Experience Backup and Security for Small Business: Centralized Security
Like most small-business owners, you've probably invested in firewall and antivirus software to enhance your computer security. The problem is that unless you're a computer expert, you may have trouble keeping track of what you have and what programs you are currently running. With Windows Vista, you can stop wondering and know for sure. Windows Security Center puts all of your essential security settings into a single easy-to-find and easy-to-monitor location.
With Windows Vista, your computer's security is managed from a central location.
Windows Security Center is your one-stop location for all of your computer's security needs, and includes support for anti-spyware monitoring (Windows Defender and third-party applications), antivirus monitoring (third-party applications), an enhanced firewall and other security settings. You no longer have to look in multiple locations on your PC to find out if your firewall is turned on or if you are running antivirus software. Windows Security Center even reminds you to protect your files, folders and settings from viruses by using the third-party software tools stored on your computer. The Security Center will also manage your security subscriptions and remind you when it's time to renew them. Windows Security Center in Windows Vista is an enhancement of the Security Center found in Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), providing you with more features added to an already familiar look.
Threat protection
Have you ever noticed your computer performing more slowly than usual? Have you ever been redirected to a website that you didn't type in your browser? This can be due, in part, to programs such as spyware and other potentially unwanted software, which flood the Internet every day and try to take control of your computer.
Windows Defender in Windows Vista will provide you with real-time protection by detecting, cleaning and blocking spyware and other potentially unwanted software from being downloaded to your computer. Auto-cleaning during regular scans works to keep your computers running smoothly, minimising interruptions to your work.
Windows Defender has tools to detect and thwart possible threats to your PC.
Windows Firewall
Windows Vista includes an updated version of Windows Firewall, which is automatically turned on the moment you start your computer. Windows Firewall provides you with a critical first line of defence against many types of malicious software, making it easier to protect your company's computers. Combined with additional firewall and security software, Windows Firewall ensures that you can protect your PC with a higher level of security than ever before.
Windows Firewall works in conjunction with other security settings to help keep your PC secure.
Keep your computer up to date
To help keep your computer up to date with security patches, Windows Vista includes Windows Update. In earlier Windows XP versions of this feature, only updates classified as 'Important' were automatically installed during the automatic update process. With Windows Vista, you can easily configure Windows Update to automatically install both 'Important' and 'Recommended' updates. In addition, updating occurs in the background and at a time that's convenient for you. If an update requires a restart to complete the installation, you can easily schedule it, reschedule it or postpone it, depending on what you are working on at the time, putting you in control and making your updates work around your schedule.
Safer Internet browsing
Windows Vista comes with a new version of Internet Explorer with features that help protect your identity and personal information while you browse the web. In the past, you may have worried about harmful websites modifying settings on your computers and potentially allowing viruses to penetrate your office network. While you browse the Internet, Windows Defender scans your Internet Explorer downloads to help ensure that you don't download any spyware. Windows Defender also provides you with better protection by allowing you to block unwanted system changes.
Phishing is a technique used to acquire your personal information through emails that appear to come from a legitimate, trusted source, such as your bank or mortgage company. By clicking a link in the email, you arrive at a website that uses a URL very similar to the actual URL of the trusted partner. On this fraudulent site, you are asked to provide your personal data, and without even knowing it, you give your personal information to the bad guys. The new version of Internet Explorer with Windows Vista includes the Phishing Filter that warns you about these websites and helps protect your personal information. The Phishing Filter works by:
Scanning websites you visit and warning you if they are potentially suspicious.
Dynamically checking the websites you visit against a list of potential fraudulent sites, which is updated every hour through an online service run by Microsoft.
Warning you about known phishing sites before you share your personal information.
The Phishing Filter helps you browse the web without getting hooked by fraudulent sites.
Windows Vista Business works for you to keep your business running smoothly by making what used to be difficult and sometimes confusing tasks like data protection easier. In addition, the new security features in Windows Vista and Internet Explorer work together to give you greater peace of mind as more and more of your business goes digital.
Security in Windows Vista: setting a new standard
Get an in-depth look at how new security features and technologies in Windows Vista are designed to make PCs more secure and online experiences safer.
