7. 10 Fast and Free Security Enhancements
1. Check Windows Update and Office Update regularly (_http://office.microsoft.com/productupdates); have your Office CD ready. Windows Me, 2000, and XP users can configure automatic updates. Click on the Automatic Updates tab in the System control panel and choose the appropriate options.
2. Install a personal firewall. Both SyGate (_www.sygate.com) and ZoneAlarm (_www.zonelabs.com) offer free versions.
3. Install a free spyware blocker. Our Editors' Choice ("Spyware," April 22) was SpyBot Search & Destroy (_http://security.kolla.de). SpyBot is also paranoid and ruthless in hunting out tracking cookies.
4. Block pop-up spam messages in Windows NT, 2000, or XP by disabling the Windows Messenger service (this is unrelated to the instant messaging program). Open Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Services and you'll see Messenger. Right-click and go to Properties. Set Start-up Type to Disabled and press the Stop button. Bye-bye, spam pop-ups! Any good firewall will also stop them.
5. Use strong passwords and change them periodically. Passwords should
have at least seven characters; use letters and numbers and have at
least one symbol. A decent example would be f8izKro@l. This will make
it much harder for anyone to gain access to your accounts.
6. If you're using Outlook or Outlook Express, use the current version
or one with the Outlook Security Update installed. The update and
current versions patch numerous vulnerabilities.
7. Buy antivirus software and keep it up to date. If you're not willing
to pay, try Grisoft AVG Free Edition (Grisoft Inc., w*w.grisoft.com).
And doublecheck your AV with the free, online-only scanners available
at w*w.pandasoftware.com/activescan and
_http://housecall.trendmicro.com.
8. If you have a wireless network, turn on the security features: Use
MAC filtering, turn off SSID broadcast, and even use WEP with the
biggest key you can get. For more, check out our wireless section or
see the expanded coverage in Your Unwired World in our next issue.