Chapter 11 HandsOn Activity Securing Your Computer

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Chapter 11 Hands-On ActivitySecuring Your
Computer

• By Rich Colangelo

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Topics Of Discussion

• Securing your computer through
• Business Continuity
• Intrusion Prevention

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Business Continuity

• First most important action is to configure
  Windows to perform automatic updates.
  
• Second most important action is to buy and
  install antivirus software from McAfee
  (http//www.mcafee.com/us/) or Symantec (Norton)
  (http//www.symantec.com/index.jsp). Configure
  for regular updates. Scan for viruses on a
  regular basis.
• Buy and install anitspyware software. Good
  packages include McAfee, Spy Sweeper, CounterSpy
  and Trend Micro Anti-spyware, etc This software
  should be configured to give regular updates.

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Business Continuity cont

• The largest sources of viruses, spyware, and
  adware is free Internet downloads for software
  and music or videos.
  
• Only download these from a trusted vendor!
• A disaster recovery plan should be developed.
• What will you do if your computer is destroyed?
• Files should be copied to a shared directory on
  another computer on your LAN.

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Intrusion Prevention

• Physical security should always be practiced.
  Turn off your computer when not being used. An
  off computer cannot be attached via the Internet
  or a passerby.
• Windows has multiple user accounts, Administrator
  and Guest. Disable the Guest account and change
  the name of the Administrator account so that
  intruders attacking the computer will not know
  the user names or passwords.

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Intrusion Prevention cont

• Turn on Windows Firewall. Firewall software
  prevents other computers from accessing your
  computer. The default setting is usually
  adequate, but changes can be made by clicking on
  Internet Options.
• Disable unneeded services. Windows was designed
  to support many applications. Many of the
  services are not needed by users, and have become
  intruder targets.

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Intrusion Prevention cont

• If you use LAN at home, be certain the router
  connecting you to the Internet is a NAT proxy
  server. NAT proxy servers prevent intruders from
  attacking your computer.
• If you dont need to share files on your LAN,
  turn off this capability.
  
• Avoid phishing attacks. According to a study, 70
  of emails are spam and phishing attacks. Never
  click an email link, instead open a new browser
  and manually enter the correct address.

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Intrusion Prevention cont

• Lastly, computers should regularly be scanned for
  vulnerabilities. Symantec, an antivirus maker of
  software, has a website that will scan your
  computer for free. The website will list the
  strengths and weaknesses of your computer. The
  website is www.scan.symantec.com.

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Questions?