Hardware & Software > Operating Systems > Common Topics
Operating Systems
Common Topics
 

 

Windows security checklist

Following the tips below will help establish a reasonable level of Windows operating system security.

  1. Rename the Administrator account on your machine from something other than Administrator or Admin.

  2. Choose a strong password. [Selecting a strong password]

  3. Install anti-virus software and insure that it remains current.
    [McAfee anti-virus software is provided to students at no additional cost]

  4. Backup important information on a regular basis.

  5. Download and install current service packs and other updates for your Windows operating system. [Installing Windows Updates]

  6. Use Windows Update to download and install updates for Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office, and other software. [Automating Windows Updates]

  7. Do not open suspicious e-mails or attachments.

For information about more comprehensive security measures, contact the OIT HelpDesk at (334) 844-4944 or visit Microsoft's Windows Security web site.

 

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Keeping Windows up-to-date

Making sure that your Windows operating system is always up-to-date is essential for keeping your machine free of bugs, viruses, and hackers. The method for doing this is using Windows Update.

 

Windows Update is an online extension of Windows. Currently, Windows Update is available in two versions, one for Windows 2000/XP and another for Windows 9x.

 

To access Windows Update from your Start Menu, press Start > Windows Update or Start > Programs > Windows Update.

 

To access Windows Update directly from your web browser, go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/.

 

How-to: Setting up your Windows XP computer

 

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End-of-life Cycles for Windows, Macintoch, & Linux

Please see the Operating Systems Policy regarding the use of end-of-life operating systems on the Auburn University network.

 

Microsoft Windows- http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle/

 

 

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Managing hard drive space

There are multiple steps that you can take to manage your hard space.

  1. Use the Disk Cleanup. This tool will clear out temporary files, the recycle bin, old setup files, and more in one pass. This is a quick fix option when you're low on space.

    How-to: Using the Disk Cleanup

  2. Make Backups. Old, large or seldom-used files can be moved onto burnable CDs to free up space on your hard drive. If you have a directly-connected computer at Auburn University, you can use ADSM to back up your entire hard drive to the mainframe on a regular basis.

  3. Compress large files. Large files like graphics (.bmp, .tif) and multimedia (.avi, .mov) can be compressed so that they take up less space. This is called zipping and requires a special program, such as WinZip or can be done with WindowsXP.

    Internet Resource: WinZip.com

How-to: Finding files or folders
How-to: Uninstalling Programs

 

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