Windows Vista Security Microsoft was continuing focus on security will be evident in this new operating system. They are basing the foundation of Vista around security. Windows customers should be confident that this operating system will protect their computer and information against the latest worms, viruses and malware. However, in the unlikely event you should fall victim to a successful attack, Windows Vista will ensure the damage is minimal. Below, I have outlined a few of Vista's security features :User Account Protection:Vista's user account gives added protection and allows for users to be allowed to run applications under a standard account. But, in the event the standard account user is unknowingly trying to run a malicious code, Vista will intervene and don not allow the user to continue. Or, if a standard user account is trying to install a hotel printer driver, Vista will just simply ask you to confirm your intensions & provide credentials. Protection from malware : Malware can cause company IT departments & their users to waste significant amounts of times in dealing with the effects that it creates. Windows Vista includes powerful features that can stop malware before it can cause any problems. Not only will this be a huge time saver for any IT department, but it will also allow the operating system to run much smoother. Multi-tiered data protection : By using advanced data protection technologies, Windows Vista reduces the risk of your data on a stolen/missing laptop from being compromised. Windows Vista supports full-volume encryption to prevent other operating systems from accessing its data. Another optional disk access prevention feature is the TPM v1.2 chip (Trusted Platform Model) that can be installed on your computer to store encryption keys. By using the TPM, the entire system partition is encrypted (both the hibernation file and the user data).C ustom authentication mechanisms : The use of a user name & password for many companies is no longer a fail safe method of security. Windows Vista has improved upon Smart Card support making it easier for developers to add custom authentication methods such as biometrics and tokens.Network access protection:An internal network can be compromised by its mobile computers not having the necessary updates and security settings available due to the use of unsecured networks at hotels, cafes,..etc. Windows Vista will only allow a computer to connect to an internal network if certain security criteria are met. If the system has been compromised, it will not be allowed in. Firewall: System administrator have full control via Group Policy over what applications are allowed or blocked from communicating with the network. The control of network access is a key component of network security.Windows Service Hardening:If an unlikely virus attack were to exploit a vulnerable service, Windows Service Hardening would limit the damage by preventing file system or registry changes from occurring. Internet Explorer 7 enhancements:IE7 uses many new features to protect's against malicious Web sites, malware, phishing and spoofing attacks. The new Protected Mode would also allow a user to define their own security settings. Other new features of Internet Explorer 7 include: - Highlights the address bar when users visit a Secure Sockets Layer-protected site and lets them check the sites security certificate validity.- If visiting an unsafe site, a phishing filter would warn the user of this risk.- Clear all cached data with a single mouse click. Browse more securely and confidently with Internet Explorer 7!
The new Windows Operating System formerly code named "Longhorn" is now named Vista. This new operating system is due out in the middle of 2006. I' m going to be writing a great deal about it here at 5 Star Support so that you all can become familiar with it before it comes out. In this tip, I will discuss a little about what you can expect from Vista from a troubleshooting stand-point.Vista promises to have great troubleshooting features built in to aid users in quickly diagnosing computer issues. For instance, Windows Vista diagnostics can automatically detect & diagnose failing hard disks, faulty memory, degraded performance, loss of a network connection and problems shutting down. Having the ability to detect a failing Hard Disk before any loss of data occurs, makes this an extremely valuable feature. But, nothing takes the place of good backup practices.The Windows XP Remote Assistance feature is a huge time saver for all support centers. Vista promises to enhance this feature and make it better by having the ability to remotely connect faster and use less bandwidth. It will even have the ability to function through Network Address Translation (NAT) firewalls. The remote assistance will incorporate its own built-in diagnostic tools available with a single click. You will also be able to reconnect to a Remote Assistance session automatically after restarting your computer. One last enhancement worth a mention is that two administrators will now be able to connect at one time. This will be valuable on those hard to troubleshoot problems that could use a second set of eyes.
1. Right click an open area of the Taskbar
2. Select Properties
3. Select the Start Menu tab
4. Tick the Start menu entry and click the "Customize" button to the right.
5. Scroll down the list until you find the "Run command" entry.
6. Place a checkmark in the "Run command" checkbox.
7. Click OK.
The Run command should now appear in the Start Menu.
Note: A simple way to access the Run Command is to press the Windows key + R on your keyboard. If you don't know what the windows key is, it is the key that is between CTRL and ALT on either side of the space bar.
