Securing Your PC: Middle Georgia State University

Securing Your Personal Computer

1 - You must ensure antivirus software is installed and configured to auto-update virus definitions

Antivirus software by major commercial vendors is recommended. Good examples are Symantec at http://www.symantec.com and Mcafee at http://www.mcafee.com. In addition, there are several providers of freeware anti-virus software, with the option to convert to paid version with more functionality:

Windows XP/Vista/7:
- Ad-Aware Free Antivirus at http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php
- AVG Free Edition at http://www.avg.com/us-en/free-antivirus-download is available free for single home users.
- Avast! Home Edition at http://www.avast.com is available free for home and non-commercial use.
Mac OS X
- Avast! Free Antivirus for Mac at http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-mac
Linux and others:
- F-Prot at http://www.f-prot.com/products/home_use/ has products available free for use by personal users.

2 - You must ensure all critical security updates are routinely applied by enabling automatic updates

Windows XP/Vista/7:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525
Mac OS X:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1338
Linux Computer Systems: Any utilities available for automating this task may be used:

Users of current versions of Red Hat may use The Red Hat Network at https://access.redhat.com/subscriptions/rhntransition/ Apt and Yum may be used to update various versions of Linux as well.

3 – If you have installed peer-to-peer file-sharing applications they must be disabled or uninstalled

Default configurations of peer-to-peer file-sharing applications typically enable access to files on the users' PC. This must be disabled.

Instructions for disabling this feature can be found at http://protect.iu.edu/cybersecurity/safeonline/filesharing/disable

4 – You should protect the computer from spy-ware

Spy-ware programs are programs that secretly monitor a users actions. They may be used for marketing purposes such as pop-ups or may have malicious intent such as secretly controlling a person's computer or gathering passwords and other information.

Spy-ware programs are often bundled with freeware programs or installed via the web browser using scripting. They may require user consent of “targeted advertising” in order to use a program, but are often installed secretly.

Load software to remove known spy-ware programs from the computer. There are several good programs. It is recommended that ONE of the following is used:

Spy-bot Search and Destroy - Go to http://www.safer-networking.org/private/ and download the free version of Spy-bot Search and Destroy. Install with default settings. Periodically do the following:

Update - Search for updates then download updates
Immunize - Immunize the system
Search and Destroy - Check for problems

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware - Go to http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free/ and download the free version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free. Install with default settings. Periodically do the following: