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Automatic
Updates |
In yesterdays tip, we discussed the
importance of updating your computer to keep it safe and secure. In today's tip,
we'll discuss your updating options. Do you want to let Windows update your
system automatically? Or, do you want to run your updates manually?
The link supplied below will
give detailed instruction on how to:
-Change the Settings for
Automatic Updates
-Turn On and Use Automatic Updates
-Turn Off Automatic Updates
-Have Windows Remind You About Pending Updates
-Pause or Resume Downloading
-Restore Declined Updates
-Update Your Files by Using Windows Update:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;306525#4
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Protecting Your PC |
A very important and
often overlooked method of PC security is keeping your Operating
System up-to-date. Falling behind in your updates will only
compromise the systems integrity by giving hackers a way in.
Checking for updates is easy using Internet Explorer:
Open Internet
Explorer>> Tools>> Windows Update.
Windows XP users can
benefit from Windows Automatic Update Feature.
How does Automatic Updates work?
When you turn on Automatic Updates,
Windows routinely checks the Windows Update Web site for
high-priority updates that can help protect your computer from the
latest viruses and other security threats. These updates can include
security updates, critical updates, and service packs. Depending on
the setting you choose, Windows automatically
downloads and installs any high-priority updates that your computer
needs, or notifies you as these updates become available.
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A Virus that won't go away... |
In many cases, a virus will load itself into your
system restore files. It is a technique used by hackers to keep re-infecting
your computer using its own back up system. So anytime you are infected with a
virus, make sure that you disable the system restore feature and then run your
virus scan.
Disable System Restore in Windows XP:
Right-click "My Computer" and select "Properties". Click the "System Restore"
tab and check the box "Turn off System Restore" then click OK.
Disable System Restore in Windows ME:
Right-click "My Computer" and choose "Properties". Select the "Performance" tab
then click the "File System" button and go to the "Troubleshooting" tab. Put a
check mark next to "Disable System Restore" then click OK.
You'll need to restart your computer.
Run your virus scan. Once it is complete, follow the instructions above in
reverse to Enable System Restore.
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How to prevent spyware |
Spyware and other unwanted
software can invade your privacy, bombard you with pop-up windows, slow
down your computer, and even make your computer crash. Here are several
ways you can help protect your computer against spyware and other
unwanted software.
On This Page:
Step 1: Update your software
Step 2: Adjust Internet Explorer security settings
Step 3: Use a firewall
Step 4: Surf and download more safely
Step 5: Download and install anti-spyware protection
Step 1: Update your software:
If you use Windows XP, one way to help prevent spyware and other
unwanted software is to make sure all your software is updated. First,
visit
Windows Update to confirm that you have Automatic Updates turned on
and that you've downloaded all the latest critical and security updates.
Step 2: Adjust Internet Explorer security settings
You can adjust your Internet Explorer Web browser's security settings to
determine how much-or how little-information you are willing to accept
from a Web site. Microsoft recommends that you set the security settings
for the Internet zone to Medium or higher.
To view your current Internet Explorer security settings:
1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools and then click Internet Options.
2. Select the Security tab.
For a step-by-step guide to adjusting your settings without blocking
content from sites that you trust, see
Working with Internet Explorer 6 Security Settings.
If you're running Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) and you use Internet
Explorer to browse the Web, your browser security settings for the
Internet zone are already set to Medium by default. Internet Explorer in
Windows XP SP2 also includes a number of features to help protect
against spyware and many other kinds of deceptive or unwanted software.
Step 3: Use a firewall
While most spyware and other unwanted software come bundled with other
programs or originate from unscrupulous Web sites, a small amount of
spyware can actually be placed on your computer remotely by hackers.
Installing a firewall or using the firewall that's built into Windows XP
provides a helpful defense against these hackers.
Step 4: Surf and download more safely
The best defense against spyware and other unwanted software is not to
download it in the first place. Here are a few helpful tips that can
protect you from downloading software you don't want:
-Only download programs from Web sites you trust. If you're not sure
whether to trust a program you are considering downloading, ask a
knowledgeable friend or enter the name of the program into your favorite
search engine to see if anyone else has reported that it contains
spyware.
