Security company Bitdefender announced last year that it would retire Bitdefender Free at the end of 2021. Now, three months later, the company has launched a new free product, called Bitdefender Antivirus Free.

In a surprising move, Bitdefender has launched a new free antivirus product for Windows after canceling the old one three months earlier.

The company announced the launch of Bitdefender Antivirus Free on the company’s blog. The blog post reveals that the program was created from scratch. Bitdefender Antivirus Free “offers enhanced features and functionality and improved user experience compared to the previous free version” according to Bitdefender.

The free section of the Bitdefender website does not yet list the new product. You need to visit this link to open the page with the download link. The download is small, but the installer requires an internet connection and will download over 500 megabytes when run, provided you allow it to do so.

The version requires a Bitdefender account. A registration and login form is displayed on first run. Users who don’t want to create an account just for this can uninstall the antivirus product right after installation as there is no option to use it without an account.

According to Bitdefender, the new antivirus adds Outlook and Thunderbird email protection, custom scan scheduling options and exploit detection to the protection features.

The free version protects against all advanced threats according to Bitdefender. Several features, such as ransomware fixing, vulnerability scanning or a firewall are not included in the free version.

The free version includes antivirus protection, including on-demand scanning of the devices it’s installed on, web protection, and advanced threat defense, which attempts to block zero-day attacks.

The interface is easy to use, but many options are locked for free users. The dashboard displays two actions, Quick Scan and System Scan, which are available in the free version, and three, Vulnerability Scan, VPN and Safepay, which are not.

There are several upgrade buttons in the interface, and selecting one of the locked options will also show upgrade options. Users can also be notified of special offers and recommendations by default, which can be disabled in the options.

Closing words

Bitdefender received quite a bit of backlash when it announced the end of the free antivirus solution. If he had waited for the announcement until the new free product was ready, many users might not have taken the announcement so badly.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free offers basic protection against certain types of threats. The good news is that it uses the same anti-virus engine as the paid products, and Bitdefender has performed very well in all recent tests.

The program can be an option for users who don’t care about missing features and regular reminders about paid upgrade options. Free trial options are available for users who want to test out the additional features without having to part with their money right away.

Now you: what is your opinion on the launch?

Advertising

Fortnite is a Battle Royale shooter that comes with plenty of graphics, sound, and control settings for players to tinker with the game. Many players at least occasionally need to adjust these options to optimize Fortnite on their PC.

However, some players have reported Fortnite not saving selected settings. When these players restart Fortnite, all in-game options they tried to change are reset to what they were before. This issue arises for users who play the game on Windows 11/10. If you are one of those who need to fix Fortnite without saving game settings, try applying these potential fixes.

1. Disable the read-only setting for Fortnite’s GameUserSettings.ini file

Many players reported that they fixed Fortnite not saving settings by disabling the Read only setting for the GameUserSettings.ini file. It often happens that Fortnite cannot save newly selected settings because the GameUserSettings.ini file is set to read-only. You can disable the Read only option for this file as follows.

1. press the To earn + R keyboard shortcut to open Run.
2. Type %localappdata% in the opening area of ​​Run.
3. Click on Okay to display the Local folder.
4. Then open the FortniteGame > Checked in > Configuration > Windows client subfolders of the Local folder.

5. Right click on the GameUserSettings.ini file in the WindowsClient folder to select Properties.
6. Deselect the Read only attribute checkbox if selected.

7. Click on To apply to save the new property options.
8. Select the Okay option.

It is also recommended to check the Read only parameter for the file ClientSetting. To do this, open the Config subfolder of the FortniteGame folder. Right-click on the ClientSetting file, deselect its Read only option if selected, and press the key To apply button.

2. Disable Controlled Folder Access

Games often cannot save settings because Controlled Folder Access is enabled. Controlled Folder Access is a feature that prevents the software from modifying files in protected folders. Thus, this feature can prevent games from modifying configuration files required to save new settings. Here’s how to disable Controlled Folder Access in Windows 11.

1. Double-click the system tray icon for Windows Security.
2. Select the Protection against viruses and threats tab in Windows Security.
3. Then click on the Manage ransomware protection option on this tab.

4. Click it Controlled access to files toggle the switch to disable this option.

Alternatively, you can configure Controlled Folder Access to allow Fortnite to pass through it. To do this, click on the Authorize app through Controlled Folder Access option in Ransomware protection when CAF is enabled. press the Add an authorized application button to select Browse All apps. Then select the Fortnite game and click on the Open button. You may also need to add Epic Games as an allowed app.

