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Beginners Guides: 104 Tech Tips for Windows XP
Beginners Guides: 104 Tech Tips for Windows XP - PCSTATS
From quick tips to WindowsXP, right through to cool tweak, toys and experiments, PCSTATS has go you covered with over a hundred new Tech Tips!
 100% Rating:   
Filed under: Beginners Guides Published:  Author: 
External Mfg. Website: PCSTATS May 01 2007   M. Dowler  
Home > Reviews > Beginners Guides > PCSTATS

Computer Security Tips 50-51

50. Scan your computer for vulnerabilities with Microsoft's free security scanner

Microsoft provides a tool called the Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) to help network administrators or concerned users check their machines for security vulnerabilities. The software is available here.

Download and run the device to test both your local computer and any PCs on your network (you will need access to an administrative account on all machines you wish to scan). The MBSA creates a security log for each scanned computer which contains easy to read info on any vulnerabilities that may exist and how to correct them.

PCSTATS highly recommends that you use this tool to check your PC for security flaws.

Also see PCstats Ten Steps to a Secure PC article for more information on essential computer security steps.

51. Disable USB Storage Device Writing (Service Pack 2)

USB storage devices are very easy to use in Windows XP. Since they use the built-in mass storage drivers, anyone can just plug in a memory key and download whatever they want onto it. This can be a security concern for both business networks and home users who let others have access to their PCs. This is especially true because of the large amount of information that can be put on the typical memory key, and the speed of their use.

If you are concerned about this issue, Windows XP Service Pack 2 contains a feature that lets you combat it. You can now make USB storage devices read-only, meaning that no one will be able to move data onto them.

To make USB mass-storage devices read only:

Open Regedit and navigate to 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\Control key'

Highlight the subkey 'StorageDevicePolicies' If there is no such subkey, create it by right clicking 'control key' and choosing 'new\key'. Once you have the 'StorageDevicePolicies' subkey highlighted, right click it and select 'new\ DWORD value.' Give the value the name WriteProtect. Double click the new value and give it the value of '1' Exit and restart.

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Contents of Article: PCSTATS
 Pg 1.  Beginners Guides: 104 Tech Tips for Windows XP
 Pg 2.  WindowsXP Interface Tips 1-2
 Pg 3.  WindowsXP Interface Tips 3-6
 Pg 4.  WindowsXP Interface Tips 7-9
 Pg 5.  WindowsXP Interface Tips 10-11
 Pg 6.  WindowsXP Interface Tips 12-14
 Pg 7.  WindowsXP Interface Tips 15-17
 Pg 8.  WindowsXP Interface Tips 18-20
 Pg 9.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 21-23
 Pg 10.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 24-25
 Pg 11.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 26-30
 Pg 12.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 31
 Pg 13.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 32-33
 Pg 14.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 34-36
 Pg 15.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 37-39
 Pg 16.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 40-41
 Pg 17.  Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips 42-46
 Pg 18.  Computer Security Tips 47
 Pg 19.  Computer Security Tips 47 con't
 Pg 20.  Computer Security Tips 48-49
 Pg 21.  — Computer Security Tips 50-51
 Pg 22.  Computer Security Tips 52
 Pg 23.  Computer Security Tips 53-54
 Pg 24.  WindowsXP Shortcut Tips 55-57
 Pg 25.  WindowsXP Shortcut Tips 58-63
 Pg 26.  Disk and Storage Management Tips 64
 Pg 27.  Disk and Storage Management Tips 65-67
 Pg 28.  Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments 68-69
 Pg 29.  Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments 70-71
 Pg 30.  Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments 72-75
 Pg 31.  Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments 76-78
 Pg 32.  Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments 78 con't
 Pg 33.  Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments 79-81
 Pg 34.  Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments 82-85
 Pg 35.  Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments 86-90
 Pg 36.  Networking and Internet Tips 91-93
 Pg 37.  Networking and Internet Tips 94-97
 Pg 38.  Networking and Internet Tips 98-101
 Pg 39.  Networking and Internet Tips 102-104

 
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