PC Security

[Ishtar]

PC Security


Introduction

Layers! That is what tactical advice we use to prevent us from freezing in real life. Layers of clothing. Computers are the same....just without the wollen socks. If you use layers of protection, you can stop your PC from being infected or your personal data being stolen and used by hackers. This tutorial will help you to keep your PC safe and secure.....I can't do anything about keeping you warm though....


Firewall: Layer 1

This is the first protective layer that is hit by a hacker or virus (If you have no external router for protection). This is, as the name says, a wall of fire surrounding your PC. It burns up hacking attempts, virus entrance and other malicious content. Windows XP has a built in firewall that blocks your Internet ports that could allow access to your computer. A firewall helps to keep your computer more secure. It restricts information that comes to your computer from other computers, giving you more control over the data on your computer and providing a line of defense against people or programs (including viruses and worms) that try to connect to your computer without invitation.

To activate it in Windows XP (Home & Pro) SP2 (Service Pack 2) do the following:

Start->Control Panel->Windows Firewall->Firewall Must Be On.

Check that your Exceptions List (Exceptions Tab on Windows Firewall) does not allow suspicious programs (Internet Explorer, Downloaded Sharware/Freeware etc.) free reign as virus' could be controlled from these programs. Believe it or not, if Internet Explorer tries to start and you haven't told it to, it could be a virus exploiting Windows IE so be alert and don't allow this exception.

Windows SP2 is a vital download from www.windowsupdate.com. Please make sure you download it to utilise the full features of Windows Firewall.

Alternatively, you can turn off Windows Firewall and download a free version of the excellent Zone Alarm from:

http://download.zonelabs.com/bin/free/1012..._55_062_004.exe

Anti-Virus Software: Layer 2

Anti-Virus software protects your PC from virus's if your computer is attacked. You can either run the tests manually or automatically. Norton Anti-Virus & Internet Security is the best choice but if you wish, you can choose a free version. The best is AVG from:

http://www.grisoft.com

Spyware, Adware, Pop-Ups and Internet Hi-Jackers: Layer 3

Spyware can be anything from Internet Tracking Cookies to Pop-ups, Virus Infection and other serious malicious content. If you ever get attacked by porn sites, pop-ups, Internet home page attacks or freeware programs gone bad you will need protection.

The best to use to destroy this content is Ad-Aware 6.0 and Spy-Bot Search and Destroy. Both are free and can be updated to the Pro version at a cost.

Spy-Bot - http://www.spy-bot.net

Ad-Aware - http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910...page&tag=button

Once installed, you must download updates from the interface menus to keep the infection detections at a high and up-to-date.

Windows XP SP2 also boasts a pop-up blocker. To activate it do the following:

Launch Internet Explorer->Look up and go to:Tools->Internet Options->Privacy.

Then put a green tick in the box to enable pop-up blocking.

UPDATE February 2005: You may wish to download the Microsoft Anti-Spyware Software. Click here to find out how.

Windows Updates: Layer 4

Windows Update! www.windowsupdate.com

A vital tool to keeping your PC up-to-date with the latest security patches. Please ensure you download Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) as soon as possible. It contains:

• All of the latest Windows Updates (Except the JPEG security download)
• Windows Firewall
• Windows Security Centre
• Windows XP stability and completion (To date)
• Up-to-date security, stability and utilities

Download Windows XP SP2 as soon as possible!

Driver & Program Updates: Layer 5

The final layer! Update your programs at regular intervals. Search on www.google.com or www.alltheweb.com and download any patches for products on your PC. This stops hackers taking advantage of weak software. Also, update your graphics, modem and web cam drivers. This does the same thing and keeps your PC running smoothly.

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After getting all of your layers ready, you may still get infected. You must be vigilant and wise. You must use common sense and this will stop PC's from becoming attacked and safe from virus infection. I hope this tutorial helped you. If you have anymore problems, e-mail venus@hotmail.co.uk

Ven0

<-- Compliments of www.e-veno.tk (Still early days, don&#39;t visit it because I am waiting to create a good banner and encorporate the NoseBleed style.) -->

[headshock]

nice tutorial mate
why not download the jpeg update??
i am already protected by this layer system good to no i am doing the best i can

[Ishtar]

I have got that update. I said:

All of the latest Windows Updates (Except the JPEG security download)

Windows XP SP2 comes without this critical download but I have it and all of the latest February Updates.

Layering is the best way to defend your computer because this is how I see a computer:

A computer linked to the Internet is like a soldiers leg being pierced many times by shrapnel. The blood is escaping and the infections and dirt are coming in.

The computer users contact details are going out and viruses and worms coming in.

The only way to stop the bleeding is to use a big bandage but after a while that big bandage becomes wet and horrible and can even aid the infection so you have to replace it many times.

The only way to stop it is to use a large ?50 anti-virus package but after a while it becomes obsolete.

So, you use the latest strong, sticky plaster to cover the various holes in the leg to stop the bleeding where the blood is coming out instead of covering the soldiers leg where it doesn&#39;t need to be covered and wasting the bandage.

You cover the various holes in your PC with firewalls, anti-virus, anti spyware, manual port controllers, e-mail filtering and your computer allows what you want it to allow and lets you run the games you want. The software is mainly free and is designed by the best programmers in the world.


EDIT - A crude way of putting it but its how it is....

[genesis]

Really nice work Ishtar and welcome aboard.

[Ishtar]

Thanks,

Using layers is an effective way of keeping hackers out because most hackers use Telnet from the command prompt. If your PC has a router with firewall they&#39;ll skip you straight away but advanced users might stay on but if they then discover you&#39;ve got an internal firewall & anti-virus to contend with they will stop trying to put a virus on there and if they then also discover you&#39;ve got adware blockers, pop-up blockers and history deleters they won&#39;t be able to gather information about you to steal your identity.

Virus&#39;s/Worms hit your router (If you have one, i don&#39;t but its good if you do) first, then firewall, then anti-virus and by that time you&#39;ve been alerted atleast twice to the problem in two different ways so you get detail about the virus from two sources that both state the file is malicious. Even a person who has only just started to use a computer would know to remove/delete/block the file in question. So, the layering method stops the worst form of computer malfunction and instability. Human error caused by allowing software they think is ok to run.

[genesis]

I use a hardware based firewall along with my router and my managed switch. Other than spam emails, I never had any problems, of course that&#39;s coming from a different source. Besides my hardware I have Windows firewall, microsoft antispyware and norton antivirus installed. Unless I allow something in by mistake, chances are they can&#39;t get in. I&#39;ve been running my Windows XP installation without any viruses for over 2 years, despite the countless virus attacks via email.