Windows Vista: Things You Should Do When Setting Up Your PC
Categories: IQ500 IQ770 (legacy) Setup and General Use Security and Protection
This document provides a helpful, more secure process to use when a new computer is being setup for the first time or after system recovery was used to restore the computer to its original configuration. During this critical time when the computer is being set up it is more vulnerable to security threats because it does not contain the most recent updates. Use the following steps to make sure your computer is properly updated and secure.
Step 1: Connecting the hardware
At first, only connect the basic hardware that will enable you to use Windows. Only connect the mouse, keyboard, and monitor. In most cases, you can use the setup instructions from a setup poster that is provided with your computer.
| CAUTION: | Do not connect the network cable, printers, cameras, scanners, or any other non-essential peripheral devices and do not install any extra software until setup has finished AND you have completed the rest of the steps in this document. USB storage devices and HP Personal and Pocket Media drives should be removed from their sockets during the setup process. |
Step 2: Completing the initial setup screens
You must complete a series of PC setup screens before you can complete the setup process. It is important to fill out the setup information and wait for setup to complete. In some cases, it may take more than 40 minutes before the Windows desktop is shown. It is very important that the computer is not restarted during this process. If the computer is restarted, a system recovery may be needed before Windows can be used.
| CAUTION: | If the computer uses a broadband Internet connection, do not connect the network cable (or broadband modem)! The computer can be more susceptible to security threats during this critical time period. If an Internet connection is required to complete a setup screen, try to bypass the screen and complete that portion of setup later. If this is not possible, temporarily connect the cable to complete the screen. Ensure that the computer is scanned for viruses immediately after completing the rest of these steps. |
After initial setup is complete, go to the next step.
Step 3: Setting up a firewall
Set up a firewall to provide basic protection against security threats before attempting to connect to the Internet. You can use Windows firewall or other firewall software, such as Norton Internet Security 2007.
| NOTE: | If Windows firewall is being used, do not enable another firewall. Firewall software can interfere with one another if more than one is open. |
Using Windows Firewall
- Disconnect the network and modem cable if they are attached to the computer.Only the power cord, monitor, mouse, and keyboard should be connected.
- Click Start
, Control Panel , and then Security . - Under Windows Security , click Turn Windows Firewall on or off , and then click the On radio button. The Firewall indicator should be green.
- To ensure Windows Firewall is enabled, click Start , and enter security center in the Start Search field. The Firewall indicator should be green and show a status of On.
- After the firewall is enabled, connect the network or modem cable and go to the next step.
Using Norton Internet Security 2007
Your computer may have come with a subscription to Norton Internet Security 2007. If so, and if you would like to use this firewall, make sure that its service has been activated by opening the desktop icon and responding to the setup screens. Once, Norton Internet Security 2007 has been initially configured, use the following steps to ensure the firewall is active.
- Disconnect the network and modem cable if they are attached to the computer.Only the power cord, monitor, mouse, and keyboard should be connected.
- Click the Norton Internet Security icon
in the lower-right taskbar. - In the main Norton window, click the Norton Internet Security tab, click Settings , and then click Personal Firewall .Figure 1: Norton Personal Firewall setting
- Click Turn On .
- To ensure the Firewall is enabled, click Start , and enter security center in the Start Search field. The Firewall indicator should be green and show a status of On.
Step 4: Connecting to the Internet
Next, after a firewall is enabled, set up an Internet connection using information from your Internet Service Provider (ISP). If necessary, contact the ISP support number if you are having trouble setting up the connection or if you are missing important information such as passwords.
| CAUTION: | Do not browse the Internet or use email! Finish the steps in this document to make the computer more secure before using the Internet. |
After an Internet connection is established, go to the next step.
Step 5: Downloading updates for Windows
Make sure Windows Vista is updated with all of the latest critical updates from Microsoft. To do so, click Start , All Programs , and then Windows Update . Follow the instructions to download and install all critical updates from Microsoft.
, All Programs , and then Windows Update . Follow the instructions to download and install all critical updates from Microsoft. After all critical updates are installed, ensure that Automatic Update (for Windows Updates) is enabled as follows:
- Click Start , Control Panel , and System and Maintenance .
- Under Windows Update , click Turn automatic updating on or off .
After Window Update is set to automatically update, go to the next step.
Step 6: Updating security software
Use the self-updating feature of security software used on the system and then set it to perform a regular scan for malicious software. Doing so ensures that the computer has the latest protection against such security threats as viruses and spyware.
| NOTE: | When used, Windows Defender automatically performs an update before scanning. |
For example, if your computer came with Norton Internet Security 2007, you would do the following:
- Open Norton Internet Security 2007 and click Run LiveUpdate from the Quick updates panel.LiveUpdate updates security software and virus definitions.
- Click the Norton Internet Security tab. From there, configure your security tools for daily operation:
- Under Tasks and Scans , configure a scan to run automatically each week when the computer isn't being used.
- Under Settings , for the safest environment, make sure all Settings options are on.This protects your computer from viruses, phishing software, spyware, and malicious intrusion.
-
After security software has been updated, go to the next step.
Step 7: Updating software and drivers from HP
Next, use HP Update to install all critical software and driver updates from HP:
- Click Start , and then All Programs .
- Click HP , and click HP Update .
- Follow the onscreen instructions to download and install updates.
Step 8: Connecting devices and installing extra software
You are almost done. The computer should now be more secure having the latest updates installed. Now you can add external devices and install extra software as follows:
- Install hardware devices, such as printers, all-in-ones, cameras, using the manufacturer's installation instructions. Ensure a device fully installed before attempting to install another one.
- Install software that was not installed automatically installed during system recovery.
- You may also want to download and install other updates from Microsoft and HP that are not critical. For more information refer to the HP support document HP and Compaq Desktop PCs - Obtaining Software and Drivers .Your computer is now up to date.
RSS
