Securing Your PC in Easy Steps

# Introducing PC security * PC security is vital * The history of PC security * Threats to your PC * How hackers operate * The Vista security model * Planning a security strategy # See sections in chapter 2 Physically secure your PC * Physical PC security * Available options * Notebook physical security * Further considerations # See sections in chapter 3 People and security * The greatest security threat? * The Spida worm * Password strength * Enforcing strong passwords # See sections in chapter 4 Security at startup * Security at startup * Setting startup passwords * Disabling the floppy drive # See sections in chapter 5 Security for users * Vista user accounts * User account strategies * Creating a user account * Setting a password * Securing your files * The Public folder * Using local user groups * Over-the-shoulder credentials * Parental controls * Setting time limits * Blocking inappropriate content # See sections in chapter 6 The virus threat * What is a virus? * Installing protection * Scanning your PC * Are you infected? * Preventing virus threats * Hoaxes * Viruses - think laterally # See sections in chapter 7 Security on the Internet * Internet threats * Malware * Vista Internet security * Spyware - educate yourself * Windows Defender * Antispyware alternatives * Internet browsing tips * Online banking services * Clearing your history * Internet certificates * Rogue dialers * IE security settings * IE advanced settings * Using the pop-up blocker * Turning off auto-complete * Disabling add-ons * Windows Firewall * Testing your security level # See sections in chapter 8 Email security * Understanding email security * What is phishing? * Identifying phishing * Dealing with phishing * Reporting phishing attempts * The Vista phishing filter * Marking an email legitimate * Junk email * Deterring junk email * Using an external junk filter * Windows Mail junk filter * Setting a protection level * Adding safe senders * Blocking senders * More mail security options * Using plain text * Using rules * Testing our message rule # See sections in chapter 9 Securing your network * Introducing network security * Early considerations * Password-protect the router * Using a WEP security key * Using a WPA security key * IP addresses * Setting static IP addresses * The router firewall * Preventing access by time * Control by MAC address # See sections in chapter 10 Using policies * The Group Policy Editor * Getting started * Our first policy * Securing removable devices * Restricting hardware installs * Enable administrator access * Enable specific device install # See sections in chapter 11 Securing sensitive data * What is encryption? * Encryption in Vista * Other encryption options # See sections in chapter 12 Securing Vista * Additional Vista security * Disabling services * Remote Desktop * Windows Explorer * File Attributes # See sections in chapter 13 Securing applications * Securing your applications * Disabling macros * Password-protecting files # See sections in chapter 14 Using resources * Security resources * The Microsoft website * Microsoft TechNet * Newsgroups # See sections in chapter 15 Disposing of your PC * Retiring your PC * Preparing to format * Formatting the drive * Destroying your drive # See sections in chapter 16 Staying protected