On another subject, Microsoft has released a new version of its "Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer," which works with Windows 2000 and XP. (It will not work with Windows 95, 98 or ME.) According to the description:
"MBSA Version 1.1.1 includes a graphical and command line interface that can perform local or remote scans of Windows systems. MBSA runs on Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 systems and will scan for common system misconfigurations in the following products: Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Internet Information Server (IIS) 4.0 and 5.0, SQL Server 7.0 and 2000, Internet Explorer (IE) 5.01 and later, and Office 2000 and 2002. MBSA will also scan for missing security updates for the following products: Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, IIS 4.0 and 5.0, SQL Server 7.0 and 2000, IE 5.01 and later, Exchange 5.5 and 2000, and Windows Media Player 6.4 and later."
Basically, MBSA will give you an assessment of the security status of your system. If you're like me, it will show you things you didn't even know existed. You don't need to run out and fix everything that is red-flagged by MBSA -- you can decide how much security is enough for your situation. But this is a good tool for people who have the basics covered (viruses, backups) and want to take the next step in security.
You can download MBSA from: <http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/tools/tools/mbsahome.asp>
(This URL will probably wrap over 2 lines. You may need to cut and paste to reassemble it in your browser.)
Jon
Jonathan Falk
RR 2, Box 7162
Carmel, ME 04419
(207)848-2433
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