Do you need an antivirus for microsoft. You are your safety

They send us questions: is it necessary to install an antivirus; is it possible without antivirus; do you need an antivirus on windows; is it possible to do without antivirus. In this article, we will tell you how to use a computer without an antivirus if it is not possible to install an antivirus on it for some reason. This article is intended for simple users who are not advanced. The article gives simple and accessible to all recommendations.

It should be noted right away that at present, antivirus is one of the necessary basic means of protection against various dangers when a computer is working, including on the Internet. No antivirus guarantees 100% protection against viruses. Along with installing an antivirus, following a number of simple rules will help increase the security of using a computer:

• install all updates in a timely manner operating system, for this you need to configure automatic Windows updates, updates close the vulnerabilities found in the operating system, using which malware can penetrate the computer
• update to latest version all programs, including Internet browsers, that are installed on the computer; new versions of programs need to be downloaded from their official websites (you need to be careful, malware can often disguise itself as new versions of browsers and other programs)
• do not download or run files from questionable sources, including messages on e-mail with attachments from unknown senders.

Windows without antivirus

When can work on Windows without an antivirus be justified? One of the reasons not to install an antivirus may be the unwillingness to pay money for it and not to use "broken" antiviruses from dubious sources. It is foolish to install a "cured" antivirus, as it should ensure the safety of the computer, and antiviruses from dubious sources can contain viruses and other malicious software. If you do not want to pay for an antivirus, you can install a free antivirus from a reliable well-known manufacturer software. On our site there is an Overview of free antiviruses. The only justified reason not to install an antivirus on Windows may be the weak hardware characteristics of the computer. Most modern antiviruses consume a lot of resources, and if the computer is old or with weak hardware, after installing the antivirus it becomes impossible to work on it. We still recommend that you try to choose a light antivirus that consumes little computer resources, try putting different antiviruses in turn, maybe there is one that will not slow down your computer. To make the computer run faster, you can try to speed it up using the tips from the article on our website Computer or laptop slows down, what to do.

Is it possible to access the Internet without antivirus

Is it possible to use the Internet without antivirus? If you have to work on the Internet without antivirus, it is recommended to use Internet browser safe mode. In many common browsers, there is such an option that allows you to increase the security of Internet surfing. If your favorite browser does not have this mode, you can install various add-ons and extensions for browsers that increase the safety of Internet surfing, point to dangerous and suspicious sites. These security measures can also be used with an antivirus installed.

Using Windows as a user

One way to increase the security of using a computer that does not have an antivirus installed is to sign in and work in Windows not under account Administrator, but under User. This setting is recommended to improve the security of your work even when an antivirus is installed. This method, like all others, does not guarantee complete security, but allows you to avoid some threats.

Usually Windows is used under Administrator. This allows you to install and remove programs, perform other actions with the computer. When a virus infects a computer under the Administrator account, the virus can perform any actions with the computer, since it has all the rights to make changes in the operating system. If you use a computer under a User account, the risk is reduced, as the malware may not have enough rights. True, there are viruses that can harm the computer from under the User.

A feature of this setting is that during everyday work at the computer (working with documents, games, music, watching movies, etc.), you need to use the User account. If you need to install or update programs, then go under the Administrator account. How to set up a user account? Go to Control Panel - User Accounts. In addition to our account, under which we are currently working, we create another account with administrator rights. Go to Manage another account - Create an account.

Create a new account with administrator rights. It is recommended that you set a password for the Administrator. Next, we go back to User Accounts, select our account under which we worked first, select Change account type and set Normal access.

Now we will work under our old account, which has become the User (normal access), and we will install programs under the new Administrator account.

does not pester users with the requirement to install an antivirus, as Windows 7 did. Since the days of Windows 8, the operating system has included a built-in antivirus -. But is it really the best - or even usable - solution for protecting your computer?

Windows Defender is essentially the latest version of Microsoft's free antivirus, first written for . It's now built right into the operating system, giving all Windows 10 PCs a basic level of antivirus protection.

Is Windows Defender good enough?

Antivirus is enabled by default. Windows Defender automatically scans all running programs, downloads database updates via Windows Update, and has an interface for deep system scans.

But how good is this antivirus? We have to admit: Microsoft's development is a little behind the competition in comparative tests of antivirus software. We've expressed concern about this before, all the more so since we've been very fond of Microsoft's antivirus in the past.

