🤢 How does malware infect Windows computers?

There are several different forms of malware, including viruses, ransomware, spyware, and rootkits, but they all have one thing in common: The majority of malware can’t run on your computer without your permission. They try to trick you with deceptive downloads, pop-up windows, and malicious web scripts, but if you don’t download and run malware, it’s very hard to hack your computer. If you see a pop-up notification, look closely — does Windows really need you to download an update, or is this a deceptive pop-up trying to put malware on your device? Fake updates and software notifications are commonly used by hackers to invade unsuspecting Windows users. In general, you need to be very careful about what content you’re accessing online .

🔒 Does Windows 10 include every security feature I need?

Windows 10 has better security features than any of its predecessors — but it’s far from perfect. While Microsoft’s Bitlocker feature is a really good device encryption tool, Windows Defender doesn’t rank as high in malware detection as most premium Windows 10 antivirus programs . Plus, antivirus suites include other essential security protections that Windows doesn’t provide — encrypted VPNs, 2FA-enabled password managers, disk drive optimization tools, and high-performance parental controls. Windows Defender only scans for malware. I use Norton 360 on my PC — it includes all of the above-mentioned features and a substantially better anti-malware engine than Windows Defender.

🐢 Will security add-ons slow my computer down?

There is always a tradeoff between security and performance, but if you’re smart about what kind of security tools you use, you won’t need to sacrifice performance to get high-quality security. Virtual Private Networks ( VPNs). The best VPNs will only slow down your internet connection between 10-30%. You’ll still be able to stream HD video, download and upload files, and make video calls. Antivirus software. Cloud-based scanners like Avira won’t slow down your system during scans, and most antivirus programs are designed to have a minimal CPU impact. “Quiet modes” keep your antivirus from interrupting gaming, movies, and other full-screen apps. Device encryption. Device encryption may create a small amount of slowdown, but you won’t notice it. Most computers have AES encryption built into the hardware, which saves a lot of CPU strain. Password manager. Password managers are lightweight programs and don’t use a lot of processing power. Most password managers use encrypted cloud storage to store your passwords and data, which keeps them from taking up disk space. Firewall. Firewalls are 100% essential for anybody using the internet, and they have a negligible effect on connection speed. Ad blockers. Ad blockers actually increase your browsing speed because they save your computer the hassle of loading and playing advertisements.

💰 How much does this cybersecurity stuff cost?

It depends. If you’re on a budget, you can get decent protection for free , but if you’re serious about keeping your computer safe, there are a lot of low-cost, high performance cybersecurity tools out there: Antivirus software. Norton 360 is my favorite antivirus for Windows, and you can get a year subscription for cheap with this discount link . It comes with a secure password manager and a fast VPN (and many other things). Password manager. Dashlane is the most secure and most efficient password manager on the market, and it also comes with a good VPN. The premium version will run you less than a couple cups of coffee every month (and if you enter SAFETYD25 at checkout, you’ll get an extra 25% off). VPN. If you get an antivirus package like Norton, you won’t need an extra VPN. There are also plenty of other antiviruses which have an included VPN in their internet security packages . Some people think cybersecurity add-ons aren’t worth the money — until they get hacked. Protect your PC before that happens! It’s not a lot of money!

🕹️ Will an antivirus affect my gaming?

Most of them will, yes. Pop-up notifications will jump on screen at bad moments, and virus scans are notorious for their high CPU load. If your antivirus starts scanning files while you’re gaming, it can cause noticeable lag and other performance glitches. But the best antiviruses — like BullGuard and Norton — won’t affect gameplay at all.

🙅♂️ Can I just turn off my antivirus while my games are open?

You can, but hackers are expecting you to do this. Malware that can detect when you’re in full screen mode and hacked mods that deploy when you run a game are just a couple of the many dangers of gaming without an antivirus. The reality is, gamers are a huge target for cyber attacks because of their reputation for connecting to the internet without protection. When you have so many gaming-optimized antivirus options , there’s no reason why you should ever turn off your antivirus, even during intense gameplay.

💻 Are all gaming modes in antivirus software the same?

Yes, and no. Many of the top tier antivirus programs now include a “game mode” which will suspend notifications and scans while you’re in full screen mode. But then there are some — like BullGuard — which will boost your PC’s performance and your processing power will actually improve. Furthermore, customization options, ease of use, and the overall drag on performance are all unique to each program.

🆓 Is there a free antivirus that offers a Game Mode?

Unfortunately, all the best antiviruses make you pay for their game modes. But if you’re a gamer on a budget and really need a good free antivirus, I would recommend Avira . It offers fast, high-performance anti-malware protection, even though you’d still need to sacrifice a fair amount of convenience to keep yourself protected.

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