3. Disable Third-Party Antivirus Utilities

Some third-party antivirus software may have features similar to Controlled Folder Access. If you have installed a third-party antivirus utility, disable it before playing Fortnite to ensure that it cannot interfere with the game by saving its settings.

Right-click the antivirus utility’s system tray icon to find and select a disable option from its context menu. If you can’t find such an option, check the Settings tab of your anti-virus software.

4. Clean startup windows

Windows Clean Boot will disable all third-party startup programs and services. This is a potential fix for Fortnite not saving game settings, as it could fix any software conflicts that could be causing the problem. You can perform a clean boot of Windows 11 by modifying the boot configuration settings in MSConfig as follows.

1. First, open the Run dialog box.
2. Contribution msconfig in the Open area of ​​Run.
3. Click on Okay to launch the System Configuration Tool.
4. Select the selective start-up radio button. Then uncheck the box for Loads startup components setting.

5. Click it Services the tab and select the tab Hide all Microsoft services checkbox here.

6. press the Disable all button to remove all remaining selected services from startup.
7. Select the To apply and click on Okay to exit System Setup.
8. Click it Restart option in the dialog box that opens.

Then try changing Fortnite settings after restarting Windows. If clean booting Windows fixes the game without saving options, a conflicting background application or service was likely the cause. Change the options in Fortnite as needed, then you can restore your PC to its original startup configuration. To do this, open MSConfig again to select the Loads startup components and Activate all options.

Instead of clean booting Windows as shown above, you can also try disabling startup items manually with Task Manager.

To do this, open Task Manager by pressing the Ctrl + Alt + Del keyboard shortcut and selecting it, or using its Ctrl + Shift + Esc shortcut. Then click on the start tongue.

There you can remove software packages from startup by selecting them and clicking Disable. Then restart your PC after disabling startup items with Task Manager.

5. Check and reinstall Fortnite files

If none of the above potential fixes work for you, some Fortnite files may be corrupted or missing. In this case, reinstalling the game or checking its files may be the solution. Luckily, since Fortnite is a multiplayer title, you don’t have much to lose in terms of saved game data by doing this.

To verify Fortnite files, click the Fortnite three-dot button in Epic Games and select To verify. Wait for the verification process to complete, then try again.

If that doesn’t work, here’s how to reinstall Fortnite:

1. Open your Epic Games Launcher software.
2. To select Library in Epic Games.
3. Then click on the three-dot button for Fortnite to select Uninstall.

4. Restart your PC after uninstalling Fortnite.
5. Open the Epic Games Launcher again and select Fortnite on its Library tongue.
6. press the To install possibility to reinstall the game.

Now Fortnite will (probably) save game settings

The potential fixes above will likely fix Fortnite not saving game settings for most players. The first resolution is particularly widely confirmed. Once this problem is fixed, you will be able to optimize Fortnite again with its game settings.

Fortnite also has a support service that you can contact if any other potential fixes are still needed. You can submit a support request to this service by clicking on Contact us on the Fortnite help page. Then fill in the form and click Send a request by e-mail.

Read more

About the Author

In this article we will talk about what you can do if war zone crashes with Fatal error, disk read error. Call of Duty Warzone is a popular battle royale game available for Windows. But like any other BR game, Warzone has also been talked about due to its different types of errors. Of all the errors, the one that has troubled players the most is Disc read error. So, if you are also facing the same problem then continue with the troubleshooting guide to fix the issue.

Fix Warzone disc read error on Windows PC

If Call of Duty Warzone crashes with Fatal Error, Disc Read Error 3.1, 5.0, 6.154, 8.6, etc. on your Windows 11/10 PC, these suggestions are sure to help you fix the problem:

1. Run Warzone in administrator mode
2. Modify installation
3. Disable Game Mode and Xbox Game Bar
4. Download the latest graphics driver update
5. Disable Sonic Studio’s Virtual Mixer
6. Disable NVIDIA overlay in game
7. Disable Discord Overlay
8. Disable anti-virus program
9. Run ChkDsk
10. Reinstall the game

Let us now see these solutions in detail.

1]Run Warzone in administrator mode

The problem you are currently facing can be triggered due to unavailability of administrative privileges. So, grant the game full admin privileges to fix the issue. To do this, here are the steps to follow.