Windows Defender has many advantages. It's built-in, doesn't bother with pop-ups, costs no money, and consumes less system resources than some competing antiviruses. It does not attempt to collect data about the user's web surfing and benefit from it, as some free antivirus programs now do.

Overall, Windows Defender provides good protection. As long as you update Windows regularly (which is now done automatically), use a modern browser, and avoid potentially dangerous plugins like Java, you should be fine. Combined with following the standard security rules that you should adhere to in any case, Windows Defender does its job well.

Despite the low score that Windows Defender received in June 2015 in the test (only "0.5/6" for protection), the program was able to recognize 95% of "widespread and prevailing threats", as well as 85% of zero-day attacks. recognized 100% of test samples in both directions, and recognized 100% of common viruses and 99% of zero-day attacks. So despite the difference in scores, Windows Defender still does pretty well. In the past, Microsoft representatives noted that the program focuses on real common threats, while the tests are unrepresentative, and antiviruses from other manufacturers are optimized for passing the tests. However, now Microsoft representatives no longer comment on the test results.

Windows 10 has other protections that have been carried over from Windows 8, in particular, which prevents malware from downloading and running, regardless of which antivirus is used. And Chrome and Firefox also have Google Safe Browsing, which blocks many malware from downloading.

For most users, Windows Defender will suffice - as long as you have common sense and good security habits. But if you regularly download pirated software and engage in other risky activities, you might be better off ditching Windows Defender in favor of some other program that is better at dealing with antivirus test samples.

Use MalwareBytes Anti-Exploit

We also recommend using an exploit protection program to protect your browser and plug-ins, which are most often attacked. We recommend the free program. It works much like Microsoft's own EMET utility, but is more convenient and has more security features. It can block the most common exploits, even previously unknown zero-day attacks. For example, MalwareBytes Anti-Exploit would be able to block all of the flash zero-day attacks that have been reported recently. The program strengthens the security of the browser, plug-ins and other favorite places of attack by protecting against the most common types of attacks, instead of protecting against all known malware samples.

materials

The days when the computer was viewed as a breeding ground for viruses and threats are long gone. But this does not mean that cybercriminals who develop malware to steal data have changed their line of business.

Some computer manufacturers pre-install antiviruses on their devices to earn affiliate rewards. However, the user always has freedom of action.

Are antiviruses necessary in 2018? Yes and no…

Viruses are not the only threat

The traditional attitude to security products as “antiviruses” has long been outdated. We no longer have to worry about insidious viruses infecting computers and destroying important data. Nowadays, malware is more common and uses various tactics to achieve its goal.

The most dangerous malware operates silently on the target computer, the user may not even be aware of the infection. The threat may remain inactive for some time or work covertly, but in any case it will try to cause serious damage to the user.

Whatever we call the threat, the likelihood of an attack is still quite high.

You get protection in Windows 10

Microsoft takes the security of its customers seriously, which is why it has equipped Windows 10 with two security tools: Windows Firewall and Windows Defender.

Windows Defender Security Center - built-in control panel for Windows 10 security settings Antivirus, firewall, SmartScreen web protection, parental control and tools for managing computer performance

These tools are designed to protect your computer, and due to deep integration into the system, they do not require many additional resources to work. Microsoft regularly releases antivirus definition updates to keep these products up to date with even the latest threats.

If you're having trouble removing a persistent threat, you can use the Windows Defender Offline boot image. You can start the scanner without an active Internet connection - using a USB drive. This tool will be able to remove malware that is difficult to clean with standard tools.

Windows Defender is often seen as the base line of defense. Whatever you think, a system antivirus is a reliable tool, and there is no reason not to use it. It is also recommended to be used with other scanners such as Malwarebytes Free.

Do you feel that you are taking every precaution by only visiting trusted sites and downloading software from official sources, such as the Windows App Store or iTunes? However, you will never be safe if you surf the Internet without any protection.

Would you ride a motorcycle without a helmet? Even if you are careful, there is a chance of an accident.

Malware developers usually have a clear understanding of what needs to be done in order for a threat to be successful. That's why malware exists to this day.

Something is always better than nothing

Write in the discussions below if you use a third-party antivirus. Or do you use Windows 10 and think that Windows Defender is enough to effectively protect the system without sacrificing performance?

If you are not using any protection at all, we highly recommend turning on Windows Defender right now.

Third party antiviruses are still relevant in 2018. Their main task is not only to fight traditional viruses, but also to prevent various kinds attacks to gain control over a computer or to steal confidential data. It sounds scary, but the active use of digital devices by users leads to the fact that the threat remains real.

