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Securing a Microsoft Windows Client Machine
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Security is an important concern when setting up a computer that will connect to the Internet, especially with high-speed connections. I often give my friends advice on tightening up overall security and removing viruses and spyware, and this page is intended to organize this information.
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| programs you need - and each has a free version available! |
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| personal firewall |
Zone Alarm |
prevents unauthorized programs from accessing the network and prevents unauthorized machines from accessing your computer. |
| anti-virus |
AVG Anti-Virus |
detects and removes malicious programs from your computer. if you're willing to shell out some cash, I'd recommend McAfee VirusScan or Norton AntiVirus. |
| anti-spyware |
Ad-aware
Spybot Search & Destroy |
These utilities detect and remove spyware programs |
| windows settings you should change |
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It's important to disable networking services that you do not use, but you must be careful to understand what each service is.
I have written a separate document to describe the settings I use to increase system security for Windows XP. A personal firewall will prevent OS vulnerabilities from being abused, but it is better to get rid of things you don't need.
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| programs I strongly recommend for better security, but that you can do without |
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| web browser |
Mozilla
Mozilla Firebird |
Internet Explorer has, and always has had, some very serious security problems. Almost all competing browsers are much safer, but most people still use IE since it comes with Microsoft Windows. Using another browser will greatly reduce your risk of a virus infecting your computer through the web.
I would most recommend Mozilla for those who want Java applets and Macromedia Flash animations to work. Mozilla Firebird is most appropriate for fast webbrowsing without supporting such applets. Mozilla was originally the development version of Netscape. It is now open-source software, and thus freely available. It has many more features than IE but is not 100% compatible with IE, which some consider to be a drawback now that IE has so much marketshare. |
| email client |
Mozilla |
If you use the calendar features of Microsoft Outlook, you should just continue using it because I know of no common alternatives. Otherwise, alternative email clients are somewhat safer than Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express, because Microsoft has attempted to make their email utilities far too flexible (as far as allowing emails to be treated like programs, such that they can run). |
Copyright © 2003 Douglas E. Jeffries.
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