How to use anti-virus software on your laptop

If you don't use anti-virus software, your laptop is vulnerable to hackers. We will show you the available kits and how to set them up.

Nowadays, so many threats to your data, adding an extra layer of protection is a wise idea. One of the best options on your PC or laptop is anti-virus software. This can be annoying to any annoying program that attempts to sneak into your system. We will show you how to choose the right product for your needs and set it up on your computer.

Does Windows come with its own security software?

Indeed, Microsoft includes Windows Defender in Windows, and if you only want accurate anti-virus software, it is a good choice. It doesn't have that much functionality, and it doesn't exactly match the functionality of many private security packages, but you should change it temporarily.

To see what it provides, read Do you need to use anti-virus software on your new Windows PC or laptop? It compares the differences between Defender and other packages.

What kind of anti-virus software should I use?

There are two main types of anti-virus software available - paid and free - and both share a certain number of features. Many major security brands, including Avast, Bitdefender and Kaspersky, offer free versions that will get you into their gardens.

For most users, the freeware package is great for trying, at least initially, because it protects you from spyware, malware, viruses, insecure links or attachments in emails, and similar pests.

Upgrading to a paid version usually brings some advanced features, such as protecting your webcam from snooping, scanning email attachments, password managers, and security vaults, so you can store important data that won't be corrupted by ransomware.

Install anti-virus software on your PC

Setting up an anti-virus package on your device is no different than any other program. First, find the one you want to use and download it from the website.

Once the .exe file appears on your computer, double-click the name that appears in the bottom bar of the screen (still in the browser) or go to the download folder and double-click the file to enter the installation process.

When the program finishes the installation process, you are usually asked a few questions about upgrading to other related products, but for now just say no, because you can do this at any time in the future.

To make sure everything is working properly, you need to close any existing security software with the new security software. This includes Windows Defender, so here's how to turn Windows Defender on or off.

The final step is to perform a full scan of your PC so that the new software can check if there are any naughty programs in your system.

Only. You have now updated your security. Take some time to explore the various features that the software provides, and whether you need to set up a periodic scan or whether the suite does this automatically.

But keep in mind that although you may already have protection against viruses, that doesn't mean you can give up online protection. Hackers have many other ways to access your data, so developing good defenses is the best anti-virus method.