Harden Applications On Windows Xp Pc

1. To mitigate computer vulnerabilities, one must keep application software and
operating system software up to date.
1. Run Microsoft Update: Click Here and choose the Express option to
receive high-priority updates. If it fails, restart your computer and try
again.
2. Upgrade to Adobe 9: Click Here.
3. Upgrade to Adobe Air 1.5 Click Here.
4. Upgrade to Adobe Flash Player 10.0.12.36: Click Here. Install ActiveX
control at the top of browser.
5. Download Java SE Development Kit (JDK) 6 Update 11: First delete all
old version(s) of Java from your computer: Start  Control Panel 
Add or Remove Programs  Remove all old versions of Java, for e.g.,
Java(TM) 6 Update 3.  After all old Java versions are removed, Click
Here  Click the Second Download to download Java SE Development
Kit (JDK) 6 Update 11.  Select Platform: Windows. Check I agree to
terms. Click Continue.  Click jdk-6u11-windows-i586-p.exe  Click
Run  Click Run  Click Accept to Terms  Click Next (Custom Setup)
 Click Next  Click Finish  Close the Window to Register Now!
6. Install Site Advisor: Click Here. Restart your computer when complete.
The below are additional software to keep current.
Keep Firefox and Thunderbird Email client current:
• Firefox 3.0.5: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/
• Mozilla Thunderbird 2.0.0.19: http://www.mozilla.com/en-
US/thunderbird/
Set AntiVirus Software to automatically download updates & new versions:
• McAfee AntiVirus:
http://us.mcafee.com/root/landingpages/affLandPage.asp?
affid=101&lpname=17106&aco=0&cid=53507&siteID=qBNKlhsBsB4-
Lnk4C26IgxfYBoU43WdZew
• ZoneAlarm AntiVirus:
http://download.zonealarm.com/bin/promotions/zaav/zaav_121008.ht
m
• Norton AntiVirus: http://store.norton.com/v2.0-
img/operations/symantus/site/promo/pd/pt_navnis09_360_us_17.htm
l

2. • TrendMicro Internet Security: http://store.trendmicro.com/us/tis?
gclid=CP3qv8ye7JcCFQ4NDQodb0t1DA
• Kaspersky AntiVirus:
http://usa.kaspersky.com/products_services/internet-security.php?
aw=kaspersky&CMP=KNC-
DJ2899729106&HBX_PK=kaspersky&HBX_OU=50
Keep the below application versions current:
• Spybot Search & Destroy 1.6: http://www.download.com/Spybot-
Search-amp-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10122137.html
• Ad-Aware: http://www.lavasoft.com/?domain=lavasoftusa.com
• Swatit: http://www.swatit.org/
Keep AntiRootkit software current:
• RootkitRevealer v1.71: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-
us/sysinternals/bb897445.aspx
• F-Secure BlackLight http://www.f-secure.com/blacklight/
• system virginity verifier http://www.antirootkit.com/software/System-
Virginity-Verifier.htm -- blue pill hypervisor based rootkit - joana
rokowska
• GMER: http://www.gmer.net/index.php
• IceSword http://www.antirootkit.com/software/IceSword.htm coming
from a sophisticated programmer in china
• PatchGuard 64 bit (vista, win2003 sp1
http://blogs.msdn.com/windowsvistasecurity/archive/2006/08/11/6959
93.aspx
IE updates will download when Windows patches are downloaded:
• IE 7 for Windows XP:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?
FamilyId=9AE91EBE-3385-447C-8A30-
081805B2F90B&displaylang=en
Microsoft updates will download when Windows patches are downloaded:
• MS Office 2003: http://office.microsoft.com/en-
us/downloads/CD010224941033.aspx
• MS Office 2007: http://office.microsoft.com/en-
us/products/HA101687261033.aspx
Keep the below application versions current:
• Real Player for Windows Build 6.0.14.806 / 6.0.12.1675,
http://www.realplayer.com/
• iTunes 8.0 (Windows): http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
//includes QuickTime 7.5.5

3. 1. Quick Time v7.5 (Windows)
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
After all the application software and the operating system software are up to
date, this protects from most malware attacks, because most vulnerabilities were
resolved, but this does not give the user free license to surf the web to unsafe
websites. The user must still practice safe web surfing to known and trusted
sites.