How to Secure Your Data on Windows

Whether you are talking about personal security, good security, or data security, this is seen as an important issue when dealt with. One of the newest and most dangerous actions that can be taken is an attack on your computer targeting the data contained on it. Here are some steps you need to take in order to protect your computer against such a problem, these will help you feel more safe when storing data on it:

1. Automatic Patches

For this you need to make sure that the Windows operating system is set to update itself automatically, when using Windows XP, you can turn it on from Start/Control Panel/Security Settings/Automatic Updates, and for Windows 2000 the way is resemblant, you press Start, Settings, Control Panel, Automatic Updates. In both scenarios check that the "Automatic" option is selected, also here you can set that Windows will let you know when it is performing such actions automatically, or they need to be installed manually.

2. Don't Wait For Windows

If your PC was turned off for a longer period of time, such as a few days, do not wait for the updates to start by themselves, but take your first stop at the Microsoft web site. Also there could be a wait time from the moment a patch is available, and the time that this patch is sent to your computer. Generally, Microsoft "takes out" patches in the second week of each month, so to be sure, search for the update manually weekly. Another important role that is played in maintaining your security is updating your anti-virus program, and anti-spyware program, both must be up to date. The best is to set them both to update
automatically, for saving time, and being more sure that they have the latest updates installed.

3. Use The Windows XP Security Monitor

The best security related component in Windows XP Service Pack 2, is Windows Security Center. This utility offered by Microsoft monitors the system and will warn you when the anti-virus is not installed or lacking updates or the system firewall is disabled or has an old database. It must be known that the Windows Firewall can offer very few security solutions, the best would be to install another firewall software such as ZoneAlarm.

4. Make All File Extensions Visible

Many viruses cover themselves in the form of harmless files, by adding another executable extension to them. (e.g.: funnypic.jpg.exe), in hope that your system will hide the .exe extension, and only show the fake one. In order to do this, open Windows Explorer, select Tools/Folder Options/View and make sure that the option "Hide file extension for known file types" is not checked.

In order to see a larger part of your file system check the "Show hidden files and folders" option and uncheck "Hide protected operating system files"

5. Make Sure Internet Explorer Is Secure

Many users find the medium security level of Internet Explorer 6 is too dependent on ActiveX, and other small programs or scripts that the browser needs to run on the PC.

ActiveX and Java Script allows some web services such as security checks, but in the same time they can run infected codes or offer system access to attackers.

To make Internet Explorer more secure, chose Tools from the browser menu, and follow the way "Internet Options, Security, Custom Level", select the "High" level, after click Reset,Yes, OK.

Unfortunately, this setting has a problematic issue, leading to a lot of permissions questions when loading web sites, even if there is no problem with them. The solution we have found is to add the web sites that you frequent more to a "Trusted Sites List": select Tools, Internet Options, Security, click on Trusted Sites, click the Sites button. In the window that will open input the web site that you want added to this list and click the Add button, before closing the window make sure that the "Require server verification(https:) for all sites in this zone" is unchecked.

6. Make FireFox More Secure

The only way to block Java Scripts under Mozilla Firefox is to install an add-on called NoScript. This does the following thing: it places a notification bar under each page you visit that is using JavaScript. If you click on this bar you can access a menu that will provide you with options in order to allow JavaScript on the web site, or block them.

7. Secure The E-mail

If a virus passes the anti-virus software, and manages to infect the system, a good possibility is that it came in an e-mail address. To reduce the risk of such an infection from the e-mail messages, do not click any suspicious links found in the e-mail messages you receive. The alternative for opening these links is copying them, and pasting them in the Address Bar of your browser, or going to the start page of the link and navigating to the place you need to get.

8. Scan E-Mail Attachments

The best way to avoid e-mail sourced infections is to scan the attached files of the e-mail messages you receive. Instead of opening the attached file directly from the e-mail client, save it to your hard drive, and then scan it with your anti-virus program. Another way to avoid such things is to set your anti-virus program to scan automatically the e-mail messages that come into your Inbox.

Taking these simple measures will help ensure the security of your computer, but take note, that this will not completely secure your computer, because daily new viruses, trojans and spyware is developed in order to avoid anti-virus programs, and protection software. The truth is there is no computer that can be totally secure on the Internet.