Trace Id is missing
Skip to main content
Windows

3 easy steps to take control of your online security

Are you spending more time online these days? Check out these Windows 10 features and tips that can help make sure that time is spent safely, and you can have peace of mind.

Share this page

Photo credit: filadendron/E+/Getty Images. Woman works on a laptop computer in a dimly lit room at home
1. Get familiar with your security dashboard in Windows 10: the Windows Security app.

  • Security at a glance: There's virus and threat protection, firewall and network protection, app and browser control, device security, and more. The Windows Security app gives you a dashboard that quickly lets you know if anything needs your attention and makes it easy to take any actions needed.
  • Family options: Feel more confident that your kids are building good digital habits. Choose which websites your kids can visit as they explore the web using Microsoft Edge, you can set screen time limits with specific devices or apps. There are content filters and you can even get weekly activity reports of their online activity.
  • Secure sign-in: Set up Windows Hello for faster, more secure sign-in. Windows Hello will sign you into Windows with your face or fingerprint three times faster than typing in a password, using biometric data—from your face and fingerprint—that never leaves your device. It's all processed within, and encrypted to, your PC. Don't have a fingerprint reader, or a camera that supports Windows Hello? Windows Hello PIN can also sign you into your PC more securely than a traditional password.

Take action today! Explore Windows Security app

Type Windows Security into the search bar at the bottom left of your computer. Set up Windows Hello, create a family group, or check your security dashboard to make sure everything is running smoothly.

2. Keep your personal information private.

With the new Microsoft Edge which has built-in features designed to give you more control over your data and to help protect your privacy online.

  • Adjust your tracking prevention. The default setting, Balanced, blocks trackers from sites you haven't visited and allows sites you visit to work the way you expect. If you want tighter control over your privacy, you can change the setting to Strict, which blocks most trackers but may impact functionality on some sites. The third option, Basic, allows most trackers across all sites, so you will likely see content and ads that are personalized based on your web behavior. All three settings block trackers that are known to be harmful.
  • You're automatically protected from security issues, phishing schemes, and malicious software with Microsoft Defender SmartScreen.
  • Keep your work and personal account separate with separate profiles. Each profile has its own set of favorites, saved passwords, and browser history.
InPrivate browsing window in Microsoft Edge

Take action today! Enjoy InPrivate mode with search in Bing

Launch Microsoft Edge and choose InPrivate mode when surfing or searching so your browsing history and searches are not attributed to you or saved to your device. Keep your private actions private.

3. Get automatic back-ups of your photos, videos, documents, and more.

Only on a Windows PC can you automatically back up your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders to OneDrive. And a Microsoft 365 subscription comes with 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage which is enough room for hundreds of thousands of photos and files.

  • Access your files from any device. Not only are your files safely stored in the cloud, you can also access them from any device—even your phone.
  • Need to take a step back? Files stored in OneDrive have automatic versioning so you can restore a previous version of that presentation or Word document if something went wrong. Accidentally delete a photo from your OneDrive? You can recover it for up to 30 days.
  • Securely store your most important files too. Personal Vault in OneDrive provides an additional layer of protection for your most important files like your passport, driver's license, and insurance information.
OneDrive folder backup settings

Take action today! Turn on OneDrive PC folder backup

Back up your documents, pictures, and desktop folders to OneDrive cloud storage. You get 5GB free, or up to 1TB with a Microsoft 365 subscription, and you can access your backed-up folders on any device.

But wait—there's more! Check out additional tips, videos and support here. And if you like lists, here's a handy security to-dos checklist to download.

Detailed chart entitled Three easy steps to taking control of your online security

More articles