How to Enable Virus Protection Windows 10 Devices
Windows 10 machines come with a few built in cyber security defenses. The options are bundled under the Windows Defender app and can be configured by home and enterprise users. Enterprise users can also set the rules and definitions for all machines on their systems. Although Windows Defender does provide some basic security features it is not nearly as robust as other commercial products. One of the best things you can do to improve your computer’s security is to keep it patched. Allow your machine to auto update or be sure to accept Microsoft updates when they are released. You can always check the Microsoft update center to read about new vulnerability and their patches.
To check on your machine’s recent cyber security threats and potential issues:
- Go to the magnifying glass icon in the lower left corner of your laptop’s screen
- Select the magnifying glass
- Search for “windows Defender” in the search box
- Choose “Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security”
- Select “Virus & Threat Protection”
In this view, Windows reports on past cyber security threats including detected viruses, virus dictionary updates, as well as your machine’s setting for viruses and ransomware. The Windows Defender Security Center advises device owners about when the last virus scan was run. Note, this is just a quick scan and not as in-depth as the advanced scan. The advanced scan can be run manually from this screen. It does take about fifteen minutes to complete.
The Windows Defender Security Center is containing information on how up-to-date your machine’s threat definitions are. The term “definition” in the world of cyber security means what viruses and ransomware is the security center aware of. Definitions can also be referred to as a dictionary. If a new virus hit the internet, then your computer’s defections would have to be updated by Microsoft to include the new virus. Without up-to-date definitions then your computer would not recognize the new threat.
There is also an interesting feature named “ransomware protection” in this panel. Ransomware is a type of virus, both are really malware. Can turning sliding this button to the “on” position protect your machine from the most recent malwares like Bad Rabbit and WannCry? Certainly not as well as other commercial anti-virus apps on the market. One of the best defenses is to keep your hardware, drivers, and apps up-to-date.
There are other setting for privacy and security in the Windows Defender pane. It is interesting that many of the options prompt you to read Microdot’s data privacy policy so you can understand what information you will give up and exchange for your cyber security.
Michelle writes about cyber security, data privacy focusing on social media privacy as well as how to protect your IoT devices. She has worked in internet technology for over 20 years and owns METRONY, LLC. Michelle earned a B.S. in Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Michelle published a guide to Cyber Security for Business Travelers