-Read all security warnings, license agreements, and privacy statements
associated with any software you download.
-Never click "agree" or "OK" to close a window. Instead, click the red
"x" in the corner of the window or press the Alt + F4 buttons on your
keyboard to close a window.
-Be wary of popular "free" music and movie file-sharing programs, and
be sure you clearly understand all of the software packaged with those
programs.
Step 5: Download and install anti-spyware protection
Microsoft currently offers anti-spyware beta software for download; more
information is available on
Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) site.
Additional security tools to help block, detect, and remove unwanted
software from your computer are available on the
Security Downloads resources page.
Note: Microsoft is not responsible for the quality, performance, or
reliability of third-party tools.
Source:
Microsoft
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Secure your computer from external
threats using a password |
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Using a complex, virtually impossible to guess type password is very
important these days. Hackers have password stealing software that could
help them gain access to your computers valuable data. Any security
measures you take can be undermined by a simple to steal password.
Never setup an account without creating a good password for it. I
recommend using a password that is 15 or more characters (whenever
possible). A password should never be less than 5 characters.
The hardest to steal passwords incorporate a mixture of character
classes such as uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Stay clear
of using passwords that are regular dictionary words or names. Password
stealing software will sniff those out extremely fast.
Also, stay away from using keyboard patterns such as "ZXCVB" or
"123654". A very effective way to remember a long password is by
passphrasing. A passphrase is a collection of 'words' used for access
control. An example of a passphrase would be "Ihatecheapbeer!"
It is important to use different passwords for each of your important
accounts. If one of your passwords is compromised, then the others
accounts are not easily accessed. This can be a bit of an inconvenience,
but with the use of some creative passphrasing, it doesn't have to be
that hard.
Lastly, be sure to change your password often. This is especially
important if your computer is accessed by other individuals. Keep to a
good password regimen and your personal information should remain safe
and secure.
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Manage Your Computer's Security
Settings in One Place |
Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)
contains a collection of new technologies designed to help keep your
PC and your personal information more secure. SP2 also makes it
easier to monitor these settings with the new Windows Security
Center, available through the Control Panel. The Security Center lets you check the
status of your essential security settings. You can also use it to
find information about the latest virus or other security threat or
to get customer support from Microsoft for a security-related issue.
To open Security Center 1. Click Start and then click
Control Panel.
Control Panel with new Security Center icon
2. Double-click Security Center.
You should see a window that looks like the one below
(Security Center)
3.
Security Center checks to make sure you have:
-A software firewall.
-An up-to-date antivirus program.
-Automatic Updates set to download
and install updates automatically
If the Security Center detects that your computer might benefit from
enhanced security in one of the three essential areas listed above, it
displays an alert in the notification area (to the right of the taskbar,
above the clock). You will see an alert like the one below every time
you log on, until the problem is fixed.
(Security settings alert)
Tip:
To find out how to address a problem, click any alert and the
Security Center will open. In the Security Center, click
Recommendations.
Note: If your computer is
part of a domain (a group of computers on a network), your security
settings are typically managed by your network administrator. In
this case, the Security Center
Source:
Microsoft
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Content Advisor Password |
If you would like to restrict access to restricted web sites, Internet Explorer
makes this possible by adding a supervisor password to the Content Advisor.
Here's how:
Open Internet Explorer, then go to Tools>> Internet Options>> Content tab>>
Enable tab (under the Content Advisor section)>> General button (in the Content
Advisor window)>> Create Password button (under Supervisor Password section).
If you should forget your password, there is a way to work around this issue,
here's how:Warning: The following instructions involves editing the
Windows registry. Incorrect editing can have severely adverse effects on your
operating system. I recommend that you do a backup of the Windows registry prior
to making any modifications.
- Go to Start>> Run. Type in: regedit [Enter] or click OK.
- Drill down to the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\POLICIES\RATINGS
- Right click on the "Ratings" entry and then select Delete. Exit the Registry
editor.
- Now you can open IE and disable the Content Advisor.
- Once you are prompted for the Supervisor Password, leave the password box
blank and then click OK.
- You can now re-enable the Content Advisor feature and create a new Supervisor
Password.
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