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Keeping Your Windows Home Computer Secure


Also see: System Mechanic by iOlo for system performance and security.

Microsoft has published an article online this month (October 2018) about keeping your home computer secure. This may be good reading for many of you running Windows systems in general, but especially if you're now using or soon expecting to use a Windows 10 computer. A few of the tips also will be relevant to users of other operating systems, e.g. iOS or Androids.

If you're proficient with Windows settings and features, most of these tips will seem familiar. If you're more of a novice in customizing your computer system and software, you may find that with a little help these steps don't take that much time.

Because Windows 10 now operates as a dynamic service, frequently updating, that system tends to favor using Microsoft software in general.

You'll find and interesting (even if dated) article at the following address online:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4092060/windows-keep-your-computer-secure-at-home?WT.mc_id=PromoEmail_15722_en_US_Cybersecurity_Month_10-18-18_Module_2_Support_Security_LX

Here are some excerpts from the article:

Keeping your computer secure helps you avoid malware and direct hacking attempts designed to steal your personal information. Here are some ways you can help reduce your online risk when you use your computer at home.

Tips to protect your computer
  • Use a firewall - Note that Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7 have a firewall already built in and automatically turned on.
  • Keep all software up to date - Make sure to turn on automatic updates in Windows Update to keep Windows, Microsoft Office, and other Microsoft applications up to date. Turn on automatic updates for non-Microsoft software as well, especially browsers, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and other apps you regularly use.
  • Use antivirus software and keep it current - If you run Windows 10 or Windows 8, you have Windows Security or Windows Defender Security Center already installed on your device. If you run Windows 7, you can download Microsoft Security Essentials for free.
  • Make sure your passwords are protected - The Microsoft page address provided above in this email includes a link to learn how.
  • Don't open suspicious attachments or click unusual links in messages - They can appear in email, tweets, posts, online ads, messages, or attachments, and sometimes disguise themselves as known and trusted sources.
  • Browse the web safely - Avoid visiting sites that offer potentially illicit content. Many of these sites install malware on the fly or offer downloads that contain malware. Use a modern browser like Microsoft Edge, which can help block malicious websites and prevents malicious code from running on your computer.
  • Stay away from pirated material - Avoid streaming or downloading movies, music, books, or applications that do not come from trusted sources.
  • Do not use USBs or other external devices unless you own them - To avoid infection by malware and viruses, ensure that all external devices either belong to you or come from a reliable source.
  • Protect your personal information online - Your privacy on the internet depends on your ability to control both the amount of personal information that you provide and who has access to that information. Find out how to protect your privacy on the internet.
  • Protect yourself from scams - When you read email, use social media, or browse the web, you should be wary of scams that try to steal your personal information (also known as identity theft), your money, or both. Many of these scams are known as "phishing scams" because they "fish" for your information. The Microsoft page address provided above in this email includes links to Find out how to protect yourself from phishing scams and avoid tech support scams.
  • Prevent and remove malware - One important step toward greater workplace security is to protect your computer against malware. Windows Security (or Windows Defender Security Center in previous versions of Windows 10) is built in to Windows 10 and Windows 8 and provides real-time malware detection, prevention, and removal with cloud-delivered protection. It is intended for home, small business, and enterprise customers. The Microsoft page address provided above in this email includes a link to info page "Help protect my computer with Windows Security".
  • Other ways to remove malware - To assist all Windows customers, including those who are not running Windows Security, Microsoft provides several malware removal solutions, including Windows Defender Offline, Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool, and Microsoft Safety Scanner.
  • Windows Defender Offline - This tool runs outside of Windows to remove rootkits and other threats that hide from the Windows operating system. This tool uses a small, separate operating environment, where evasive threats are unable to hide from antimalware scanners. With Windows 10, Windows Defender Offline is built in to the operating system and can run from Windows Security. It is provided as a separate download for previous versions of Windows. The Microsoft page address provided above in this email includes a link to Learn more about Windows Defender Offline.
  • Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - The Malicious Software Remove Tool (MSRT) is released regularly through Windows Update and automatically removes the most prevalent threats. MSRT helps ensure that Windows computers, regardless of their antimalware solution, are regularly scanned for the most prevalent threats. MSRT is also provided as a standalone tool that you can download. Customers who want to be able to address the most prevalent threats on demand can download and run the standalone version. The Microsoft page address provided above in this email includes a link to Download the Malicious Software Removal Tool.
  • Microsoft Safety Scanner - This tool provides full and comprehensive on-demand antimalware scans. It offers robust offline scan and cleanup capabilities. However, it does not provide the real-time and cloud-based protection that is available with Windows Security. Safety Scanner covers both prevalent and less notable threats. It is recommended as a more robust alternative to the Malicious Software Removal Tool. The Microsoft page address provided above in this email includes a link to Download Safety Scanner.
(Excerpts end here.)

Many of the safety features and software modules you need will be installed automatically with Windows updates without requiring user action. Home computer users still may find it useful to use either a Free or a Pro computer cleanup software, to run either manually or automatically (in the background) - to supplement Windows' self-maintaining features. I have used several computer cleaning apps recommended by local computer club members and have had no difficulties as far as compatibility. Sometimes they may slow down computer performance but as a rule I haven't found that to be a problem except on computers with low processor speed or random access memory.