Thought this might be of interest here...
Please don't edit or repost this text without credit...


How to (Fairly) Secure Your Windows System
By sGT. DaN

Note: Some of the download links are not free you must pay for them or use a trial package.
No serials/cracks are found on this website.

1 = :tup:
0 = :tdown:

Firstly, get yourself some anti-virus software.
Symantec's Norton AntiVirus is what I would recommend. Click here (http://www.symantec.com/downloads/) to visit the Symantec download page.

Download Norton AntiVirus 2002 Trialware Version 8 here (http://cut.iserver.net/sgtdan/nav80try.exe).

Once downloaded and installed here are the advised settings...
Click the 'Options' button.

System - Auto-Protect
- How to stay protected -
Enable Auto-Protect - 1
Start Auto-Protect when Windows starts up - 1
Show the Auto-Protect icon in the tray - 1

- How to respond when a virus is found -
Automatically repair the infected file - 1
Try to repair then quarantine is unsuccessful - 0
Deny access to the infected file - 0

- Which file types to scan for viruses -
Comprehensive file scanning - 1
Scan files using SmartScan - 0

System - Auto-Protect - Bloodhound
Enable Bloodhound - 1
Highest level of protection - 1


System - Auto-Protect - Advanced
Scan all removable media for boot viruses every time it is mounted - 1
Scan floppy disc in A: for boot viruses when shutting down - 1

System - Script Blocking
- How to stay protected from malicious scripts -
Enable Script Blocking - 1

- How to respond when a malicious script is found -
Ask me what to - 1
Stop all suspisious activities and do not prompt me - 0

System - Manual Scans
- What items to scan in addition to files -
Master boot records - 1
Boot records - 1

- How to respond when a virus is found -
Automatically repair the infected file - 1
Ask me what to - 0
Try to repair then quarantine is unsuccessful - 0

- Which file types to scan for -
Comprehensive file scanning - 1
Scan files using SmartScan - 0
Scan within compressed files - 1

System - Manual Scans - Bloodhound
Enable Bloodhound - 1
Highest level of protection - 1

System - Exclusions
[Leave this]

Internet - E-Mail Protection
- What to scan -
Scan incoming Email - 1
Scan outgoing Email - 1

- How to respond when a virus is found -
Automatically repair the infected file - 1

- What to do when scanning Email -
Protect against timeouts - 1
Display tray icon - 1
Display progress indicator when sending mail - 1

Internet - Live Update
Enable Automatic LiveUpdate - 1
Apply updates without interrupting me - 1

Other - Activity Logs
[Select all]

Other - Miscellaneous
[Select all]

*
Finished? Next we need a firewall.
Zone Alarm Pro is what I recommend.
Download.Com (http://download.cnet.com/).
Click here (http://www.zonelabs.com/) to visit the ZoneLabs homepage.

Download Zone Alarm Pro 3 here (http://cut.iserver.net/sgtdan/zapSetup3001.exe).

Once downloaded and installed here are my recommended settings...

Overview

All Custom

Firewall
- Main -
Internet Zone - High
Local Zone - High


Program Control
- Main -
Program Control - Medium
Automatic Lock - 0

Alerts and Logs
Alert events shown - 0
Event logging - 1
Program logging - High

Privacy
Cookie Contol - Medium (May have to turn it off if it won't allow certain sites to function)

Ad blocking - Medium - 3 seconds

Mobile Code Control - On (May have to turn it off if it won't allow certain sites to function)

E-Mail Protection
Mailsafe Setting - 1

Finished. Now, if you want extra protection especially from viruses and trojans I suggest you download and install a great little program, The Cleaner.
Click here (http://www.moosoft.com/download.php) to download The Cleaner from the MooSoft website.

Settings for this program should be fine as they are.

Next, I suggest you download Ad-Aware to remove any spyware on your system.

Click here (http://cut.iserver.net/sgtdan/aaw.exe) to download Ad-Aware.

Ok, we are almost there. If you use Internet Explorer, which I recommend you should download the high encryption pack to increase your cipher strength to 128-bit. Click here (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/recommended/128bit/default.asp).

Now, just to finish it off...
Click here (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/) to go to the Windows Update website.
Click 'Product Updates'
Now download all the updates available. This might take some time but should be worthwhile.
You may be surprised at how many updates you need.

Well, that's it. Your system has been secured.

Check Windows Update regularly to ensure no security holes appear in your system.

Good luck.

Excellent, thanks Dan.

- Merc.
http://liquidmercury28.cjb.net

Sgt. Dan,

Thanks for posting this. This is all very basic info, but it is amazing how often it is overlooked. Day after day, I walk in and do analyses of companies that should have top-of-the-line security on their systems, ans they don't even have antivirus protection!! Boggles the mind! :confused:

Anyways, good post. :tup:

-Zack

http://www.mindshatter.com/zack/smanback1.gif

BTW, I would encourage anyone here to add any such suggestions, tips, etc to this thread!

This is all very basic info, but it is amazing how often it is overlooked.



Exactly :)

Last update on Sunday 31st March 2002

Hope you dont mind me adding this to your post dan ?

A good FREE A/V program can be found at www.grisoft.com also has the option of upgrade o even better version tho that one is NOT free :(

I also recommend going to www.moosoft.com and D/L the cleaner as this will find and effectivley remove 95% of trojans it also has a registry monitor built that when running WILL NOT allow any changes in the registry without your permision this is available in demo for 30 days

http://www.cdrom-guide.com/forums/imgs/schlaubi.gifI just need a stick about this big to make a fishing rod

Not a problem... :)

The Cleaner was already mentioned though...


Finished. Now, if you want extra protection especially from viruses and trojans I suggest you download and install a great little program, The Cleaner.
Click here to download The Cleaner from the MooSoft website.


Thanks smurf :)