Secure Your Systems
10 Immutable Laws of Security
To secure your Desktops, we recommend performing the following steps.
Windows XP Professional / Home
- Familiarize yourself with this primer on how to get secure and stay secure and these Best Practices in Enterprise Security
- Understand the new security features of Windows XP Professional
- Keep your system updated automatically with the Windows automatic updating enable by default in Windows XP or, alternatively, check frequently the Windows Update service
- Keep up with the latest security hotfixes using the Security Alerts
- Update your anti-virus tools and signature files. Check out the Virus Alerts regularly.
Windows 2000 Professional
- Familiarize yourself with this primer on how to get secure and stay secure
- Check frequently the Windows Update service.
- Install the Windows 2000 Security Rollup Package 1
- Keep up with the latest security hotfixes using the Security Alerts
- Update your anti-virus tools and signature files. Check out the Virus Alerts regularly.
Windows NT 4.0 Workstations
- Familiarize yourself with this primer on how to get secure and stay secure
- Check frequently the Windows Update service.
- Keep up with the latest security hotfixes using the Security Alerts
- Update your anti-virus tools and signature files from viruses. Check out the Virus Alerts regularly.
Windows 95, 98, SE, ME
- Familiarize yourself with this primer on how to get secure and stay secure
- Check frequently the Windows Update service.
- Update your anti-virus tools and signature files from viruses. Check out the Virus Alerts regularly.
Attachments Attachments Attachments
More than 90 percent virus attacks are carried out through email attachments. Never ever open the attachments if you are not sure that the attachment is safe. In particular, do not open attachments with the following extensions:
- .exe, .pif, .scr, .bat, .vbs, .vb, .com and .zip (password protected).
There is a virus that is circulated under the garb of a security patch sent by Microsoft. Please note that Microsoft does not send security patches by email. Do not install any patches that you receive by email. Similarly, if you get a message from us to install any software patches for virus etc. simply delete it. We don't distribute anti-virus software.
Ongoing Security Maintenance
Without ongoing maintenance your system can become vulnerable to new forms of attacks. Follow these recommended steps on a regular basis:
- Use the Hfnetchk tool to assess which security fixes have been applied to the Windows 2000 operating system, as well as security fixes for Internet Information Services 5.0, SQL Server 7.0, SQL Server 2000 (including Microsoft Data Engine [MSDE]), and Internet Explorer 5.01 or later. It is recommended you take the necessary steps to ensure all the critical security patches are installed.
- As new security fixes become available it is important to apply these new fixes.
Microsoft Office
- Keep your system updated automatically with the Office Update site
- Keep up with the latest security hotfixes using the Security Alerts
- Update your anti-virus tools and signature files. Check out the Virus Alerts regularly.
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