Ultimately, the choice of protection solution and security strategy is up to you. Just do not think that a potential attack will not touch you. Everything can be exactly the opposite.

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This operating system is one of the most secure and secure operating systems due to the built-in security tools from Microsoft, although they are usually used by beginners who do not particularly care about the security of their PC. You should not rely on these tools - antiviruses for Windows 7 are needed, if only because the built-in antivirus protection is designed for updates from Microsoft, and they are released quite rarely, leaving the computer defenseless against new viruses at this time.

You can often find questions on the Internet, what is the best antivirus for Windows 7, or advise some good antivirus for Windows 7? It is impossible to give unambiguous concrete answers to them, you can simply list a few anti-virus systems, which have the properties required by the user. And those properties are:

• Free;
• The presence of protection against network threats, that is, a firewall;
• Frequency of updating anti-virus databases;
• Threat detection quality;
• Availability of real-time protection;
• Minimum load on the computer, and many others.

The range of these properties is quite wide, so each user has his own opinion about choosing a good anti-virus protection. Even official systems for assessing the quality of anti-virus programs often differ in their results, especially with regard to anti-virus protection built into the OS. But there are several systems that many users prefer. What are these antivirus programs?

This antivirus utility is perhaps the most popular among users. The popularity of this antivirus utility is due to the following features:

• The first and probably the most important advantage is that it is free;
• It is easy to install and configure;
• Has an intuitive Russified interface;
• Has minimal impact on PC performance;
• Provides protection both in real time and against network attacks (firewall);
• Performs regular updates of anti-virus databases.

Once downloaded and installed, Avast will run in trial mode for 30 days. Here is the window the user will get trial version Avast:

After that, it becomes possible to get free license key for a period of 1 year and put the program. To do this, you need to go through a simple registration procedure. After a year, it will have to be repeated.

Needless to say, this program has generated some of the most lively discussions on the internet. Its defenders always cite its supposedly highest threat detection rate. If you believe the review of the site comss.ru, then, indeed, in 2014, Kaspersky Anti-Virus took one of the first places in the rating for detecting malware and network threats. However, there are a few "buts":

• The full-featured version of the utility is paid. It can be put in trial mode for 30 days, after which you will have to pay for it;
• The program is quite heavy and heavily loads the computer.

If you forget about this "fly in the ointment", then you can give some advantages of this utility:

• Providing a qualitatively new level of protection through the use of both traditional anti-virus methods and proactive methods that predict the behavior of a suspicious application;
• Easy installation and customization for individual user needs.

The main window of this antivirus looks like this:

ESET Smart Security

The author of these lines is a long-standing and devoted "fan" of this anti-virus utility, using it for several years, starting with version 3, and ending with the latest - version 8, receiving all updates for free. Therefore, when answering the question “advise a good antivirus”, you always have to cite this particular utility as an example. Let's take a look at its capabilities:

• Eliminates all types of threats in real time, be it rootkits, viruses or spyware;
• Uses the technology of "cloud" scanning for a quick check of the computer;
• Provides protection and verification when accessing external media when they are connected;
• Has a powerful firewall to block network attacks;
• Has the highest speed among other antiviruses;
• Completely invisible when running a PC;
• It is easy to install even for a beginner, as it requires little or no user intervention;
• The firewall has a so-called "interactive" mode, in which the user is prompted to allow access to any network resource. In this case, you can create an allow or deny rule, after which there will be no more questions.

But these are the advantages that many antivirus programs have. And ESET Smart Security, starting from the 7th version, has a distinctive feature - automatic license renewal, which puts this utility in the category of free ones.

Such an update is carried out by one of the components of this utility - Tnod User & Password Finder. It quietly starts at OS startup, but can also be started manually. Searches the network for a suitable license and installs it in the antivirus. After that, the anti-virus database is updated without the user's knowledge.

The security of a personal computer, according to most users, is one of the main components of its correct functioning. And it's definitely not worth saving. And with the release of a new version of the operating system from Microsoft, this problem has become especially acute. Antivirus for picking up is not so difficult as it might seem at first glance.

A little about the new version

According to the assurances of the manufacturing company, the final modified version of the operating system was released on July 29th. So, it was from that moment that it became possible to upgrade to version 10. However, the operating system was somewhat damp at that time. And most importantly - software! And in particular, antivirus for Windows 10 from the eminent Kaspersky laboratory! Yes, yes, the versions of the security program simply turned out to be incompatible with the new operating system. Fortunately for many, this problem was solved by the fall. As with most other popular software. Therefore, you can now safely upgrade to the new version of Windows, if there is such a desire and opportunity. By the way, the "engine" of the system remained the same as on Windows 8.1, so many software developers did not have to fix their products much, just adjust a little.

