Transcript 10 Things You Can do to Secure Your PC Presented by Peter Nowak OIS Client Services Manager.

10 Things You Can do to
Secure Your PC
Presented by
Peter Nowak
OIS Client Services Manager
What Can I do
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Turn off File Sharing
Install Firewall
Scan for Spy ware
Anti-Virus
Update Your OS
Upgrade IE 6 to IE 7
Secure your Wireless Network
Encrypt your Data
Safe Passwords
Manage your accounts
Turn off File/Print Sharing
• Many attacks will allow a malicious hacker
to have complete read/write access to the
contents of your hard-drive.
• Be careful when using WiFi Hotspots.
NOTE: File sharing is enabled by default when Windows
XP Home is installed onto your computer.
Install a Firewall
• A firewall can block malware that could
otherwise scan your computer for
vulnerabilities and then try to break in at a
weak point.
• Use a wired or wireless router with firewall
features to provide additional protection.
Scan for Spyware
• Dell claims that 12% of their calls now
involve questions about spy ware.
• Best defense is to use multiple anti-spy
ware tools.
• Select an anti-spy ware tool that provides:
• Automatic updates
• Real-time scans
Scan for Viruses
• Scan your machine regularly
• Use AV program with:
• Real-time scanning
• Automatic Updates
• Email Scanning
• Many AV programs require an annual
subscription.
Keep Your Operating System
Up to date
• Turn on auto-updates in Windows
• Configure Auto-updates to patch the OS
daily.
• Ensure that the machine is on at the
scheduled update time.
Update to Internet Explorer 7
• Features include:
•
•
•
•
Phishing filter
Cross Domain barriers
Color coded address bar
Extended Validation SSL Certificates
Secure Your Wireless Network
• Ensure your home network has the
appropriate Encryption enabled.
• Some wireless routers allow you to restrict
access to your wireless network by listing
all your wireless devices MAC addresses.
• This will keep unwanted neighbors off your
network.
Encrypt Your Data
• Protects the data if your laptop is stolen.
• You can encrypt select files or the entire
hard drive.
• Requires a separate password to un-encrypt
the data before it can be accessed.
Strong Passwords
• Do not use personal information
• Use mixed case passwords with numbers
and special characters.
• Change passwords often
• Use pass phrases rather than passwords
• Select a phrase that is easy to remember =
5@ptietr
Managing Accounts
• Logon as Administrator only when
necessary.
• Disable the Guest Account
• Rename the Administrator Account
Lock Your Computer
• Set a password on your screen saver
• Use the  + L function to lock the
keyboard
Resources
• http://netsecurity.about.com/cs/generalsecur
ity/a/aa112103b.htm
• http://www.windowsecurity.com/articles/Sp
yware-Evolving.html
• http://downloads.techrepublic.com.com/do
wnload.aspx?docid=314832
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows/product
s/winfamily/ie/default.mspx