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