Try the free utility from the
Windows Live Safety Center website -- it'll do most of these steps for you! If you're
an advanced user, run the
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer.
Use Microsoft Update
- There is no single better way to keep your computer protected than
promptly installing the Windows security patches.
- If you have Windows XP, right click My Computer and choose Properties.
Choose the Automatic Updates tab. Check Keep my computer up to date, and
then select Automatically download the updates. If you don't have Windows
XP, this option is available from Control Panel.
- Do not rely on any setting that requires the user to authorize updates.
Invariably the user will decline, leaving the computer unprotected.
- Occasionally visit Windows
Update manually to download non-critical updates.
Get an anti-virus program (preferably Microsoft's Windows Live Onecare)
- Enable Automatic LiveUpdate.
- Do not set any options that require any input from the user to
authorize updates.
- Occasionally do a manual LiveUpdate to pick up software updates (in addition to the virus
definition updates that download automatically)
- Schedule full scans -- do not skip this step!
- Make sure your subscription service is up-to-date
- If you don't have virus software, you can run a free scan online using
TrendMicro's Housecall or
download McAfee's Stinger
software that will check for the top 20 viruses.
Secure Microsoft Office and Outlook
- Be sure your Outlook (or Outlook Express) security settings are set to
Restricted. Go to Tools, Options, Security, and set your Zone to 'Restricted
sites.'
- If you use Microsoft Outlook (not Outlook Express), download the
latest service pack and other updates at
http://office.microsoft.com/
- If you want to send secure e-mail, get a free certificate from Thawte and then read
this guide.
Turn on the XP Firewall
- Click Start, Control Panel. Open Network Connections. Choose your dial
up connection or your broadband LAN connection, and choose Properties.
Click the Advanced tab, and check to turn on the firewall.
- While you're in the Network Connection, click the Networking tab.
Uncheck File and Printer Sharing and Client for Microsoft Networks.
- Test your configuration at the
Shields Up! website.
General Tips
- Stay away from attachments! Don't open any attachments that are executable files (exe, com,
bat, pif, scr, js, etc.)
- Stop that forwarding! Don't forward e-mails that people send you about the 'latest virus.' They
are frequently hoaxes, and the only true protection against them is to
follow the tips above.
- Be careful downloading software! Do not run or install software of which you are unsure. Any time you
install software you circumvent all the security measures discussed above and
give the software writer nearly complete control over your computer.