Keeping up with Microsoft’s myriad of security problems can be a daunting task. There are numerous ways to stay ahead of the curve and chrisshort.net is here to help.

Microsoft Security Tools

Microsoft itself offers a few tools to help corporations and individuals keep their Microsoft products secure. Securing Windows is an important job of any IT professional and home user. Think of this as a Windows security guide of sorts. If you visit the sites and use the tools recommended here often your installation of Windows and Office will remain secure. Do bare in mind that some of these tools require certain services (such as Workstation) to be running.

• Microsoft Security and Privacy - Microsoft’s Security Home Page. Think of it as one of many resources to securing Windows and Office.
• Microsoft’s TechNet Security Page - A more technical Windows and Office security page.
• Microsoft Security Notification Service - Highly recommended to sign up for this service. Microsoft sends e-mails detailing fixes and patches as they become available and often beats out Windows Update. Think of it as an ongoing guide to securing Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office.
• Microsoft TechNet HotFix and Bulletin Search - An up-to-date, searchable database of Microsoft’s Windows security bulletins and available Office patches.
• Microsoft TechNet Tools and Checklists - Listing of all available security tools and checklists. The checklists provide a basic guide to securing Microsoft Windows and are quite helpful.
• Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer - A decent tool to help make sure a system is secure. This tool requires the Workstation service to be running. This is a great way to go about securing Windows.
• Windows Update - Tool for keeping Windows installations up-to-date. User beware! Microsoft has been accused of invading the privacy of users of this service.
• Office Update - Tool for keeping Microsoft Office programs properly updated

Third Party Security Tools

Here are some non-Microsoft affiliated security web sites and tools. All of these tools and sites are available at no cost.

• CERT Coordination Center (while you’re there sign up for The CERT® Advisory Mailing List)
• NMAP
• Gibson Research Corporation
• Windows Security
• Security Guide for Windows
• NSA Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Security Guide
• NSA Windows XP Security Recommendation Guide
• NSA Windows 2000 Security Recommendation Guide
• NSA Windows NT Security Recommendation Guide
• SecuriTeam.com

Remember, there is no silver bullet to keeping your PCs and your network secure. But, eliminating vulnerabilities and weaknesses in your operating system is always a mandatory step in good security practices.