1. To throw Battle.net and select Duty Call from the list.
2. Click on the gear icon present next to Player, and choose Show in Explorer.

Now launch the game and check if you are still encountering the same error message. If so, right click on the Warzone shortcut file and choose the Properties option. Tap the Compatibility tab and check mark Run this program as administrator. Save the settings and open the game. Check if the issue is resolved or not.

2]Modify the installation

Another effective solution to get rid of the 6.154 disc read error is to modify the game installation. Unnecessarily installed content can also be the main cause of the problem. Modify the installation to solve the problem. Here are the steps you need to follow.

1. Launch Battle.net > COD Warzone > Gear Icon.
2. From the list of gear icon options, choose Modify Install.
3. In the next window, uncheck Countryside, Special operationsand Survival options.

Click Apply to save the applied settings. Now launch the game and check if the issue is resolved or not.

3]Disable Game Mode and Xbox Game Bar

Windows introduced a dedicated mode by name, Game mode to play games. The feature automatically clears all unnecessary apps running in the background to improve the gaming experience. But at the same time, it can lead to different issues including the one you are currently facing. So, you can try disabling the game mode feature and check if that makes a difference. To do this, here are the steps to follow.

1. Press Windows + I hotkey to open the Settings menu.
2. Tap on the game option present in the left panel of the screen.
3. Press on Game mode, and disable it in the next window.

Launch the game and check if the issue is resolved. Otherwise, you will need to disable the Xbox Game Bar feature. Windows 11 comes with an Xbox Game Bar feature using which you can record gameplay and share it with your friends. However, at the same time, it can also cause the mentioned issue. So, you can play the game with the Xbox Game Bar feature disabled to fix the issue. To do this, open Settings > Games > Xbox Game Bar. Disable the option.

4]Download the latest graphics driver update

It is important to keep updating all the drivers installed on your system. Each update comes with a lot of updates over its predecessor and helps to fix issues occurring in different apps. So if you can’t remember updating your graphics driver then you need to update it to fix the problem. To do this, follow the steps below.

1. Press Windows + I open the settings menu.
2. Tap on the Windows Update option.
3. Now visit Advanced Options > Optional Updates.
4. In the next window, you will see a list of all available updates for your system, including graphics drivers.

Alternatively, you can even download the latest driver update from the manufacturer’s official website.

5]Disable Sonic Studio Virtual Mixer

If you have the Sonic studio application installed on your system, it is no surprise that you are facing the problem. The problem mainly occurs in the laptop from Asus. So, disable this app to fix the problem. Here are the steps you need to follow.

1. Open the Control Panel in View By mode and select Large Icons.
2. To choose Sounds.
3. Click on the Proofreading tongue.
4. Right-click on Sonic Studio Virtual Mixture and choose Disable.

Check if the issue is resolved or not.

6]Disable NVIDIA overlay in game

If your system is equipped with an NVIDIA graphics card, you can disable the in-game overlay feature in the GeForce experience to fix the issue. To do this, follow the steps below.

1. Right-click on the NVIDIA icon present in the system tray and choose NVIDIA GeForce Experience.
2. Tap the gear icon to open the Settings menu.
3. Choose the General option present in the left panel of the screen.
4. seesaw of the In-game overlay option.

7]Disable Discord Overlay

Various third-party apps including Discord can be another reason behind the problem. In Discord, you will need to turn off the overlay feature to fix the issue. Here are the steps you need to follow.

1. Open the Discord app and go to Settings.
2. Click on the game overlay option present in the left panel of the screen.
3. Disable it Enable in-game overlay option.

That’s it. Check if the issue is resolved or not.

8]Disable anti-virus program

Chances are that the installed antivirus program is conflicting with the game files and causing the problem. So, turn off the antivirus program and check if it makes any difference. If the problem is solved, always play Warzone with the antivirus disabled.

9]Run ChkDsk

Run ChkDsk and see if that helps. Run Check disk on your disk using command linetype the following and press Enter:

chkdsk /f

If necessary, restart your computer.

10]Reinstall the game

If none of the above solutions help you fix the problem, the last thing you can try is to reinstall the game. There may be a problem in the installation that causes the 6.154 disc read error. So, reinstall the game to fix the problem.

What causes disc read error 6.154 on Warzone?

There are several reasons behind disc read error 6.154 on Warzone. However, among all the most common are corrupted or outdated drivers. Additionally, third-party antivirus programs, overlay feature, and Sonic Studio Virtual Mixer can also cause the problem.

