Can Windows 7 Get Viruses?
Yes, Windows 7 gets chased by viruses and can in fact get both virus and malware infections! In fact, we have already started to have Windows 7 based computers carried into our shop for virus removal. The spyware prevention tips you have been learning for previous Windows versions still apply for Windows 7.
But in defense of Windows 7, I will have to say that these internet surfers either let their trial antivirus products expire, or they just practiced the same naive internet surfing habits we see no matter what operating system they use. In other words…it was preventable!
I have installed Windows 7 Ultimate on 3 of my computers so far and am more than satisfied. While I have heard of people having issues even upgrading, I’ll bet that they have some form of malware, application or driver incompatibility that they didn’t resolve before upgrading. Please run and heed the results from the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor before actually upgrading. And by all means, don’t try to upgrade an infected computer!! It could prevent the upgrade from installing properly and you may just end up with a broken computer.
Moving on…Windows 7 boasts a much improved version of its built-in firewall, scaleable User Account Control, as well as Windows Defender for malware protection. If you have no or expired antivirus software, you might at least install Microsoft Security Essentials which is available for free from Microsoft. I haven’t seen enough computers using this product to form an opinion yet, but as I usually say, freeware usually only offers “basic protection”.
So although the threats are still out there, Windows 7 is a bit harder to infect and when it does get infected, I can say that it is much easier to disinfect than the same infection on a Windows XP computer. With that said, why not learn more about prevention. Use a Standard User account for your internet surfing, make sure you use multi-layered protection with top-tier antivirus and antispyware products, links scanners, and always do your homework before clicking that link.
