Securing your own PC
There are several steps you can take to make your home or office PC more secure from outside attacks. The exact steps you will take will depend upon the type of operating system you use, but all operating systems can be made more secure with the correct settings.
Settings which you should check include:
File sharing – If your PC is not connected to an office network, you don't need the file sharing features in Windows switched on. To learn how to disable these features, search for ‘file sharing’ in the Windows help system. This is particularly important if your PC is connected to a broadband network.
Browser security – Web browsers include adjustable security settings to protect your personal information. In Internet Explorer, these can be found under the Tools – Internet Options – Security menu.
Tip
Keep Windows updated
When Microsoft finds a hole or deficiency in their Windows operating system they develop a software update to correct the problem. This update is often called a patch since it is like putting a band-aid or patch over the hole to repair it. After the patch is developed, Microsoft posts it on their website and the computer end user is expected to download and install the patch.
Updating Windows is crucial. If you do not patch your Windows software by downloading these updates you leave your computer open to hackers, worms, and destructive viruses.
Official homepage
of Microsoft Windows Updates .
This website provides detailed instructions on setting up Win 98, ME, NT, 2000, and XP for automatic Windows updating .
More information
See the Internet Industry Association's security portal website