Conny said:
put
Network-Advanced- Enable/Disable firewall
that was debatable advice from Priceless, A new system without the clients
installs & misconfigurations is probably the ideal base for an SP2 install,
they obviously didn't want to take the time. However follow threads in other
groups re sp2 problems and how to 'roll-back'. Bear in mind that the
'pre-sp2' firewall is reasonably efficient at what it does but there are
limitations in that it works in one direction only. Install the free version
of zonealarm and run that as well, it is simple to configure it so that they
do not conflict and there is an excellent forum at the zonelabs site where
you can get help with configuraion issues.
If you are concerned about security then you will also install spybot S&D as
well as adaware & spywareblaster, keeping them all up to date. Additionally
either Avast or AVG free anti-virus programs. Your choice is based on system
footprint of either program with avast being higher. Moving into the realm
of greater safety download and install firefox web browser and set it as
your default browser. Even if you do not use Internet Explorer it is such a
leaky sieve that just being there can leave you open to vulnerabilities so
follow the guidelines here;
https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/btw/ie/ie-opts.htm
to lock the thing down completely. Once you've done that you can download
thunderbird e-mail client and Outlook Express can be left on the shelf too.
Once you've done that go to
www.grc.com and run sheildsup, if you have
questions about the results go to the grc newsgroups and ask, they are very
helpful.
If you follow the above then you have largely, but not completely, negated
the need for SP2 so you get some safe time to read up on all the issues
concerning what is, for about 17% of all users, an unmitigated disaster. If
you follow the above then your PC is in a very secure condition however all
that can be undermined by a single, careless download.
B
