Windows® 7 Tweaks: A Comprehensive Guide on Customizing, Increasing Performance, and Securing Microsoft® Windows 7

Chapter 17. Windows Security

Security is one of the most important issues in the Windows computer world. Over the years, as Windows gained popularity and as it became the dominant operating system on the market, it became the primary target for hackers and other individuals who want to compromise your system. Additionally, you use your computer for more and more activities, which result in a massive amount of highly valuable and confidential information stored inside. Today it is not uncommon to have personal financial information, hundreds of personal documents, and thousands of priceless digital photos all stored on your computer. As the amount of personal data stored on your computer increases, the reward to compromise a system increases as well. This creates an enormous need for a secure operating system that will keep your data safe.

According to Microsoft, Windows 7 is the most secure version of Windows released in history. Building off the major security changes introduced in Windows Vista, Windows 7 is technically superior but it is far from perfect. Security patches are still released to protect users from new attacks and a lack of education on the new security features results in many users not using them.

This chapter helps you get the most out of security features and locks down your computer using common industry best practices to protect your computer from getting compromised.

Actively Protecting Your Computer

The days when running an antivirus program on your computer ...