Windows 98

Windows 98 and Windows 98se were Microsoft's first attempt at an 'internet aware' operating system. As with many first attempts they suffered some serious problems, most of which have been resolved through the release of various updates.

Windows 98 includes the 'Windows Update' tool which can be used to retrieve the latest updates and fixes directly from Microsoft and install them automatically. You should run windows update at least once a month to ensure your system is kept up to date with new issues as they are discovered.

Although Windows 98 is not vulnerable to the same types of denial-of-service attacks which plagued Windows 95 it did little to address the issues surrounding File & Printer sharing or Netbios. As with Windows 95, File & Printer sharing should be switched off and Netbios uninstalled to improve the security of your machine,

Windows98 shipped with Internet Explorer 4 and Outlook Express 4, both of which have serious security issues. You should update both to at least version 5.5 to avoid potential problems. Outlook Express is not secure even with the latest release and ideally should not be used. There are many alternative news and mail clients from which to choose, many of which are available for free download.

A personal firewall is a valuable addition to the security of a Windows 98 system and will help stop many of the more common attacks which may be directed at your PC. Siting the PC behind a NAT router or a secure firewall/gateway is a better solution but a good personal firewall combined with a frequently updated anti-virus program will provide adequate security for most Windows 98 users.