Antivirus & Internet Security Setup

Professional Service

Protection Without the Performance Hit

In the modern era, antivirus software is a double-edged sword. While you need protection, many security suites have become "bloatware" themselves—slowing down your computer, popping up incessant up-sell ads, and installing browser toolbars you didn't ask for.

At Leeds Computer & Laptop Repairs, our philosophy is "Silent Protection." You should be safe, but you shouldn't know the software is there until it catches a threat.

The Problem with Pre-installed Antivirus

When you buy a computer from Curry's or PC World, it often comes with a trial of McAfee or Norton. These programs are paid to be there. They are often heavy on resources and difficult to remove. When the trial ends, they use scare tactics to make you pay.

We use specialized removal tools to completely rip out these pre-installed suites, including the deeply embedded registry keys that standard uninstallers miss. This instantly speeds up your computer.

What We Recommend

We are not paid commissions by antivirus companies, so our advice is impartial:

• For Most Users: We configure Microsoft Defender. It is now consistently rated top-tier by independent labs, it's free, and it's built into Windows so it doesn't slow you down. We harden its settings to enable "Ransomware Protection" and "Core Isolation," features often turned off by default.
• For Business/High Risk: We recommend lightweight, cloud-based endpoint protection like Bitdefender or Malwarebytes Premium. We install these and configure them to run scans when you aren't using the machine.

Browser Security: The First Line of Defense

Most viruses enter through the web browser. We install and configure uBlock Origin and privacy-focused extensions on Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. These block malicious ads (malvertising) and fake "Download Now" buttons before they even load, stopping infections at the source.

Firewall Configuration

A good firewall stops hackers from probing your computer over Wi-Fi. We review your Windows Firewall rules to ensure that only trusted applications are allowed to communicate with the internet. This is crucial if you use public Wi-Fi in cafes around Leeds.