Read more : Fix Warzone fatal error, disc read error on Windows PC.

by Loredana Harsana

Windows & Software Expert

Loredana is an avid writer with a keen interest in PC software and technology. She started writing about mobile phones back when the Samsung Galaxy S II was on top of the world and… Read More

Windows updates are released regularly by Microsoft and are essential to keep Windows secure. So, today we are going to show you what to do if Windows 11 ISO download failed due to unknown reasons.

Various factors can contribute to the problem, ranging from a slow internet connection to third-party anti-virus software or a lack of available disk space or insufficient PC specs to device or driver issues.

Follow along as we will show you how to fix Windows 11 ISO download failed on your computer, just after seeing the minimum requirements for this operating system. Continue with us!

What are the minimum system requirements for Windows 11?

In order for devices to be installed or upgraded to Windows 11, they must meet the following minimum hardware specifications:

• Processor: 1 GHz and above with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system-on-chip.
• RAM: 4 (GB) or more.
• Storage: 64 GB or more of available storage is required to install Windows 11.
• Additional storage space may be required to download updates and enable certain features.
• Graphics card: must be compatible with DirectX 12 or later, with a WDDM 2.0 driver.
• System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot compatible.
• TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.
• Display: High definition display (720p), 9″ or larger monitor, 8 bits per color channel.
• Internet connection: Internet access is required to perform updates, as well as to download and use various functions, such as video streaming.

There may be additional requirements in the future for upgrades and to enable certain features inside the operating system as the operating system evolves. More information can be found in the Windows 11 specifications.

What can I do if Windows 11 ISO download failed?

1. Check the computer requirements for installation

1. Go to Microsoft’s page for Windows 11 ISO and click on the Before you start button.
2. Here, a list of requirements will appear that you need to consider before trying to install the ISO again. Carefully read all the required steps and make sure you follow them.

2. Disable your antivirus

1. Click the expand arrow in your taskbar, then right-click your antivirus icon and select Avast Shield Control, followed by Disable for 10 minutes in the drop-down menu.
2. If you have other anti-virus applications installed, you can temporarily disable the application by following the same or comparable procedures described above.

We strongly recommend that you use Windows 11 compatible antivirus software that will not interfere with your business, such as ESET.

3. Run Disk Cleanup

1. Press on the Windows + R simultaneously to open a new Course window then type this command: cleanmgr /VERYLOWDISK
2. Once the order is complete, you will receive a report detailing the space you managed to free up.
3. If you want to select and choose the files to clean, type the following in the command line and press Enter to start it: cleanmgr /LOWDISK
4. You can also clean your disk using the following command, although it will erase less data than the command provided in our previous steps: cleanmgr /sageset:1

It will start the Disk Cleanup application with only the bare minimum of settings selected, but you can select the options you want from the menu after it launches.

For more information and potential solutions to the error above, see our article on Windows 10 ISO File Won’t Download.

You can also check out our guide on how to download Windows 11 ISO in case you need further assistance with the process.

And finally, don’t miss our article on what to do if the Windows 11 download process is stuck. Also share it with your friends if they face the same problem.

Was this guide helpful to you? Please let us know in the comments section below so that we can improve our future articles for you. Thanks for reading!

End-user companies know how to configure firewalls or install anti-virus software, but many are not yet taking the next step of adding threat intelligence to their security stack, and that may be be for a good reason.

Threat Intelligence is a collection of data containing IP addresses, domains, email addresses, file hashes, and groups of known dangerous and suspicious attackers. Similar to a police blotter, threat intelligence can tell you that an incident has occurred, but those incidents can be completely unrelated to an organization. Essentially, threat intelligence is a police blotter from a city you don’t live in.

Whether consuming threat intelligence from open source feeds, U.S. government Automated Indicator Sharing (AIS) feeds, or paid commercial feeds, it’s designed to help organizations avoid threats. hazards. However, none add more than basic, rudimentary value to a business in this capacity. Although most contain encyclopedic reference material on types of attacks and attackers, this information is only useful after an organization has been attacked and needs to assess the extent of the damage.

When the cybersecurity industry was younger, threat intelligence included lists of “bad” IP addresses. You put them in a firewall with an “always block them” rule. As Internet usage expanded, IP addresses moved between providers, masked, and attackers began to use “good-type” computers to launch their attacks. At this point, simply blocking “bad” IP addresses was causing more problems than it solved.

