When you download and run an app from the internet, SmartScreen uses info about the app's reputation to warn you if the app isn't well-known and might be malicious. Unrecognized apps are more likely to be unsafe. Pay attention to Windows SmartScreen notifications - Be cautious about running unrecognized apps downloaded from the Internet. For more info, see What is SmartScreen and how can it help protect me? If you're using Microsoft Edge, make sure SmartScreen is turned on - SmartScreen in Microsoft Edge helps protect you from phishing and malware attacks by warning you if a website or download location has been reported as unsafe. The pop-up blocker in Microsoft Edge is turned on by default. A pop-up blocker can prevent some or all of these windows from appearing. Although most are created by advertisers, they can also contain malicious or unsafe code.

Use a pop-up blocker with your internet browser - Pop-up windows are small browser windows that appear on top of the website you're viewing. For more information see: Protect yourself from phishing. It's best not to open any attachment unless it's something you're expecting. If you install two anti-malware apps from other companies, however, they might both try to run at the same time.ĭon't open email messages from unfamiliar senders, or email attachments that you don't recognize - Many viruses are attached to email messages and will spread as soon as you open the attachment. If you install an anti-malware app from a different company, Microsoft Defender will automatically turn itself off.

Running multiple anti-malware apps at the same time can cause your system to be slow or unstable.

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