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Tom Ogden

Security for Windows PCs


These are general guidelines which need to be adapted to your relative version of Windows.

  • Antivirus protection. Use only well-known software packages, like Norton, McAfee or Kaspersky. Avoid free services or software advertised in an email or popup window.

  • Anti-Spyware protection. Follow the same rules as above. However, if the software does not actually SAY it protects from spyware, then it doesn't.

  • Updates. Windows should automatically check for updates, but any number of things can get in the way. Go to your Control Panel to ensure your system is all up to date.

  • Internal firewall. The Windows internal firewall should be on by default, but you should open your Firewall settings in the Control Panel to be sure all is correct. You don't want to allow any remote access to your computer under any circumstance.

  • Storage encyption. You want to encrypt your hard drives by default so that your data is protected if anyone gets a hold of your files or your hardware.

  • Locking. Set the screen saver to lock when you step away from the computer for a few minutes. A simple screen saver that comes on and does not disengage without a password is sufficient.

  • Password management. Use a password management tool, like LastPass or 1Password. The key is the program remembers your passwords for you. This will enable you to have a different password for every user account, using passwords that much harder to guess, and you can change them frequently.

. Sensitive files, miscellaneous credentials, keys and private information may be stored securely using the Windows file locking feature. This places the files under password protection so they cannot be decrypted without your credentials.

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