Top 5 Windows desktop security tips

Check out what your peers have been reading in the first half of 2009 with this roundup of the most popular Windows desktop security tips.

The mid-year list includes tips on notable changes to Windows 7 security features, enhancements to Internet Explorer 8 and a variety of free security tools to make your day-to-day administrative tasks easier.

		5. A first look at Windows 7 security enhancements Windows Vista's much-maligned security features contributed to the widespread unpopularity of the operating system. In an effort to appease its customers, Microsoft announced plans to address the security complaints -- specifically the UAC and nag screens -- in Windows 7.

		4.  How Windows 7 stands up to security tests Faster, more stable, and devoid of ridiculously quirky user interface issues, Windows 7 may provide a better user experience than Vista -- but is it more secure?

		3.  Using Sysinternals tools in security management scenarios The possibilities for using the Sysinternals tools are unlimited. Here are three valuable examples and the common Windows security management scenarios in which they would be used.

		2.  Four Internet Explorer 8 Group Policy security settings Internet Explorer 8 doesn't have nearly as many new security mechanisms as its predecessor, but there are four Group Policy security settings for IE8 worth mentioning: The SmartScreen Filter, Data Execution Prevention, InPrivate Browsing and InPrivate Filtering and Suggested Sites.

		1.  Sysinternals tools: A must-have for every Windows security toolbox Certain Sysinternals tools make managing and troubleshooting Windows-based PCs almost effortless for administrators -- and they're FREE.