Fresh installs on 3 machines

[Eos]

I'm gearing up Tuesday to install Windows XP (with SP2 built in) on 3 machines. I read on that MechBgon (I think that was the place) site that once the OS and SP2 are installed without internet hooked up, it would be okay to then restart and hook up the web, THEN install an AV program as long as you are behind a router.

I say nay. Your thoughts?

Also, I want to prepare a cd-r of the most required apps to install before internet access. I'm thinking:

AV

But that was all I could think of. Anything else I should install before internet hookup?

Thanks.

 

[jackschmittusa]

Do whatever makes you feel comfortable.

You are secure enough for a while behind a router since the internet is not going to inject viruses into your computer. Most people get viruses by downloading them from questionable sites anyway.

 

[mechBgon]

Once SP2 is installed (which in your case it's already built in), the Windows Firewall is turned on and the major worm vulnerabilities are all patched too. So at that point, you could connect to the Internet with or without a router in order to download the latest updates for Windows from the Windows Update site, and to download AOL Kaspersky if you want to use that.

If you do have a router, certainly do use it.

So my next suggestions would be the ongoing-security ones. I was just thinking this morning about adding an editorial to the bottom of that page, something along the lines of "contrary to popular belief, Windows is quite securable, it's just not generally done because people don't know what to do." Maybe later... 🙂

Other stuff for your CD:
Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 6u1 (so you can run Secunia's Software Inspector)

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer


mechBgon
Microsoft MVP, Windows Shell/User 🙂

 

[Eos]

Now that you've embarrassed me in my thread, I shall bid you good day. I SAID GOOD DAY! 😀

Oh, and thanks for the reassurance.

 

[mechBgon]

No worries, hope it all goes smooth for you 😎