10 things you should do to a new PC before connecting it to the Internet

A Microsoft Windows PC that has not been updated for security vulnerabilities will be compromised by some form of malware within minutes of connecting to the Internet. Take steps to protect yourself before you start Web surfing.

The popularity of the Internet and of the World Wide Web can cause major complications when that brand new Microsoft Windows-based PC arrives on your door step. For many people, a new computer has not officially arrived until you surf your first Web page. In fact, many manufacturers want you to get on the Internet to register your new PC as part of the initiation process. However, connecting a new PC to the Internet before you take the steps necessary to close the security vulnerabilities is just asking for trouble. According to Sophos research, there is a 50 percent chance of being infected by an Internet worm in just 12 minutes of being online using an unprotected, unpatched Windows PC. This download lists the 10 things you should do to a new PC before you even consider connecting it to the Internet. Since TechRepublic is a community of IT professionals, I'm sure there are many ideas floating around about what steps to take when preparing a new PC for its first foray onto the Internet? What have we missed?

This download is also available as a TechRepublic article.