Free Computer Consultant Tip-Of-The-Week for October 24,
2008
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If you are going to connect your PC to the internet, you
will have
to be diligent about protecting it.
Microsoft just announced a new vulnerability that experts
say can
allow exploits to spread across the internet rapidly.
Get the patch for your Windows version here:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS08-067.mspx
Interestingly enough, most PC's, the ones that aren't
servers,
really shouldn't be too vulnerable as the exploit hits the
server
service.
Unfortunately, Microsoft has file and print sharing turned
on by
default, which makes those PC'S Vulnerable too.
I always turn that service off by unchecking the box in
network
properties, although to be quite honest, I had forgotten
that
exploits like these were one of the main reasons I adopted
that
policy years ago.
(Don't uncheck this box if you actually ARE sharing files
or
printers with another PC.)
If you are running your computer behind a firewall or
router, the
ports that are exploited on this go around are not open to
the
internet; meaning that if you get infected it will be from
within
your network.
You can read more about this topic here:
http://www.FreeComputerConsultant.com/hardware-firewall.html
You also need a good internet security suite that hopefully
will
stop threats from clicking the wrong thing and infected
websites.
Some of you may get by fine with free versions, but usually
they
require a bit more know how.
The paid versions I install and support are:
ZoneAlarm -
http://www.FreeComputerConsultant.com/go/zonealarm/
and
Trend Micro -
http://www.FreeComputerConsultant.com/go/trendmicro/
Make sure they are updating daily!
Check my website and back issues of this newsletter for
more
information on keeping your computer safe.
Questions? Head over to my support forum:
http://www.freecomputerconsultant.com/forum/
Until next time...
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You can keep up with articles I write and videos I create,
for the most part, at:
http://www.AssociatedContent.com/freecomputerconsultant
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http://www.freecomputerconsultant.com/ezine-backissues.html
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The Free Computer Consultant
http://www.FreeComputerConsultant.com
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