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Essential PC security tips Securing your PC

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This article, Essential PC security tips, was last updated on 02 February 2009 and is now out of date and held in our online archive for reference. Explore our latest Technology articles.

Set a Vista password

Click the Start button on your computer and click on your account picture. 

In the resulting dialogue box, click Create a password for your account. In the resulting dialogue box, type in and confirm your password.

You can add a password hint to remind you what this is, later. Click Create password.

Turn on Windows Updates

It’s crucial that your computer is set to receive all the latest Windows Updates automatically. Microsoft issues regular updates to plug security holes or enhance features in the Windows Operating system.

To turn on Windows Updates, go to Start > Control panel > Security center, then click Windows update in the left-hand side of the resulting window. 

Click Change settings. Make sure that the box titled Install updates automatically (recommended) is ticked.

Click the down arrows to select how regularly to install updates (we recommend that you download updates daily) and choose a time. Click OK. 

We recommend that you visit the Windows Updates site at www.update.microsoft.com once a week to check for updates.

3 firewall

Windows Firewall helps protect your computer from hackers

Turn on Windows firewall 

Windows Vista’s firewall protects your computer from incoming attacks from hackers or malware such as viruses. 

Vista’s firewall also prevents information leaving your computer. 

It’s vital that your firewall is switched on. Go to Start > Control panel > Security Center and click on Windows firewall.

You should see a green icon showing a tick inside a shield if the firewall is switched on. 

If not, click Turn Windows firewall on or off, click Continue and tick the box to turn on the firewall.