07-22-2006, 10:24 PM
When you first start running your new copy of XP you should make sure that your operating system is up-to-date and has the security measures in place to assure you are safe.
Apply the latest Microsoft patches
Microsoft releases patches every month and makes it very easy for you to update your copy of Windows. From the start menu click the Control Panel icon. On the left you will see a option for Windows Update. Click the Windows Update option and you will be taken to Microsoft's Windows Update website. From that point your computer will be analyzed. Once your computer has been analyzed you will be present with the needed patches for your computer. Next apply the patches and you might be prompted to restart your computer. That's its. Now you are sure that your copy of XP is running the latest version of XP with all the needed patches.
Setup your firewall
If you haven't already you should make sure that your firewall is on. Windows XP comes with a built in firewall that you can use. From the start menu click the Control Panel icon. Next click on the Network and Internet Connections icon. You should see the Windows firewall icon, click on it. Now all you have to do click the on option and click on the Ok button. That's it! You have now enabled your firewall.
Install computer anti-virus protection
There are a lot of different anti-virus programs out there. Do some research and find the one you like. I've used AVG for a few years now and I like it. AVG makes it easy to setup updates to its software to keep you protected against the latest viruses. It always has a email scanner to check incoming emails for viruses.
Install AdWare protection
There are a lot of website's and software that can install ad ware onto your computer. Be careful when you are surfing the web and installing software you have downloaded. About once a week you should have your anti ad ware protection program scan and clean any ad ware it finds. I like to use LavaSofts AdWare program. Its fast and very easy to use. You can have it scan your computer just like a anti virus scanner and it will identify and remove any ad ware it finds. Just like a virus scanner you need to update AdWare before you run your scan to assure it has the latest updates.
I hope this helps!
Johnny
Apply the latest Microsoft patches
Microsoft releases patches every month and makes it very easy for you to update your copy of Windows. From the start menu click the Control Panel icon. On the left you will see a option for Windows Update. Click the Windows Update option and you will be taken to Microsoft's Windows Update website. From that point your computer will be analyzed. Once your computer has been analyzed you will be present with the needed patches for your computer. Next apply the patches and you might be prompted to restart your computer. That's its. Now you are sure that your copy of XP is running the latest version of XP with all the needed patches.
Setup your firewall
If you haven't already you should make sure that your firewall is on. Windows XP comes with a built in firewall that you can use. From the start menu click the Control Panel icon. Next click on the Network and Internet Connections icon. You should see the Windows firewall icon, click on it. Now all you have to do click the on option and click on the Ok button. That's it! You have now enabled your firewall.
Install computer anti-virus protection
There are a lot of different anti-virus programs out there. Do some research and find the one you like. I've used AVG for a few years now and I like it. AVG makes it easy to setup updates to its software to keep you protected against the latest viruses. It always has a email scanner to check incoming emails for viruses.
Install AdWare protection
There are a lot of website's and software that can install ad ware onto your computer. Be careful when you are surfing the web and installing software you have downloaded. About once a week you should have your anti ad ware protection program scan and clean any ad ware it finds. I like to use LavaSofts AdWare program. Its fast and very easy to use. You can have it scan your computer just like a anti virus scanner and it will identify and remove any ad ware it finds. Just like a virus scanner you need to update AdWare before you run your scan to assure it has the latest updates.
I hope this helps!
Johnny