As a beginner in the world of Windows computing, understanding how to manage and configure security settings is crucial for protecting your data and ensuring your system runs smoothly. Fortunately, Windows provides several built-in features that make this process straightforward. This guide will walk you through some of these features, offering practical advice on how to use them effectively.
What is Windows Security?
Windows Security is a comprehensive suite of tools designed to protect your computer from malware, viruses, and other threats. It encompasses various components such as antivirus protection, firewall, and system health checks. Here’s how you can use the built-in features to bolster your computer’s security:
1. How to Use Windows Defender Antivirus?
Windows Defender Antivirus is an integrated security tool that provides real-time protection against software threats like viruses, malware, and spyware across email, apps, the cloud, and the web.
– Accessing Windows Defender: Click on the Start button and open ‘Settings’. Go to ‘Update & Security’ and then click on ‘Windows Security’. Here, you’ll find the ‘Virus & threat protection’ option.
– Run a Quick Scan: Once in Windows Security, you can initiate a quick scan to check for any immediate threats. Simply click ‘Quick scan’. It’s a good practice to perform this weekly.
– Schedule Regular Scans: Click on ‘Scan options’ under ‘Virus & threat protection’. Opt for ‘Full scan’ to thoroughly check your system. You can also set up scheduled scans.
2. What is Windows Firewall and How to Use It?
The Windows Firewall is another integral part of Windows Security, serving to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.
– Enable Windows Firewall: Navigate to ‘Windows Security’, then ‘Firewall & network protection’. Ensure that the firewall is turned on for all network types: Domain network, Private network, and Public network.
– Advanced Settings: For those who want more control, click on ‘Advanced settings’ to configure inbound and outbound rules. This is more for advanced users, but as a beginner, ensuring the firewall is active is usually sufficient.
3. How to Manage App & Browser Control?
This feature helps you manage app and file security, browser security, and exploit protection.
– Access App & Browser Control: Within ‘Windows Security’, click on ‘App & browser control’. Here, you can set up how your device checks for unrecognized apps and files with ‘Check apps and files’.
– SmartScreen Settings: Ensure that ‘SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge’ and ‘SmartScreen for Windows Store apps’ are turned on. This will help protect your system from phishing and malware originating from web and app sources.
4. How to Use Windows Security Health?
‘Device performance & health’ provides a health report that includes issues related to Windows Update, storage capacity, device driver, and battery life (if applicable).
– View Health Report: Go to ‘Windows Security’ and click on ‘Device performance & health’. Review the health report for any issues.
– Fix Issues: If any problems are highlighted, follow the on-screen prompts to address them. This might involve installing updates, clearing storage space, or updating drivers.
5. How Can Glary Utilities Enhance Your Security?
For beginners looking to bolster their system’s privacy and security beyond the built-in Windows features, Glary Utilities is an excellent choice. It offers additional optimization tools that enhance system performance and security.
– Privacy Protection: Glary Utilities includes features to erase privacy traces like browsing history and cookies, protecting your online activities from prying eyes.
– Registry Cleaner: It scans and repairs registry issues, which can often prevent vulnerabilities and system hiccups.
– Startup Manager: By managing startup programs, it reduces the potential for malicious software to run upon booting up your PC.
In conclusion, Windows’ built-in features provide a solid foundation for securing your PC. By regularly using Windows Defender, keeping your firewall active, managing app control settings, and maintaining device health, you ensure your system remains secure and efficient. For those wanting to go a step further, integrating tools like Glary Utilities can provide additional security and performance benefits.