Threat intelligence firms have sought to address this emerging problem. Their value was based on widespread collectors, distributed around various Internet access points, to collect more valid and up-to-date data more reliably than the static lists provided.

Teams of security researchers have matured and enhanced this data, curating and refining the feeds offered by these threat intelligence companies. File hashes, identifying the exact size and composition of a known bad file, have been included. But attackers evolve and innovate so quickly that threat intelligence fails to deliver actionable value.

As a practitioner, CISOs are advised to connect threat intelligence to firewalls to ensure that the network security system actively and quickly blocks attackers identified by TI. In practice, however, there have been incidents where threat intelligence decides that Microsoft’s IP addresses, for example, are malicious and cuts off email access. With just one misidentification, relationships between partners are broken by mistake.

On top of that, the US government’s attempt to provide threat intelligence to the private sector is notoriously ineffective. Their AIS feeds arrive late and do not contain enough detail to provide a benchmark. How late? AIS indicators for a given threat come long after the threat has been detailed in the Wall Street Journal and actively eradicated by commercial entities.

The situation is identical to the transition from antivirus to endpoint detection and response (EDR). For years, antivirus makers Symantec and McAfee ensured that workstations were connected to the network to receive their signature updates. These signature files, sourced from the vendor, sent the installed anti-virus software an updated list of faulty files.

Cylance first broke this pattern with its heuristic, listless approach to identifying viruses. While Cylance identified malware by its behavior, other antivirus vendors were still searching based on wanted notices. Vendors have emulated this innovation, and as a result threat intelligence offers little value here, having been replaced by behavior-based systems with their sensors in the customer’s network.

Act before the threat arrives

Threat intelligence feeds play a small, rudimentary role in a security strategy. However, the outcome you expect from threat intelligence is to know the danger and act before it happens. Knowing your risks is more effective than knowing the danger. Identifying your attack surface, its risk and how it needs to be managed is paramount – this is Cyber ​​Attack Surface Management or CAASM.

First, know everything about everything you are responsible for. Know all of the organization’s assets, what they do, what kind of data they store, transmit and process, and who uses it. Assess their risk and then apply the appropriate controls. This “base” layer is beyond the reach of most companies, but provides superior world-class security.

Once completed, the best threat intelligence is personalized. What are the threats to the end user organization? This is best identified through threat hunting: assessing normal traffic and processing behavior, identifying outliers, and analyzing the potential for malicious activity. Once the CAASM is solid and threat hunting has begun, the next layer is deception and honeypots.

With these deception tools, organizations can observe attackers in action on separate systems, and not only distract them, but identify the behaviors and tools that constitute the real threats. These three layers, in order, provide true and effective threat intelligence.

---

Joel Fulton is co-founder and CEO of Lucidum, an AI-powered asset discovery platform. He is also a co-founder of Silicon Valley CISO Investments, a leading group of information security executives that operate as a syndicate of angel investors.

Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to access The Philippine Daily Inquirer and over 70 titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am and share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.

To carry out a ransomware attack, cybercriminals must first gain access to their victim’s PC or network.

Gone are the days when ransomware was limited to malware that targeted individuals with fake threats from organizations like the FBI or IRS, demanding payment via a PC pop-up after encryption.

Now, while individuals can still encounter ransomware – especially when anti-virus programs aren’t in use – corporations are the big game that criminals hunt.

Time is money in the corporate world, and ransomware has exploded in recent years to become an almost separate cybercriminal activity. As a result, “sub-services” have sprung up to aid ransomware developers in deploying their illicit creations, ranging from language services to handle ransom payment negotiation to initial access brokers (IABs) that offer the secret access to a network required in the first stage of a ransomware attack.

As shown in new research by KELA, the ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) economy relies on IABs to reduce the need for extensive reconnaissance or the time it takes to find an entry method.

On average, IABs sell initial access for $4,600, and sales take between one and three days to complete. In cases identified by the cybersecurity firm, once access is purchased, it takes up to a month for a ransomware attack to take place – and potentially for the victim to then be named and humiliated on a leak site .

At the very least, five known Russian-speaking ransomware operators use IABs: LockBit, Avaddon, DarkSide, Conti, and BlackByte.

KELA conducted a review of past security incidents involving these ransomware groups. The first is LockBit, whose attack started against Bangkok Airways due to AnyConnect VPN access offered by a malicious actor called “babam”.

