Some of you may have just noticed that I have been justly critical about Microsoft and some of its OS including Vista.

I don't want you to think that I would ignore to pass on a recommendation and some praise when it is merited and I believe this is.

There is a Security Download you can find which claims to be just for IT

professionals; it isn't! It is for you and it is a decent free and worthwhile download - how about that for praise indeed.

If you have trouble locating this download under Security then just type its name in the Search box. The program is called Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 2. You must download this. It will be great news for you and your PC.

The analysis takes a few minutes but Microsoft scans your PC for lots of very relevant issues - missing programs, security problems, strength of password protection, no. of users etc. Actually a whole myriad of aspects relating to the strengths and more importantly any weaknesses and fixes you must attend to.

I give this program a very high score and I check and use it frequently.

Well done Microsoft for an informative and really helpful piece of software.

It is just such a shame you don't make it more prominent. Do yourself a favour and use this tool.

Does it only work for Vista or all the earlier ones as well ? N3RF

n3rf (imported) wrote: Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:58 am Does it only work for Vista or all the earlier ones as well ? N3RF

The MBSA works on all versions of Windows back to v.2000. The current version is 2.0.1.

The Analyzer is a useful tool in the hands of someone who knows what she's doing, but newbies need to be careful in applying all the security recommendations, or they'll find their computer has been locked down and will no longer access some Websites, and possibly the Internet altogether.

Microsoft has many useful tools comparable to the MBSA, and like that scanner, they're deliberately hidden to avoid problems like those I've cited above.

Thanks N3RF

Shortie, you are absolutely right in that I made the recommendation as an observational tool that can highlight a weakness in a password or maybe a missing downloaded patch. These can be noted and put right by most users.

If Windows Defender told you everything is 100% cool, then this program will show that either that is true in which case, super cool or else it might mean you pick up the phone to your friendly IT expert such as Shortie and invite them round to secure down your PC again so that it runs to its optimum ability.

Maybe by listing known faults to the Engineer before he/she calls, you may be able to save some money but if you don't know what you are doing, just ask for

help. I still think that when this program gives you a good report that it can put your mind largely at rest for that day .

Always use a good firewall, anti-spyware software and anti virus software and check each every day for updates and any 'Immunisations' etc. necessary.