First, don’t immediately plug your system into a network. Hook everything up and follow the manufacturer’s installation process. During installation (especially if you are using the Service Pack 2 release of Windows XP), the wizard should walk you through configuring and enabling the ICF (Internet Connection Firewall), creating a protective barrier between your computer and the Internet. This helps guard against hackers and many other threats. With a firewall in place, you can physically connect to a network.

To activate the firewall manually:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Network and Internet Connections.
3. Click Network Connections.

   NOTE:

   If Network and Internet Connections is not visible, click Switch to Category View.

4. Highlight a connection to protect, and click Change settings of this connection.
5. Click Advanced and then select Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet.
6. Click OK.

After doing this, you can connect to the Internet.

Once you’ve got Internet access (per instructions from your ISP (Internet Service Provider)), perform the recommended Windows Updates to further shield your computer from vulnerabilities (i.e., viruses, worms, and other security threats Microsoft’s discovered).

You can enable Automatic Updates, a Windows XP feature that allows you to download the latest security updates automatically on a set schedule.

To turn on Automatic Updates:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Performance and Maintenance.
   

   NOTE:

   If the Performance and Maintenance category isn’t visible, Switch to Category View.

3. Click System.
4. Click Automatic Updates and then select Keep my computer up to date.
5. Select a setting. Microsoft recommends Automatically download the updates, and install them on the schedule that I specify and setting a daily update. ;

After enabling Automatic Updates, you still need to visit Windows Update site. This will insure all the latest patches are installed.

To do this manually:

1. Click on Windows Update to go to Microsoft’s update website.
2. Click Scan for Updates. Windows Update scans your computer and displays a pre-selected list of critical updates, including security updates and service packs.
3. Under Pick updates to install, click Critical Updates and Service Packs. Windows Update then creates a list of the updates that are appropriate for your computer. Critical updates are selected for download automatically.
4. Click Review and install updates.
5. Select updates and then click Install Now. You might have to restart your computer after installing the updates.

If you didn’t get anti-virus software with your PC, you need to get some. My current recommendation is AVG Anti-virus 6.0, which is FREE. Anti-virus software protects your computer against most viruses, worms, Trojans (programs that pretend to do harmless things on your computer).

To determine if anti-virus software is installed:

1. Click Start, and then click Programs.
2. Look for the word "antivirus," or the name of a popular anti-virus manufacturer, such as: McAfee, Norton, Trend Micro, or Symantec.
3. If you don't have anti-virus software installed, follow my recommendation above.

Just having anti-virus software isn’t enough. At last report, over 700 new viruses emerge every week. To ensure you computer stays healthy, keep your anti-virus software up to date.

To check if you have up to date software:

Open your anti-virus program from the Start menu or the taskbar notification area and look for update status. Most anti-virus software allows for Automatic Updating, as well.

While there’s nothing you can do to lock your system down 100%, following the guidelines listed above will take you a long way in the right direction.

Until next month, keep practicing safe computing!