Windows

Below are some specific options to improve security of your system. Some specific Windows notes were described in the general section.

• Use Antivirus Software. Either use the Microsoft provided applications (Defender and Firewall), or look into third party solutions.

  • Disable options that are likely already enabled:

    • Location tracking – Tracks your device

    • “Let Apps user Advertising ID” – This tracks activity and provided ads based on the Application activity.

  • Powershell – Ensure your system does not keep older versions. Certain versions can run in parallel. The older a version, the higher the risk.

  • Debloat: Earlier I mentioned a debloater tool to clean off unnecessary software on your Windows Computer. This is called Sycnex.

  • Also mentioned earlier is to use a local account (you will need to create this), versus using your Microsoft account (which is an online account).

  • Do not use automatic login.

  • Do not sign into web browsers with your google account. Also do not sync your account across multiple devices. Applies to web browsers on any OS.

  • Use SysInternals

    • This a tool distributed by Microsoft, and created by Mark Russinovich in 1996)

    • Provided many tools such as process scanning, monitoring services, monitoring logon sessions, port monitoring, and more. There are also tools such as Psinfo|PSkill|PSexec that you can use for a variety of tasks.