Securing a new WinXP PC

Before getting on the Internet with a PC, one must take measures to protect the PC against the hazards of viruses, and ad/spyware, and to run a Firewall in the PC.

A brand new PC running WinXP usually comes with some security software. Other than the WinXP Firewall (that may or may not not be enabled), security software is selected and included by the PC's manufacturer, and will vary by brand. You should have the Firewall enabled, be running updated antivirus (AV) software and protect the PC against ad/spyware.

Many new PCs come with a free trial version of AV software, or a 'security suite' that includes AV, anti-ad/spyware and firewall features. Before the trial period ends, you'll be reminded frequently to pay for a subscription. At that point, I'd do the following:

Download (or otherwise acquire) free software that will secure your PC. Believe it or not, the free stuff is better than most of the popular stuff that's not free. Acquire all the following programs first:

Grisoft AVG AntiVirus:
<http://free.grisoft.com/doc/Get+AVG+FREE/lng/us/tpl/v5>

Microsoft Antispyware:
<http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx>

Ad-Aware anti-Ad/Spyware:
<http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/>

Spybot S&D anti-Ad/Spyware:
<http://www.snapfiles.com/get/spybot.html>

Once you have these programs to install in your PC, and while you're not connected to the Internet, do the following:
  1. Uninstall the non-free programs that are on your PC. Essentially, go to the WinXP Control Pannel's Add/Remove Programs. There, remove anything that relates to Symantec, Norton and McAfee. You may have to reboot during the uninstalls -- simply follow the prompts in this regard.
  2. Once they all are uninstalled, install each of the programs listed above. Essentially, you run the installer program for each of them and follow the prompts. Again, there may be rebooting involved.
  3. Once the above programs are installed, go online and update each of them to get the latest updates against the newest threats.
After you accomplish the above changes, you should consider installing a stronger software firewall in place of the weak one-way WinXP Firewall. The free ZoneAlarm is the best bet, and can be downloaded at:
<http://download.zonelabs.com/bin/free/1002_zl/zlsSetup_60_667_000.exe>.

If you install ZoneAlarm, it will automatically disable WinXP's firewall. Once installed, do not skip the tutorial that's offered during installation. With ZoneAlarm enabled, initially you'll be prompted frequently whether to allow or not allow certain things to cross the Firewall. If it relates directly to something you're doing at the moment, allow it. If not, do not allow it (but if not sure, do not tell it to remember the choice for future events). Once you're sure of a choice, then tell ZoneAlarm to remember it. This is training ZoneAlarm to protect your PC from things it wasn't factory pre-trained to do.

Last Updated: October 3, 2005