| Download
and Install Anti-Virus Software |
Visit
ONE of the sites (or any other anti-virus product site)
below - you only need one package running on your
computer. Be sure and purchase a subscription to their update
service so your computer will stay aware of new viruses
as they are identified on the Internet (usually this costs
around $40/year...)
|
This
type of software acts as a "doorman" between your
computer and the Internet, scanning all inbound emails and
web downloads of files for lists of known viruses. Prevents
you from inadvertantly opening many files (emails or others)
which might infect your computer and turn you and your machine
into a "infecting agent".
WE
STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT EVERYONE DO THIS!!!
|
| Assign
Passwords to ALL accounts |
- Login
as "Administrator"
- Start->Settings->Control
Panel->Users and Passwords
- Click
mouse once over account name (ie: click to highlight "Guest"
- Click
on "Set Password..." button at bottom of screen
- Enter
password to be assigned to account in popup window.
- Repeat
this process for each account that doesn't already have
a password
- (NOTE)
- for Administrator you might have to just click on Ctrl-Alt-Del
and select the "Change Password" button again.
|
Make
sure that ALL accounts have passwords! By default Microsoft
ships with an account called "guest" with no password
assigned! Anyone on the Internet can connect as "guest"
until you assign a password to this account! Also, make sure
you assign a password to "Administrator" - when
your logged in anyone could gain full access to your machine
if you don't! |
| Visit
and run the Microsoft Personal Security Advisor Scanner Tool
|
- Visit
the Microsoft
Personal Security Advisor (MPSA) site. This is an
easy to use web application that will help you secure
your Windows NT™ 4.0 or Windows 2000™ personal
computer system. Simply press the Scan Now button to receive
a detailed report of your computer's security settings
and recommendations for improvement.
|
MPSA
will scan your system and build a customized report on items
such as: missing security patches, weak passwords, Internet
Explorer and Outlook Express security settings, and Office
macro protection settings.
|
| Subscribe
to the Microsoft Security Notification Service |
|
This is a free e-mail notification service that Microsoft
uses to send information to subscribers about the security
of Microsoft products. Anyone can subscribe to the service,
and you can unsubscribe at any time. |
