Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways Windows Defender offers several optional protections. Some security settings are disabled by default. Enable extra settings one at a time to avoid conflicts. Protecting your Windows PC against security threats is critical. You want to make sure your personal files aren't vulnerable to viruses, malware, and other threats. But how do you best defend yourself, your computer, and your data? Third-party security tools are always an option. Some are free; others are paid. Some offer basic protection; others provide additional features to tackle more advanced threats. Alternatively, Microsoft's own built-in Windows Defender can track down viruses and other dangers. Also:  Is turning off Windows Security a bad idea in 2026?…