how to secure your pc_ 11 steps - wikihow

So you have just bought a new personal computer for your home(rather than for a workplace or as a server) and want to secure it(including protecting it from viruses and spyware). Privacy(including encryption, cryptography and anonymity) is a part ofsecurity but broad enough to need covering separately. Think ofPrivacy as the flipside of the coin. Making backups of data,defragging, system restore points are only indirectly related.Backups can actually make your data easier to steal and retrieve.

This article assumes you wish to use a network (such as theinternet), share files on thumbdrives and that your PC might bephysically accessible to others. If none of those apply, then your many of these steps may beredundant as your PC will already be quite secure.

Choose an operating system based on its security and vulnerability (Linux has no

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known active viruses in the wild, OpenBSD is focused on security). Find out if it useslimited user accounts, file permissions and is regularly updated. Make sure you update youroperating system with security updates and update your other software too.

Choose a web browser based on its security and vulnerabilities because most malwarewill come through via your web browser. Disable scripts too (NoScript, Privoxy andProxomitron can do this). Look at what independent computer security analysts (such asUS-CERT ) and crackers (similar to hackers) say. Google Chrome is more secure and hasa sandbox feature so it would be more difficult to compromise the system and spread theinfection.

When setting up, use strong passwords in your user account, router account etc.Hackers may use dictionary attacks and brute force attacks.

Use trusted sources. When downloading software (including antivirus software), get it from atrusted source (softpedia, download, snapfiles, tucows, fileplanet, betanews, sourceforge) oryour repository if you are using Linux.

Install good antivirus software (particularly if you use P2P). Antivirus software is designedto deal with modern malware including viruses, trojans, keyloggers, rootkits, and worms. Findout if your antivirus offers real-time scanning, on-access or on-demand. Also find out if it isheuristic. Avast and AVG are very good free editions. Choose one, download and install itand scan regularly. Keep your virus definitions up to date by updating regularly.

Download and install software to deal with spyware such as Spybot Search and

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Destroy , HijackThis or Ad-aware and scan regularly. I can't state this enough - youneed to run a good anti spyware and anti malware program like Spybot if you search the webat all. Many websites out there exploit weaknesses and holes in the security of MicrosoftExplorer and will place malicious code on your computer without you knowing about it until itstoo late!

Download and install a firewall. Either ZoneAlarm or Comodo Firewall (Kerio,WinRoute or Linux comes with iptables). If you use a router, this gives an added layer ofsecurity by acting as a hardware firewall.

Close all ports. Hackers use port scanning (Ubuntu Linux has all ports closed by default).

Perform Penetration Testing. Start with ping, then run a simple nmap scan. BacktrackLinux will also be useful.

Consider running intrusion detection software (HIDS) such as ossec, tripwire orrkhunter.

Don't forget to think in terms of physical security! Consider something like a Kensingtonlock (in case of theft/unauthorised access). Also setting a BIOS password and preventingaccess to your machine or its removable devices (USB, CD drive etc.). Don't use an externalhard drive or USB device for important data, these represent another vulnerability, as they areeasier to steal/lose.

Encryption can be effective against theft. Encrypt at least your entire user account ratherthan just a few files. It can affect performance but can prove worth it. Truecrypt works on

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Windows, OS X, Linux, FreeOTFE works on Windows and Linux. In OS X (10.3 or later)System Preferences Security, click FileVault (this can take minutes to hours). In LinuxUbuntu (9.04 or later) installation Step 5 of 6 choose "Require my password to login anddecrypt my home folder". This uses ecryptfs.

There is an extremely popular podcast called Security Now .

Remember to update your antivirus program frequently.

Do the course at HackerHighSchool .

Consider security through obscurity or security by design.

Some viruses intercept operating system calls to prevent an Anti Virus programs fromaccessing infected files. In those cases low-level investigation and removal will be required,which may require a professional.

In most circumstances, the most dangerous thing on a computer is the user. Your PC dependson you; failure to install security updates, or running infected software will compromise yoursystem.

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If data must be destroyed to prevent unauthorized access, a lot of conscientious backups ofTHAT kind of data is unwise.

If you encrypt the data, MAKE SURE you don't forget the encryption key. If you can't rememberit, you will effectively lose all of the data.

Anti-virus software are not always effective in combating viruses. Don't just install the anti-virusand forget about security.

How to Physically Secure Your Office ComputersHow to Protect Private Data on USB Flash Drive Using FreeOTFEHow to Avoid Downloading a Virus from LimewireHow to Protect Your Home Windows Pc for FreeHow to Secure a Linux ServerHow to Prevent Computer Virus InfectionHow to Make the Laptop More Secure Operating SystemHow to Minimise Security Risks from Hackers and Crackers

Security - Community Ubuntu Documentation

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Ubuntu Security - Ubuntu ForumsSecurity on UbuntuSurviving Without a Virus Scanner - MSFN Forums

↑ http://www.us-cert.gov/nav/nt01/1.↑ http://www.google.com/chrome2.↑ http://blog.chromium.org/2008/10/new-approach-to-browser-security-google.html3.↑ http://www.avast.com4.↑ http://www.grisoft.com5.↑ http://www.safer-networking.org6.↑ http://www.trendsecure.com7.↑ http://www.lavasoft.com8.↑ http://www.zonealarm.com9.↑ http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/10.↑ http://www.remote-exploit.org/backtrack.html11.↑ http://www.grc.com/securitynow.htm12.↑ http://www.hackerhighschool.org/13.↑ http://www.symantec.com/norton/products/library/article.jsp?aid=internet_iq14.


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