10 steps of 'defense' for Windows

10 steps of 'defense' for Windows Picture 1 Every virus, spyware, and spam that flares up can cause your computer to be paralyzed. To keep your computer intimidated, we compiled security tips into 10 basic steps. These security steps are very fast and easy to implement. They will protect you both hardware, software, and data.

Step 1. Update the fixes automatically:Make sure your Windows can automatically update.In Windows XP, click the Start button -> Control Panel-> Security Settings-> Automatic Updates. In Windows 2000, click the Start button -> Settings-> Control Panel-> Automatic Updates.Make sure that both versions of Windows select "Automatic (recommended)".You will see a warning before downloading updates, you can also install them manually.The steps above may be slightly different on Windows 98, Me.

Step 2. Don't wait for Windows: If you turn off your computer for a few days, don't wait for Windows to automatically update.Visit this Microsoft update website:http://www.windowsupdate.com/.In addition, patches will be slower to update when "Window Update" arrives.Each month, Microsoft releases fixes on the second Tuesday of the week.Therefore, it is safer to check these updates every two weeks.And make sure you don't forget to update your antivirus, anti-spyware software automatically or update them manually weekly.

10 steps of 'defense' for Windows Picture 2

XP security management tool

Step 3. Use XP's security management tool:Windows XP SP2 adds a feature called the Security Center.This is a function that gives a warning when the firewall and antivirus program are turned off or not updated. However, XP's firewall function only protects you from internal threats, it does not warn you. about suspicions from outside.Therefore, we recommend that you turn off XP's firewall feature and use a third-party firewall, such as Zone Lab's ZoneAlarm.The address to download ZoneAlarm at the end of the article.

Step 4. Show your file extension names: Some types of viruses masquerade as file types by adding a bogus extension to the end of their name, for example;"funnycartoon.jpg.exe".If your Windows hides the file name, then you will only see ".jpg", not ".exe".To solve this simple problem, simply open Windows Explorer or any folder window, and click Tools -> Folder Options -> View-> Uncheck "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended). "

Tip : If you want to display all the information of the Windows installation directory, file system, just select "Show hidden files and folders" and uncheck "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) . "

Step 5. Keep IE safe: Many people find that the average security level of IE 6 is very easy for ActiveX controls, JavaScript - the activation code on their machines.ActiveX and JavaScript allow the Web to have more interesting features such as order forms and security scans . But they can also run malicious code, giving the hacker access to your system.To make IE more secure, click Tools -> Internet Options -> Security-> Custom Level -> In the Security Settings dialog box, select "High", then press the Reset button, Yes, OK.

Unfortunately, when setting high-level security, IE may display a series of warnings, pop-ups every time you visit a page.The solution is to add pages where you often access IE's list of trusted Web sites: Select Tools-> Internet Options-> Security-> click on the "Trusted Sites" icon, then click Go to the "Sites" button. Enter the Web site, click the "Add" button, and repeat the necessary steps (see the "Trusted Sites" screen below).Uncheck "Require server verification (https :) for all sites in this zone.".When finished, press the "OK" button.

Step 6. Make Firefox more secure: The only way you can block JavaScript code in Firefox is to download and install NoScript installed by Giorgio Maone at:
https://addons.mozilla.org/extensions/moreinfo.php?application=firefox&id=722

NoScript will place a warning bar at the bottom of all the Web pages you visit using JavaScript.Click on this bar to see the Script options of each page (either temporary or permanent), block scripts, and other activities such as blocking animated clips with Flash installers in Firefox.

Step7. Handle the links in your mail carefully: If your computer is infected with a virus, it is most likely via your email.To reduce the risk of e-mail, do not click on links to suspicious messages (paragraphs of text can hide the actual Web address).So, you should manually type the address of that website manually, browse the links in that Web site carefully.

Step 8. Scan the attached files for viruses: Run an antivirus program through each attachment before you open them.You should not double-click the attachment to open it directly, you should save the file to the hard disk on your computer.Open Windows Explorer, right-click the file name and select "Scan it for virues" option, this option name may differ depending on the antivirus program you are using.The best way is to choose to scan all messages sent and received automatically.

Step 9. Close the preview pane: Some malicious messages only need you to open them in the preview pane of your mail program that they can activate.Therefore, we strongly recommend closing this preview pane.In Outlook Express: Select View -> Layout -> remove the Preview Pane option.In Microsoft Outlook 2003, click View -> Reading Pane-> Off.In Mozilla Thunderbird, click View -> Layout button and confirm uncheck "Message Pane" (faster than you just need to press F8).

Step 10. You should read messages in raw text mode: Because many harassing messages depend on HTML code to achieve bad intrigue, you can block them by just viewing raw text messages.In Out look 2003, select Tools -> Options -> Read and select "Read all standard mail in plain text."In Outlook Express 6, select Tools -> Options -> Read and select "Read all messages in plain text."In Mozilla Thunderbird, select View -> "Message Body As" -> "Plain Text".

Download address of tools:

Firewall: Zone Labs ZoneAlarm, free (personal, missing some features compared to subscriptions).
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,7228,tk,srx,00.asp

Virus Removal: AVG of Anti-Virus System, free (non-commercial)
http://free.grisoft.com/softw/70free/setup/avg70free_344a618.exe

Information encryption: PGP's PGP Desktop 9 costs $ 199 or $ 70 if registered for a year.
http://www.pgp.com/products/desktop/index.html

Minh Phuc