| Over the past recent years security has become the | | | | sure that you have set the permissions to access this |
| major concern of the internet users. It is important to | | | | folder to only the required users. If you haven't secured |
| keep your home computer secure from the viruses, | | | | the shared folder by restricting the permissions then |
| hackers, spyware and other security threats. These | | | | your sensitive information can be leaked and your data |
| security tips are applied on the Windows based | | | | can be deleted accidentally from the shared folder. |
| operating systems such as Microsoft Windows 2000 | | | | If your computer is directly connected to the internet |
| Professional, Windows XP Professional and Windows | | | | through Dial up connection, DSL or cable net you need |
| 2003 Server. The general methods of securing your | | | | to protect your computer by connecting the hardware |
| computer and network is keeping your operating | | | | firewall and it is also a good idea to install and |
| system up-to-date, installing up-to-dated antivirus | | | | configure the software firewall as well. In Windows XP |
| program, anti spyware program, applying security | | | | there is built in Firewall installed and you can turn it on |
| templates, restricting the access to computer server | | | | and off by going to control panel and select "Network |
| of unauthorized users and applying security patches | | | | and Internet Connections". You can also try Sygate |
| Microsoft's website. | | | | personal firewall. |
| The major threats to computer are viruses, spyware, | | | | Another security measure is to identify the mysterious |
| accidental deletion of the files, information theft and | | | | processes running at the backend with the operating |
| unauthorized access. More and more malicious codes | | | | system. These processes starts when the Windows |
| are being are written to develop the viruses, Trojan | | | | startup. Identify the description and command line |
| horses, spyware, malware and adware. | | | | instructions for each process. |
| Applying local security policies on each computer in a | | | | Bad or weak passwords are the most important |
| network is a must and you can access the local | | | | causes of the security compromises. A password |
| security policies in the Administrative tools in the | | | | should never be a dictionary word. A password has |
| Window's control panel or by simply running it | | | | less chance to be cracked if it has been changed |
| secpol.msc or gpedit.msc. Remmeber that the key | | | | regularly. Always use the combinations of the |
| policies that should be enabled are audit login for the | | | | alphanumeric, symbols and spaces between words |
| failed events, creating password policies and requiring | | | | etc to make strong password. |
| Ctrl+Alt+del for login. | | | | Last but not the least security measure is to |
| If you have made a shared folder in your computer to | | | | encrypting your important files so that they can't be |
| be accessed by the other users in network, make | | | | accessed and read by the unauthorized users. |