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I'm writing this article in hopes that people will read it and implement the steps required to keep their PCs secure. In reality, I know that few people will actually read the article and even fewer will take the suggested actions. Which will you be? Hopefully, not the latter.
So many of my clients either don't know how to secure their computers or think that they ARE secure and refuse to believe that they could have any kind of computer infection. Well, here's an opportunity for everyone to apply some preventive maintenance...unless, of course, you would rather pay someone like me to cleanup your computer every three months or so. Ok...I thought so.
If you follow these steps, you will significantly reduce the odds of your computer being infected.
User Accounts And Passwords
In Windows XP Home Edition, there are basically two types of accounts: Limited and Administrator. Administrative accounts have full control of all aspects of software installation and the system files and settings of your PC. Limited accounts have minimal control. They can be setup for anyone that you don't trust to make changes to program installations and the computer's system files and settings. By default, the very first user of the computer is given an administrative account. Let's make some changes to the user accounts that are setup on your computer.
1. First things first...let's set a password to the administrative account. Click START, then CONTROL PANEL. Once the Control Panel opens, choose USER ACCOUNTS.
2. Under PICK A TASK, choose CHANGE AN ACCOUNT.
3. The default account should be the first in the list and should also be listed as a Computer Administrator account and it may also say "Password Protected". If there is a password already set for that account, skip steps 4-7.
4. Click on that account and choose CREATE A PASSWORD.
5. Input the desired password, password confirmation and password hint (in case you forget your password).
6. Click CREATE PASSWORD.
7. Write your password down and store it in a safe place.
Now lets setup an account that everyone can use. This will be a limited account, which is the most secure. Users of this account will not always be permitted to install new programs and will not be permitted to make changes to the system settings.
1. From the User Accounts screen, choose CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT.
2. Name the account and choose NEXT.
3. Click the radio button labeled LIMITED and click CREATE ACCOUNT.
4. Once the account is created, you'll want to create a password for it. Click CHANGE AN ACCOUNT and follow steps 4 through 7, from above.
Here are the rules:
1. No one uses the administrator account, but you...PERIOD.
2. Since you will be the only one installing new software, it's up to you to decide whether or not the software is free of spyware and viruses.
3. If you're the only user, you should still use the limited account, unless you need to make changes to the system.
4. Do not give your password to ANYONE. It might seem like a hassle to have to be the one that installs all of the new software, but having an infected computer is a BIGGER hassle.
Computer Protections Tools
You'll need to have the proper protection for your computer, including antivirus, antispyware and firewall software. It also needs to be up-to-date, with all of the latest virus and spyware definitions and the latest program updates and security patches. You can search for the tools you need and install free trials to find out which works best, but I can save you some time by suggesting the tools that I use. Here's a quick list:
Antivirus
I've used tons of different antivirus software and I'll probably change again, at some point in the future, but for now I'm using Webroot Spy Sweeper w/Antivirus. It really is a one-two punch for spyware and virus protection. Webroot is also one of the industry leaders in computer security. They are NOT a fly-by-night company and I'm a bit partial to the way their products work. They have a very small footprint and they don't bog my computer down with a ton of processes at Windows startup, unlike Norton or McAfee. The software updates itself and can be set to periodically "Sweep" for spyware and viruses.
Strictly Antispyware
Probably the most well-known and widely-used antispyware is Spybot Search & Destroy. This is a "freebie". It's got a very thorough scanner and works well to remove some of the nastiest infections. The only drawbacks are that it doesn't update or scan automatically. However, I still use it in conjunction with Spy Sweeper. It better to have more than one antispyware (however, only run ONE antivirus).
Firewall
I'm currently using Webroot's Desktop Firewall. It seems to work pretty well, with minimal warnings and alerts. Again, it has a very small footprint and it's from a company I trust.
Spam Filters
Just in case you've grown tired and frustrated with the amount of SPAM in your inbox, which can also pose a security threat, here are the tools that I use to lessen the burden: SpamBully and SPAMfighter. Both work equally well and SpamBully allows you to "bounce and punish" known spammers.
Just to be clear on one thing...no security software, that I know of, is 100% effective. Some programs are surely better than others, but none are failsafe. They are almost ALL interactive tools and rely on YOU to be the main Computer Security Enforcement Officer.
Suggested reading: How To Remove Spyware And Viruses, Major Computer Cleanup
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