While it’s unclear exactly who bought access to Bangkok Airways, on August 23, 2021 – not yet a month after access was offered in underground forums – the airline was infected with ransomware . Two days later, Bangkok Airways appeared on the LockBit leak site.

“Bangkok Airways did not disclose any investigative details, but based on the timeline, it is highly possible that the attack was carried out using purchased access,” the researchers noted.

In an attack by Avaddon, access to a United Arab Emirates steel supplier was listed for sale on a forum in a post dated March 8, 2021. Three weeks later, the company appeared on the Avaddon domain. (This group is said to have shut down and a tool was made available to generate decryption keys.)

DarkSide is infamous for an attack on Colonial Pipeline that caused panic buying of fuel in the United States. However, in a separate incident on January 16, 2021, the same IAB “babam” tried to sell access to mining technology company Gyrodata.

Two days later, the access was declared as sold, and between January 16 and February 22, an unauthorized actor roamed the firm’s networks. On February 20, DarkSide released the company’s name as the victim.

In another case, access to a US manufacturer was sold on October 8, 2021 for $800. Within two weeks, Conti exposed the company on its leak site and some stolen data was also released online.

Ransomware attacks against high-profile targets aren’t going away any time soon. Just before the Super Bowl kicked off, the San Francisco 49ers became the latest victim of BlackByte, which also named the organization on a leaked website.

Previous and related coverage

---

Do you have any advice? Get in touch securely via WhatsApp | Signal at +447713 025 499, or more at Keybase: charlie0

Intuit issued two warnings this week regarding different types of phishing emails sent to their customers.

In two separate security advisories on Tuesday and Wednesday, the company said it received reports from customers of two types of phishing emails they were receiving.

Intuit urged recipients not to click on any links or attachments, not to reply to the email, and to delete the email. If you have ever clicked on a link in the email or downloaded a file from the email, the company advised you to delete the download, scan your system with an “up-to-date anti-virus program” and change your passwords.

“Intuit has recently received reports from customers that they have received emails similar to the one below. This email is not from Intuit. The sender is not associated with Intuit, does not is not an authorized agent of Intuit, nor is their use of Intuit’s trademarks authorized by Intuit,” Intuit explained.

The previous warning shared a copy of another type of phishing email received by customers.

Erich Kron, security awareness advocate at KnowBe4, said these attacks usually tend to escalate during tax season. Attacks typically attempt to trick people into logging into their accounts on a fake website, allowing crooks to steal user credentials.

Kron suggested that anyone who received these types of emails should go directly to the official website and log into their account, where any notifications or problems with the account would be made obvious, instead of clicking on links directly to from emails.

“Also, on any website where you enter a username and password, you should check the URL bar to make sure you’re on the legitimate organization’s website,” Kron said. .

Tim Erlin of Tripwire added that phishing continues to be a popular means of attack because it continues to work. It only takes one user to click for the phishing campaign to be effective for the attacker, Erlin said, noting that it is very difficult for an organization to prevent phishing attempts because they do not require any compromise of the infrastructure controlled by the organization.

“While we try to fight phishing with technological solutions, the problem remains above all human,” he explained.

The IRS issued a similar warning last week, reminding taxpayers “to be aware that criminals continue to make aggressive calls posing as IRS agents in hopes of stealing taxpayers’ money. or personal information”.

Connecting your Windows 10 PC to your home or work Wi-Fi can be a safe and secure way to bring your PC online. But when a hotspot is accessible to the public, the security rules are more relaxed to allow everyone to connect.

For this reason, a public hotspot may not be as secure as you would like, and some people may exploit this lax security to hack into your computer and steal your valuable information. Let’s take a look at some ways to protect your Windows 10 computer when using public Wi-Fi.

How to protect your Windows 10 PC on public Wi-Fi

We’re not saying that all public Wi-Fi hotspots are unsafe. In fact, many of them are safe, but it’s hard to say who you can trust. So instead of wasting valuable time trying to figure out how safe a public network is, follow these steps to make sure your Windows 10 PC looks like Fort Knox to hackers and other cybercriminals.

1. Always keep Windows up to date

Making sure your version of Windows is up to date goes a long way in making your computer a badass. Most Windows updates include security improvements, especially those released on Patch Tuesday. Also, if you’re using a version of the operating system that Microsoft no longer supports, you’ll miss out on security updates altogether.

