Overview
If you do not properly protect your Windows PC you could be hacked or infected with a virus within seconds of plugging into the MSU network. If this happens your Internet connection may be blocked. To repair the situation, you may need to pay someone to erase your entire hard drive and re-install Windows and all of your programs in order to clean it before you can request to be reconnected to the network. In order to properly protect your Windows PC you should follow three basic steps:Step 1: Use an Internet Firewall
If you are using Windows XP make sure to enable the built-in firewall. If you are using an older system you should use a hardware or software firewall for your system. More information on how to configure a firewall is available at TB173 (Windows XP) and TB1078 (MacOS X). For information on determining whether you have a firewall enabled within Windows XP Service Pack 2, please see TB5104.Step 2: Obtain System and Application Updates
Windows XP and 2000 customers should turn on automatic updates from the system control panel and install any updates that become available. Anyone using a Windows system should also visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com on a regular basis to make sure their system is current.Other important updates to note are for applications, such as Microsoft Office. You can find additional information on Office updates at http://office.microsoft.com. For information on how to set up Windows Automatic Updates, please see TB5104.
In addition, messaging programs like MS Messenger, Yahoo, ICQ are programs that should be kept updated. These programs often have new versions to remedy security holes and if not kept current could put your system in jeopardy.
Step 3: Keep your Anti-Virus software up-to-date
The MSU Computer Store (517-432-0700)sells Symantec Endpoint Production (AntiVirus protection, Malware, and more) for Windows and Mac systems to help provides anti-virus protection. In addition, many new computers come with a trial version of anti-virus software that expires in 30 or 60 days. There are also free versions of anti-virus software that can be downloaded from the web, such as AVG Free Edition for Windows or ClamXav for some versions of MacOS X. For information on how to enable Windows to monitor AntiVirus applications, please see TB5104.In order to protect yourself from future viruses, you should make sure your version of Windows and your virus and spyware definitions are updated on a regular (daily) basis. Most anti-virus and anti-spyware software includes an option that allows automatic updates; this option should be enabled, and set to update daily. If you do not do regular updates, you will almost certainly be infected by viruses or spyware in the future (some which could even destroy all of the files on your system without any chance of recovery). Don't get caught un-protected!
Step 4: Install Spyware and Adware detection software and keep it up-to-date
Using applications such as Ad-Aware and Spybot and Spysweeper will allow you to protect your system from spyware and adware, which can cause poor performance and has the potential to steal confidential information from you. Spysweeper is also available from the MSU Computer Store at a discount.Windows Systems
- Detailed information on how to protect your windows system:
- How to configure your Security Center (SP2 Users only) to enable Automatic Updates, Windows Internet Connection Firewall (ICF), and to monitor AntiVirus software:
Macintosh OS X Systems
- Detailed information on how to protect your Macintosh OS X system:
- How to set up the built-in firewall in 10.2.x, 10.3.x, and 10.4.x:
