New Computer? Steps to Protect Your Computer Before Connecting to the Internet

Getting a new computer should be an exciting and gratifying experience. After all, you'll be able to do things faster, safer and without having to worry that your old hard drive is so full that one more file will "break the camel's back."

However, there are dangers out there that probably didn't exist when you bought your last computer. And there's the question of what will happen to your old hard drive, with all your personal data on it.

Let's deal with your new computer first. This information applies specifically to Windows XP, although it has broader application as well.

Remember:

Many computers' default configurations are insecure.

New security vulnerabilities may have been discovered between the time the computer was built and configured by the manufacturer and you setting up the computer for the first time.

When upgrading software from commercially packaged media (e.g., CD-ROM, DVD-ROM), new vulnerabilities may have been discovered since the disc was manufactured.

Attackers know the common broadband and dial-up IP address ranges, and scan them regularly.

Numerous worms are already circulating on the Internet continuously scanning for new computers to exploit.

It is estimated that 80% of spam comes from personal computers (known as "Zombies"), like yours, that have been compromised with a trojan or other malware that the owner is completely unaware of. By protecting your computer you are protecting the Internet!As a result of these hackers' efforts, the average time-to-exploitation for an uNPRotected computer is measured in minutes.

Standard (wrong) advice to Home users has been to download and install software patches as soon as possible after connecting a new computer to the Internet. However, since the background intruder scanning activity is pervasive, it may not be possible for you to complete the download and installation of software patches before the vulnerabilities they are trying to fix are exploited.

This Special Report offers advice on how to protect your computer before connecting it to the Internet so that you can complete the patching process without incident.

We strongly recommend following all the steps when upgrading to a new operating system from disc(s) as well as when connecting a new computer to the Internet for the first time.

Perform these steps before connecting to the Internet for the first time.

The links in this document are LIVE LINKS, but we recommend that you NOT connect to them through your new computer. Use the live links on a computer that is fully updated, virus protected and firewalled, and download the instructions/programs to a CD or a USB drive, then transfer them to your new computer. A 128 megabyte USB drive costs less than $20, is "plug and play," and can be used over and over.

If possible, connect the new computer behind a network (hardware-based) firewall or firewall router.

A network firewall or firewall router is a