PC Magazine Windows Vista Security Solutions

by DiNicolo, Dan

• ISBN13: 9780470046562
• ISBN10: 0470046562
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-01-23
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

The average user has little idea of the severity of security threats to the Windows Vista OS or how those threats could impact their personal privacy; this book educates readers on the simple steps they can take to prepare for potential threats Providing the knowledge and wisdom that end-users need in order to protect themselves, this detailed guide offers step-by-step instructions to installing programs and configuring settings related to securing Windows Vista Aimed at the home and small office user who wants to learn different ways to avoid or lessen the risk of security threats Examines viruses, spyware, firewalls, browser security, password management, data protection, network security, and Vista updates

Author Biography

Dan DiNicolo holds a variety of certifications and contributes to numerous PC-related publications in the U.S., Australia, and the U.K. His work has appeared in The Official Windows Vista Magazine as well as PC Magazine. Dan operates 2000Trainers.com, an online learning site for IT professionals pursuing certifications.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. xvii
Introduction	p. xix
Getting Down to the Business of Securing Windows Vista
A Short Introduction to Securing Windows Vista	p. 3
The Five Golden Rules of Windows Security	p. 4
The Security Map	p. 5
No Excuses!	p. 5
Got a Network?	p. 6
Nice to Know	p. 7
For Those Who Want to Take Things Up a Notch	p. 8
Summary	p. 9
Implementing User Accounts and Logon Security	p. 11
Exploring User Accounts	p. 11
Benefits of User Accounts	p. 12
User Account Types	p. 13
Creating User Accounts	p. 16
Creating User Accounts in Control Panel	p. 17
Managing User Accounts	p. 18
Changing User Account Types	p. 18
Renaming User Accounts	p. 19
Managing User Account Passwords	p. 21
Deleting User Accounts	p. 23
User Account Control and the Run As Command	p. 24
Summary	p. 27
Implementing Password Security	p. 29
Password Security	p. 29
Choosing Good Passwords	p. 30
Common Password Mistakes	p. 31
Changing Passwords Regularly	p. 33
Windows Vista Passwords	p. 34
User Account Passwords	p. 34
Web Site Passwords	p. 35
E-mail and Internet Service Passwords	p. 36
File Security Passwords	p. 36
Implementing Password and Account Lockout Policies	p. 36
Configuring Password Policy Settings	p. 38
Configuring Account Lockout Policy Settings	p. 40
Storing Passwords Securely	p. 42
Password Reset Disk	p. 43
Password Management Software	p. 44
Implementing Additional Password Security Options	p. 46
BIOS Passwords	p. 47
Hard Disk Passwords	p. 49
Syskey Password	p. 49
Summary	p. 51
Using Built-in Tools and Settings to Improve Windows Vista Security	p. 53
Exploring Running Processes with Task Manager	p. 53
Reviewing the Security Event Log	p. 55
Using Windows Security Center	p. 58
Configuring Local Security and Policy Settings	p. 60
Local Security Policy	p. 60
Local Computer Policy	p. 62
Summary	p. 66
Making Surfing Safer
Securing Your Web Browser	p. 69
Securing Internet Explorer	p. 69
Configuring IE Zone Security Settings	p. 70
Configuring IE Privacy Settings	p. 74
Managing Access to Web Content	p. 78
Internet Explorer Security Features	p. 80
Using Other Web Browsers	p. 87
Summary	p. 89
Implementing Parental Controls	p. 91
Keeping Children Safe Online	p. 92
Understanding Online Risks and Dangers	p. 92
Practical Tips for Parents	p. 93
Restricting Internet Access Using Parental Controls	p. 95
Enabling Parental Control Restrictions	p. 96
Review Reports	p. 101
Using Content Filtering in Business Environments	p. 102
Summary	p. 103
Protecting Windows Vista Against Internet Threats
Protecting Windows Vista with a Firewall	p. 107
Understanding the Role of a Firewall	p. 108
Inbound Filtering	p. 108
Outbound Filtering	p. 109
Configuring Windows Firewall	p. 109
Check Windows Firewall Status	p. 110
Enabling or Disabling a Specific Connection	p. 112
Configuring Exceptions	p. 113
Using Windows Firewall with Advanced Security	p. 117
Blocking Inbound and Outbound Connections	p. 117
Setting Logging and Scope Settings	p. 122
Implementing Third-Party Firewall Software	p. 125
Testing Your Firewall	p. 128
Summary	p. 131
Keeping Windows Vista Patched and Protected	p. 133
Windows Vista Security Updates	p. 133
Security Updates	p. 134
Service Packs	p. 134
Windows Vista Update Options	p. 135
Using Windows Update	p. 136
Installing Service Packs and Security Updates Manually	p. 139
Patching Beyond Vista	p. 141
Summary	p. 142
Protecting Against Viruses	p. 143
Understanding Viruses	p. 143
Types of Viruses	p. 144
