Your questions: How should I manage my home network to keep it safe?

Adrienne asks…

“How should I manage my home network to keep it safe?”

Of interest, from the MS.com website, 10 tips for maintaining a healthy home network by Joli Ballew, author and media and technology expert (as adapted from Windows Vista: Home Networking, Microsoft Press, 2007)

“Once your network is up and running, it’s up to you to keep it healthy. This means incorporating all of the security features that come with your operating system, whether it’s Windows Vista or Windows XP, and taking care of your network hardware properly. If your network computers aren’t healthy (or have security problems), your network won’t be healthy, either. Remember, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.”

In short the ten tips include…

1. Keep anti-virus software installed and up-to-date.
2. Configure and use Windows Update.
3. Get the most from the Network and Sharing Center.
4. Configure secure Internet Explorer 7 options.
5. Configure and use Windows Defender.
6. Configure and use Windows Firewall.
7. Prevent your kids from downloading malware with Parental Controls.
8. Keep a backup of all your data.
9. Protect your computer from unwanted downloads.
10. Take care of your hardware.