In today’s ever-so connected digital world, it is imperative to keep your system protected from malicious threats.  In this article, we will recommend how to protect your Windows and Mac systems from the growing list of viruses, malware, and ransomware in today’s environment — let’s begin.

Windows 7 Protection

For Windows 7 users, we recommend running two programs alongside each other: Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes.

Microsoft Security Essentials

Microsoft Security Essentials is virus protection software provided free from Microsoft.  Click here to proceed to Microsoft’s website to download.  Once installed, the software will begin searching for updated Virus Definitions.  These “Virus Definitions” are databases of viruses and malware currently in-existence.  It is important to keep these definitions up-to-date to ensure proper protection.

After updating is complete, we recommend you to set a scan schedule based on your off-peak computer use hours. Please note, the scan will not perform if the computer is OFF. If you turn your computer off during certain times, set your hours alternatively.  To set your scan schedule, follow the steps below:

  1. Open the software
  2. In the tab’s above, click “Settings”
  3. In the selection list to the left, click “Scheduled Scan”
  4. In the right section, ensure “Run a scheduled scan on my computer (recommended)” is checked
  5. Under “When”, choose your frequency — we recommend Daily
  6. Under “Around”, choose your time — we recommend 12PM (common lunch hour)
  7. Under “Scan type”, choose your type of scan — we recommend Quick Scan
  8. Check the box for “Check for the latest virus & spyware definitions before running a scheduled scan”
  9. Uncheck the box for “Start the scheduled scan only when my computer is inactive”

You’re done!  This program will actively monitor your systems for the latest threats.

Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes is an excellent choice of software that will run along side Microsoft Security Essentials.  There are two different versions of Malwarebytes:  Malwarebytes for Home and Malwarebytes for Business.  If you’re requiring Business protection, we recommend Malwarebytes Endpoint Protection.  Click here to see pricing and get started »

As far as Home protection, follow the steps below:

Click here to purchase Malwarebytes for Home

  1. After purchase, the software will begin downloading and you will be presented with your invoice that contains a unique key.  You will need this later, so print this page for future records.
  2. Once download is complete, go ahead and install the software
  3. After software installation, open the software and click on the “Activate License” button at the top right.
  4. As mentioned early, you will need the unique key that was provided to you in your invoice.  Once obtained, type it in the key dialog box that shows.
  5. Your software should become activated and “Activate License” button should disappear.  Now follow the instructions below to setup scan scheduling and options.
  6. On the left menu, click “Settings”.
  7. Within the top tabs, click “Scan Schedule”
  8. From there, click on “Add” button in the bottom-right corner
  9. Within “Scheduled Task” area:
    1. For “Operation Type”, choose “Threat Scan”
    2. For “Starting Date”, choose Today’s Date
    3. For “Starting Time”, choose the time for the next 15 minutes
  10. Within “Scheduled Options” area:
    1. Check “Quarantine all threats automatically”
    2. Check “Scan for Rootkits”
    3. Check “Scan within Archives”
  11. Within “Frequency and Settings”
    1. For “Schedule Frequency”, choose “Daily” — and — “Recurrence” choose “1 day”
    2. Beneath that, check “Check for updates before scanning”
  12. Within “Recovery Options” area:
    1. Check “Recover missed tasks” and select “24 hours” under “Recover if missed by:”

You’re done!  This program will actively monitor your systems for the latest threats.

Now, with both programs running, this will create a superb layer of protection and defense against Viruses, Malware, Spyware, and Ransomware.

