We know very well that a PC with Windows is more vulnerable when we surf the Internet, just a click of too much or an advertisement that opens at the bottom of the browser or on the side to jeopardize the security of personal data and files stored on the computer. Installing a good antivirus is certainly one of the best choices we can make, but also the manufacturer of Windows (ie Microsoft) provides updated and effective tools every month to check if the computer is safe and that there are no hidden viruses or malware (possibly escaped the controls). We discover in this guide all the tools and tools offered free by Microsoft for the antivirus integrated in Windows 10 (i.e. Windows Defender) and the Microsoft programs that we can install separately to improve PC security.
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Below we have collected all the security tools that Microsoft releases for free and accompanied by the settings to be used to check if the computer is safe when, on Windows 10, we use Windows Defender as an integrated antimalware system (i.e. without installing any other antivirus) or as additional antimalware system. The downloadable tools are compatible with Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10, while the security settings that we recommended for Windows Defender apply to the latest version of Windows 10, where Windows Defender is present as the default antivirus for system protection. . Before continuing, we always check that the version of Windows 10 used is the latest released by Microsoft and that all the security updates are correctly installed.
1) Windows Defender
If we use Windows Defender as a protection system on Windows 10, we can make it even more effective in the controls by enabling some hidden settings.
First of all we open the Windows Defender configuration panel by opening the Start menu and writing Windows Defender and opening the Windows Defender Security Center item . Once the window is open, click on Virus and Threat Protection, then on Ransomware Protection . We can now enable the protection of some folders, so that they cannot be blocked by a possible ransomware infection (we remember the viruses that encrypt the files and block the PC asking for the payment of a ransom).
Still from the Virus and Threat Protection screen, now click on Virus and Threat Protection Settings and make sure that the items Cloud protection and Automatic sending of sample files are enabled.
Returning to the main screen we now click on App and browser control and make sure that all the items are set to Warn or Block .
If we have another antivirus installed, all the Windows Defender features that can create a conflict will be automatically disabled, so we can rely on third-party antivirus for PC checks and security. However, we can still use the Windows Defender scan engine as an auxiliary scanner, so we can increase the security of the PC and check if the computer is safe after browsing. To enable periodic checks of Windows Defender when we use another antivirus just open the Windows Defender Security Center menu, open the item Virus and threat protection and finally click on Windows Defender Antivirus Options, where we will find a single item to activate.
This scan does not interfere with the scans of the main antivirus program, so we can activate it without problems to increase the security of the PC.
1BIS) Microsoft Security Essentials for Windows 7 is the antivirus equivalent to Windows Defender of Windows 10, even if it lacks antirootkit protection.
2) Malicious Software Removal Tool
Another Microsoft tool that we can use to check if the PC is safe is Malicious Software Removal Tool, the malware removal tool downloaded monthly along with the Windows security updates and that we can download manually (both for Windows 10 and for the system versions Microsoft operating systems still supported) from the link here -> Malicious Software Removal Tool .
Once downloaded simply start it then wait for the end of the scan.
If there are viruses or malware that have affected the Windows operating system, this tool is able to identify and remove them, repairing (where possible) also the damage caused by the invasive action of the malware. At the end of the scan, this small tool can also be moved to the Trash, since a new version is released every month, it is useless to keep it.
In addition to viruses, this program is also able to grasp any problems in the configuration of Windows, in updates and in the security settings for Edge and for the firewall, so as to solve in a few clicks all the main security problems.
3) Microsoft Safety Scanner
Another scan tool offered by Microsoft to scan PCs for malware, spyware and any other type of threat is Microsoft Safety Scanner, downloadable for free from the link here -> Microsoft Safety Scanner .
The features offered are similar to those already seen with Malicious Software Removal Tool: download the tool, choose the type of scan ( Quick scan, Full scan or Custom scan with the latter useful for scanning) then click on Next to start the search for viruses and malware of all kinds. Its effectiveness is identical to the tool seen previously, to the point that we think this tool is only the extended version and with more scanning options of the Malicious Software Removal Tool.
So choosing one or the other may not make any difference, but if we fear that our PC is infected, it is better to do some more scanning than some less scan!
4) Windows Defender Offline is Microsoft's anti-malware, a scanner to be used to check if your computer has any viruses, to remove them. It is an offline solution, to be used as a boot CD, to clean an infected computer even if it no longer starts.
In Windows 10, Windows Defender Offline can be started from the PC settings.
5) Windows Family Safety is now an online program for the protection of child accounts in Windows 10 and 8. To use it in Windows 7 you need to download Windows Live Essentials and then select only Family Safety from the products included.
