Module 6 Exercise 115 Securing Your Computer Using Either Yo

Module 6exercise 115 Securing Your Computerusing Either Your Home Co

Follow the guidelines given in this chapter to secure your computer, including scanning for patches and installing them, shutting down unneeded services, installing antivirus and antispyware software (using demo versions if necessary), and setting appropriate password permissions. For each step, provide a screenshot and a brief explanation of what you're doing and why. Conclude with a summary of the process.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Securing a computer is a fundamental aspect of maintaining a safe and resilient information technology environment, whether in personal use or within organizational settings. The process involves multiple layers of protection, including system updates, service management, security software installation, and robust password policies. This paper documents the steps undertaken to secure a personal or lab computer in accordance with best practices discussed in recent cybersecurity guidelines, providing a detailed account of each action along with the rationale behind it.

Step 1: Scanning for and Installing Patches

The initial step involved scanning the operating system for all available patches and updates. Patches are essential as they fix vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors. Using the built-in update utility of the operating system, I checked for pending updates and installed all available patches. Ensuring the system is current mitigates risks associated with known vulnerabilities. A screenshot was captured at this stage, illustrating the update status interface, confirming that the system was fully patched.

Step 2: Shutting Down Unneeded Services

Next, I reviewed the list of running services and identified those unnecessary for the current purpose. Services such as remote desktop, printer sharing, or other network services that are not needed were disabled to reduce the attack surface. This process involved accessing the system's services management console, stopping, and disabling services that could pose security risks. The screenshot depicts the list of services with the unneeded ones marked as stopped and disabled. This minimizes potential entry points for cyber threats.

Step 3: Installing Antivirus Software

The third measure involved installing antivirus software. Although a demo version was used, the software provided real-time protection against malware, viruses, and other malicious threats. It was downloaded from a reputable provider's website, installed, and configured for automatic updates and real-time scanning. The screenshot shows the installation process and the antivirus dashboard indicating active protection and up-to-date signatures.

Step 4: Installing Antispyware Software

Similarly, antispyware software was installed to detect and remove spyware and adware that could compromise user privacy or system integrity. The choice of a demo version allowed validation of this step without requiring a purchase. After installation, the software was configured for scheduled scans and automatic updates. A screenshot captures the setup process and the status dashboard, confirming comprehensive spyware protection.

Step 5: Setting Appropriate Password Permissions

Finally, password policies were enforced by setting permissions to require strong passwords of at least ten characters, in line with organizational policy. This included configuring the user account policies in the security settings, ensuring passwords must be changed every 90 days. Screenshots were taken during the configuration process, and the final configuration was verified to show active password complexity requirements and change frequency.

Summary

In this exercise, the outlined steps were effectively carried out to enhance system security. Updating patches closes vulnerabilities, disabling unnecessary services reduces attack vectors, and security software provides active defense against threats. Enforcing strong password policies ensures user authentication remains robust. Collectively, these measures contribute significantly to securing a computer against common threats, aligning with cybersecurity best practices.

References

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• Microsoft. (2023). Set password policies in Windows. Retrieved from https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/identity-protection/access-control/set-passwords
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