10 Things You Can do to
Secure Your PC
Presented by
Peter Nowak
OIS Client Services Manager
What Can I do
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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:
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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