How to use Windows Security: a free antivirus for Windows 10

Computer viruses pose a real threat. They can erase your files, encrypt your files so that you cannot access them, or turn your computer into a piece of junk. If you have a Windows computer, then there is a high chance that it may be vulnerable to viruses. We will show you how you can protect your computer, using the Windows Security app, a free antivirus for Windows 10. The information here is relevant to Version 1903 of Windows 10 Home but may be relevant to other versions of Windows 10.

You can look up “Windows Security” in the search bar on your taskbar, and then select the app.

How to Protect your Microsoft’s Windows 10 Computer against Viruses

Then you need to select “Virus & threat protection”.

Scanning your Files

With the Windows Security app, you can scan your files to detect if there is any threat lurking in your computer.

You have the options to run a quick scan, which checks only some of your folders for threats. If you want a thorough checking of all your files, then you can choose to run a full scan. You can also select the “Custom scan” if you want to check certain folders.

Virus & Threat Protection Settings

Besides scanning your computer, the Windows Security stays alert for any virus attack. Not only does it block any program deemed suspicious but it does take samples of your files and submit them to Microsoft for further analysis. You can turn on all these features by clicking “Manage settings” under “Virus & threat protection settings”:

Security Intelligence

Keeping up with the latest technology to protect your Windows computer against the latest threat can be daunting. With Windows Security there is no worry. Under “Virus & threat protection updates”, you can either manually check for updates or the app can automatically check for updates.

Ransomware Protection

A ransom is not asked only for releasing a kidnapped person but a ransom can also be asked to giving you access to your files that have been locked off by a virus called a ransomware. Ransomware attacks are becoming more commonplace .

To activate your protection against ransomware attacks, you need to click “Manage ransomware protection” under Ransom protection. Then you click the button to “On”.