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Home PC Maint. | Free Stuff
Home PC Maintenance
and Security
Because I work with security and information systems professionally, people often ask me how to protect
and tune their home or small business computers. On this page, I attempt to maintain some
useful information about PC maintenance and security.
You may also choose to visit the following useful sites for more information on the same topics:
Top Priority - Learn how to Secure your Web Browser!
If you're not a PC do-it-yourself-er, you may choose to go straight to Where to get more help
If you have suggestions for content to add or modify, please feel free to send me your ideas.
Also, check out this collection of
FREE Stuff for Home PC Users.
Topics
News & Updates
December 2009 - I added Microsoft Security Essentials to Anti-virus and Malware sections.
Also, added LastPass to password management solutions and a new sample scenario.
October 2009 - I added PrioPDF to the Free Tools page in the Productivity section.
April 2009 - I added Prio to the Free Tools page in the Security section.
Also, added a note under Mozilla recommending NoScript for Firefox.
January 2009 - I added a productivity section to the Free Tools page.
The first item I added was Verisign's
Personal Identity Portal, via which they provide 2 GB of
free secure storage for personal documents. A nice supplement to in-home storage.
Consider it a safe deposit box for electronic information.
February 2008 - I added a new solution to the Data Backup section. The solution is
a combination of a remote data storage solution from Amazon called Amazon S3
and a software interface called JungleDisk.
Jungledisk makes the remote server look like a drive on your computer -- or a USB key if you prefer
to have a mobile solution. So, it's easy to use. It also allows you to encrypt your data before it
begins to travel across the web so nobody on the web or at Amazon has access to your information.
And it's cheap. Check this out before you buy another external hard drive.
November 2007 -
Test the security of your PC at these sites:
I also added a couple of personal hardware firewall options.
May 2007 -
Blink
is my new home PC protection tool of choice. I uninstalled my antivirus, anti-spyware and
software firewall and replaced all of them with the Blink Personal Edition.
The personal edition is free for the first year and very affordable thereafter.
This single install provides a solution for:
- Viruses, Worms & Trojans
- Spyware & Adware
- Intrusion Prevention
- Identity Theft / Phishing Attacks
- System and Application Firewall
- A vulnerability assessment tool that can help identify system vulnerabilities
One of the best features of this product is that it does more than look at signatures
of known attacks. So, it's effective against unknown and zero-day attacks as well.
And it seems to run lighter on my system than the previous setup - using generally
a bit more resources than opening a browser window. The vulnerability tool is also very
cool because it identifies other software that may need to be updated (like Firefox or iTunes)
and other security weak spots as well.
January 2007 -
CyberDefender offers a FREE suite of PC protection against
spyware, adware, viruses, spam, phishing attacks and more.
Here's an eWeek article about the product.
I haven't used it myself, but I read a testamonial by someone who appears pretty knowledgeable and they
were quite happy with the product thus far. If you're looking at new options, this is probably worth a look.
November 2006 -
It's not necessarily about your computer, but take a few minutes to read
The Ultimate Guide to Identity Theft Protection
October 2006 - Phishing is on the rise and fraudulent emails are soon to be in YOUR inbox.
Read this note from Sovereign Bank
that explains why now is a hot time for phishers and reminds you to protect yourself.
Also, take a look at these actual screenshots to see how real they can be:
1. Actual Sovereign web site
2. Phishing attack web site
The only noticable difference is the URL. And to make things worse, the real URL doesn't use the
bank's actual domain name (sovereignbank.com). This is generally OK, but could confuse you into
believing a phishing scam.
Encourage your bank to use technology like Bank of America's SiteKey
to protect you against phishing attacks. However, be aware that this technology is still susceptible to
certain kinds of attacks. This blog entry
shows how it's done and why you still need to pay attention to the details.
Windows Update
This is one of the most important things you can do to help protect your computer.
Microsoft learns and makes public new bugs and vulnerabilities quite frequently.
By going to the Windows Update site and keeping your Windows system up to date,
you're eliminating many potential problems (and headaches).
To configure Windows XP update settings, go to:
Start > Control Panel > Security Center
or go to the Microsoft Windows Update site
Virus Protection
- Get an anti-virus software package. It's very important. Viruses are plentiful and powerful on the Internet.
