Security
Computer security is getting more and more important. When a computer is connected to the Internet there are many potential security threats.
This page is probably only interesting for people who use Windows operating systems. On this page I present some links and programs that help to reduce the risks.
You will notice many links to German information in addition to information in English. This is for people who know the German language and rather read German texts than English ones. (After all, I live in a German speaking country and people ask me about programs and then I can give them the links I have here and don't have to look for the German links again and again.)
Before I start with that, let me give you 5 advices:
- Use the
Seamonkey, Firefox, Thunderbird software for browsing the web and writing e-mails. If you decide to use this software, you can read my Mozilla configuration tips.
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If you're using Windows XP activate your firewall settings (HOWTO in English, Microsoft's information in German).
- Most computer programs are not error-free. New bugs get detected every now and then. To help securing your system you need to update your computer programs and operating system when new error corrections are available (and tested...).
- Make backup copies! When something goes wrong with your system it's important you have backup copies of your important data. For example, copy your important data as often as you think it is necessary to CDRs.
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You could consider using Linux. Maybe you want to try it by using Knoppix in English (or Knoppix in German) which boots from CD. This way you don't have to install or delete anything.
Spyware
When you browse the Internet more and more spyware programs try to get installed to find out which websites you are visiting and so on. With the following tools you can find out whether spyware is installed on your system and you can even remove it. Be aware, though, that if you remove some spyware that certain programs may fail to run after that.
You should read the documentation of the tools before you delete anything!
- Lavasoft's Adaware
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Spybot S&D
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Microsoft's Internet Explorer can use so called "Browser Helper Files". These files can also be used to exploit a computer system. With BHOCaptor you can search for these files.
Misc
If you want to know a little bit more about your Windows system Sysinternals is a great resource for (free) Windows security tools. Two of them are described below:
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With Sysinternals' Process Explorer you can have a detailed look at which programs and processes are running on your Windows based computer. Not only do you get the names of the processes but also information about them like the path to the program and so on.
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Sysinternals' Autoruns shows you which processes get started when you start your Windows based computer. These include programs you have in your Autorun folder as well as programs defined somewhere in the registry. Have a look at this program, you might be surprised at what your computer is doing after it starts! After analysing the processes that get started you can deactivate the ones you don't want to be started.
If you want to log in to another computer for with secure shell access have a look at Putty.
Antivirus
Since computer viruses get more and more on Windows based computers you should install and update an antivirus progam.
For personal Windows based computers I use AntiVir Personal Edition in English or AntiVir Personal Edition in German.
If a system is already infected with a virus Symantec provides virus removal tools (English Version, German version) quite often.
If you want to find more information about a virus you can always search for the name or the symptoms of a virus by using your favourite search engine. Moreover, you could try Symantec's information about virus threats.
Microsoft
Activate your Firewall
You should have a firewall installed. If you use Windows XP there is already a basic one installed. You have to activate it until Windows XP SP 1, though. Get more information on how to do this in English or in German.
If you have installed Windows XP Service Pack 2 there is a more complex firewall. You can get information about it in English. If you know a good German resource please let me know.
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyser
A practical tool is the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyser (MBSA) which checks the available patches for your computer system. There's also a link on this page for a German download. After checking for available patches you can download and install them. In addition to the checking for patches the MBSA also checks for weak passwords and weak configuration settings. For all these issues it provides help for securing your system.
If you want more information or don't want to install the MSBA there are multiple information resources from Microsoft. You can start at the English home for Microsoft Security or you can use the Microsoft Security Bulletin Search.
If you have any comments or questions regarding this page about some security aspects feel free to e-mail me!
You're here: Security.
Last update: March 20, 2008
(c) 2001-2008 Florian Fankhauser, http://www.flof.at/