Windows 8.1 Protection

For Windows 8.1 users (Note: if you haven’t upgraded Windows 8 to 8.1, we highly recommend you doing so as Windows 8 is no longer supported by Microsoft), we recommend running these two programs alongside each other: Windows Defender and Malwarebytes.  Windows Defender comes pre-installed in Windows 8.1 although let’s ensure it’s setup and running correctly by following the steps below:

Windows Defender

Windows Defender is virus protection software pre-installed in every version of Windows 8.1 and provided free from Microsoft.  It is nearly identical to Microsoft Security Essentials (as described above for Windows 7) but without Malware Protection.  To keep the software up-to-date, Virus Definition files are automatically downloaded through Windows Updates.  Verify your Windows Updates are set to “Automatic” to ensure proper protection.  Let’s begin the steps to setup scan scheduling:

Open the software by clicking the icon at the bottom right corner near the time that resembles a white shield.  If it’s not displaying, then click on your Start icon and search for “Windows Defender” and click to open.

  1. In the tab’s above, click “Settings”
  2. In the selection list to the left, click “Scheduled Scan”
  3. In the right section, ensure “Run a scheduled scan on my computer (recommended)” is checked
  4. Under “When”, choose your frequency — we recommend Daily
  5. Under “Around”, choose your time — we recommend 12PM (common lunch hour)
  6. Under “Scan type”, choose your type of scan — we recommend Quick Scan
  7. Check the box for “Check for the latest virus & spyware definitions before running a scheduled scan”
  8. Uncheck the box for “Start the scheduled scan only when my computer is inactive”

You’re done!  The program will actively monitor your systems for the latest threats.

Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes is an excellent choice of software that will run along side Microsoft Security Essentials.  There are two different versions of Malwarebytes:  Malwarebytes for Home and Malwarebytes for Business.  If you’re requiring Business protection, we recommend Malwarebytes Endpoint Protection.  Click here to see pricing and get started »

As far as Home protection, follow the steps below:

Click here to purchase Malwarebytes for Home

  1. After purchase, the software will begin downloading and you will be presented with your invoice that contains a unique key.  You will need this later, so print this page for future records.
  2. Once download is complete, go ahead and install the software
  3. After software installation, open the software and click on the “Activate License” button at the top right.
  4. As mentioned early, you will need the unique key that was provided to you in your invoice.  Once obtained, type it in the key dialog box that shows.
  5. Your software should become activated and “Activate License” button should disappear.  Now follow the instructions below to setup scan scheduling and options.
  6. On the left menu, click “Settings”.
  7. Within the top tabs, click “Scan Schedule”
  8. From there, click on “Add” button in the bottom-right corner
  9. Within “Scheduled Task” area:
    1. For “Operation Type”, choose “Threat Scan”
    2. For “Starting Date”, choose Today’s Date
    3. For “Starting Time”, choose the time for the next 15 minutes
  10. Within “Scheduled Options” area:
    1. Check “Quarantine all threats automatically”
    2. Check “Scan for Rootkits”
    3. Check “Scan within Archives”
  11. Within “Frequency and Settings”
    1. For “Schedule Frequency”, choose “Daily” — and — “Recurrence” choose “1 day”
    2. Beneath that, check “Check for updates before scanning”
  12. Within “Recovery Options” area:
    1. Check “Recover missed tasks” and select “24 hours” under “Recover if missed by:”

You’re done!  This program will actively monitor your systems for the latest threats.

Now, with both programs running, this will create a superb layer of protection and defense against Viruses, Malware, Spyware, and Ransomware.

Windows 10 Protection

For Windows 10 users, we recommend running these two programs alongside each other: Windows Defender Security Center and Malwarebytes.  Windows Defender Security Center comes pre-installed in Windows 10 and scan scheduling is not necessary as it runs real-time and cloud based, therefore we just recommend running Malwarebytes along with it.

Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes is an excellent choice of software that will run along side Microsoft Security Essentials.  There are two different versions of Malwarebytes:  Malwarebytes for Home and Malwarebytes for Business.  If you’re requiring Business protection, we recommend Malwarebytes Endpoint Protection.  Click here to see pricing and get started »

As far as Home protection, follow the steps below:

Click here to purchase Malwarebytes for Home

  1. After purchase, the software will begin downloading and you will be presented with your invoice that contains a unique key.  You will need this later, so print this page for future records.
  2. Once download is complete, go ahead and install the software
  3. After software installation, open the software and click on the “Activate License” button at the top right.
  4. As mentioned early, you will need the unique key that was provided to you in your invoice.  Once obtained, type it in the key dialog box that shows.
  5. Your software should become activated and “Activate License” button should disappear.  Now follow the instructions below to setup scan scheduling and options.
  6. On the left menu, click “Settings”.
  7. Within the top tabs, click “Scan Schedule”
  8. From there, click on “Add” button in the bottom-right corner
  9. Within “Scheduled Task” area:
    1. For “Operation Type”, choose “Threat Scan”
    2. For “Starting Date”, choose Today’s Date
    3. For “Starting Time”, choose the time for the next 15 minutes
  10. Within “Scheduled Options” area:
    1. Check “Quarantine all threats automatically”
    2. Check “Scan for Rootkits”
    3. Check “Scan within Archives”
  11. Within “Frequency and Settings”
    1. For “Schedule Frequency”, choose “Daily” — and — “Recurrence” choose “1 day”
    2. Beneath that, check “Check for updates before scanning”
  12. Within “Recovery Options” area:
    1. Check “Recover missed tasks” and select “24 hours” under “Recover if missed by:”

You’re done!  This program will actively monitor your systems for the latest threats.

Now, with both programs running, this will create a superb layer of protection and defense against Viruses, Malware, Spyware, and Ransomware.

Apple Mac Protection (macOS)

For Apple Mac (macOS) users, we recommend just simply downloading Malwarebytes.  Mac’s have several integrated security measures built in, one of them being XProtect. Scan scheduling is not necessary as it runs at the operating system level therefore we just recommend running Malwarebytes along with it.

Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes is an excellent choice of software that will run along side XProtect.  There are two different versions of Malwarebytes:  Malwarebytes for Home and Malwarebytes for Business.  If you’re requiring Business protection, we recommend Malwarebytes Endpoint Protection.  Click here to see pricing and get started »

As far as Home protection, follow the steps below:

Click here to purchase Malwarebytes for Home (Mac)

  1. After purchase, the software will begin downloading and you will be presented with your invoice that contains a unique key.  You will need this later, so print this page for future records.
  2. Once download is complete, go ahead and install the software
  3. After software installation, open the software and click on the “Activate License” button at the top right.
  4. As mentioned early, you will need the unique key that was provided to you in your invoice.  Once obtained, type it in the key dialog box that shows.
  5. Your software should become activated and “Activate License” button should disappear.  Now follow the instructions below to setup scan scheduling and options.
  6. On the left menu, click “Settings”.
  7. Within the top tabs, click “Scan Schedule”
  8. From there, click on “Add” button in the bottom-right corner
  9. Within “Scheduled Task” area:
    1. For “Operation Type”, choose “Threat Scan”
    2. For “Starting Date”, choose Today’s Date
    3. For “Starting Time”, choose the time for the next 15 minutes
  10. Within “Scheduled Options” area:
    1. Check “Quarantine all threats automatically”
    2. Check “Scan for Rootkits”
    3. Check “Scan within Archives”
  11. Within “Frequency and Settings”
    1. For “Schedule Frequency”, choose “Daily” — and — “Recurrence” choose “1 day”
    2. Beneath that, check “Check for updates before scanning”
  12. Within “Recovery Options” area:
    1. Check “Recover missed tasks” and select “24 hours” under “Recover if missed by:”

You’re done!  This program will actively monitor your systems for the latest threats.

Now, with both programs running, this will create a superb layer of protection and defense against Viruses, Malware, Spyware, and Ransomware.

If you require any assistance with setting up virus protection for your computer, please contact us and we will ensure your system is fully protected.  In our next article, we will provide an in-depth guide on how to properly backup your data in case of a hard drive crash, stolen computer, or ransomware infection.

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