2. Select Properties
3. Select the Start Menu tab
4. Tick the Start menu entry and click the "Customize" button to the right.
5. Scroll down the list until you find the "Run command" entry.
6. Place a checkmark in the "Run command" checkbox.
7. Click OK.
The Run command should now appear in the Start Menu.
Note: A simple way to access the Run Command is to press the Windows key + R on your keyboard. If you don't know what the windows key is, it is the key that is between CTRL and ALT on either side of the space bar.
If you would like to remove the list of user accounts and have users login using a password & user name, change the following settings:
1. Go to Start
2. In the Search box, type: local security policy
3. Double click the local security policy entry
4. Open "Local Policies"
5. Select "Security Options"
6. Double click the entry titled: "Interactive Login: Do not display last user name"
7. Place a checkmark in the "Enabled" checkbox
8. Click OK
1. Go to Start
2. In the Search box, type: local security policy
3. Double click the local security policy entry
4. Open "Local Policies"
5. Select "Security Options"
6. Double click the entry titled: "Interactive Login: Do not display last user name"
7. Place a checkmark in the "Enabled" checkbox
8. Click OK
If you are not comfortable with the default settings that Vista uses, you can easily change these settings, here's how:
1. Go to Start>> Control Panel>> Folder Options icon.
2. Select the View tab.
3. Check or uncheck the options under "Advanced settings:" as you see fit.
4. Click OK when finished.
1. Go to Start>> Control Panel>> Folder Options icon.
2. Select the View tab.
3. Check or uncheck the options under "Advanced settings:" as you see fit.
4. Click OK when finished.
When you purchase a Windows Vista product, all of the different Vista (OS) Operating System products are on the same disc. The actual product key that is inserted will determine which Vista product will be activated. If you would like to upgrade to a more feature packed version at some point, all you would need to do is change the product key to activate your newly purchased version. Here's how to change's the product key:
1. Go to Start>> Control Panel>> System.
2. At the bottom of the System applet, you'll see a link titled: "Change product key". Click this link.
3. Click Next, then in the resulting window, enter your new product key ID information.
4. Click OK.
1. Go to Start>> Control Panel>> System.
2. At the bottom of the System applet, you'll see a link titled: "Change product key". Click this link.
3. Click Next, then in the resulting window, enter your new product key ID information.
4. Click OK.
Many people reboot their system after each use. While there really isn not anything wrong with this practice, it may be unnecessary. Especially if you are having to reload several applications after each reboot. A big time saver may be to use Hibernate and/or Sleep modes. Once the system is placed in hibernate or sleep mode, you will not lose any of the applications that are currently open and the system will not need to go through the boot process.
When you have an outdated firewall or anti-virus software installed on your system, Windows Vista will pop up with these notifications. If you become annoyed with these constant notifications, you can change the way Vista notifies you. Here is how:
1. Go to Start>> Control Panel>> Windows Security Center.
2. Once in the Windows Security center, click the link on the left pane titled: "Change the way
1. Go to Start>> Control Panel>> Windows Security Center.
2. Once in the Windows Security center, click the link on the left pane titled: "Change the way
3. Security Center alerts me".
4. Modify your preferences as you see fit.
5. Click OK when finished.
4. Modify your preferences as you see fit.
5. Click OK when finished.
1. Open Windows Explorer
2. Select Tools--> Folder Options
3. Select Organize
4. Select Layout from the drop down menu
5. Deselect Navigation Pane.
6. Click OK.
This free utility is designed to help you customize the Vista user interface. TweakVI supports both 32bit and 64bit versions of Vista and works for any Vista edition. Unlike many other free utilities on the Internet, TweakVI doesn't load any advertising spyware nor does it have the ability to damage any of your hardware. Below is a list of some of the many things you can do with TweakVI:
Activate hundreds of Windows Vista settings
Manage TrueType fonts
Clean your hard drive
Improve your Internet connection
Optimize your CPU cache
Optimize your RAM
Manage system updates
Helps to protect your privacy
Tweak Internet Explorers Toolbar
Tweak the Start Menu
Change the animation on windows
Increase system speed
Clean your registry
Create a 256 MB RAM drive
Activate hundreds of Windows Vista settings
Manage TrueType fonts
Clean your hard drive
Improve your Internet connection
Optimize your CPU cache
Optimize your RAM
Manage system updates
Helps to protect your privacy
Tweak Internet Explorers Toolbar
Tweak the Start Menu
Change the animation on windows
Increase system speed
Clean your registry
Create a 256 MB RAM drive
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