Despite the fact that the operating system is Microsoft Windows Vista has been a long time in the market and it can be easy to buy, most organizations are still using proven Windows XP.

They have a stake in stability and addictive. On the other hand, supporters of XP may not feel the benefits of the new features of Vista's information protection, in particular, the improved control of user access. However, there are a number of measures, which will help owners of Windows XP to improve the security system.

Tip 1: Ask your password
Installing Windows XP does not require the appointment of passwords. This means that when you create primary account with the right of access does not need to ask for the password. This exception to the rule. Even as easily vulnerable to burglary or theft, passwords are still the most common protective mechanism. Users are advised to provide a strong password (a combination of seven or more characters upper and lowercase and numbers), each created account.

In order to appoint a password for the domain is not attached to the machine:
1 ... Go to "Start", the "Control Panel" (Start | Control Panel).
2 ... Choose a "User Accounts" (User Accounts). Opens the corresponding screen.
User Accounts Windows XP
3 ... Click on the icon account, which is required to set or change the password.
What would you like to change in your account?
4 ... In the window that appears, select "Creating a password" (Create a password). If a password has already been set, the option will be like "Change Password" (Change my password).
5 ... In the new dialog box, enter the password for their account. If you wish to provide auxiliary password-phrase hints, but for a more reliable security to do so is not recommended. Administrator to change the password required to confirm current.
6 ... Click on the Create button "password" (Create Password), or "Change Password" (Change Password) in the event that he has already been raised.
To assign a password and an auxiliary phrase-tips:
7 ... The system will ask if you want to not hide their files from other users. Windows XP supports the provision of access to information and the administrator of ordinary users. If you want to allow access only to users with administrative rights, press the button, "Yes, make it personal" (Yes, Make Private).

1 ... Go to "Start", the "Control Panel" (Start | Control Panel).
2 ... Choose a "security center" (Security Center).
3 ... Make sure that the option for "Automatic Update" (Automatic Updates) is set to "Included" (On).

Other options:
• "Load renewal; designate user installation time" (Download the updates, but install them manually).
• "Notify, but not to download and install them not automatically" (Don't download any updates, but notify the user when new updates are available for download).
• "Turn off automatic update" (Turn off Automatic Updates). Categorically not recommended.

Tip 4: Install utility Windows Defender (Russian name "Windows" Defender), or other programs to protect the system against spyware.

The program Windows Defender very good, if only because it is free. The utility is included in the standard set of components of Windows Vista, but the company Microsoft has provided its owners to download and Windows XP. Of course, the program is not as effective as many anti-virus applications, but because it is free, it is given little attention.

How will Windows Defender?

The choice given two types of utility work:
• Use the recommended configuration settings (Use recommended settings): This occurs when connected to the SpyNet (later) as an ordinary user and the program automatically removes most dangerous when it detects such software in the system. In the future, new definitions will be automatically added to the database Defender. This is the most effective method for utility work. SpyNet is a community, tracking the types of action, applicable in relation to one or another form of malicious software. Thus, users are provided others tested ways to combat viruses. However, it could not avoid sending personal data in the part of Microsoft. Therefore, before you activate this option, make sure it is not against the security policies of your organization.

• Only installation of new definitions (Install definition updates only): as the name implies, with the option occurs only automatic installation of new definitions. This is necessary for the utilities to work a minimum.

• There is an opportunity to renounce his choice and make later.
Once the decision will be made, the installation will complete installation wizard Windows Defender, and will launch the program. The utility will conduct a search on the availability of updated and make a quick check system. At this and subsequent screen shot Defender screen looks like when you first start.
Even when using Defender or any application for scanning, it is advisable from time to time to use another tool, such as SpyBot, with a view to ensuring that no spying program is not entered into the system.

Board 5: Install anti-virus software.
Despite the recent spyware to divert attention from some of the problems of viruses, the latter traditionally pose the greatest threat. Therefore it is necessary to have a good antivirus application. If you are not using the Defender to detect spyware, look for a product designed to address both types of malicious programs.

Council 6: Use of software and hardware firewalls party.
With the issuance of XP SP2, the company Microsoft beginning of the introduction of significantly improved compared to previous versions of software firewall. However, as a means to protect quality system it still loses the relevant applications from third-party manufacturers. System Windows XP firewall monitors all outbound traffic from the computer. Nevertheless, it is unable to block the problem areas of code network traffic.

Step 7: Turn off your "Guest" (Guest)
By default, when you install Windows XP SP2 account with a minimum level of access "Guest" (Guest) has been disabled. In order to make sure:
1 ... Click on the "Start" button (Start).
2 ... Right click on the label "My Computer" (My Computer) and razvernuvshemsya select "Office" (Manage).
3 ... In the new dialog box, "The Office" computer (Computer Management) go to the tab "Local Users and Groups" and then choose "Community" (Local Users and Groups | Users).
4 ... Make sure that the Guest account is "tagged" red cross.
Red cross next to the name of the account "Guest" (Guest) symbolizes that she is disabled.
5 ... In the opposite case, double click on the name entry.
6 ... In the Properties dialog box, "" (Properties) account, "Guest" (Guest) mark option "Disable" Account (Account is disabled).
7 ... Click OK.

The account is disabled.
Council 8: Disconnect the use of a simple, common access files (Simple File Sharing)
Windows XP is designed to meet the needs of working at home and in the office. So this is a universal product. To facilitate access to information on Windows XP developers have introduced the option Simple common access files (Simple File Sharing). However, the system set up in such a way that using this parameter access receive all or none. To better protect recommended to disable use of a simple, common access method and use the system, the default, which is that a user in each case independently determines the level of access.
1 ... Go to "Start", the "Control Panel", "Folder" (Start | Control Panel | Folder Options).
2 ... In the resulting dialog box, select "View" (View).
Window "Folder" (Folder Options).
3 ... Scroll to the bottom of additional parameters.
4 ... Remove mark with the parameter "Using a simple, common access" (Use simple file sharing).
5 ... Click OK.
6 ... now you can decide to whom and for what it is to grant access.

Council 9: Unplug unnecessary service.
Each Windows XP Service has certain responsibilities. But not all of them needed to work. Each launched service system increases the likelihood of attack. In short, any code contains unnecessary user service vulnerable to hacking sites. Therefore, they should turn off.
This short video will show how to activate and deactivate the system service.
Council 10: Upgrade your browser to Internet Explorer version 7.
Internet Explorer is traditionally considered to be the most unreliable in terms of security of the browser. In version 7 developers have tried to correct some of its flaws. IE 7 available for download through Automatic Updates service (Automatic Updates), and at the Microsoft site. In the browser provides the following features to improve security system:

• Filter "phishing" (phishing filter): helps prevent of accidental leakage of personal data. When entering the phishing site, IE7 address bar is highlighted in red, and the browser will alert the user that the Web page is a phishing site.

This page applies to phishing sites and may harm your computer

• Mezhdomennye barriers: IE7 interaction contributes to the prevention program code with the contents of web pages, providing the user a more reliable protection against spyware.

• Visual clues: besides the aforementioned phishing filter built green backlight address bar, signaliziruyuschaya that viewing the site safe.
Effects of Extended certificate confirming use (Extended Validation) in IE 7.