By setting aside about an hour, you can eliminate most threats while using your computer and browsing the web. Here are 10 quick tips to help you establish a protective layer for your hardware, software, and data.
1. Enable Automatic Updates. Ensure that Windows is configured to update automatically. In Windows XP, click Start/Control Panel/Security Settings and select Automatic Updates. In Windows 2000, go to Start/Settings/Control Panel/Automatic Updates. You can also choose to have Windows notify you before updates or to update manually.
2. Don’t wait for the operating system. If your computer has been in “sleep” mode for several days, don’t wait for Windows to automatically update; actively check for updates as soon as you start it up. Microsoft releases updates on the second Tuesday of each month.
3. Use Windows XP Security Center. One of the standout features of Windows XP Service Pack 2 is the Windows Security Center, which alerts you when you disable the firewall or outdated antivirus applications. However, the Windows XP firewall only protects against viruses from external sources. For comprehensive security, consider disabling the Windows XP firewall and using third-party firewall software (e.g., ZoneAlarm from Zone Labs).
4. Ensure file extensions are visible. Many viruses disguise themselves as “harmless” files by appending different file formats to the end of each file (e.g., funnycartoon.jpg.exe). On default settings, many machines hide file extensions, so you may only see ‘.jpg’ and not ‘.exe’. To counteract such viruses, open Windows Explorer, select Tools/Folder Options/View, and uncheck Hide extensions for known file types.
5. Browse safely. The latest version of Internet Explorer (IE) supports ActiveX and JavaScript code quite well. Therefore, you should use IE safely by selecting a high-security setting for your browser. To do this, go to Tools/Internet Options/Security/Custom Level/High. For Firefox users, the best way to eliminate harmful scripts is to install the NoScript add-on by Giorgio Maone. This software is completely free and can be downloaded from www.noscript.net.
6. Be cautious with email. If your computer is infected or becomes a source of virus dissemination, the primary method is through email. Follow these security principles when using email: do not click on suspicious links, scan attachments before downloading…
A crucial note is to disable the preview mode in email clients. Many virus messages can spread even in preview form. In Microsoft Outlook 2003, select View/Reading Pane Off. In Outlook Express 6, choose View/Layout and uncheck Show Preview Pane. Similarly, in Mozilla Thunderbird, go to View/Layout and uncheck Message Pane.
Read emails in plain text format. This is because harmful scripts are often intentionally embedded within HTML code. In Outlook 2003, select Tools/Options/Preferences/E-mail Options and choose Read all standard mail in plain text. In Outlook Express 6, go to Tools/Options/Read and select Read all messages in plain text. For Mozilla Thunderbird, choose View/Message Body As/Plain Text.
