Antivirus for Windows 7
Norton Security and Windows 7
Windows 7 is Microsoft’s operating system software. It was released in October 2009 as an upgrade (rather than a true new version) to Windows Vista. Selling more than 100 million copies in six months, Windows 7 quickly became Microsoft’s fastest selling operating system software. It even became the highest grossing pre-order in the history of Amazon.com, surpassing even “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” according to The Guardian.
Like all operating system software, Windows 7 has its own security features. However, no security system is infallible. The good news is that Norton Security works in concert with Windows 7, providing top-notch security for subscribers to both software systems.
Windows 7 security features
Windows 7 can help block malware, prevent against identity theft, as well as several other features that can keep a computer safe. These include:
- Windows Firewall – A software firewall helps protect a computer by filtering the traffic that flows into and out of a computer from the Internet. Windows 7 offers flexible firewall protection, which can be adjusted to a stronger setting if a computer is taken to an Internet café or backed off if a computer is at home.
- BitLocker Drive Encryption – BitLocker is an optional function on Windows 7 Enterprise and Ultimate editions. Once activated, BitLocker encrypts every file saved onto the hard drive, anything from passwords to personal documents.
- Backup and restore – Windows 7 offers an improved version of its backup and restore functions in case a malware attack does occur.
- Action Center – From the Action Center, Windows 7 can alert its subscribers when the operating system software or any antivirus software needs to be updated. This is an important security tool, as it’s these patches and updates that protect computers against the latest threats.
- User Account Control – Launched with Windows Vista and improved upon in Windows 7, User Account Control requires authorization for any administrator-level changes. This is beneficial because any malware that is put onto the computer through stealth and attempts to change functions at the administrator level will notify the user and wait for a response.
- Parental controls – Windows 7 also offers a variety of parental controls that can help children stay safe while they’re using the computer, including blocking certain Web domains and setting time limits for computer use.
Norton 360
Microsoft Security Essentials and Windows Defender are two other features of Windows 7 that were not listed above, and with good reason. These two programs protect a computer against computer viruses, Trojans, spyware and adware, worms, and other malware threats. In fact, Windows Defender protects against known spyware only, while Microsoft Security Essentials has been designed to disable Windows Defender and protects PC in real-time fashion, including anti-virus, Trojan horses, rootkits and spyware. In some cases, Windows Defender does not get disabled (or uninstalled like in case for Windows XP) and then the two collide which affects the performance of the PC system. Anyhow, Microsoft suggests that any of these two features should not be used along with other antivirus software. Microsoft may have the leading operating system software on the market today, but when it comes to the best antivirus software, it’s better to protect a computer with something like Norton 360.
Latest Norton 360 has been built to be run on Windows 7 SP1 and later Windows versions.
Here are some of the features that are designed to work in conjunction with Windows 7:
- Malware protection – Norton 360 can protect computers against all forms of malware, including, viruses, worms, rootkits, spyware, adware, and bots.
- Protection in multiple applications – Not only does Norton 360 protect against malware that come via e-mails, but also it against harmful attachments and links while using instant messaging programs - provides instant messaging security.
- Reputation protection – Norton LifeLock designs its programs to make sure to have the most up-to-date security protections against malware. However, cybercriminals are always coming up with new threats. Norton 360 scans incoming data by determining if they came from a reliable source.
- Hidden protection – One of the more annoying parts of running antivirus software is how it interferes with online entertainment, such as gaming and watching movies. However, Norton 360 uses smart technology to make sure patches, updates, and scans are not running with a computer running at its peak performance.
- Bootable Recovery Tool – With Windows 7, a person can restore their computer to a point where they knew there were no issues. However, what if a malware attack is so bad, it completely shuts down the computer and won’t reboot. That’s where the Norton Bootable Recovery Tool comes in. A subscriber can create this tool on any form of disk or portable drive, and then use it to recover a computer, even one that won’t start.
Most computer experts agree that having multiple layers of computer security is important to protect against the wide range of cyber attacks possible. While having the protections available in Windows 7 is important, it’s also important to back up that protection with the reliable support from antivirus software like Norton 360.