- Enable the real-time system protection so that it checks new files as they're brought into the computer.
- Update the virus protection files regularly from the manufacturer - this is very important! You can't just install it and forget.
- Some popular antivirus software vendors include:
Microsoft Security Essentials,
eEye Blink,
Symantec,
McAfee and
Trend Micro.
Some good FREE options include AVG and CyberDefender.
Visit the Microsoft antivirus partner site for more options.
Personal Firewalls
Once Windows Update and virus protection are in place, the next step toward securing your system
is installation of a personal firewall. Ideally, your home network would be behind a
hardware firewall. Many home internet routers have firewall technology built-in.
In addition to that, you should install a software firewall to protect against bad software
making unwanted outbound requests.
For more info on firewalls, check out Microsoft's
Firewall FAQ.
Also, Windows XP has a built-in firewall. If you have XP and no other firewall,
make sure it's enabled and configured.
You can also test the strength of your firewall solution using the ShieldsUp program.
Some popular software firewall vendors include:
A few personal hardware firewall options:
Mozilla
Mozilla is an open source organization that provides free Internet client software.
The advanced security features and lack of the Microsoft label (which tends to be a target for
the troublemaking community) generally make Mozilla products a safer bet for most home users.
Try these Mozilla products:
SUGGESTION: If you decide to use Firefox, install the
NoScript add-on for additional security.
NoScript blocks all scripting unless you specifically allow it, which is a HUGE security improvement.
Also check out this article about Mozilla:
Security, Cool Features Of Firefox Web Browser Beat Microsoft's IE
December 30, 2004
By WALTER S. MOSSBERG
Adware, Spyware, Malware
One of the most common problems with home users seems to be these small programs that are installed without your knowledge or full understanding.
They're usually installed as part of another program that looks fun and free. They cause unwanted pop-ups, system performance degradation, unwanted behavior, etc..
There are many software vendors pitching solutions to these programs. Some seem to be suspicious
themselves, so beware. Also keep in mind that even the good ones may list programs that are not really a problem, so do your own research or contact
a professional. Some popular anti-spyware software programs include:
As a starting point, consider downloading Microsoft Windows Defender
Let it run nightly scans and keep itself updated. Microsoft has a lot to gain by keeping our home
computers trouble-free. So, they're offering this software free. It compliments your anti-virus
software by focusing on non-virus software that may be used maliciously or may have just been installed
without your knowledge or consent.
Pop-Up Blockers
When you're surfing the Web, there are many sites that open unwanted pop-up windows, usually for
advertising purposes. There are a number of programs available that help eliminate or reduce
unwanted pop-ups. A popular anti-pop-up software program is the Google Toolbar.
I should note that these are less useful as time moves on because web browser software is getting
smarter about disabling pop-ups without the need for third-party add-ons.
Task Manager
Get to know the tasks that are running on your computer. When you hit CTRL-ALT-DELETE and see the box of programs that are running, this is a great
tool for troubleshooting your PC. There are almost always programs running that don't need to be. These programs almost definitely cause your PC to run
slower than it needs to. You should track down the programs running and make sure they should be running. Every PC manufacturer ships with different
software and different people like different types of programs, so there's no easy answer. You'll have to research the programs running on your PC to
see if you should shut them down (and how).
There's a software program called WinTasks
that extends your capability to view, research and manage the tasks running on your computer.
Also, there are a number of sites, such as
ATW Task List,
that allow you to research tasks.
Startup & Windows Processes
Any program or link that resides in the Windows startup folder
[start menu > programs > startup]
will start when Windows boots. Make sure there's nothing in this folder that shouldn't be.
Also, use Windows Task Manager to determine what processes are running on your PC. The following
tools can help you determine what's running and provide control:
- MSConfig -- Most Windows operating systems have a utility called MSConfig that allows you to see and
alter the programs that start when Windows boots. This is an easy way to reduce the number of apps running,
once you've found that you don't need them through your Task Manager research.
- StartupMonitor
- WinTasks
- Windows Startup Apps
- ATW Task List
- StartupCPL - Control Panel
Scandisk, Defrag, Disk Cleanup
If you don't know what these things are, you should look into each of them.