Virus Risks	p. 145
Protecting Against Viruses	p. 146
Installing Antivirus Software	p. 146
Updating Virus Definitions	p. 149
Configuring Virus Scanning Options	p. 150
Scanning for Viruses	p. 153
Beyond Antivirus Software	p. 155
Removing Viruses	p. 156
Summary	p. 159
Fighting Malware: Protecting Against Spyware, Adware, and Browser Hijackers	p. 161
Understanding Malware	p. 161
Types of Malware	p. 162
How Malware Infects Your PC	p. 165
Signs of Infection	p. 166
Malware Risks	p. 167
Protecting Against Malware	p. 168
Installing Anti-Spyware Software	p. 168
Updating Spyware Definition Files and Scanning for Malware	p. 170
Windows Defender Tools	p. 172
Beyond Anti-Spyware Software	p. 174
Removing Malware	p. 175
Using Spyware Removal Tools	p. 176
Eliminating Browser Hijacks	p. 178
Summary	p. 180
Messaging Your Way to E-mail Security
The Dark Side of Spam	p. 183
Understanding Spam	p. 183
How Spam Finds You	p. 184
Why Spam Can Be a Security Threat	p. 185
Fighting Spam	p. 189
Fighting Spam with Windows Mail	p. 189
Filtering Spam with Anti-Spam Software	p. 196
Defeating Spam with Good Ol' Common Sense	p. 199
Summary	p. 202
Securing E-mail Messages Using Encryption and Digital Signatures	p. 203
The Need for E-mail Security	p. 204
Secure E-mail Components	p. 205
Certificates	p. 205
Certificate Authorities	p. 206
Public and Private Keys	p. 207
How Secure E-mail Works	p. 207
Digital Signatures	p. 207
Encryption	p. 208
Digital Signatures and Encryption in Action	p. 209
Obtaining, Installing, and Managing Digital Certificates	p. 210
Obtaining and Installing a Personal Digital Certificate	p. 210
Managing a Personal Digital Certificate	p. 211
Signing and Encrypting E-mail Messages	p. 215
Sending and Receiving Signed E-mail Messages	p. 215
Sending and Receiving Encrypted E-mail Messages	p. 219
Secure E-mail Alternatives	p. 224
Summary	p. 225
Protecting Your Files
Controlling Access to Your Personal Files	p. 229
Understanding File System Security	p. 229
Differences between FAT, FAT32, and NTFS	p. 230
Converting FAT or FAT32 to NTFS	p. 231
Using Personal and Public Folders	p. 232
Configuring File and Folder Security Settings Manually	p. 234
Summary	p. 238
Improving File Security Using Encryption	p. 239
Encryption Options	p. 239
Encrypting File System	p. 240
Third-Party Encryption Programs	p. 240
Protecting Files with EFS	p. 241
How EFS Works	p. 241
Designating a Data Recovery Agent	p. 242
Encrypting Files and Folders	p. 244
Managing EFS Encryption Keys	p. 248
Using a Third-Party Encryption Solution	p. 250
Dekart Private Disk Light	p. 250
Dekart Private Disk	p. 253
Summary	p. 254
Erasing Files and Hard Drives Securely	p. 255
Traditional Ways of Deleting Files	p. 255
Using the Recycle Bin	p. 256
Formatting and Deleting Partitions	p. 257
Erasing Files Securely	p. 259
Setting Eraser Defaults	p. 259
Erasing a File with Eraser	p. 261
Covering Your Internet Tracks	p. 264
Erasing Hard Drives Securely	p. 266
Summary	p. 268
Securing Your Home Network
Securing Shared Folders and Printers	p. 271
Sharing Network Resources	p. 272
Sharing and Securing Folders	p. 272
Sharing and Securing the Public Folder	p. 273
Securing and Sharing Any Folder	p. 274
Advanced Sharing and Security	p. 276
Connecting to Shared Folders	p. 280
Connecting to a Shared Folder Using Network	p. 281
Mapping a Network Drive	p. 281
Browsing for the Folder Using the Network	p. 282
Sharing and Securing Printers	p. 283
Sharing Existing Printers	p. 283
Connecting to Shared Printers	p. 284
Securing Shared Printers	p. 285
Summary	p. 287
Securing Windows Vista on Wireless Networks	p. 289
Windows Vista and Wireless Networking	p. 289
Windows Vista Wireless Settings	p. 291
Security Risks on Wireless Networks	p. 294
Securing Wireless Access Points	p. 295
Changing the Default Administrator Access Password	p. 296
Changing the Default Wireless Network Name	p. 298
Limiting Access to Wireless Networks	p. 299
Disabling SSID Broadcast	p. 299
Implementing MAC Address Security	p. 303
Securing Wireless Network Traffic with Encryption	p. 305
Wired Equivalent Privacy	p. 305
Implementing WEP Security	p. 306
Wi-Fi Protected Access	p. 308
Implementing WPA Security	p. 310
Summary	p. 314
Appendixes
Reinstalling Windows Vista	p. 317
Pre-Installation Tasks	p. 317
Installing Windows Vista	p. 318
Post-Installation Tasks	p. 319
Helpful Windows Vista Security Web Sites	p. 321
Windows Vista Home Page	p. 321
Windows Help and Support Page	p. 321
Microsoft Security Home Page	p. 321
TechNet Security Home Page	p. 322
Windows Vista Security and Protection	p. 322
Windows Vista Community	p. 322
PC Magazine Security Watch	p. 322
The Elder Geek on Windows Vista	p. 322
Index	p. 323
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