There are a number of things that you can do to make your computer safer, faster
and more efficient. The following checklist enumerates programs, features and
practices that we recommend you use to keep your computer running at its best
and safest.
Check off the criteria that you have already fulfilled. When you have all the
items checked, your computer should be virtually self-maintaining and running
at its optimal speed.
General security
Upgrade
to Windows XP for improved security.
Use the
Microsoft Automatic Update features to get the latest security
enhancements to Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office.
Use the
Windows Update website periodically to get all the latest Microsoft
Windows updates.
Enable the
Windows Automatic Update feature to automatically get critical Windows
updates.
Internet connection too slow for
all those updates? You can
order a free CD from Microsoft that contains all Windows updates (up
through October 15, 2003). After that, you'll want to use the
Windows Update website or
Windows Automatic Update feature.
Use the
Office Update website periodically to get the latest Microsoft Office
updates.
Convert hard drives to NTFS format.
Schedule backups to tape, hard
disk, network drive, CD/DVD-RW, or other device (depends on your backup
hardware and software).
Require a password to logon to Windows.
Create a Password Reset Disk for each user, in case they
forget their passwords.
Online security
Use a Firewall (preferably a hardware firewall, but software
firewalls or Windows XP's ICF are better than no firewall).
Register
with Verified by Visa for credit card protection online.
Antivirus software
Antivirus software has become a must-have installation for every PC. If you use
the internet and/or email at all, make sure you install an antivirus
application. Viruses are becoming more common and spreading faster than ever
before. Most are fairly innocuous, but it only takes one malicious virus, worm
or Trojan horse to destroy data or expose your private and financial
information (such as credit cards, social security number, etc.).
The instructions and detail about each of the suggested steps vary based on
which antivirus software you install. The most common one seems to be
Norton Antivirus, but there are many others available.
Read antivirus reviews to select the best option for you.
Configure antivirus software for
automatic virus definition updates.
Configure antivirus software for
automatic software updates.
Schedule frequent virus scans.
Enable e-mail scanning.
Enable dynamic file protection.
Set heuristic scanning (such as
Norton's Bloodhound feature) at the highest level available.
Privacy
Use a
pop-up blocker.
Use a
spam filter.
Use a
spyware scanner to detect adware, spyware, and other malware.
Testing Your Security
Test your online vulnerability with
a port scanner.
Perform
advanced security tests (spyware, pop-up blocker, and firewall tests).
Gibson
Research Corporation has a number of security tests and discussions of
security issues which are considered among the most thorough and complete. Try
their Shields Up!
test.