10 Tips to Secure Your Windows System

Due to its multitasking nature and excessively functional nature of operating platform, Windows has become vulnerable to attackers who want to exploit it to protect from malicious usage. Here are the top 10 tips which will help you to demonstrate how to secure your Windows PC. Make use of these amazing steps and secure your PC from any unwanted attack.

10. Avoid installing Java or Adobe Reader

These two applications Java and Adobe Reader are by far the most exploited software which have been tinkered by the attackers over the years. If you need to use Java, make sure you continuously use the most updated version. For reading PDF files, you can use Foxit Reader as a popular alternative.

9. Install Anti-virus Software

It is strongly recommended to install a good anti-virus product on a Windows system to detect and clean viruses from a system. You may choose from free offerings like Avast! or use paid ones like the Kaspersky.

8. Using hardware / software firewall

If you have a broadband Internet connection, then you might be using a router. Generally, hardware firewall come pre-installed with router these days. You can install popular software firewall like Comodo or Zone Alarm. Also, Windows firewall is enabled by default.

7. Using Anti-malware Software

The most popular anti-malware application in the market is offered by Malware bytes Anti-Malware. You can download the free version from its website.

6. Using a standard user account to do your daily tasks

The problem is that the administrator account has complete control of Windows and hence this is the major flaw that is exploited by malicious users to get inside your computer. For security purposes, it is recommended to use a standard user account. A standard user account can’t install applications or drivers but can run the applications and read the files very well.

5. Creating strong passwords

It is recommended and a good security practice to create strong passwords for your login credentials. It may be convenient for you to use the same easy password everywhere, but it is also convenient for malicious users as they just need one password to unlock all your secrets.

4. Install Windows and application updates

For your personal security, if you happen to see the Windows Update icon in the lower-right corner of your computer, then double-click it to perform the updates. Don't forget to include applications updates as well.

3. Using a virtual machine

VMWare and VirtualBox are great applications that let you setup a virtual machine within Windows and install the operating system of your choice.These machines can then be used for browsing the web without the risk of viruses or malware being installed on your physical machine. If you do get malware on your virtual machine, you can safely delete the virtual machine to remove the malware.

2. Using Sandboxie

Sandboxie allows you to run applications in an isolated area, called a sandbox, within Windows. Anything that happens in the sandbox – stays within the sandbox and doesn’t affect any other part of your system.

1. Applying your common sense

Of course, just use your common sense while surfing on net and don't reply to suspicions mails etc. This is the most powerful countermeasure for protecting your Windows PC from hackers.