There are many articles floating around on the internet covering this subject and I would like to stay at the basics this time. A way to secure Windows XP with little effort. You can’t make a system 100% secure, there will always be ways to beat every protection. I collected a list of things that should be done to secure the system, it is not a huge list but it covers all the necessary steps I think.
Drop my Rights for increased security
Most users that work with Windows XP in a home environment use the administrators account which is probably the easiest but also least secure way of working with Windows XP. A solution that most users dislike would be to create a limited second account and only switch to the administrators account if the privileges of that account are needed. Many users don’t like this idea because it means switching accounts every now and then to be able to use the system.
How to Repair the Vista Bootloader
I encountered a problem after I installed Windows Vista and Ubuntu Linux next to my Windows XP operating system. Ubuntu and XP were loading fine but Vista was showing an error that it could not load a file which made me think that the bootloader was trying to access Vista on the wrong partition. Vista unfortunately has a new location where the boot information are stored, it is called BCD Store.
Security and Privacy Complete
Several security software solutions like xp-antispy exist for Windows XP and Security & Privacy Complete is one of them. The open source product offers to change security and privacy related settings in Windows XP. Everything is accessible from the main window and categorized in the following way: System, Internet Explorer 6, Media Player, Security Options, Services and Mozilla Firefox.
Things to check before switching to Vista Part 1
Vista here, Vista there – I know that I’m writing many articles about the upcoming operating system but there is already that much to write. You may have heard that Vista has some “enhancements” that could make the switch from another operating system to Vista a living hell. Did you know for instance that many old devices and even brand new software will not work in Vista ?
Create a Multimedia XP Screensaver
Screensavers are boring. The default ones that ship with Windows XP either show a static picture or animated text that quickly becomes boring. Would not it be much nicer to spice up the screensaver and create something fantastic, something that everyone else who would see it would want as well ? The Windows XP Video Screensaver is the solution; This freeware is able to play video files and / or audio files that function as a screensaver.
Triple Boot Vista, XP and Ubuntu
I like guides like the following. The author is detailing the process to triple boot Windows Vista, Windows XP and Ubuntu with one single boot screen. I always thought how I would react when Vista comes out and I figured that I had to install it to bring you the latest and greatest tips about Vista next to XP. I always wanted to make the switch to Linux and it is a great coincidence that I decided to try Ubuntu first.
