Security: Your First Priority

Congratulations on installing Windows. However, at this point, your computer is extremely vulnerable to worms and such malicious softwares. If you configured a hardware router correctly, as briefly mentioned on Page 1, you should be relatively safe. However, relatively safe and completely safe are two different stories.

The first thing you will need to do is to go to Windows Update and install each and every single critical update. To get there, you must first set up your network connection. Go to Control Panel -> Network and Dial-Up Connections.

Next, go double-click your connection. Go to “Properties.”

Now, head to the TCP/IP settings. During installation, you should have set these up correctly. If you haven’t done so yet, set them up and continue on.

Now, it is time to head on over to Windows Update. Click Start -> Windows Update.

After heading there, you should receive a warning that looks something like this:
Click “Yes,” and continue on to the next page. Click to “Scan for Updates.”
Shortly after scanning for updates, you will be told what is “Critical” that you must install. Certain updates actually require to be done separately, and this is a time consuming process, but it is necessary. Once you have chosen your first update to install, click “Install Now” and install the update.
Usually, a security box like this will open:

After your update is done installing, restart your computer. Yes, you have to.

After completing this process for all critical updates, you must head over to Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Local Security Policy. Go to Security Options, under Local Policies, and double-click “Rename Administrator Account.” Type in a new name. This prevents hackers from using a typical name like “Administrator” to brute force passwords.

On the next page, we will setup a basic web server.