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Need advice on how to secure Windows 8

  • 10-06-2013 3:27pm
    #1
    rigmaroll
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 190 ✭✭


    Im after getting a new pc with windows 8 and need advice on how to secure it.

    It came with Norton anti virus and firewall and also has Microsoft defender.

    I would like to know

    1 how do I make the administrator account secure
    2 how do I set up a password or encrypt the pc so no one else can access it
    3 what encryption if any should I use
    4 is Norton alright to use for anti virus/firewall or should I use other products

    ive used windows 2000 previously so Im a bit lost figuring out windows 8. thanks for any help


Comments

  • #2
    200motels
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,619 ✭✭✭200motels


    rigmaroll wrote: »
    Im after getting a new pc with windows 8 and need advice on how to secure it.

    It came with Norton anti virus and firewall and also has Microsoft defender.

    I would like to know

    1 how do I make the administrator account secure
    2 how do I set up a password or encrypt the pc so no one else can access it
    3 what encryption if any should I use
    4 is Norton alright to use for anti virus/firewall or should I use other products

    ive used windows 2000 previously so Im a bit lost figuring out windows 8. thanks for any help
    Have a look at this http://www.pcworld.com/article/2027593/windows-8-put-its-hidden-security-features-to-work-.html. Or this

    http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/security/what-you-should-know-about-windows-8-security-features/7900

    Or this

    http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/windows-8-security-explained-1107206


  • #3
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 94,296 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    there is a security forum http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=24
    but it's for advanced topics and not "how do I make windows secure"


    also check out the Virus & Malware Removal forum https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=1009

    Always remember security is comprised of layers.
    each layer on it's own has trade off's , you have to compromise.
    no one layer, no one product will protect you.


    There is always a trade off between security and ease of use.
    Putting truecrypt (or any encryption) on your drive and forcing your computer to do a slow memory check on boot is more secure but a real PITA as it's slower and there are so many passwords, and you have ZERO chance of data recovery if something goes horribly wrong.

    TBH investing in a device with a fingerprint scanner is a simple way of getting an easy to use level of security.


    one tip is to use Chrome or Firefox instead of IE also use https everywhere , noscript etc. For most people the most dangerous thing is something hijacking your web session because of all the stuff people do on the web. And no amount of encrypted drives will help there.


  • #4
    Fysh
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Regional Abroad Moderators Posts: 11,138 Mod ✭✭✭✭Fysh


    Capt'n Midnight wrote: »
    one tip is to use Chrome or Firefox instead of IE also use https everywhere , noscript etc. For most people the most dangerous thing is something hijacking your web session because of all the stuff people do on the web. And no amount of encrypted drives will help there.

    Also avoid the Java runtime unless it's absolutely vital. I've seen several machines caught by JRE-based crud delivered through compromised/malicious adverts on otherwise innocuous websites (including my own laptop over Christmas). Similarly, use Flashblock and/or set plugins to run on demand rather than automatically.


  • #5
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 94,296 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    Fysh wrote: »
    Also avoid the Java runtime unless it's absolutely vital. I've seen several machines caught by JRE-based crud delivered through compromised/malicious adverts on otherwise innocuous websites (including my own laptop over Christmas). Similarly, use Flashblock and/or set plugins to run on demand rather than automatically.
    noscript will catch some of that

    and that makes adblock plus more of a no-brainer too

    is there a handy way of sandboxing java other than a VM ?


  • #6
    Fysh
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Regional Abroad Moderators Posts: 11,138 Mod ✭✭✭✭Fysh


    Capt'n Midnight wrote: »
    noscript will catch some of that

    and that makes adblock plus more of a no-brainer too

    is there a handy way of sandboxing java other than a VM ?

    Not as far as I know. Oracle keep saying they're going to build in sandboxing, and have thus far failed to do a good job. JRE7 U21 is better than previous releases at prompting people before running, but still has great big tickboxes for "trust all from this publisher" and "don't ask again".

    That said, comparatively few people need Java at this point for personal stuff (Minecraft is probably a non-trivial contributor at this stage). Work environments with Oracle/SAP financial systems are stuck with it, but can at least use it as an excuse to lock down their systems accordingly...


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