Do you really need an antivirus?

Many users are sure that no additional protection a new version does not require an operating system. And all because the standard, built-in antivirus for Windows 10 copes with its main task - protection against external threats. However, everything is not as rosy as it might seem at first glance. Therefore, after some time, many users still wonder if an antivirus is needed on Windows 10. And they come to the conclusion that additional protection has not harmed anyone yet.

About Defender

This is what the standard free antivirus for Windows 10 is called. Previously, it was just one of the functions, which later “grown up” to a full-fledged “defender”. In operating system version 8, Defender has already begun its work as an antivirus. In Windows 10, it has undergone some changes, albeit minor ones.

Advantages

The first thing I want to note is the minimum load on the system. Since the free antivirus for Windows 10 is already built into the OS by the developers, the performance of the computer does not decrease in any way. Protection runs in the background, so the user does not need to take any action when turning on the PC.

The second, which is also important, is the free basis. A ready-made and standard antivirus for Windows 10 is built into the system itself, so it is free for OS owners. And it is also updated free of charge. You can configure the update yourself - either manually or automatically if necessary.

The third thing users pay attention to is virus protection. So, for example, during automatic updates, anti-virus databases are downloaded from the server, which means that they respond in a timely manner to new virus threats that appear on the Web. But the product also has disadvantages, and read about it below.

Flaws

It didn't work without them either. So, for example, the rating of antiviruses for Windows 10 indicates that Defender is approximately in the middle of the top of the best defenders. Why? If only because it still does not provide full protection. So, for example, Defender does not intercept infected files when they are downloaded from the Internet if the user himself wishes to perform this operation. And this is a big minus, since a person may not know what exactly he is downloading to his system, not to mention the fact that immediately after downloading the virus can absorb Windows entirely. Leaving no chance for a timely cure. Then the question arises of what is then the best antivirus for Windows 10. It is worth considering several options.

Avast

This is a Czech product that has both paid and free versions. It is worth noting that the developers fussed in time, developing software for the new Windows. And they didn't fail! Those who used Avast updated it on the "top ten", continuing to operate. The program combines both a defender and an anti-spyware. Not to mention that the paid version has a full-fledged sandbox where you can check files and websites for threats. By the way, the program does not load the system at all, although it is a little late at startup. That is, Windows loads faster than antivirus. But with the naked eye, this is not at all noticeable, the program is still included quickly in the process. And that is why Avast can really be considered as the best antivirus for Windows 10. Although it is not the only one, that is why it takes only 2-3 place in the ratings.

Eset Nod 32

For those who wondered if an antivirus is needed on Windows 10, it is worth remembering that additional protection never hurts. And the one that does not load the system, and even works quickly - even more so. This is where this defender comes into play not only quickly cope with threats in real time, but also monitors the OS in the background for viruses, spyware and dangerous files. That is why this defender occupies one of the leading places in the top. There are both paid and free versions. The latter are not limited in functionality, like many other similar programs.

Kaspersky

This product is rightfully considered the best in its segment. It does not have free versions, only paid ones. And this suggests that the developers are very careful about their "brainchild". Although a little late with the release of a suitable version for the new operating system. Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Windows 10 did not work any worse because of this. On the contrary, it is noted that the load on the system, which was the sin of previous versions (for 8.1), has become less. So, the performance of the computer has ceased to decline. That is why Kaspersky Antivirus is considered the best defender for Windows 10 today.

Let's summarize

With a rather weak computer hardware, you still should not install an antivirus such as Kaspersky. It is worth paying attention to Avast and Nod 32. Or even use a full-time defender, observing the simplest rules:

• Do not visit suspicious sites (including those for adults, as well as torrents filled with advertisements);
• suspicious files, as well as external media, should not be downloaded, but first passed through virtual online "sandboxes";
• do not go through the "left" links, ignoring.

With such an attitude to visiting the World Wide Web, the risk of infecting your computer with viruses, worms, and spies is negligible. And finally, ours for Windows 10:

1. "Kaspersky".
2. Avast.
3. "Nod 32".

Buying one of them or paying attention to any other product is a personal matter for everyone, however, these antiviruses have proven to be the most reliable and efficient, which should also be taken into account when choosing. Enjoy surfing the waves of the global network!