The biggest threat to your network isn't always the latest malware
outbreak or a clever hacker; sometimes it's actually the users
themselves! An unknowing user is an accident waiting to happen.
This is especially true in business environments with
underdeveloped Web browsing regulations and overly simplistic
passwords.
WIth this scary thought in mind, we've compiled our top five
client hardening tips of 2006. Recap the year in client security
and make sure your network is protected from more than just the
same old external threats.
Online scams: Top five best of the
worst
As technology improves to combat the more malicious malware, look
for criminals to turn to more social engineering tactics.
Contributor Ed Tittel offers his top five online scams as a warning
against future dangers.
Building better password
policies
In some cases passwords are your network's last line of defense
and your only tool to ensure strong passwords is your password
policy. Contributor Kevin Beaver suggests tweaking your policy to
improve security and usability and discusses ways to get management
on board.
Process Explorer 10.2: Client security
aid
Hopefully everyone knows and uses Process Explorer, Sysinternals'
replacement for Task Manager. Contributor Serdar Yegulalp is a big
proponent of its many functions, which include a few client
security features.
Tuning Windows Vista security: The
firewall
The Windows XP firewall received its share of criticism. So, what
has changed in Vista? At first glance, it looks the same, says
Microsoft MVP Brien Posey, but with a little digging and some
careful tuning, Vista's firewall should be a big improvement.
Backing up and restoring NTFS permissions on
a specified volume
Serdar Yegulalp explains how you can harden your security by using
the script NTFSBKP to back up and restore NTFS permissions --
either on one folder or to an entire drive.