In today’s world, your PC’s security is just as important as washing your hands or taking precautions in the physical world to stay healthy. While many antivirus programs claim to protect you from threats, they often slow down your computer or flood you with ads, all while costing a pretty penny. The good news? You don’t need to spend money to protect your computer. In this guide, we’ll walk through the best free ways to keep your PC safe using a combination of tools and methods, all while optimizing your system’s performance.
Key Takeaways
- Use a combination of free tools alongside Windows Security to protect your PC from malware and viruses.
- Regular system maintenance, like uninstalling unused programs and scanning weekly with Malwarebytes, is crucial.
- Pay attention to what you’re downloading and installing to avoid bundled malware.
Why Antivirus is Essential
When you don’t have antivirus software installed on your computer, you risk losing personal information, compromising files, and even damaging your computer beyond repair. Imagine walking into a high-risk area without protection—just like you’d catch a virus in real life, your computer can catch malware if you’re visiting unsafe websites or downloading suspicious files.
Windows 10 and 11 come with built-in Windows Security, which already offers robust protection. In fact, Windows Security performs just as well in testing as many paid antivirus programs. But, no antivirus software can catch every threat 100% of the time, so adding extra layers of protection is smart. The best part? You can achieve total protection without spending a dime.
The Problem with Paid Antivirus Programs
Paid antivirus software can often slow down your computer and bombard you with constant ads to upgrade. Despite the expense, these programs might not always catch every threat, leaving your PC vulnerable. Thankfully, Windows Security offers free protection, and with the right combination of tools, you can enhance this protection for free.
Let’s walk through how to secure your Windows 10 or 11 PC using free tools.
Essential Steps to Protect Your PC
1. Create a System Restore Point
Before running any security scans, it’s important to create a system restore point. This ensures you can roll back any changes if something goes wrong during the process. Simply search for “System Protection” in your start menu, select your C drive, and create a restore point.
2. Remove Malware and Viruses with Free Tools
- Norton Power Eraser: This free tool is great for tackling stubborn malware. Once downloaded, simply click “Run Now” to start a scan. After the scan, select the threats and click “Fix Now.” A system restart may be required to complete the process.
- AdwCleaner by Malwarebytes: Another free tool that efficiently removes adware and unwanted programs. Agree to the terms, run a scan, and quarantine any detected threats. Again, you may need to restart your computer.
- Malwarebytes Free Version: While the paid version offers real-time protection, the free version is excellent for on-demand scans. Run a scan, quarantine threats, and restart your system. Keep Malwarebytes installed and run a scan weekly to stay protected.
3. Uninstall Unused Software and Manage Startup Programs
Using a program like HiBit Uninstaller, you can remove old and unused software from your system. It also includes tools to manage browser extensions and startup programs, ensuring no unnecessary software runs in the background.
- Browser Extension Manager: Use this tool to remove any extensions you no longer use, which could be a potential security risk.
- Startup Manager: Disable unnecessary programs from starting automatically with your PC to boost performance and reduce security risks.
4. Use Ad Blockers and Be Cautious When Downloading Software
Install uBlock Origin, a free ad blocker extension that helps prevent malicious ads from infecting your computer. It’s currently one of the best ad blockers available, significantly reducing the chances of accidentally clicking on malware-infested ads.
When downloading and installing software, always watch for additional programs that may be bundled with what you’re installing. Uncheck any boxes that automatically opt you into installing extra software that you don’t need.
Bonus Tips for Prevention
- Run Weekly Scans: Keep Malwarebytes installed for weekly scans to catch anything Windows Security might miss.
- Monthly Maintenance: Run Norton Power Eraser, AdwCleaner, and HiBit Uninstaller once a month as part of your routine PC maintenance.
- Update Regularly: Always use the latest versions of these tools to ensure maximum protection.
By following these steps, your PC will not only be malware and virus-free, but you’ll likely notice improved performance as well.
Conclusion
Protecting your Windows 10 or 11 PC doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. By combining the free tools mentioned in this guide with regular system maintenance, you can safeguard your computer from online threats and enjoy peace of mind. Be sure to follow the steps, and you’ll not only have a virus-free computer but one that runs more smoothly.
Don’t forget to leave a comment below on whether you’ll be keeping your antivirus software installed or switching to these free alternatives!
FAQs
1. Is Windows Security enough for protecting my PC?
Windows Security is robust and offers strong protection, but using additional free tools like Malwarebytes enhances your security, especially for on-demand scans and adware removal.
2. How often should I run scans?
Run Malwarebytes weekly for on-demand scans and use Norton Power Eraser and ADW Cleaner monthly for deeper scans.
3. Will free antivirus programs slow down my PC?
Some free antivirus programs can slow down your system. However, the tools mentioned in this guide, like Malwarebytes and ADW Cleaner, run on-demand scans and don’t bog down your system when not in use.
4. What should I do if I accidentally download malware?
Immediately run a scan using the tools mentioned in this guide, starting with Norton Power Eraser and Malwarebytes, to quarantine and remove any threats.
5. Are paid antivirus programs better than free ones?
Paid antivirus programs offer real-time protection and additional features, but free options combined with Windows Security provide strong protection for most users without the cost.
