How To Find The Best Virus Protection For Your PC

Despite all those precautions, the answer is: yes! Everyone should have some protection for their PC. With the amount of personal information we keep on our computers, virus protection software is essential. Let’s face it, when it comes to hackers, their retirement funds could be sitting on the other side of a weak firewall —so you can’t be too careful with keeping your devices and personal information protected.

But before you make an investment in virus protection software, it’s important to figure out whether or not you already have it. For example, Microsoft Defender Antivirus comes pre-installed on Windows 10 and 11 and offers real-time protection from viruses, malware, spyware, and beyond. It even activates automatically if you don’t have any other antivirus solution on your device. So if you’ve got Windows 10 or 11, you’re covered. Other antivirus software brands may also come pre-installed when you buy a new Windows PC.

But what if you don’t have free virus protection already? Before you make the investment in any software, make sure it executes these important tasks:

Performs scheduled and manual scans. Your antivirus software should perform regular scans to ensure threats aren’t infiltrating your system and covertly wreaking havoc in the background of your operating system. Random and scheduled scans are an effective way for you to stay updated on the status of your PC. You don’t have to do any work, and your antivirus software will generate reports letting you know how many threats have been neutralized and prevented. You can also check the activity that’s put you at risk to begin with, so you can know what to avoid in the future.

Microsoft Defender

Stay safer online with one easy-to-use app<sup>1

1</sup>Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription required; app available as separate download

Learn more

The ability to run manual scans should be included with any virus protection software for your PC. Manual scans are a great way to put your mind at ease if you’re worried your system has been compromised. Signs like your system suddenly slowing down, restarting, crashing, or reduced battery life could indicate that your computer could be infected with malware. Run a manual scan to see if you have a problem or simply need to update your system.

Flags questionable websites to help you avoid them. The most vigilant among us can still be susceptible to visiting a website that installs a virus on the computer. The best virus protection for your PC should flag questionable websites before you ever visit them. This feature will take the worry out of surfing the web so you can find reputable sites that have the information you’re looking for.

Detects threats based on your behavior. No two computer users are exactly the same. So, why should antivirus software function like they are? Some people use their computers solely for work, while others are heavy gamers. Both, however, spend significant amounts of time online. Your virus protection service should be built to learn how you operate your computer and know the best ways to keep your computer safe. Hackers who attack a specific demographic might have their signature or bread and butter code that works for them. Your virus protection software should be designed to learn what these threats look like before they cause any problems to your device. Software with built-in artificial intelligence is a great way to ensure your system stays protected without ever doing anything on your side of the operation.

Installs a firewall. You can customize your security settings by having a firewall installed on your computer. Again, not everyone needs the same filters to protect themselves from malware. One might find that checking every download that comes through a web browser is tedious and cumbersome. A firewall allows you to apply custom settings to your system to prevent your antivirus software from getting in the way of your everyday work and working in the background of your operating system.

So, when looking for the best virus protection for your network of devices, use these simple tips and you’ll soon be on your way to securing your personal information.