If you have automatic updates turned on, which most Windows computers do by default, you don’t have to do anything as the operating system will download and install them for you. However, if you have disabled them, you can do it yourself manually.

Click on To start up and select the gear icon to access Settings. Then go to Updates and Security and download the latest Windows updates.

To stay on top of updates, ask Windows to notify you when important updates are available, especially when they have to do with strengthening the security of your PC.

2. Make sure you have your firewall enabled

The main purpose of a firewall is to prevent hackers and other external threats from gaining unauthorized access to your computer. Even with antivirus, you still need a firewall because antivirus programs only deal with malware or malicious software, not people.

And the one thing that differentiates people from viruses is that they have hundreds of tricks up their sleeve to get into your computer. That means you need all the protection you can get.

To make sure your Windows 10 firewall is enabled, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Firewall & Network Protection. Now check under Public network and make sure it says Firewall is enabled.

If the firewall is disabled, click Public network and turn on Microsoft Defender Firewall.

Update your anti-virus software

Malware helps hackers take control of your PC. For example, a Trojan can disguise itself as a legitimate program while working in the background to take control of your system. Once the Trojan succeeds, it creates a backdoor that allows hackers to enter and control your computer.

A lot of malware hangs around on public Wi-Fi networks, and a good Windows 10 antivirus is your first line of defense. Make sure to update your antivirus before connecting to public Wi-Fi. This way, it will install new virus definitions and protect you from the latest threats.

Also, enable real-time protection and perform full system scans regularly to protect your PC from malware.

Related: The best antivirus software for Windows 10

Use the HTTPS protocol at all times

In a nutshell, HyperText Transfer Protocol or HTTP is a set of rules that govern how your computer (client) and website (server) send data back and forth. Without getting too technical, HTTPS means that the protocol asks the client and the server to communicate over a secure connection (the S at the end). Therefore, the sender will need to encrypt the data before sending it so that only the receiver can decrypt it.

Anyone who manages to intercept the connection between the two will get encrypted data, and it will be indecipherable gibberish for them. So before visiting any website, especially on public Wi-Fi, make sure the link starts with HTTPS, which means it’s secure.

Of course, modern browsers have tools and extensions that ensure that you always connect to secure sites. Chrome, for example, allows you to do this by going to Settings > Security & Privacy > Security and switch to Always use secure connections.

When you use a VPN, you redirect your Internet connection through a private network with additional security measures to prevent malicious attacks. Additionally, a VPN encrypts all the data you send, just like HTTPS. Please read our guide on setting up a VPN in Windows 10 to get that extra layer of security.

Make your PC invisible on the network

When you’re on a public network, you don’t want other people accessing your computer’s files and folders. You can make them inaccessible when you first connect to the free hotspot. Windows will ask you if you want your PC to be discoverable on the network, and you will have to click on No.

Another way to do this is to click on the Wi-Fi icon to display the list of available networks. Click on Free Wi-Fi to expand it, then select Properties.

Then set the Network profile at public. This will make your PC hidden on the public Wi-Fi network.

Related: How to Share Network Files in Windows 10

Avoid putting your Windows PC at risk in the first place

Before connecting to public Wi-Fi, use your best judgment to determine the security of the hotspot. As a general rule, you should not connect to a network that you do not know. And when you’re not using your Wi-Fi, turning it off will prevent your PC from automatically connecting to hotspots you don’t know about.

Also, remember that your phone is practically a Wi-Fi hotspot on its own. You can easily create an Android hotspot or create an iPhone hotspot and share your mobile device’s internet with your Windows computer. This way, you don’t have to connect to a public hotspot when you’re away from home or your office and need the internet.

Now your Windows 10 PC is safe on public Wi-Fi

Being hacked is one of the scariest and most negative experiences one can have. And hackers love hanging out on public Wi-Fi networks, hoping someone is wrong, so they can gain access to their valuable information. With the tips outlined above, you can prevent this from happening, making your Windows 10 machine extremely secure when connected to a public hotspot.

Read more

About the Author

New Jersey, United States,- The Global Antivirus Tools Market report is one of the most comprehensive and significant additions to Market Research Intellect’s market research archives. Provides detailed research and analysis of key aspects of the global Antivirus Tools market. Market analysts who produced the report have provided in-depth information on key growth drivers, restraints, challenges, trends, and opportunities to provide a comprehensive analysis of the global Antivirus Tools market. Market players can use market dynamics analysis to plan effective growth strategies and prepare for future challenges in advance.

