On Tuesday 21 December 2004 11:14, Al Yaemes wrote: > I have to setup a Win XP box. Famous last words.
> I think I remember somebody on this list saying something about what > services should be shut down > and which software firewall / antivirus / anti spyware should be installed > prior to allowing said box access to the internet. But I can't find it in > the archives. Autopatcher XP allows you to download all security patches and updates for WinXP and install them via CD before you connect to the Net which is a VERY GOOD THING. I would look into it. And would definitely leave the ethernet cable totally unplugged until I had all the patches and items below installed via CD. http://www.autopatcher.com/ Adaware, http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/ Spybot Search & Destroy, http://www.safer-networking.org/en/home/ I would get both at a minimum. AvG antivirus free edition http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/ I personally like this one because the updates are frequent but not obtrusive and they update the virus engine but do it more rarely. That makes it easier to maintain on a slow dialup connection. Some of the others are good but frequent engine updates make them bothersome if you are on a dialup connection. Kerio Personal Firewall is free for personal use, I would definitely replace the default firewall in XP SP2 with Kerio. Consider routing through a Linux device or buying a standalone router device for Internet connection. It provides an additional layer and NAT is a good thing to have for any Window Box. Don't turn on File and printer sharing if you have a direct net connection. If you have a Linux box, route printing and file sharing through that box with a fat32 partition. Some other great tools, Ccleaner is a freeware tool that does a great job of cleaning up erroneous registry entries. Spybot Search&Destroy has an innoculation routine, run it before connecting to the net. If you absolutely must run p2p software, check out: http://www.bluetack.co.uk/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=1 for the Blocklist Manager. Practice safe p2p. I will probably remember some other stuff later but this is a minimum off the top of my head. -- Bryan Phinney
____________________________________________________ Want to buy your Pack or Services from MandrakeSoft? Go to http://www.mandrakestore.com Join the Club : http://www.mandrakeclub.com ____________________________________________________
