Eight security steps for windows that actually work.

 

 

1. Run Vista, and do not turn UAC off. If you need to turn UAC off to speed up Vista it's time to upgrade your machine.

2. Keep the automatic updates turned on.

3. If your computer is too old for Vista and you’re still on XP, then create a new account called “Administrator”. Change your normal user account to a limited user account. Whenever you need to install software, switch into the Administrator account or right-click on the executable and choose run as and choose your admin account. DO NOT RUN FULL-TIME AS ADMINISTRATOR!

4. Make file extensions visible. This way, if you download something malicious that masquerades as a picture file (”myboobs.jpg.exe”) you will be able to see that it’s actually an executable.

5. Do not use Internet Explorer or the default Windows mail client. Use Firefox, Chrome even Opera, as your web browser. Thunderbird, Eudora or Evolution work well as e-mail clients. Do not use Safari as your web browser.

6. Do not click links in e-mails. Do not download executable files from peer-to-peer or instant messaging networks. Do not download “e-cards” or any executable email attachments.

7. Encrypt your wireless network. If possible, use WPA2 encryption. If not possible, use WPA or WEP encryption. If you and your family are the only ones who use your wireless network, then set up MAC address filtering. Note down all the MAC addresses of your computers and other wifi devices and put them into your router’s “whitelist” of allowed MAC addresses. Set it so that any other MAC addresses cannot access your router.

A MAC address (sometimes referred to as a Hardware Address) looks something like this: 00:15:AF:22:88:65

8. Turn on your firewall. You probably have one in your ADSL modem/router that will do the job properly and without any fuss. If your router doesn’t have one, then install personal firewalls on your computers. Don’t install multiple firewalls as it just increases complexity without adding any security benefits. Also, don’t poke holes in the firewall unless you really need to. And turn off Universal Plug ‘n’ Play (UPnP) on your router - it allows any viruses you might recieve to open ports on your router and invite its buddies in to infect your computer.