 Windows Vista is designed to be the most secure version of Windows yet, with new security features to help make your online experiences safe. Help protect your computerGet better protection against spyware
Microsoft's antispyware software in Windows Vista, Windows Defender, helps prevent computer slow down, privacy loss, and unwanted pop-up advertisements caused by spyware and other unwanted software. Browse confidently with Internet Explorer 7 Protected Mode
This Windows Vista-only feature limits Internet Explorer 7 to just enough permissions for you to browse the Web, but not enough to modify your files or settings—which helps keep your computer safe from Web-based attacks. Get more safeguards from Windows Security Center
The Windows Security Center notifies you and helps you take action to correct a problem when your security software is not up-to-date or your security settings are potentially unsafe. In Windows Vista, the Windows Security Center is improved to include information about your antispyware software, Internet Explorer settings, and User Account Control settings. Have more control over what programs can do
By default, Windows Vista runs your programs in a secure mode. When most applications attempt to perform a potentially dangerous operation that requires administrator privileges, Windows Vista asks you for your consent before allowing that program to run. This helps reduce the impact of viruses, spyware, and other threats.
Tip: To help protect your family computer, create secure standard user accounts for all members of your family and use those for your everyday tasks. When your child tries to install a piece of software, the computer asks for an administrator account's password. If your child doesn't have the password, he or she cannot install new programs or override the parental controls. Help protect your personal informationUse the anti-phishing filter to help protect your identity
Internet Explorer 7 with Windows Vista includes a filter that advises you when Web sites might be phishing in an attempt to steal your confidential information. The filter checks a list of known phishing sites that is updated several times an hour—and can also identify suspicious sites that are not in the database yet. Clear Internet history with one click
The sites you visit and the information you type when you browse the Web are stored in many different places within your computer. In Internet Explorer 7 with Windows Vista you no longer need to remove your personal information from multiple loctions. With the Delete Browsing History feature you can clear all your browsing information with one click.
Back up and restore settings, files, and applications
Windows Vista provides a more comprehensive and easy backup tool than the basic backup utility included in Windows XP. The new Windows Backup feature gives you more storage choices for information you have backed up. In addition, you no longer have to remember to back up your data regularly. You can use a simple wizard to schedule when and where you want everything backed up.
Help protect your familyUse Parental Controls to help keep kids safe
Windows Vista introduces a rich and powerful set of parental control features to help parents monitor, manage, and administer their children's computer use—and help keep them safe. Review detailed activity reports
Windows Vista can generate a detailed activity report that shows exactly what your children have been doing on the computer, including the games they played, the Web sites they visited, and the programs they used.
Set Web restrictions
You can use an online service that comes free with Windows Vista to restrict the types of Web sites your child can visit. You can restrict Web sites by category, like pornography or gambling, or you can block specific Web sites by URL. These restrictions work with most Web browsers.
Help control the games your child plays
Windows Vista makes it easy for you to designate which games your children are allowed to play. You can choose to: | • | Allow or restrict specific game titles, | | • | Limit your children's play to games that are rated at or below a certain age level, or | | • | Block any games with certain types of content you do not want your children to see or hear. |
Set computer time limits
With Windows Vista you can set limits that define when your child can use the computer and for how long.
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