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Steps to securing your machine
Many people these questions so I thought I would post some of the basics in a guide.
Firstly some things to buy:-
1. A USB Memory stick (1gb can be bought for nothing these days) - I always recommend people to start from scratch. Download the stuff from work and copy to USB. Check with your work first.
2. Some patience.
Top tips:-
1. Internet security is about being pro-active rather than re-active. This is something i learn't a good few years ago. The server was shutdown by the Internet Provider (not ISP - line was leased from another building). This was after the MS BLASTER.
2. KISS - Keep it simple stupid. Many people here this all the time but what does it mean in the Internet Security world. Ok lets put it this way, lets say you get an email saying "your bank account has been hacked....", firstly consider this why has your bank emailed you... if this had happened your bank would of stopped banking activity from your account and would of contacted you via phone, they would verify security with you without taking your full pin etc. e.g. they will ask about any regular payments, who to, when and amounts. These people know when you spend, your balance etc.
3. Be aware of everything around you. If it seems to good it probably is e.g you see a laptop priced at £229 rather than £559. Check out the identify of the company, research it, check for reviews online. Check if there is contact details, check address etc. It maybe a genuine pricing error it may also be a fraudulent site.
Now its time to go and learn on securing yourself, your machine.
Time to learn
1. Download a copy of mozilla firefox and copy it to that USB stick. Internet Explorer has lots of holes in it. Microsoft over years have designed there own protocols, techniques and objects to integrate into it, so of which aren't standard. This had lead to some of Internet Explorer issue. If you don't believe me read up on the fact Microsoft are about to have a law suit about there browsers and unfair techniques, this will address what i have talked about.
2. Download a copy of a firewall e.g. comodo. Don't ask me for a recommendation there are many of people on the forums asking for this. I have just merly suggested one I have used and thought was good.
3. Download a virus scanner. The same rule applies with firewalls
4. Install on your machine and update them
5. Get the latest windows updates, microsoft office updates etc.
6. Password protect your computer. There are multiple levels this can be done. BIOS, Startup and Windows/OS Level. I recommend that you just use OS level password protection unless its your own machine and you want no one else to have access.
Something some senior security people will agree with me, but try and keep a one single password. Why do i say this well its simple..
- The more passwords you have the more simple they get e.g. a combination of a previous password
- You write down your password
- The password is left more simple.
Have one strong password. This should be a mixture of:
- Characters
- Uppercase and lowercase
- Numbers
- Special characters
Longer than 8 digits prefably. The longer and more complex the longer it would take to brute force attack it. Never use any text that refers back to you, a friend, a family member, a memorable date etc. This is information a social engineer while try and explote to get access.
7. Password protect your sensative documents and store them in a folder with correct permissions e.g. change the permissions to your username only. Why do you want Everyone or Domain Users to have access to your documents.
8. Enable auditing on your machine. See windows help and enable it. Check them regularly for unsuccessful audit events.
9. Enable WPA on your WIFI router, add MAC filtering etc. See one of my previous posts.
10. Be sensible and enjoy the internet.
Some simple stuff and more to come
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