Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
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ZDNET's key takeaways
Modern antivirus tools have made PC infections rare, but they can still occur.
Most viruses are designed to go unnoticed, quietly working in the background.
Some of the quickest and easiest ways to safeguard your PC are free.
It's surprisingly difficult to get your computer infected with a virus these days. Believe me, I've tried. Modern antivirus tools have gotten very sophisticated, often stopping threats before they have a chance to do serious damage. Windows Security deserves much of the credit here: I've seen the software quickly detect malware and resolve the issue without any user input. There's a reason I included it in my list of the best antivirus programs for Windows.
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Additionally, you have web browsers with powerful security features and third-party antivirus apps, providing an extra layer of defense. So even if your online safety is less than ideal, you're fairly well-protected on the internet. That said, just because it's difficult to get infected doesn't mean it's impossible. Cybercriminals of all kinds are constantly developing new ways to steal your information.
But don't worry, because I've got your back. In this guide, I'll walk you through exactly what to do if your PC gets infected by a virus. Before we dive in, I need to answer one important question.
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