10 Fast and Free Security Enhancements
PC magazine.
Before
you spend a dime on security, there are many precautions you can take
that will protect you against the most common threats.
1. Check
Windows Update and Office Update regularly
(_http://office.microsoft.com/productupdates); have your Office CD
ready. Windows Me, 2000, and XP users can configure automatic updates.
Click on the Automatic Updates tab in the System control panel and
choose the appropriate options.
2. Install a personal firewall. Both SyGate (_www.sygate.com) and ZoneAlarm (_www.zonelabs.com) offer free versions.
3.
Install a free spyware blocker. Our Editors’ Choice (“Spyware,” April
22) was SpyBot Search & Destroy (_http://security.kolla.de). SpyBot
is also paranoid and ruthless in hunting out tracking cookies.
4.
Block pop-up spam messages in Windows NT, 2000, or XP by disabling the
Windows Messenger service (this is unrelated to the instant messaging
program). Open Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Services and
you’ll see Messenger. Right-click and go to Properties. Set Start-up
Type to Disabled and press the Stop button. Bye-bye, spam pop-ups! Any
good firewall will also stop them.
5. Use strong passwords and
change them periodically. Passwords should have at least seven
characters; use letters and numbers and have at least one symbol. A
decent example would be f8izKro@l. This will make it much harder for
anyone to gain access to your accounts.
6.
If you’re using Outlook or Outlook Express, use the current version or
one with the Outlook Security Update installed. The update and current
versions patch numerous vulnerabilities.
7. Buy antivirus
software and keep it up to date. If you’re not willing to pay, try
Grisoft AVG Free Edition (Grisoft Inc., w*w.grisoft.com). And
doublecheck your AV with the free, online-only scanners available at
w*w.pandasoftware.com/activescan and _http://housecall.trendmicro.com.
8.
If you have a wireless network, turn on the security features: Use MAC
filtering, turn off SSID broadcast, and even use WEP with the biggest
key you can get. For more, check out our wireless section or see the
expanded coverage in Your Unwired World in our next issue.
9.
Join a respectable e-mail security list, such as the one found at our
own Security Supersite at _http://security.ziffdavis.com, so that you
learn about emerging threats quickly and can take proper precautions.
10.
Be skeptical of things on the Internet. Don’t assume that e-mail
“From:” a particular person is actually from that person until you have
further reason to believe it’s that person. Don’t assume that an
attachment is what it says it is. Don’t give out your password to
anyone, even if that person claims to be from “support.”