Windows 10 represents thirty years of development and, as an operating system, is pretty polished by now. However, this does not mean that when you download a fresh copy of this operating system, it is perfect in every way.
Windows 10 still needs some work to really provide a good level of security Additionally, Windows 10 is now also a cloud service, which means Microsoft now wants to collect and sell your information as well.
If you don’t do something, you will be sending a bunch of personal information to Redmond. Depending on your personal comfort level, this can be a major security and privacy issue. This brings us to our first tip.
Use the Windows 10 privacy tool
Microsoft hasn’t made it easy to disable some of the collection features. There is a lot to play with in the privacy settings, but most users don’t even know in what ways Windows 10 can spy on users or what happens with this information.
The good news is that there is now a whole list of specialized tools that only exist to help you tweak privacy settings on the world’s most widely used operating system. Most of them are free and also allow you to customize what Microsoft doesn’t want you to mess with.
A great example is the beautifully named O&O ShutUp 10 , which bills itself as an “anti-spyware” tool for Windows 10. Whether you think every switch it offers is a problem or not, it’s certainly a convenient way to fix it. problem. take control of Windows 10.
Get rid of Windows Defender
The included antivirus suite for Windows 10 is a long-awaited feature that keeps millions of users who know nothing better from getting all sorts of annoyances. However, if you want to take a more proactive role in your security and want to catch a wider range of malware, then a third-party program is best.
There are both free and paid options. Some solve everything, while others only solve certain types of malware. If you like Windows Defender but just want to complement it, then something like Malwarebytes is for you.
Encrypt your hard drive
Hard drive encryption is one of the best security improvements you can make for your Windows 10 PC. This means that if someone gets your hard drive, they won’t be able to actually view the data because it was securely encrypted.
In some cases, your hard drive will be automatically encrypted after Windows 10 is installed, but if not, you can manually enable BitLocker, Microsoft’s own encryption solution. It’s quite powerful, but you’ll need a motherboard with a TPM module to make it work. If your computer doesn’t have one, you’ll need a USB stick to place the decryption key.
If you don’t like it, then a third-party solution like VeraCrypt will do the job just fine too. After encryption, you will sleep much better at night.
Pushing the UAC to the extreme
Windows UAC or User Account Control is an operating system feature that alerts you when changes are made to your computer. For example, when you try to install a new program, UAC dims the screen and asks you to confirm the installation before launching the software.
By default, UAC only throws an error when you are doing something serious or when an installed application wants to significantly change your computer. However, there is one higher security level above the default that will alert you to a wider range of changes. This means that you will catch hackers and malicious software that will try to hack into your computer.
For most people, the default setting is fine, but if you’re adventurous, visiting all sorts of weird websites, and downloading software to try it out just for fun, then this is a quick way to protect yourself. All you have to do to access the UAC settings is to press the Windows key and search for “UAC”.
Hit the openings
Windows 10 is a great operating system today with fantastic security support from Microsoft. It’s good to know, however, that you can still control the product you paid for when it comes to how much a developer can pry into your system.
It also never hurts to polish some of the rougher security features from outside threats. So what a safer computing experience for everyone!
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