How to make Windows more secure

[ChrisUlrich]

Make Windows more secure:

Surft not as an administrator (for Windows NT, 2000, XP and 2003) and uses Brain1.0!

Each virus, trojan or whatever - we call it bad code - it can damage its full potential and show an effect. He will be with all the rights of the administrator, and thus has access to each directory, each file and the registry and which may reflect what he wants and what he is thinking. Carried out in the context of a simple limited user - such a limited user account on the Control Panel can easily be - but only succeeds in a relatively strong limited extent.
Use the NTFS file system and the right set of permissions. If "Everyone" full access to vital records, then it brings absolutely nothing - just like FAT32 file system, because there are no such privileges (ACL - Access Control List).

Brain1.0? Your mind! Click on any file attachment in e-mails, and certainly not from senders you do not know, and confirming any obscure dialogues on.

[ChrisUlrich]

Fighting back against buffer overflows and memory corruption:

Modern CPUs can take to prevent various types of memory corruption attacks. One such feature is the NX bit (as AMD calls it, XD is Intel's term), which allows for memory pages to me marked as not executable. Microsoft Windows started using this ability with XP SP2 as part of their Data Execution Prevention (DEP) feature. Unfortunately, to get most out of DEP you have to configure it.

[ChrisUlrich]

BIOS Password In most modern BIOS’ there should be a setting entitled Security Option, with options available being System or Setup. Selecting System will set the PC to prompt you for a password whenever the PC is booted up, with the incorrect password being entered resulting in the system not loading. Selecting Setup sets the PC to prompt you for a password whenever you attempt to enter the BIOS, with the incorrect password being entered resulting in the BIOS not being accessible. There should also be a corresponding Set Password option to enter in the password that is required to be entered to load the system/BIOS.

Lock Windows If you are using 2000/XP it is possible to lock the Operating System, a good idea if you’ve to go somewhere else temporarily – this way no-one should be able to access the system, nor should you have the hassle of needing to restart the PC or reload/save any work you were doing – it can be locked as is.
To do so simply press the Windows key + L simultaneously or CTRL-ALT-DEL simultaneously and select Lock Computer. To unlock the OS simply press CTRL-ALT-DEL simultaneously and enter your login details.

Windows can also be set to lock the system automatically after a period of inactivity. Right click on the desktop and select Properties, then the Screen Saver tab.

Ticking the option ‘On resume, password protect’ will lock the OS whenever the screen saver becomes active, should you use one. This is a further refinement to purposely locking your PC, just in case you happen to leave the system unattended for longer than you were expe

[ChrisUlrich]

Install firewalls

Firewalls stop unauthorized programs from using your computer over the internet. If your computer is on the internet it is vulnerable. If you do not have a firewall program you can get the free Sygate Personal Firewall or free version of ZoneALARM (probably the best on the market) , please be aware that in out opinion the windows default firewall is not a real good solution. Download ZoneALARM

If your firewall says that a program is trying to contact the internet and you are not sure what it is, say "no", if a program stops working you can always say "yes" the next time it asks.

Update your operating system with the latest patches every week

New security flaws are discovered in operating systems all the time. Your computer is vulnerable to these flaws if you do not install the free fixes that are available. Windows can be updated at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.

[dhanubaba]

Logging PC to using user privillege is the good method to reduce virus attacks...) )
Logging as a user..)) ) and start personnel firewall...

[Computer_Freak]

As you know Windows Xp is still more secure then Windows Vista. You can review many recommendations on how to improve this security, but the main security difference between Xp and Vista - UAC (User account control) can't be installed to Xp.

This article explains how to make Windows Xp more secure by running it in the mode like Vista's UAC protected. The main benefit of this mode is that NONE of viruses and spyware can be installed... Sorry, almost none. However, its free and there is no special knowledge needed...

First of all let me say what is UAC on Windows Vista. Its a simple rule that NONE of program can be executed outside current user folder. And this rule provides security because all of spyware and viruses require access to the system which is not given in this mode.

Windows Xp can also apply this rule. But by default that was the biggest Microsoft mistake Xp user is an administrator which allows any program full access to the system.

You will need create one more user account on your Windows Xp, but marked as "limited user". This is the same as Windows Vista UAC. And then, use for your regular activity only limited account. If you will need to add some programs or hardware you will need to logoff and login with your first Windows account, as an administrator.

Your new limited account will not allow any virus or spyware to run on your Windows outside user folder. This mean that it will not make any harm to your system.

How to create "limited user" account in Windows Xp?

Step 1. Open Control Panel by clicking start button on your Desktop.
Step 2. Click User Accounts icon
Step 3. Click Create New Account
Step 4. Type any name for your new account, say "Secure", click Next
Step 5. Select option "Limited", click Next

You're done! You can now restart your Windows and logon screen will ask you if you want to use this new secure account. Select it and start using it for maximum PC security. I will also recommend you install some privacy programs also to protect your privacy.