PC Security

[MOVIEGEEK]

Hey Mods how about a PC security sticky?The reason I ask is lately there have been people asking about firewalls,etc.


Here are a few tips to make your online experience safer and more secure:

1.Install a software firewall.
2a.Disable Remote Assistance(My Computer->Remote),it's unlikely you will ever use this feature.In Network Connections(right click on connection and select Properties) disable “Client For Windows” and “Files and Printer Sharing”,also go to TCP/IP Properties(Advanced) and disable “NetBIOS over TCP/IP”.
2b.Make sure your folders are private,go to Explorer->right-click on your name(or User) and select “Sharing and Security”->place a checkmark in “Make this folder private”.
3.Disable Microsoft Messenger,go to Control Panel->ADD/Remove Programs->Windows Components.If you have Office installed also go to Tools->Options and disable,also set Macro Security to High(Tools->Macro).
If you use IE6 you can also disable it in Tools->Manage Add-ons.
4.If you use IE6 go to Internet Options->General and set History to 0,then go to Privacy->Advanced and select Override Auto Cookie Handling
->Select Block all third party cookies and allow session cookies.Now go to the Advanced tab and disable Inline AutoComplete and disable Profile Assistant,
enable "Empty Temporary Internet Explorer files...",disable SSL 2.0 and enable SSL 3.0/TLS 1.0.
Now go to the Content tab->AutoComplete and untick all except Web Addresses,then Clear Forms and Clear Passwords.
5.Use Windows and Office Update monthly.
6.Install anti-virus software.
7.Use an anti-spyware program weekly.
8.When you're not using the internet disable your modem or disconnect the line,hackers can't get in.
9.Keep financial/confidential information on a disc rather than your hard drive.
10.If you are using a router or Wi-Fi make sure you enable the router firewall,turn off SSID broadcasting and set encryption to WPA(Win98/Me must use WEP),be careful giving confidential info over an unsecured network.
11.Before buying online go to http://www.resellerratings.com/ or http://www.bbb.com/ to check the store.


More info:
www.malwarehelp.org
http://compnetworking.about.com/od/wirelesssecurity/tp/wifisecurity.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/update/default.mspx

[CrayonEater]

Go over to http://www.geocities.com/yosponge and check out the 8-step how-to plan for securing your machine. Most of this is there plus a lot more, e.g. how to keep WMP secure, etc. I know the fella who set this site up and everything there is pretty much bulletproof, except that DNSKong takes a lot to get working on XP - better to use a HOSTS file.

One thing I tell both home users and my corporate clients is don't use an antispyware that you normally would have to pay for. This is less true than it used to be, but the best combo is still SpyBot and AAW. It used to be most of the paid-for stuff was at best FUD garbage, and at worst spyware itself. While Ewido and SpySweeper and PP are decent products, I still tell people, as a rule of thumb, don't pay for your AS, unless you know for absolutely certain you are dealing with a reputable vendor. And even then, you still need SpyBot and/or AAW.