By Doctor Security
Windows 7 has arrived with all the fanfare Microsoft could muster. Reviewers and early-adopters say it features better security and streamlined performance. As with earlier versions of Windows operating systems, Windows 7 makes more demands on the PC than previous versions. If you are looking to upgrade from an earlier Windows version, especially XP, you may find that your computer cannot handle Windows 7.
If you are into doing things the easy way, there is a quick and simple test to find out if your PC is Windows 7-ready. The Windows 7 compatibility test for PCs at http://www.windowsupgrade.net/ is free and will check out your system to determine your PC’s memory, storage, processing, and other capabilities and compare them to what Windows 7 requires. It can also recommend improvements to your PC, such as adding memory, which can enhance its performance with the new software.
Now, as far as Windows 7’s improved security, it’s only a matter of time before malware writers and cybercriminals begin finding its holes and exploiting these vulnerabilities. Clearly, it is extremely important that you have layered security on your PC. This means protection from a source outside of Microsoft, otherwise it’s like trying to give yourself a nice haircut – the front might look all right, but the backend where you can’t see is surely going to be in bad shape.
Check out ZoneAlarm’s comparison chart to see what ZoneAlarm Extreme Security provides compared to standard Windows 7 security features: http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/how-secure-is-windows-7.htm
Of the many things that ZoneAlarm offers that others don’t, often overlooked even by ZoneAlarm users, is the offline identity theft protection services such as:
- Daily Credit Monitoring and Fraud Alerts – monitors your credit reports daily with email alerts and reports, and notifies you if there have been changes, which is often an indication of identity theft (US only).
- Victim Recovery Service – provides free telephone counseling to guide ID theft victims through resolution and recovery (
Smooth transitions and solid security can only happen with good preparation. A little effort before you begin, can save you a lot of time and frustration later.