This is just a "baby" tut on how to secure XP Home.
It's for , the average user who never even considered "securing" their computer.
It's not for the "nerds" here But you can add to this !

Reason for posting: lots of dudes here with spyware, and such which could be avoided pretty easy. Oh and im bored!

Ok you have a nice shiney computer with XP Home .
You have a Cable /ADSL/BB connection? And your not really into computers...
1) Always use the MS update facility, i would not bother with the XP updates , just the "security" updates. Do it regular and it takes only a few minuites.
Go to : Start> All Programs> it should be near the top of the list . Click on that and follow your nose !!!

2) Forget Internet Explorer , lots of talk about that here, i use www.mozilla.org firefox . It's not that it's better, well it is , it's also a lot safer. There a loads of exploits ( things hackers use ! ) for IE , so mozilla or Netscape or whatever takes your fancy is better. Will reduce spyware too ...

3) Go to : Start>Connect to>Show all Connections>Right click on the connection icon , select Properties . You can uncheck everyting in this , except the "internet protocol TCP/IP " you need this , but not the rest , i assume a standalone computer in a home setting.

4)By default XP home has a Firewall ( in a nut shell , it makes your computer "invisible" on the internet to potential intruders) , however the XP firewall is a bit "basic" get a real one !! Check out Norton, BlackIce, and loads more ........

5) Goes without saying you HAVE to have an Anti Virus programme , again Norton , McAffee , etc ..

6) Both above are useless if not updated regular.

7)Get AdAware and Spybot , http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/ and Spybot http://www.safer-networking.org/ .. run regular and update too .. both are free

8) Ok now were gettin into the "nitty gritty" bit .
I assume a home computer, it's yours.
By default XP makes you an "administrator", now i wont go into the gory details, but this is not a good idea.

SO , go to Start>Control Panel>User Accounts> Create a new account. Create a new account, Call it somethin like "Joe's" whatever , give it a password, and Administrator rights. Now log out , log into Joe's account. Go back into the user accounts and make your account a "Limited" account.

For "normal" use use your account , to load programmes etc you go to "Joe's account.
Why ? As a limited user you can't load any programme , that will affect the computer, he he , neither can anyone else !!!!! the perfect crime ...

9) Log off your computer , go to the fridge and drink some beer !!! You've done plenty already for one day !!!

Like i said , there is lots more to do but i don't think FTE would like a 200 page post !!!!!

It's a good start , and no doubt other "bored" nerdie members will add to this , it just a start...

feel free to mail me with any question, i don't know eveything but i will try to help!!

Y'all have a nice day

 

For those of you with broadband connections, get a separate firewall, not software. There are viruses out there that can easily disable even the best of software firewalls. I have never heard of a virus taking out a hardware firewall (such as a linksys, d-link, netgear, etc..)

 

Also, in firefox, netscape, or opera, TURN OFF POPUPS! Or set it to only allow requested popups. It's not just for your sanity, some popups are dangerous.

 

My sister-n-law got a desktop with XP about a year ago. I asked her today if she was downloading patches and updates from MSN. I aked her if she had downloaded Adaware or anything. She says..."No I dont download anything, and I'm not doing any of that firewall stuff either. I want to be able to get to the sites I want. I dont need any of that stuff, my computer runs just fine." I say, "Kinda important stuff to do, its a big world out there." I get that disapproving look from her. I looked at my wife, my wife just shrugged her shoulders. So I left it at that. Sooner or later........

 

Wow I have always used Norton AV Corporate Edition (free from my University and any government employee), ZoneAlarm Pro, and Ad-aware and thought I was doing pretty good. I loaded up the Spybot and found a bunch of crap on my computer. Thanks.

BTW, I just started to use Firefox and cannot tell the difference between it and IE other than no pop ups or crashes (when zonealarm blocks the pop up).

Not all routers have firewalls. Most of the $70-$200 firewalls use NAT or network address translation. This only hides your open ports and changes your address to minimize the danger of direct attacks. So it is best to use a hardware device such as a linksys router and software firewall.

 

Don't really care about your reasons for posting this but I'm glad you did. It took me a long time and an awful lot of problems before I learned about firewalls, spyware and pop-up blockers. Had someone like you been around 6-7 yr ago and willing to pass on this stuff.... well life would have been a lot less frustrating.

 

Yeah , most poeple i know treat a computer like a TV or a Radio, you just turn it on and that's it!! It either works or it don't ...

The Hardware firewall is a must IMHO, it does cost , but well worth the money .

A site worth a visit to see if your firewall is doin it's job is https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2 , this will tell you if you have any "open" ports ( not good !) if you have you should close them .

There is loads more you can do for FREE to help make you a lot safer on the net .

I would post more info , but i don't want to "spam" the forum with computer stuff .

I will do a follow up , if anyone want's it and there is no objections !!!

I got some help here about my truck , i am in no postion to help with anyone's truck , but if i can return the favour and help in any other way i will

If everybody helped everybody out ,there would be no problems in the world !!! Kinda simple really ....

C Ya!

 

Good Job guys.

 

The hardware firewall doesn't HAVE to cost though! A well-maintained linux box can be used as a firewall so long as you have the time to mess with it. It's the common "is your time or money worth more to you?" If you're saying "I don't have a spare PC to use as a firewall" you can get an old junker for under $50 Even cheaper if you can find a business throwing out their old desktops...

 

Linux is cool, but I got a DLink router with firewall for $50 Canadian, (after an instant rebate). Plus it included a 5 port(?) switch, so I can run my home network off it. I'd suggest going this route, unless you are super broke and really want to learn. If so, look for the "Linux Router Project" which has a "router on a disk" that will boot from a single floppy, and run on the kind of PCs that get tossed in dumpsters.

 

I agree with the Linux firewall bit , but it's not really for "Joe and Mary Bloggs" , really it ain't !
They need something that "just" works, period.

They ain't gonna spend hours , learning about a new OS to firewall their box.

Me i prefer FreeBSD , but that's just cos im weird !
Linux is just to mainstream for me !

 

Sorry to bring up an old post but where is this? When I go to Start, I don't have anything that looks remotely like Connect to.

3) Go to : Start>Connect to>Show all Connections>Right click on the connection icon , select Properties . You can uncheck everyting in this , except the "internet protocol TCP/IP " you need this , but not the rest , i assume a standalone computer in a home setting.

 

you guys are really into security . i dont run anything. well i do run adware once in a while when the pop ups start overwhelming my mouse. but as for firewall, well i have xp corp pro version and the built in one seems to do its job. i have had one virus in the last 8 years and that was because some friends husband got on here when i was out of town and the women were talking and he went to some **** site and downloaded. then again i use a remote proxy changer that bounces my connection all over the world and leaves me a pretty hidden connection back to my pc. the ip i show isnt even close to the one i am connected too.