Free protection from Malware and Viruses

These are the free ways to protect your Windows computer that I especially use and recommend; the links are up to date as at August 2014.  However, websites change - please let me know if you have troubles.

• Microsoft Security Essentials, which runs all the time and protects against most things.  Note - you should not have this and another similar product (such as AVG Free) installed at the same time.  They will argue!
  Note that if you are using Windows 8, 8.1 or 10, you already have Windows Defender, which includes Security Essentials. To turn it on, from the Start screen or Search charm search for "Windows Defender" and tap or click Windows Defender, then follow the instructions on the screen.  For windows 10 Click here.
  Click here to download Security Essentials 
• Spybot – use this to run scans of your system every so often; it will find stuff which you want rid of, and which sneaked in under the radar.  Most of it will be benign, just related to advertising, but it will certainly be slowing you down.  You can install it with Security Essentials without causing problems.
  Click here to download Spybot
• Malwarebytes - Like Spybot, this aims to detect and remove all traces of malware including worms, trojans, rootkits, rogues, dialers, spyware and more.  You can install it with Security Essentials without causing problems.
  Click here to download Malwarebytes

I’d be pleased to hear how you get on; email webster@theoldie.co.uk or click here