Learn how to protect your Windows devices and personal data from viruses, malware, or malicious attacks.

Get tips to help protect your home computer from scams, malware, viruses, and other online threats that might try steal your personal information.

If you suspect there's malware or a virus on your device, you should immediately run a quick scan. In the Windows Security app on your PC, select Virus & threat protection > Quick scan or use the following shortcut:

When you start up Windows 10 for the first time, Windows Security is on and actively helping to protect your PC by scanning for malware (malicious software), viruses, and security threats. Windows Security uses real-time protection to scan everything you download or run on your PC.

Learn how to use virus and threat protection options in Windows Security to scan your device for threats and view the results.

Malware is short for malicious software, a program or file that is designed to specifically damage or disrupt a system, such as a virus, worm, or a Trojan horse. Bing disables links to potentially dangerous sites in our search results, and notifies you that the site may download malicious software that can harm your computer.

Microsoft Security Essentials is free and can help protect your home or your small business system from viruses, spyware, and other malware. For more information, visit the following Microsoft webpage: Microsoft Security Essentials. Microsoft Safety Scanner. If you think your computer is infected, we recommend that you run the Microsoft Safety ...

Ransomware is malware that encrypts your files or stops you from using your computer until you pay money (a ransom) for them to be unlocked. If your computer is connected to a network the ransomware may also spread to other computers or storage devices on the network.

Microsoft 365 Family and Microsoft 365 Personal give you advanced protection from viruses and cybercrime, tools to help keep your information secure and private, and ways to recover your files from malicious attacks.

Crooks use phishing attacks, malware like ransomware, and tech support scams to try and steal your information and your money. Learn how to stop them!