(Once again, there are others, free and paid.) At least occasionally, run the rootkit scanning feature, if available (usually requires a reboot). I cycle a variety of free scanners including Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free (MBAM), Sophos Virus Removal Tool, F-Secure Online Scanner, Norton Power Eraser, and ESET Online Scanner.

* On-demand scanners to catch any baddies that might have gotten past the main defenders. Several choices are available, such as Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit (MBAE) and Microsoft’s own EMET, but I use HitmanPro.Alert as it also offers keystroke encryption. My main Windows 7 machine is currently on BitDefender Free, but there are many other good free and paid AV solutions out there.

The defensive layers include, in no particular order: In my case, I have decided to implement a multi-layered defense strategy which, I am confident, will make it possible to use Windows 7 without worries while I continue the slow transition to Linux (Kubuntu).

As Windows 7 approaches the expected end of monthly security patching next January, Windows 7 users who have hesitated to switch to Windows 10 face the critical choice of whether to accept Microsoft’s newest operating system to switch to an altogether different platform such as Linux, Mac, or Chrome OS or to look for a way to protect their favorite OS into 2020 and beyond.

Windows 7 built in antivirus