Desktop Security - Top 10

Periodically, I talked about keeping your computer secure. Mostly we are so easy forget how easy it is to become a victim of identity. I want to cover what does it take to be secure on your home computer. Security takes work and needs to be conscience effort no matter what electronic device we use, whether it is a Smart phone, laptop, or desktop computer.

1. All applications and drivers that are installed up to date
2. User Account Control is NOT turned off
3. A good antivirus and/or anti-spyware program, with the maleware definition are updated
4. Firewall is on along configured and tested, not letting unauthorized to access the internet.
   
5. Windows Security Center is on and configured properly
6. All needed internet websites are in Favorites - You don't need to be surfing the internet, this is a big way to open yourself to infection.
   
7. All passwords are put in a secure password manager
8. Strong administrative password is in place. Most people don't like to get into their home computer with a password. In Windows Vista have a strong administer password.
   
9. Wi-Fi is turned off and locked unless your home is on a wireless network. If your home is a wireless network, make sure that your on an encrypted signal from the wireless router or transmitter.
10. Only have programs and services running that you need and use. This tip is common sense. Unused programs just extends the about of time it take a computer to do an anti maleware scan.
    

Secure and Mobile

Last Tuesday, I record the podcast Vista Is Here To Stay. In that podcast I talked about the 10 things that should be done to any laptop before it is taken on the road.

I have put that list below because it is so important to put in place extra protection. This is especially true when you take your laptop outside your home or office.

1. All applications and drivers are installed.
2. User Account Control is in place
3. Good antivirus is install and all virus definition are updated
4. Firewall is configured and tested
5. Windows Security Center is on and configured properly
6. All needed internet websites are in Favorites
   
7. Needed external passwords are put in a secure password manager
8. Strong administrative password is in place
9. All broadband card is tested and working
10. WiFi is turned off and lock
    

Permissions To Edit Or Move

If you’ve ever tried to tinker with something in Vista and received a “you need permission to perform this action” message. I have gotten frustrated because I have to go through extra steps before I could move or delete a file.

After getting the message window that you do not have permission, you will need to go through some extra steps. This is done by;

1. Right-click the file and select Properties.
2. Click on the Security tab.
3. Click Advanced in the lower right.
4. In the Advanced Security Settings window that pops up, click on the Owner tab.
5. Click Edit.
6. Click Other users or groups.
7. Click Advanced in the lower left corner.
8. Click Find Now.
9. Scroll through the results and double-click on your current user account.
10. Click OK to all of the remaining windows except the first Properties window.
11. Select your user account from the list up top and click Edit.
12. Select your user account from the list up top again and then in the pane below, check Full control under Allow, or as much control as you need.
13. You’ll get a security warning, click Yes.
14. On some files that are essential to Windows, you’ll get a “Unable to save permission changes… access is denied” warning and there’s nothing that you can do about it to the best of my knowledge.
15. Reconsider why you’re using Windows.

Passwords and ID Security

We all struggle with remembering password for the shopping, banking, and other websites we visit on a regular basis. Then there are those who would shop online if it was not fear of getting their credit card or other personal information stolen along with their money. Today, I want to share with you a good tool that is secure and easy to use.

I am writing to you about Robo Form. It has been around for years. It start out as free. Today, Robo Form is only $30. A very small price to pay for the peace of mind, and the ease of use.

RoboForm allows the login process of user name and password to be fast and easy. Once you have install RoboForm, it memorizes and securely stores each user name and password from the first time you log into a website. It will automatically supply the approbate fields with required information upon returning.

When you click RoboForm will navigate to a Web site, enter your username and password and click the submit button for you. Even when it comes to filling out those long registration checkout forms is simple. Just left click on your RoboForm Identity and RoboForm fills-in the form for you.

You will no longer need to remember what seems like hundreds of passwords. Just remember the master password, then you have access all the others.

Internet Explorer 7 - Tools

The place to go for changing setting both security and other features is done in the Tools menu. This is accessed by left clicking on the Tools menu which is at far right side of Internet Explorer.

You will see a drop down list of several item. Several of these item are designed for your security and privacy. Others are for managing the way you interact with Internet Explorer.

The top two options are rarely used from this location, because most people don't release that they are there.

• Delete Browsing History - Does just what is says. It erases all past record of locations you have visited with Internet Explorer.
• Diagnose Connection Problems... - This one of several places you can go to troubleshoot a problem when connecting to the internet.
  

When in doubt as to which option to select, go to Internet Options and left click. Here you will have more options for changing your settings.

We will go to the other items in this list in the following day.

Outlook 2007 - Junk Mail Filter 2

Outlook has a quick way you can send email to you Junk Folder or block an annoying email. The process is not one of rocket science.

All you have to do is right click on the email you want to start blocking. Then select Add Sender to Blocked Senders List by left clicking on it. Then anymore email from that email address will go into your junk email folder.

What Is Going and Coming From Your Computer

Gas prices are on the rise. Money is getting tight. More and more people are turning to the internet for their shopping. Many are looking to the World Wide Web for their movies, music, along with free applications. This gives criminals a larger opportunity to make money.

Other than email scams, there are programs that hidden in screen savers, and news channel software that will take over your computer to relay information. You may say that you do not have enough money for any criminal to go after. Well your computer may help them gain access to your bank's database.

In the Windows operating system is the Task Manager. The Task Manager has a tab for seeing your network traffic. This is the amount of one's and zero's that go and come from your computer.

I personally use something that gives me little more detail. It is called Net Meter. I keep in in the sidebar of my screen. Periodically, I will glance at it to see if there is an unusual amount of uploads (displayed by yellow) and downloads (display by red) from my computer.

You don't need to know every little item that uses the internet from your computer, but if you see a drastic increase is it time to be concerned.

Defender - Intro

In Windows Vista, Microsoft include an antispyware program called Defender. This an updated version of what Microsoft brought from Giant Antispyware.

There are several reason to keep this extra protection on your computer, especially if you are connected to the internet.

• Real-time protection -‍‍ Windows Defender alerts you when spyware or potentially unwanted software attempts to install itself or to run on your computer. It also alerts you when programs attempt to change important Windows settings.

• SpyNet community - The online Microsoft SpyNet community helps you see how other people respond to software that has not yet been classified for risks. Seeing if other members of the community allow software can help you choose whether to allow it on your computer. In turn, if you participate, your choices are added to the community ratings to help other people choose what to do.

• Scanning options - You can use Windows Defender to scan for spyware and other potentially unwanted software that might be installed on your computer, to schedule scans on a regular basis, and to automatically remove any malicious software that is detected during a scan.

I must admit even though I keep Defender running in the background, my primary defense is Avast. This goes back to the principle of Defense In Depth. Which is says that the more layer of defense you have the better your protection.

Hidden Administrator Account

Earlier versions of Windows have a built in administrator account that is enabled by default. Windows Vista disables the administrator account. This is one of the security practice that Microsoft has put into Windows Vista.

There are times when you may need to use an administrator account. For example: if you inadvertently removed administrative privileges from all user accounts and can not perform administrative tasks.

Below is how you can enable it:

1. Left click Start Orb
2. Type cmd in the Search box
3. Find the cmd.exe program
4. Right click cmd.exe and click Run As Administrator
5. At the command prompt, type net users administrator /active:yes
6. Press Enter
7. Log off and now you can log back on with the Administrator account.
   
8. When first activated, it will not have a password. You should give the Administrator account a password.
   

NOTE: The above steps should be done before you get into trouble. Once you delete the administrative rights to all your user accounts. you are going to be in trouble.