24 |MAMAMAXIMXIMXIMXIMUUUUMMPPPCC|JAN 2011|www.maximumpc.com
Keep Your OS Patched
%ould real people actually be as clueless as some
of those characters we see in movies! Sadly, you
need no more evidence of that clichÅ than the
average computer user. Even though he or she
knows that an OS update is as critical as, say,
nailing boards over your windows in a zombie
apocalypse, many choose to ignore the updates
until something crawls in and eats their brains.
The most basic security step P% users should
take—regardless of OS—is to install the latest
updates. ;es, we know, it can be teeth-gritting—
especially when the updates are larger than the
original OS—but it’s necessary for patching holes
being used by attackers to squeeze into your P%.Lose Windows XP
Windows :P was a great operating system but
it’s now pushing 10 years old and it’s a popular
target for attacks. Why! It’s not as secure as
its replacements. It’s also where the money
is—literally—with 51 percent of computers onthe planet running it. Many attacks specifi cally
target :P and ignore Windows Vista and Win-
dows 7 completely. Unless you like to wrench
on your OS all day, we recommend that you
give :P the retirement it has earned.Keep Your
Applications Patched
Even Microsoft haters have to admit the com-
pany has done an admirable job patching its
operating systems in a reasonable amount of
time. Because of this, many of the weak spots
on a P% aren’t even the OS anymore, but rather
the third-party applications. While Micro-
soft will patch its own products in Windows
Update, it doesn’t do squat about anything
else. With literally dozens of apps to check for
updates every week, you can see where the
problem lies. That’s why we run Secunia’s PSI
Scanner (www.secunia.com). The free app runs
in the background and checks your installed
apps and plugins for available updates and
then gives you a link of where to download
the patch. The latest beta version will actually
install some of the updates for you. The com-
pany also oȭ ers an online scanner but we don’t
recommend it because it runs in Java.Beware the Usual
Suspects
When a massive malware outbreak occurs, you
can almost always expect to see these fi ve shift y
guys in the police lineup: Flash, Acrobat/Reader,
3uickTime, Java, and JavaScript.
Normally we’d say just execute ’em, but it
doesn’t always work that way. ;es, if you can,
simply uninstall these oȭ enders (save JavaScript),
but if you must have them, there is a way to at
least mitigate some of the damage.
Start by disabling Acrobat/Reader in your
browser. In Firefox, go to Tools, then Add-ons,
then Plugins, and disable the Acrobat plugin.
While you’re there, you should also probably
disable 3uickTime, Java, and even the Div: Web
Player if you want to be extra cautious.Secunia’s free PSI app will monitor the dozens of applications installed on your machine for avail-
able security patches.Protect Your
Desktop PC
Installing strong, up-to-date
security software is a given.
But it takes much more than
that to defend the epicenter
of your digital lifethe planetplanetplanet running it. Many attacks specifi cally running it. Many attacks specifi callyDesktop PC
SECURITY