Datasheet

 Understand how to use the tool. It isn’t good enough just to know what
tools are available and what it is that they protect: You must also know
how to use them. I show you how to use each of the security tools in
Vista, and provide you with some information on third-party tools if
your requirements go beyond what Vista can provide.
Integrating Common Sense and Security
Not to be taken lightly or meant to be condescending in any way, but the fact
is that almost every technical security control can be circumvented by some
type of user behavior. At one point or another, you have likely either partici-
pated in or witnessed activity that caused security to be less effective than it
otherwise could have been. My favorite is walking around the office noticing
all the sticky notes on co-worker’s monitors and keyboards with passwords
scribbled on them for all to see.
Because security is often an inconvenience, you or people that you know will
be tempted to exercise certain behavior that might not make the best use of
the tools that you will find out about. Therefore, it is very important that you
take the following into consideration:
 Make security a frame of mind. Take security seriously. Pay close atten-
tion to those things that you do that might put your system, PII, or sensitive
information from work at risk. The more you make security a frame of
mind, the better you will protect those things that are important to you.
 Security is a process. Understand that it takes more than thinking about
security or technical security tools to make your system and data
secure. Security is a process for which many things must come together
if you are to truly achieve optimal security. This book help you bring all
those things together so that you can ultimately have a security strategy
that meets your requirements.
When you fill up your security toolbox with some of the new and improved-
upon Vista security tools (and perhaps even a few third-party tools), don’t
forget to throw in a fair amount of a common-sense, security-minded approach
to securing your system and data. Together, these things will provide you the
ability to protect what’ important to you, time and time again.
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Part I: Vista Security Essentials
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