Recently some of my customers have purchased new computers. They all have taken my advice and copied their files to external hard drives. So, these are 5 things that you can do, regardless of OS, that will help harden your computer.
These are the 5 things you can do to help harden your computer
- Do not use the admin account as a normal account, even if you are the only user of that computer.
- Use the Spyware scanner that came with your OS or get one. Unless you are using a Unix based OS
- Buy or use a Virus Scanner for your OS.
- Apply all security updates for your OS
- Do not allow automatic logins for your computer
The idea of not using the admin account as a normal account is protect you from doing something major to your situation. If you use a normal user account, then you can’t really do anything major except delete your files. If you are using an admin account, then you can do anything to the computer.
Using Spyware scanner/remover like Windows Defender is part one of a security one-two punch. The second part of that combination is the antivirus scanner/remover. However if you are using a *nix OS then you might be able to get away without this, but I would be looking for these solutions, just in case.
OS vendors are in a competition with hackers and people who look for vulnerabilites. The OS Vendors try to seal up any vulnerabilities found in their OS. When they find a flaw they should try to get a security patch out as fast as possible. Therefore it is a TechnoWarrior trait to make sure that all security updates are installed for the OS in use.
Having a password for a computer, especially a laptop, in which automatic logins are turned on is just stupid. How can you expect the password to protect you from theft, or the consequences of the theft of your computer. TechnoWarriors do not turn on Automatic logins for their computers. If a customer wants it turned on, I make sure the customer understands the security implications and then make them sign an something that says for to turn on automatic login. CYA, man, CYA.
These 5 things will help you harden your system.
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