Laptop Security - See Also

More information for the brave and curious:

SANS Tip of the Day Project has lots of great ideas which will help you.
We have a series of Security: How to Documents (where this paper appears). Lots of Windows issues including:
- Windows: Peer-Peer (Ad Hoc) Wireless connections (2006/08/04) -- how to avoid "man in the middle" and "evil twins" when using wireless.
- Browser Recommendations (2006/07/227) -- security settings for web browsers.
- Dealing with Adware and Spyware (2005/03/11) -- Adware, Spyware and browser hijacking.
- Windows Security: Hardening (2005). IPsec firewalls and security settings used within UW/IST.
- Email Security: Authentication and SSL (2004/08/09) -- security settings for mail readers.
- Windows NT/2000/XP Hardening (2002). Basic hardening issues.
We have a series of Security: Position Papers which offer advice as well:
- Internet Explorer 7: Security (2007/11/02). Observations on security features.
- Windows 2000/XP Encrypted File System (2002/06/19). Observations on EFS -- especially limitations.
Microsoft Security at Home contains lots of good advice including a "newbie" corner and 4 quick steps to Protect Your Computer.
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) is an excellent tool for IS/IT professionals to check security settings -- to review and then implement vendor recommendations.
The Center for Internet Security publishes tools to measure security settings. Recommendations are a community consensus. Again, for IS/IT professionals.

Finally, if you have a IST/IT support organization -- take advantage of them. They are the most valuable resource you have (even though they may not be perfect).

(by) Reg Quinton, Information Systems and Technology
2007/02/16-2007/08/31