Does Windows 10 Need Antivirus Protection? GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Software & Apps > Windows 34 34 people found this article helpful
Does Windows 10 Need Antivirus Protection?
Going without antivirus protection could put you at risk
By Ryan Dube Ryan Dube Writer University of Maine Ryan Dube is a freelance contributor to Lifewire and former Managing Editor of MakeUseOf, senior IT Analyst, and an automation engineer. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on June 27, 2022 Fact checked by Elizabeth Brownfield Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Windows The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide For many years, Windows users had to immediately install antivirus software or else it wouldn't be long before the computer would be infected with malicious software. So does Windows 10 need antivirus protection? The short answer is, yes. Why Isn' t Windows Defender Good Enough
Windows 10 now provides built-in security in the form of Windows Defender, which includes both an antivirus and a firewall component. Many people opt out of installing third-party firewall software and only use Windows Defender. But is that really the best option? According to a study conducted by AV Comparatives, Windows Defender antivirus for Windows 10 performed well overall but fell short in a few important areas. It fell behind the industry average in preventing zero-day attacks. It caused more false positives (identifying valid software as malicious). It slows down legitimate software more than other apps. It has no password manager. It has limited customization compared to other antivirus software. Overcoming Windows 10 Security Issues
Many times, the companies that sell antivirus software are faster at issuing patches for zero-day vulnerabilities than Microsoft itself is. They also include file and app scanning features that protect you when you accidentally download infected files or applications from the internet. Rawf8 / Getty Images In addition to installing antivirus software on your Windows 10 PC, the following actions can further help protect you against malicious software and hacking attacks. Install Disk Encryption Software
There are many excellent full disk encryption apps for Windows 10. Choose one and use it on your system for full privacy in case your computer gets stolen. Enable Windows Updates
Select the Start menu, type Windows Updates, and select Windows Update Settings. Select Advanced Options and Enable Automatically download updates. This setting ensures your system always receives the latest updates and patches. Be Cautious With Downloads
Only download and install software from trusted companies. If you do need to install free software, make sure to do your research and read reviews. These manual actions, as well as installing good antivirus software on top of using Windows Defender, will ensure that your Windows 10 system is as secure as possible against all threats. Antivirus How-To, Help & Tips The Best Antivirus for Windows 10
Windows Defender offers good, free protection against viruses and malware, but your Windows 10 computer has security needs where Windows Defender falls short. For full protection from malicious software, you need antivirus software with all of the following features that are lacking in Windows Defender. This means that even if you use Windows Defender, you should install additional antivirus protection that has all of the following features. Excellent protection against zero-day attacks.Scanning of file downloads.Automatic system scans.Customization options.Web browsing protection.Privacy features. There are a number of highly-rated free antivirus programs that provide most if not all of these features. AVG is particularly useful because you can download a free version of AVG that offers excellent protection for your PC. Once you install antivirus software on your computer system, you'll notice that Windows Defender recognizes it and incorporates it into the overall protection scheme for your system. If you select Windows Defender Antivirus options, you can also enable periodic scanning to have Windows Defender continue scanning your computer for any threats that your antivirus software may have missed. There are a lot of reasons antivirus for Windows 10 is necessary, but following all of the tips above will ensure that your system is well protected against any security threats. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire The 9 Best Free Antivirus Software of 2022 What Is Antivirus and What Does It Do? 3 Best Free Antivirus Apps for Android Phones Windows 10 Action Center: How to Use It Norton Antivirus Review: Everything You Need to Know How to Fix It When Windows 11 Defender Won't Open 12 Best Free Spyware Removal Tools (October 2022) The 9 Best Antivirus Software for Windows 10 in 2022 Comodo Internet Security Pro Review Windows 10 Home vs. Windows 10 Pro Patch Tuesday (Most Recent: October 11, 2022) Immunet Antivirus Review What Is a Windows SmartScreen Filter? How to Tell If You Have a Computer Virus Windows Update (What It Is and How to Use It) The 6 Best Free Malware Removal Tools of 2022 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies