WINDOWS SECURITY:10 TWEAKS TO KEEP YOU SAFE
Everyone knows you need protection against hacker attacks, malware and numerous other threats. What you might not realise is Windows 10 includes a broad set of built-in tools that Provide just that.
They’re all bundled together within the Windows Security app – but if the name is unfamiliar, that’s understandable. Prior to the September 2018 update, Windows’ various security settings were collectively accessed via the “Windows Defender Security Center”. That in turn was an evolution of the Windows Defender tool that had been built into Windows 8, which took over the antivirus duties previously performed by the standalone Security Essentials tool. You can probably see why Microsoft eventually decided to go with a simple, all-encompassing name.
In the latest version of Windows 10, Windows Security looks and works like part of the Settings app, and indeed the Security section of that app provides a page of direct links to all the different security features. Some of these are well known and self-explanatory, while others are unsung. Let’s look at some key features – and pick out a few settings that can be changed from their defaults to enhance your protection.
VIRUS & THREAT PROTECTION
Top billing goes to Windows’ built-in antivirus component, which for now retains the Defender name. And deservedly so – while old editions of the software provided only so-so protection, AV-Test’s most recent independent tests awarded Defender perfect scores across the board for protection, performance and usability (pcpro.link/320avtest).
Since real-time scanning is enabled by default, that excellent protection kicks in as soon as you try to
