Datamation: Top 10 Ways to Protect Your PC: Defense in Depth

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Protecting your PC against malware and data theft requires an approach called defense in depth -- and plenty of skepticism.

April 27, 2010
By Michael Horowitz

Many agree that Windows computers need to be protected with a strategy called defense in depth. This is not just for fighting off viruses. Clearly, network security and Internet Explorer also need defense in depth. When Internet Explorer was recently hacked in a public contest, Microsoft responded that "...defense in depth techniques aren't designed to prevent every attack forever, but to instead make it significantly harder to exploit a vulnerability."

Deb Shinder, a Windows expert, and former law enforcement officer, put it in perspective recently:

"Think about your physical security. You might have a high fence, a big dog, deadbolts on the doors and a security alarm system, but if a burglar is absolutely determined – and has enough time – he can climb the fence, shoot the dog, disable the alarm and break a window to get in. Unless you live in a fortress (and even then), your security is not fool-proof. But all those mechanisms do slow him down ... So unless he’s motivated to specifically target your house because he knows you have $1 million in cash hidden under the mattress, he’ll probably go elsewhere, where the pickings are easier."

To me, the term "defense in depth" means my having to do a lot of work. But what work? What steps offer the biggest bang for the buck?

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