Software
Windows
Vista Security Recommendations
Windows Vista has many new security features to make your computing experience safer. Here are some important Vista security recommendations.
User Account Control (UAC)
We recommend keeping UAC “on” to provide an additional degree of security. This feature can prevent some of the following:
- unknowingly downloads and installs malware from a malicious or infected Web site
- opening an e-mail attachment that contains malware, which runs and possibly installs itself on the computer
- unsupported applications that can affect the computers performance or reliability.
Windows Defender
Windows Defender monitors key system areas and prevents spyware from installing. It is not a full antivirus product. We recommend installing Symantec Antivirus as soon as possible on a new system.
Windows Firewall
We recommend that Windows Firewall be left on at all times.
Malicious Software Removal Tool
The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool is designed to help remove malware from infected computers. It is not an active virus detection tool. We strongly recommend that users run Symantec Antivirus to continually detect and remove viruses.
Internet Explorer Protected Mode
We recommend that Internet Explorer's Protected Mode remain on. This feature can protect you from malicious software on websites.
Internet Explorer ActiveX Opt-in
We recommended that this feature remain on. This feature helps protect you from malicious software on websites.
Internet Explorer Security Status Bar
The new Security Status Bar in Internet Explorer 7 helps you quickly differentiate authentic Web sites from suspicious or malicious ones. No settings are required for its use.
Internet Explorer Phishing Filter
When IE7 is first started, you are asked if you want to enable the Phishing Filter. We highly recommend that you answer “yes” to this question. Phishing is a technique that many attackers use to trick computer users into revealing personal or financial information through an e-mail message or Web site. The Phishing Filter in Internet Explorer 7 advises users about suspicious or known phishing Web sites to help them more safely browse content on the Internet.
Additional Information