Daxos · Aug 2026

Windows 11 Security, The Short List

Six steps for a normal user with brokerage accounts. The threats that matter now are scams and stolen logins, not viruses. Total cost: $0.

  1. Keep the antivirus you already have

    Windows Defender is built in and is enough. Malwarebytes on top is fine. Buy nothing else. Norton, McAfee and the rest add nag screens, not safety.

  2. Install uBlock Origin in your browser

    The single best add. Most infections start with a poisoned ad or a fake result at the top of Google. On Chrome or Edge install uBlock Origin Lite. On Firefox install uBlock Origin.

  3. Use a password manager

    Bitwarden is free. One password per site, and its autofill only fires on the real schwab.com or fidelity.com. If you land on a fake login page it stays silent. That silence is your warning.

  4. Harden the brokerage logins

    Turn on two‑factor login with an authenticator app or passkey, not text messages (SIM swaps beat texts). Put two‑factor on the email behind those accounts too. It is the master key to everything.

  5. Freeze your credit

    Free at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Blocks anyone opening accounts in your name. Unfreeze in minutes when you need a loan.

  6. Let Windows update itself

    Leave automatic updates on. Patching beats any product you could buy. Keep OneDrive or another backup on for your documents.

Two rules that beat every scam

Never let anyone remote into your computer. The top scam against brokerage customers is a fake fraud department call that talks you into installing AnyDesk or TeamViewer, then drains the account. No real firm ever asks this.
Never trust an inbound contact. Popup says you are infected, caller says your account is compromised: hang up, close it, and log in yourself by typing the address or using the official app.