10 Things You Can do to Secure Your PC

Presented byPeter Nowak

OIS Client Services Manager

What Can I do1. Turn off File Sharing2. Install Firewall3. Scan for Spy ware4. Anti-Virus5. Update Your OS6. Upgrade IE 6 to IE 77. Secure your Wireless Network8. Encrypt your Data9. Safe Passwords10. 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

Bonus Tip

Resources

• http://netsecurity.about.com/cs/generalsecurity/a/aa112103b.htm

• http://www.windowsecurity.com/articles/Spyware-Evolving.html

• http://downloads.techrepublic.com.com/download.aspx?docid=314832

• http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/ie/default.mspx