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Chapter 6: Keeping Intruders out of Your Computer
Security services
Figure 6-1
Configure Windows Security Center
1.
Choose Start➪Control Panel to open the Control Panel
window.
2.
Follow the appropriate step for your version of Windows:
• Windows XP and Vista: In Classic View, double-
click the Security Center icon.
• Windows 7: In Classic (icon) View, click Action
Center and then choose Security. In Category
View, click System and Security; then click Action
Center and choose Security.
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Part II: Keeping Your PC Healthy with Preventive Maintenance
Whichever method you use, Windows Security Center
opens, displaying an opening screen similar to the one
shown in Figure 6-2.
Click to get more information online.
Note the settings for Security Center’s monitored areas.
Figure 6-2
3.
Study this screen to understand what Windows Security
Center is monitoring and make sure that your computer
is protected. If all sections are marked On or green,

live in a remote area, your home network should be
passcode-protected. This topic is beyond the scope of
this book; for full details, see Home Networking For
Dummies, 4th Edition, by Kathy Ivens (Wiley
Publishing).
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Part II: Keeping Your PC Healthy with Preventive Maintenance
Click these links to configure your firewall.
Figure 6-3
3.
If you need to expand access through the firewall, click
the Allow a Program or Feature through Windows
Firewall link. Certain applications, such as Windows Live
Sync, are given expanded access automatically, but you
may also want to give access to devices such as cell-
phones or media players, or to a custom business or per-
sonal application.
4.
Click Turn Windows Firewall On or Off if you want to
disable the firewall completely for testing or to allow spe-
cific one-time access. (Just remember to turn the firewall
back on when you finish.)
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Chapter 6: Keeping Intruders out of Your Computer
If you prefer, you can use a separate firewall product
or one that’s built into a third-party security program.

instructions carefully to remove or quarantine the threat.
Many security-software makers offer specific tools for
removing particular virus strains that broke out into the
wild despite precautions by computer users.
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Part II: Keeping Your PC Healthy with Preventive Maintenance
Click to check for security and antivirus updates.
Figure 6-4
Fight Malware
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Inspect e-mail before opening it. Pay attention to
the details of an e-mail before you open it. Be espe-
cially cautious about e-mails that are addressed to
undisclosed-recipients or to a name you
don’t recognize, and about e-mails that have a blank
or odd Subject line. Anything you receive by e-mail
that seems too good to be true probably is (see
Figure 6-5).
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Chapter 6: Keeping Intruders out of Your Computer
E-mail that’s not addressed to you personally means
spam at least and possibly something more nefarious
Figure 6-5
If you receive an e-mail from someone you don’t
know, the best thing to do is delete it without open-
ing it. Also, never follow a link in an e-mail unless

password and login information of someone you
know or otherwise found a way to pose as someone
else. End the IM session immediately if something
strange happens, and consider notifying the provider
of the IM service.
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Avoid autorun. Turn off the autorun feature that
automatically starts the execution of programs on
memory sticks and other USB devices (see Chapter 2).
In Vista and Windows 7, you have a lot of control in
this area. Just follow these steps:

1.
Choose Start➪Control Panel to open the Control
Panel window.

2.
Click Hardware and Sound and then click AutoPlay to
display a screen like the one shown in Figure 6-6.
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Chapter 6: Keeping Intruders out of Your Computer
For maximum security, choose Ask Me Every Time for all media.
Click Save after making changes.
Figure 6-6

3.
Make a new choice from the drop-down menu for any
medium you want to change. (Notice that by default,

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Turn off e-mail previews and automatic down-
loads. Most capable e-mail programs allow you to
turn off automatic previews and downloads of e-mail
contents. Figure 6-7 shows the option that you’d dis-
able in Microsoft Outlook Express.
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Beware of unusual error messages on the Internet. A
Web site may warn you that your computer is at risk or
request your permission to download a free utility.
Unless you asked for this sort of assistance — and also
know and trust the source — close both the Web page
and your Web browser without accepting the offer.
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Don’t take software from strangers. Be very careful
about accepting any offer of free software. The program
you receive may not be what you want, or it may
deliver hidden malware along with a useful function.
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Chapter 6: Keeping Intruders out of Your Computer
Clear this check box to turn off automatic downloading.
Figure 6-7
When you install a new piece of software, take the
time to read all the installation options carefully.
Some options may install features that you don’t
want — and that may be contaminated with other
things you don’t want.
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