Top 7 Ways to Secure Windows XP

Top 7 Ways to Secure Windows XP

1. Turn on Automatic Updates in Windows XP
Automatic Updates is a Windows XP utility that allows your computer to download security updates from Microsoft automatically. Turning on Automatic Updates helps to secure your computer since you'll always have the latest critical security updates.

2. Turn on the Free Firewall in Windows XP
If you have Service Pack 2 installed, you have a free firewall that you can use to protect your computer from attacks. However, you must turn the free firewall on.

While the free firewall in Windows XP provides some protection, learn why Windows Firewall may not be enough.

3. Use Internet Explorer Wisely
Internet Explorer 6 provides four zones for which you can establish seperate security settings. By using the four zones, you'll reduce your chances of being the victim of an attack when you inadvertently visit a malicious Web site.

4. Use Anti-Virus Software
Viruses can reak havoc on your computer. Protect yourself by using antivirus software. There are many antivirus programs to choose from, but the About Guide to Antivirus Software provides a list of the Top 7 Antivirus Programs for Windows.

5. Use Spyware and Adware Software
Spyware is software that allows companies to monitor what websites you visit or even access your computer. Adware is software that displays advertisements. Protect your computer by using spyware and adware software.

6. Be Careful What You Click On
Often, attackers must entice you to open an email attachment or visit their Web site in order to attack your computer. If you open the attachment or visit their site, malicious code is executed on your computer. To protect your computer, be careful what you click on.

7. Use Limited Accounts to Better Secure Your Windows XP Computer
It's harder for someone to attack your computer through the Internet if you're using a limited account. Learn why it's best to use limited accounts for daily use and how to create a limited account.

Configure a Web Proxy in Internet Explorer

Configure a Web Proxy in Internet Explorer

1. Note the IP address and the port number of that proxy server.
2. Open Internet Explorer.
3. Open the Tools menu.
4. Select Internet Options.
5. Click on the Connections tab.
6. Click on the LAN Settings button.
7. Check the box next to "Use a proxy server for your LAN".
8. Enter the IP address of the proxy you selected into the "Address:" box.
9. Enter the port number of the proxy you selected into the "Port:" box.
10. Click the OK button.
11. Click the OK button.

Open Proxy Closed Proxy

 Open Proxy Closed Proxy

Open proxy

An open proxy is a proxy server that is accessible by any Internet user. Generally, a proxy server allows users within a network group to store and forward Internet services such as DNS or web pages to reduce and control the bandwidth used by the group. With an open proxy, however, any user on the Internet is able to use this forwarding service.

Advantages

So-called "anonymous" open proxies allow a user to conceal his or her IP address from the accessed service, as it is possible to use someone else's computer in order to hide one's identity and/or location. This is sometimes used to abuse or interrupt the accessed service, potentially violating its terms of service or some laws; open proxies are therefore often seen as a problem. However, anonymous open proxies increase the user's anonymity or security when browsing the web or using other Internet services: a user's true IP address can be used to help deduce information about that user as part of an attempted computer crack. Furthermore, open proxies can be used to circumvent efforts at Internet censorship by governments or organizations. Several web sites provide constantly updated lists of open proxies.

Disadvantages

It is possible for a computer to run as an open proxy server without the computer's owner knowing this. This can result from misconfiguration of proxy software running on the computer, or from infection with malware (viruses, trojans or worms) designed for this purpose. If it is caused by malware, the infected computer is known as a zombie computer. There are hundreds of thousands of open proxies online. This is rarely a matter of misconfiguration, in most cases an open proxy is unknown to the server owner. Using an open proxy can be legally dangerous: the current law in Germany, for example, makes it illegal to access a computer or network without the owner's knowledge, even if the proxy is not password-protected. There are no reasons to run a clean open proxy for an organisation, so any open proxy is suspicious. The main sign of a legal open proxy is the fact that it is not anonymizing the connection.

Running an open proxy is a high risk for the server operator; providing an anonymous proxy server can cause real legal troubles to the owner. Such services are frequently used to break into foreign computer systems, child pornography is usually consumed through proxies, and illegal content is likely to be spread through such proxies. Also, such a proxy can cause a high bandwidth usage resulting in higher latency to the subnetwork and violation of bandwidth limits. A wrongly configured open proxy can also allow access to a private subnetwork or DMZ: this is a high security concern for any company or home network because computers that usually are out of risk or firewalled can be directly attacked.

Many open proxies run very slowly, sometimes below 14.4 kbit/s, or even below 300 bit/s, while other times the speed may change from fast to slow every minute. Some, such as PlanetLab proxies, run faster and were intentionally set up for public use.

Because open proxies are often implicated in abuse, a number of methods have been developed to detect them and to refuse service to them. IRC networks with strict usage policies automatically test client systems for known types of open proxies. Likewise, a mail server may be configured to automatically test mail senders for open proxies, using software such as proxycheck. Increasingly, mail servers are configured out of the box to consult various DNSBL servers in order to block spam; some of those DNSBLs also list open proxies.

Closed proxy

A closed proxy is a proxy server that is only accessible to specific individuals because it only allows users within its area connect to it and/or requires a username and password.