsafe. When you download and run an app from the Internet, SmartScreen uses info about the app’s reputation to warn you if the app isn’t well-known and might be malicious.

Keep Windows updated — Periodically, Microsoft releases special security updates that can help protect your PC. These updates can help prevent viruses and other malware attacks by closing possible security holes.

You can turn on Windows Update to make sure that Windows receives these updates automatically.

Use a firewall — Windows Firewall, or any other firewall app, can help notify you about suspicious activity if a virus or worm tries to connect to your PC. It can also block viruses, worms, and attackers sending potentially harmful apps to your PC.

Use your Internet browser’s privacy settings — Some websites might try to use your personal info for targeted advertising, fraud, and identity theft.

Make sure User Account Control (UAC) is turned on — When changes are going to be made to your PC that require administrator-level permission, UAC notifies you and gives you the chance to approve the change. UAC can help keep viruses from making unwanted changes. To open UAC, swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. (If you’re using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search.) Enter uac in the search box, and then tap or click Change User Account Control settings.

Clear your Internet cache and your browsing history — Most browsers store info about the websites you visit and the info that you provide, like your name and address. While it can be helpful to have these details stored on your PC, there are times when you might want to delete some or all of them—for example, when you’re using a public PC and don’t want to leave personal info behind. For more info, see Delete your browsing history.

How do I uninstall antivirus or antispyware programs?

If you use more than one antivirus or antispyware program at the same time, your PC may experience decreased performance, become unstable, or restart unexpectedly.

Caution: When you remove your currently installed Internet security programs, your PC is in an unprotected state. If you haven’t installed another antimalware program make sure that Microsoft Defender Antivirus is enabled, and that Windows Firewall is turned on.

To uninstall unwanted antimalware software:

Go to Start > Settings > Apps

Find the unwanted app or apps and select it

Your machine will likely need to reboot after each app is uninstalled.

Note: Some security software may not uninstall completely. If you’re unable to fully uninstall an app, go to the publisher’s website or contact their technical support line for help.