Antivirus Scan: Quick Steps to Secure Your PC

Ever wonder why your computer sometimes feels sluggish or shows pop‑ups? Most of those issues are caused by hidden malware, and a good antivirus scan is the fastest way to find and delete them. You don’t need a tech degree to run a scan—just a few minutes and the right tool.

Choosing the Right Antivirus

First thing’s first: pick software that actually catches threats. Free options like Windows Defender (built into Windows 10/11) or Avast Free Antivirus do a solid job for everyday users. If you handle sensitive data, consider paid suites such as Bitdefender, Kaspersky, or Norton—they offer real‑time monitoring, ransomware protection, and more thorough scans.

Look for these signs when deciding:

• High detection rates in independent tests (AV‑TEST, AV‑Comparatives).
• Light impact on system performance.
• Easy‑to‑use interface and clear alerts.
• Regular updates—malware evolves fast, so updates are a must.

Once you’ve installed the program, let it update its virus definitions. This step usually takes a few minutes but is crucial; without fresh definitions, the scan can miss the newest threats.

Running and Maintaining Scans

Now that your antivirus is ready, it’s time to scan. Most tools offer three scan types: quick, full, and custom.

• Quick scan checks areas where malware hides most often—perfect for a daily habit.
• Full scan examines every file on your drive. It takes longer (30‑60 minutes on a typical PC) but catches deep‑seated infections.
• Custom scan lets you pick specific folders, handy if you suspect a particular download.

Start with a quick scan. If it finds anything, follow the software’s prompts to quarantine or delete the malicious files. If nothing shows up but you still notice odd behavior, run a full scan.

Don’t stop at a one‑time check. Schedule automatic scans—most programs let you set a daily or weekly scan during off‑hours (like midnight). This way you stay protected without remembering to run anything.

While scans are running, avoid heavy tasks like gaming or video editing. Scanning uses CPU and disk resources, and letting it work uninterrupted improves accuracy.

After a scan, review the report. If the tool flagged a file as dangerous but you recognize it (e.g., a known game executable), you can whitelist it. Otherwise, let the antivirus handle it.

Keep these habits in mind to stay safe:

• Update your OS and apps regularly—patches close security holes.
• Don’t click unknown email attachments or suspicious links.
• Back up important files to an external drive or cloud service; if ransomware hits, you’ll have clean copies.

Remember, an antivirus scan is just one layer of defense. Combine it with smart browsing and regular backups, and you’ll keep most threats at bay.

Got a favorite free scanner? Share it in the comments so others can try it out. The more we know, the safer we all stay.