Secure your Computer
Windows Priority Updates
Windows Updates… you may ask yourself why you must constantly be pesetered by the yellow icon in your system tray. Here is why they are so important.
No software or Operating System [OS] (e.g. Windows) is ever flawless, there will always be inperfections. Bad guys are constantly looking for ways to exploit such vulnerabilities and loopholes. Developers such as Microsoft have teams dedicated to finding/responding tosuch issues and they release updates to patch these problems.
Windows Update, in most cases, should be enabled to automatically update or at the very least, you should visit the Windows Update website once a week.
Windows Security Centre
Windows Security Center in Windows Vista puts all of your computer’s security needs in one easy-to-find, easy-to-monitor location.
Windows Security Center helps make your PC more secure by alerting you when your security software is out of date or when your security settings should be strengthened. The Security Center displays your firewall settings and tells you whether your PC is set up to receive automatic software updates from Microsoft.
Other improvements over the version of Windows Security Center that debuted in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 include showing the status of software designed to protect against spyware, your Internet Explorer 7 security settings, and User Account Control. In addition, Windows Security Center can monitor security products from multiple companies and show you which are enabled and up to date.
Windows Security Center monitors the following security components for Windows Vista:
Firewall
Windows Security Center monitors your system to see if you have a firewall installed, whether it’s the Windows Firewall or a firewall product from another company. If there is an issue with your firewall, Windows Security Center notifies you and provides guidance to help you correct the problem.
Automatic updating
Windows Security Center verifies that the automatic updating feature is enabled and using recommended Microsoft settings. If automatic updating is not enabled, or if the settings differ from the recommended settings, you will receive an alert and instructions on enabling automatic updating.
Antivirus
Windows Security Center verifies whether your computer is running antivirus software. When you’re using antivirus software, Windows Security Center monitors things such as real-time scanning and virus signatures. If real-time scanning is not enabled or if virus signatures are out of date, the Security Center will alert you and recommend a solution.
Antispyware and other malware protection
Windows Security Center verifies whether your computer is running Windows Defender or another company’s antispyware software. When you’re using both Windows Defender and third-party antispyware software, Windows Security Center monitors spyware definitions and other details. If scanning is not enabled or if spyware definition files are out of date, the Security Center will alert you and recommend a solution.
Internet security settings
Windows Security Center monitors the security settings that are associated with Internet Explorer 7 and alerts you whenever your computer might be at risk from settings that are lower than the recommended levels. Windows Security Center provides a button that you can use to restore settings automatically or access Control Panel, where you can correct settings manually.
User Account Control
For safer computing, the User Account Control service and policy must be enabled and uncorrupted. Window Security Center monitors the status of User Account Control and notifies you if User Account Control has been changed to a setting that’s at odds with the recommended settings. You can restore User Account Control to the recommended settings with the click of a button.
Windows Firewall
Windows Firewall is a critical first line of defense to protect your computer against many types of malicious software.
Properly configured, it can stop many kinds of malware before they can infect your computer or other computers on your network. Windows Firewall, which comes with Windows Vista, is turned on by default and begins protecting your computer as soon as Windows starts. The Windows Firewall Control Panel is designed to be easy to use, with several configuration options and a simple interface.
More advanced than the Windows Firewall in previous versions of Windows, the firewall in Windows Vista helps protect you by restricting other operating system resources if they behave in unexpected ways-a common indicator of the presence of malware. For example, if a component of Windows that is designed to send network messages over a given port on your PC tries to send messages by way of a different port due to an attack, Windows Firewall can prevent that message from leaving your computer, thereby preventing the malware from spreading to other users.
For more information: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/features/firewall.aspx
Here is where you can find it:
Start – >
Under Search Type in:
Windows Firewall
OR
Start – >
Control Panel
Windows Firewall
For those advance users, to find Advanced Security:
Start
Under Search Type in:
Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
Don’t stay logged on as an administrator
When you are using programs that require Internet access, such as a web browser or an e-mail program, we recommend that you log on as a standard user rather than an administrator. That’s because many viruses and worms can’t be stored and run on your computer unless you’re logged on as an administrator. Another point is to not stay logged on period whenever you are away from your computer for any length of time.
Use a network security key
If you have a wireless network, you should set up a network security key, which turns on encryption. With encryption, people can’t connect to your network without the security key. Also, any information that is sent across your network is encrypted so that only computers that have the key to decrypt the information can read it. This can help avert attempts to access your network and files without your permission. Common wireless network encryption methods are Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and WPA2.
Change the default administrator name and password on your router or access point
If you have a router or access point, you probably used a default name and password to set up the equipment. Most manufacturers use the same default name and password for all of their equipment, which someone could use to access your router or access point without you knowing it. To avoid that risk, change the default administrator user name and password for your router. Check the information that came with your device for instructions about how to change the name and password.
Change the default SSID
Routers and access points use a wireless network name known as a service set identifier (SSID). Most manufacturers use the same SSID for all of their routers and access points. We recommend that you change the default SSID to keep your wireless network from overlapping with other wireless networks that might be using the default SSID. It makes it easier for you to identify which wireless network is yours, if there is more than one nearby, because the SSID is typically shown in the list of available networks. Check the information that came with your device for instructions about how to change the default SSID.
Position your router or access point carefully
Wireless signals can transmit a few hundred feet, so the signal from your network could be broadcast outside of your home. You can help limit the area that your wireless signal reaches by positioning your router or access point close to the center of your home rather than near an outside wall or window.
For more information: http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/windows/en-US/help/bf6372bb-c95c-4b39-aa50-de7e5bf034681033.mspx
Anti Virus
avast! antivirus Home Edition is FREE to use but it is necessary to register before the end of the initial 60 day trial period. Following the registration you will receive by e-mail a license key valid for a period of 1 year. After you have downloaded and installed the program, the license key must be inserted into it within 60 days. The registration process is very easy, and it will take you only a couple of minutes.
INCLUDES:
Anti-spyware built-in
Web Shield
Anti-rootkit built-in
Automatic updates
Strong self-protection
Virus Chest
Antivirus kernel
System integration
Simple User Interface
Integrated Virus Cleaner
Resident protection
Support for 64-bit Windows
P2P and IM Shields
Internationalization
Network Shield
Spyware Removal
Spybot – Search & Destroy
It detects and removes spyware, a relatively new kind of threat not yet covered by common anti-virus applications. Spyware silently tracks your surfing behaviour to create a marketing profile for you that is transmitted without your knowledge to the compilers and sold to advertising companies. If you see new toolbars in your Internet Explorer that you haven’t intentionally installed, if your browser crashes inexplicably, or if your home page has been “hijacked” (or changed without your knowledge), your computer is most probably infected with spyware. Even if you don’t see the symptoms, your computer may be infected, because more and more spyware is emerging. Spybot-S&D is free, so there’s no harm giving it a try to see if something has invaded your computer.
To see a list of threats Spybot-S&D can remove, in the navigation bar at the left click on Support –> Threats. For an introduction to Spybot-S&D, please read the tutorial. If you fear incompatibility with other software you are now using, although we can assure you that there is no danger you can review our compatibility overview which lists some software whose compatibility has been analyzed.
Spybot-S&D can also clean usage tracks, an interesting function if you share your computer with other users and don’t want them to see what you have been working on. And for professional users, Spybot-S&D allows you to fix some registry inconsistencies and extended reports. A list of all the application’s features is also available.