It's general PC maintenance, like changing the oil in your car. You can generally do fine using the
built-in Windows tools for disk defragmentation. A few other tools worth mentioning:
Password Management
We all have too many passwords to remember and manage. Many of use re-use the same passwords
for every app, make them too simple or write them down near the computer. There are solutions to make
your password management much easier while maintaining high security standards.
- KeePass Password Safe --
This freeware tool allows you to securely store and manage your passwords.
It can be somewhat intimidating to configure for some, but the payoff is worth it.
You get secure complex passwords that you don't need to remember or write down.
And with KeePass Portable,
you can keep them with you wherever you are.
- LastPass --
Store passwords online with access from any computer.
- DigitalPersona U.are.U Pro Fingerprint Authentication System --
I've used one of these biometric solutions for a few years. It's easy to use and works every time.
I believe you can get one for around $30 USD. And it's small enough to pack in your laptop bag.
- Comodo i-Vault
- APC Password Manager
Personal File Encryption
If it's vital to protect files on your system (trade secrets, financial data, etc.),
there are data encryption solutions that can help. Windows has some built-in
data encryption capabilities, but if you're moving around to multiple computers,
a more mobile solution may be helpful.
More Reading
There are plenty of magazines and sites available that are targeted for home PC users:
Buying a new PC
A few links with useful info when you're looking to buy a new PC.
Current Virus Threats
Check these sites for the scoop on what viruses are real and how to fix them.
Don't be fooled by hoax emails alerting you about the latest supposed virus.
Research Email and other Hoaxes
Don't believe anything you read on the web without doing your own research.
That's a cliche you say? Then why do I still get emails that nobody admits to believing
but they still send it just in case it's true?
Check these before forwarding email chains that you think might be true.
I personally guarantee you that forwarding an email will NEVER lead to you getting free beer or cash.
Wireless Network Security
If you setup a wireless router on your home network, make sure you configure the security.
Right out of the box, most home wireless routers will be configured for open access. This
will give neighbors quick access into your home network. Also - many models have used a type
of wireless security called WEP. This security protocol is no longer secure. There are tools
on the web that enable people to get into your network very quickly.
Look for WAP as an alternative and choose a long and complex shared key during configuration.
Data Backup
If you want to protect your information, it's more than just viruses and hackers.
Computer hard drives are built with mechanical components and have been known to fail. It's
important to regularly backup your critical data. Many people choose to backup to CD or DVD.
I'm usually content to have my data stored in two locations -- a hard drive and DVD or two hard drives
or my PC and a USB drive (you get the idea). Here are a few useful tools for data backup:
- JungleDisk and Amazon S3 or Rackspace -- The future of personal data storage is on the web. This solution gives you an easy to use interface to encrypt and store your data in a remote location at a good price.
- Netgear Storage Central -- These devices utilize redundant physical disks so that if a hard drive fails, you have another drive with the same data. This is a good solution for backing up large amounts of data. And since you buy the drives separately, you can choose how much space to buy.
- SpinRite -- If a disk becomes corrupt or unreadable, this software may help repair it and enable you to recover your data.
- Kingston DataTraveler Secure - Privacy Edition USB Flash Drive -- With 2GB or 4GB of password-protected storage space at a reasonable price, this device provides an excellent format to store sensitive or important information and take it on the go.
Sample Scenarios
For those who don't like to think about this topic, I've outlined a few scenarios that you can
adopt to secure your PC. I created these scenarios with considerations for security, performance and cost.
They are all based on software and configurations that I have used and would use again.
You can pick one or mix-and-match.
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Scenario 3 |
Windows
Auto-Updates | Enabled |
Firewall | Windows XP Firewall |
Anti-
Virus | AVG |
Anti-
Malware | Windows Defender |
Data
Backup | Burn data to CDs |
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Where to get more help
Not everybody changes their own oil or fixes their own plumbing. You shouldn't be expected to
know how to effectively tune your PC either. If you need assistance, contact a computer professional.
Back up your data (or ask them to) and be prepared to have a complete system re-install if things get
really bad. Unfortunately, that seems to be the ultimate answer from many support technicians.
It's not always necessary, but it's commonly easier than troubleshooting advanced software problems.
Here are some links to on-line resources where you can find expert assistance.
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