In this article I have write about Windows 7 home premium 64-bit OS but these basics that I talk should also be notified in other Windows OS. These basics are easily forgotten and not thought enough. In this article security is in big picture.
Installing Windows OS
When you start installing Windows OS, you should install it using custom/advanced installation to actually see what you are doing. But like all the other softwares, basically you only see a small parts, where you are going to install Windows, How much space it takes and some other small parts. Installing programs these days are very automatic so users just click yes or I agree buttons to process.
The biggest part come here, when the Windows asks first time user name and computer name. You should always use simply recognizable user names like “MikeWillis” so everyone knows who you are. Names like “DarkNinja”, “KamikazeFUN” or “whatAKAJames” aren’t so good user names. It hides your identity, but in business world where the can be almost 10-20 maintenance workes it’s hard to tell who did what. In home use you have more freedom to choose.
Next you should see your computer name. This is important that you name your coputer different name than your user account. Nowadays when you browse to different websites, this is mark that they see. Computer named “MikeWillis-COMPUTER browsed these sites…” .This also hides your home identity.
Also noticed is that this first user what you are creating, is going to get Administrator privileges so you should bear notice now.
You are also asked to create password to your new user. It’s is very important that you give password to your user. It’s the number one security risk, unsecured user accounts. These are the places where all enough talented and knowledges people attack.
What kind of your password should be. Well it should be some like this
- 8-14 letters, capitals included, some numbers and special marks (like #,%,&)
- Your password should not be found in public dictionary
- It’s so hard to remember you can’t so you have to write it to paper
- Example of good password: F&5hb#fR85%Yrw
But usually passwords are like these
- 3-8 letters, no special marks included, numbers and maybe capital letters
- Parts of the password is found in dictionary or the whole password is found
- Examples of not so good passwords: Flower2013, 1234, 0000, a, yourname, password
I’m not criticizing, but good passwords are most secured ones. They are time taking.
After installation
When you have installed your Windows OS you should update your Windows updates. Simply go to Windows orb to open start up menu and type “windows update” . This is time taking part. When you have first time done it Windows asks restarting the computer. Restart and do this 2-3 times, some of the Windows updates are fixes to other updates. When you have done those I recommend to create a new user accounts or if you have some sort of Anti-virus program like F-secure, Norton or Avira you should install it. If you don’t have disk versions I recommend to download from other computer this program, transfer it using USB-memorystick and install.
To add new users I make a new article about it. In that article I also tell why not to use Administrator accounts.
-Tuomas Törmä
**Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this license document, but changing it is not allowed. GNU License 3 (link)**
Sources
- Studies in Haaga-Helia spring 2013 Course Basics of Computers and networks Teacher Petri Hirvonen
Tuomas Törmä 