Harry Waldron - Corporate Security News

  For users getting their first home PCs, these tips are shared in an easy to understand approach.  The keys are to ensure the Windows Security Center is "all green", being up-to-date on Windows updates, and best surfing practices.

Kim Komando - Safety Tips before going online with new PC
http://www.komando.com/tips/index.aspx?id=7762

QUOTE: QUESTION: I'm getting a new laptop. Could you give me a few tips before I connect to the Internet? I've heard you say how quickly you can get infected. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I listen to you every Saturday. —Dave in Wichita, KS, listening on KFH 98.7 FM

ANSWER That's a great question, Dave. Lots of people are getting computers for Christmas. You don't want to start out by being attacked. If you hit the Internet, your new computer could be compromised in minutes. The big problem is drive-by attacks. They take advantage of unrepaired holes in Windows.

These days, nearly any site could contain attack software. Most sites have flaws, which are openings for criminals. They post their malicious programs there. If you go to the site, it will try to download to you. A patched copy of Windows would be OK. Unpatched copies are at great risk. Stay away from e-mail, too. Heaven knows what's in the spam attachments. You probably know better than to open attachments. But we all make mistakes. Better to avoid temptation.