Start by researching various antivirus tools to see which one is best for your needs. The sites are ones I know should be safe, but they’re susceptible to attacks just like any other site online, good or bad. In fact, my antivirus regularly blocks sites with expired security certificates and malicious ads or scripts. While technically you can use your computer without antivirus protection, most people aren’t careful enough to avoid all dangers. So why not be a little safer? Install Antivirus

With Windows 7 still having over a 25-percent market share at the time of writing, many users are sticking with Windows 7 no matter what. However, most users can mitigate most risks by taking a few precautions.

The key takeaway is that using Windows 7 is riskier than using Windows 10/11. Remember, Windows 10 and 11 are still being continuously updated, making them more secure. While some of these risks exist even in Windows 10/11, attackers may be able to exploit a flaw in Windows 7 that’s already been patched in these newer versions. Even if you’re visiting reputable sites, malicious ads could leave you exposed. If you’re someone who doesn’t really use antivirus software and/or visits questionable sites, the risk is likely too high. Using Windows 7 safely means being more diligent than usual.

Windows 7 built in antivirus