How to avoid viruses without installing an anti-virus on Windows

Every time someone installs a new Operating System onto their computer, the first thing they normally ask is: "Where can I get an anti-virus?". Being cautious in situations like these comes naturally to us as human beings, as we have experienced and/or heard stories of other people's computers getting viruses and malfunctioning. Losing your documents is one of the worst things that could ever happen if you have not backed up your work. From my personal experience and a low budget, I found that avoiding viruses on a Windows computer without having to install an anti-virus is very simple. You just need to do three things.
1) Switch on Windows Defender
2) On the AutoPlay settings, set everything to 'Take no action'
3) Ensure that none of your files are hidden.

1 - Switch on Windows Defender
Windows comes with its own security system which can be updated. Whenever it detects a virus, it will notify you about it, and delete it. Like other third party PC security programs, with Windows Defender, you can also scan your computer to ensure that it's safe. By doing this, you also avoid having to get another program that runs in the background, using some of your computer's precious memory. I personally found Windows Defender to be efficient. The last time I got a virus was in 2009 after discovering these 3 steps. What I also liked, is the fact that if it is out of date, the update requests are subtle, and you can carry on using the Defender. I noticed that third party security applications tend to bug people to a point where they're irritated and decide to uninstall the program and not have an anti-virus at all, thus putting their computers in danger. Having to constantly update my anti-virus software is one of the reasons I tried to find ways of avoiding viruses without using any self-installed programs. As stated before, I've found that our generic Windows Defender to be very efficient. I recommend it. I have never had any computer problems that were caused by viruses since 2009.

2 - On the AutoPlay settings, set everything to 'Take no action'
I will not be covering this topic entirely, due to the complexity of the subject. I will however, explain what normally causes viruses without you, the user clicking on one and activating it. AutoPlay is a very convenient Windows feature that is commonly used. When you insert a flash drive or data disc that is infected with a virus, AutoPlay is the application that lets that virus onto your PC. You don't even need to open any disc/flash-drive files for the virus to go into your PC. What you need to do to avoid this, is to disable AutoPlay, and manually fetch whichever files you need from 'My Computer' or 'Computer'. Somehow, since I've been doing this, I have never had any viruses on my PC. Here are the steps:
- Start
- Control Panel (View by Category)
- Hardware and Sound
- AutoPlay
- Switch everything to 'Take no action'

3 - Ensure that none of your files are hidden.
If you've had problems with viruses before, you probably ran into one that creates
folders and/or shortcuts in your flash drive. These shortcuts have icons that look like folders, but look smaller and a bit brighter. The shortcuts are linked to other random internal folders such as 'My Documents' or 'My Pictures', so that when you click on it, the virus goes there. These shortcuts actually have the file names that you had, but do not show the right document when you try to gain access to them. These shortcuts read 4kb or some ridiculously small memory size. You try to get something else onto your flash drive but it tells you that you have no space left. It then seems like your flash drive is damaged or something. Now this is where hidden files need to be displayed. Your files are still on the flash drive, but the virus has hidden them. In order to get the files back, simply follow the steps in the numbered picture above to show your hidden folders, then copy your files from those hidden folders, to another destination(eg, Desktop) and then create folders that are identical to the ones that are on the flash drive, so that you can save your files according to how they were, prior to the infection. Format your flash drive afterwards. When you format your flash drive, do not use 'Quick Format'. Here is a simple guideline of the steps on the picture above.
1 - Library
2 - Select the 'View' tab and click on the 'Options' button
3 - On the 'Folder Options' window, select the 'View' tab
4 - Make sure that you select and deselect as shown in the picture - *Most important step*
2 - When prompted, select 'Yes'.

A few other safety precautions:
- Do not try to open a song if it is not in a familiar audio format. For example, if a file reads
"Track 1.exe", then it's best you leave it. General audio formats are mp3, wma, wav, mp4, m4v.
- Hackers can gain access to your computer by getting you to install applications (through advert banners or pirated software [which I do not recommend]) that can acquire your personal information. If Windows Firewall warns you of such, it's best to cancel the installation unless you trust the developers whom you got that application from.

What you read is what I have personally experienced. I am not advertising or boycotting any specific product(s). I tried to be as basic as possible. Do share this so that we can all be safer, while saving, having healthier, well-maintained PCs.

Peter Mokhothu

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