Each trend in the global Antivirus Tools market is carefully analyzed and investigated by market analysts. Market analysts and researchers have conducted an in-depth analysis of the global Antivirus Tools market using research methodologies such as pestle and Porter’s Five Forces analysis.

They have provided accurate and reliable market data and helpful recommendations with the aim of helping players get an insight into the overall current and future market scenario. The Antivirus Tools report includes in-depth research of the potential segments including product types, applications, and end users and their contribution to the overall market size.

Get | Download sample copy with table of contents, graphics and list of [email protected] https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/download-sample/?rid=283258

Key Players Covered in the Antivirus Tools Markets:

• Symantec
• Avira
• McAfee
• Avast Software
• ESET
• Trend Micro
• F-Secure
• Bitdefender
• G DATA software
• Fortinet
• Microsoft
• Mobile Cheetah
• Rising
• Qihoo 360
• quick healing
• Tencent
• Comodo
• Kaspersky
• AhnLab
  

Automated Drug Delivery Systems Market Segmentation:

The automated drug delivery systems market report categorized the market into segments comprising product type and application. Each segment is assessed based on its share and growth rate. In addition, analysts have studied potential regions that could prove valuable for manufacturers in the years to come. The regional analysis includes reliable forecasts of value and volume, helping market players to gain in-depth knowledge about the entire industry.

Antivirus Tools Market Split By Type:

Antivirus Tools Market Split By Application:

• Individual users
• Enterprise users
• Government users

Based on geography: North America (United States, Canada and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Russia and Italy), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia), South America (Brazil, Argentina and Colombia, etc.), Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa).

Get | Discount on the purchase of this report @ https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/ask-for-discount/?rid=283258

Scope of the Antivirus Tools Market Report

Report attribute	Details
Market size available for years	2021 – 2028
Base year considered	2021
Historical data	2015 – 2019
Forecast period	2021 – 2028
Quantitative units	Revenue in USD Million and CAGR from 2021 to 2027
Segments Covered	Types, applications, end users, and more.
Report cover	Revenue Forecast, Business Ranking, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors and Trends
Regional scope	North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa
Scope of customization	Free report customization (equivalent to up to 8 analyst business days) with purchase. Added or changed country, region and segment scope.
Pricing and purchase options	Take advantage of personalized purchasing options to meet your exact research needs. Explore purchase options

Answers to key questions in the report:

• What is the growth potential of the Antivirus Tools markets?
• Which product segment will take the lion’s share?
• Which regional market will impose itself as a precursor in the years to come?
• Which application segment will grow at a rapid pace?
• What are the growth opportunities that may emerge in the Lock Washers industry in the coming years?
• What are the major challenges that the global Antivirus tools markets may face in the future?
• Who are the leading companies in the global anti-virus tools market?
• What are the key trends that are positively impacting market growth?
• What are the growth strategies considered by the players to sustain their hold in the global Antivirus Tools market?
  

For more information or query or customization before buying, visit @ https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/product/global-antivirus-tools-market-size-and-forecast/

The study thoroughly explores the profiles of major market players and their major financial aspects. This comprehensive business analyst report is useful for all existing and new entrants when designing their business strategies. This report covers the Antivirus Tools market production, revenue, market share and growth rate for each key company, and covers the breakdown data (production, consumption, revenue and market share) by regions, type and apps. Antivirus tools historical breakdown data from 2016 to 2020 and forecast to 2021-2029.

About Us: Market Research Intellect

Market Research Intellect provides syndicated and customized research reports to clients from various industries and organizations, in addition to the goal of providing customized and in-depth research studies. range of industries including energy, technology, manufacturing and construction, chemicals and materials, food and beverage. etc Our research studies help our clients to make decisions based on higher data, to admit deep forecasts, to grossly capitalize with opportunities and to optimize efficiency by activating as their belt in crime to adopt a mention precise and essential without compromise. clients, we have provided expert behavior assertion research facilities to more than 100 Global Fortune 500 companies such as Amazon, Dell, IBM, Shell, Exxon Mobil, General Electric, Siemens, Microsoft, Sony and Hitachi.

Contact us:
Mr. Edwyne Fernandes
USA: +1 (650)-781-4080
UK: +44 (753)-715-0008
APAC: +61 (488)-85-9400
US toll free: +1 (800)-782-1768

Website: –https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/