Windows 7 Tweaks: Top Security Tweaks for Windows 7 (Page 3 of 4)

Are you using Windows Live Messenger like me and is spammed by spammers? There is a solution for this in Windows 7. You will be able to block the message first time when you receive. If you don’t block the first time, it is not possible to block the spammer at a later point of time. How to block?

1. Sign on to MSN / Windows Live Messenger

2. You will receive a prompt asking whether to allow messages from unknown users or to block them when you receive messages from those who are not on your list.

3. Choose the option to block messages. You will receive a prompt saying anybody who is not in your list will not be able to send e-mails or messages to you. Click OK.

4. If you are worried that some of your friends or relatives may not be able to contact you as they are not in your list, you have an option for them to contact you. Click Options in MSN / Windows Live Messenger > Privacy

5. Choose “Only people on my Allow List can see my status and send me messages.”

You can now get rid of spam messages sent by unknown persons.

With the introduction of Action Center in Windows 7, you need not worry about alerts popping up on your computer screen from various applications. It is a central place where you can view alerts from all applications and can take the appropriate actions.

Ref Fig 4 - Windows Action Center

Source: Gtsamis

This is yet another wonderful feature in Windows 7. You can now set controls for web content that your children can see. You also can get reports about the online activity of your children. If you have two children in your household, you can get separate reports for each child’s web activities. What all you can do with Windows Live Family Safety?

a. Set web filtering

b. Get detailed web activity reports for each child

c. Contact management

When installing Windows Live Essentials choose “Windows Live Family Safety” and install it.

1. Click Start > Getting Started > Get Windows Live Essentials

2. Select your language from the pop-up window and click Download

3. You will get a list of products to install, choose “Windows Live Family Safety”

4. Wait till the application is downloaded and installed.

The application is now installed; let us see how to set the security settings.

1. Create a Live Safety account if you do not have one.

2. Once you sign in, there are three security levels available for you to choose from. These options are Strict, Basic, and Custom.

3. You can set controls on what websites they can visit, with whom they can chat, etc.

4. If your child is trying to access a website that you have blocked, they will receive the following screen:

Ref: Fig 5 - Windows Live Family Safety

Image Source: websoftdesign