I'm finally getting to come out of the stone age and into the 90's!!
<g> I'm moving up from 98SE to XP Pro. Not the same computer - the
"new" one is a Dell laptop with a P4 1.6GHz - a large step up from my
867 MHz desktop!
I've used XP Pro before at work, where's it's always been totally set
up for me. The is the first time I'm trying to configure it on my
own. I even have to load it myself (the computer is coming with a
wiped drive; I bought an OEM CD from eBay.)
How do I set this up for WiFi? The computer has WiFi included. Also,
I know there are free firewall and virus programs available. Are
these recommended, or are there inexpensive ones that are better?
If anyone can advise or point me to some good resources for setting
this up, I would be very appreciative.
The most dependable defenses are:
1. Do not work as 'Administrator'; For day-to-day work routinely use a
Limited User Account (LUA).
2. Secure (Harden) your operating system (OS).
3. Keep your OS and all software on it updated/patched.
4. Reconsider the usage of MSIE and MSOE.
5. Review your installed 3rd party software applications/utilities;
Remove clutter.
6. Don't expose services to public networks.
7. Activate the in-build firewall and configure Windows not to use
TCP/IP as transport protocol for NetBIOS, SMB and RPC, thus leaving
TCP/UDP ports 135,137-139 and 445 (the most exploited Windows
networking weak point) closed.
7a. If on high-speed internet use a router as well.
8. Routinely practice safe-hex.
9. Regularly back-up data/files.
10. Familiarize yourself with crash recovery tools and re-installing
your OS.
11. Utilize a real-time anti-virus (AV) application and vital system
monitoring utilities/applications.
12. Keep abreast of latest developments - Sh!t happens...you know.
The least preferred defenses are:
Myriads of popular anti-whatever things and staying ignorant.