Protect unmanaged Windows 10 PCs and Macs

Turn on device encryption

Device encryption is available on a wide range of Windows devices and helps protect your data by encrypting it. If you turn on device encryption, only authorized individuals will be able to access your device and data. See turn on device encryption for instructions.

If device encryption isn't available on your device, you can turn on standard BitLocker encryption instead. (BitLocker isn't available on Windows 10 Home edition.)

Protect your device with Windows Security

If you have Windows 10, you'll get the latest antivirus protection with Windows Security. When you start up Windows 10 for the first time, Windows Security is on and actively helping to protect your PC by scanning for malware (malicious software), viruses, and security threats. Windows Security uses real-time protection to scan everything you download or run on your PC.

Windows Update downloads updates for Windows Security automatically to help keep your PC safe and protect it from threats.

If you have an earlier version of Windows and are using Microsoft Security Essentials, it's a good idea to move to Windows Security. For more information, see help protect my device with Windows Security.

Turn on Windows Firewall

You should always run Windows Firewall even if you have another firewall turned on. Turning off Windows Firewall might make your device (and your network, if you have one) more vulnerable to unauthorized access. See Turn Windows Firewall on or off for instructions.

Use FileVault to encrypt your Mac disk

Disk encryption protects data when devices are lost or stolen. FileVault full-disk encryption helps prevent unauthorized access to the information on your startup disk. See use FileVault to encrypt the startup disk on your Mac for instructions.

Protect your mac from malware

Microsoft recommends that you install and use reliable antivirus software on your Mac. See the following article for a list of choices: Best Mac antivirus 2019.

You can also reduce the risk of malware by using software only from reliable sources. The settings in Security & Privacy preferences allow you to specify the sources of software installed on your Mac. For more information, see protect your Mac from malware.

Turn on firewall protection

Use firewall settings to protect your Mac from unwanted contact initiated by other computers when you're connected to the Internet or a network. Without this protection, your Mac might be more vulnerable to unauthorized access. See about the application firewall for instructions.