[olug] OT: "Securing" a WinXP Home Edition Machine

[Daniel Linder]

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

I guess I'll thrown in my $0.02...

<quote who="Jay Swackhamer">
> Windows update->Windows update->windows update

Contrary to some self-proclaimed experts, I don't have a problem with
setting the AutoUpdate feature to "on".  My mother-in-law would never get
her system updates unless we visited or this feature was on.  I've been
lucky and never had a MS patch kill a machine like some have reported.

> Install: AVG Anti-virus http://www.grisoft.com

A definate must!  AVG is really great!

>          Spybot Search & Destroy->update->immunize->scan

This too is a nice feature.  Can it be setup to update and scan at a
preset time every week or so?

>          set an administrator(startup in safe mode) & user passwords
>          FireFox(tell them not to use IE unless they have to)

I haven't had any problem with plug-ins with Firefox on WinXP platforms.
I guess the only site that I have to run via IE that the normal home user
might go to is "www.PlayHouseDisney.com" so that might be an issue if they
have little kids. :(

The only thing that I would add new to this discussion is I'd stress to
purchase an inexpensive home firewall/router.  Just a quick check of
CompUSA's site they have a $39.00 Bekin cable/DSL router (PN: 302193).
not only can they share a connection to the Internet, but IMHO they are
better secured against the next un-patched vulnerability.

<plug>
You might want want to get ahold of Jay at RebootTheUser to see what he
can do for ya?  If your family is in town, they might like to have you
recommended a tech if they ever need help and you're not around.
</plug>

Dan

- - - - -
"I do not fear computer,
I fear the lack of them."
 -- Isaac Asimov
GPG fingerprint:9EE8 ABAE 10D3 0B55 C536  E17A 3620 4DCA A533 19BF

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.2.1 (GNU/Linux)

iD8DBQFCBPNlNiBNyqUzGb8RAs62AJ4/ld/hoXs7ZKtqvek9/6OX7tC9FgCeJUaB
SqvOrD9Fq6KcczHdKW6S/nU=
=M/Ra
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----