Choosing a protection level when installing Windows in a Parallels virtual machine lets you decide whether to live carefully, and use the automatic updates option and Windows Defender, an anti-spyware and anti-phishing tool. You can choose the middle road and use only automatic updates, or reject all options and live dangerously. Living dangerously is overrated, at least when it comes to computers. I recommend using all of the security services that Microsoft supplies with Vista.
Windows Protection
- Choose a Windows Protection Level
- Use recommended settings. This option turns on the automatic updates feature, which automatically updates your system software; turns on Windows Defender; and enables the downloading of updates for the anti-phishing and anti-spyware system as they become available. This is the recommended option, to help keep Vista up to date and to help keep your computer safe from unauthorized intrusion.
- Install important updates only. This option turns on the automatic updates feature, but it will only download and install the updates that are deemed important for security. This option does not turn on Windows Defender.
- Ask me later. This option sets all updates to manual, which means it's up to you to remember to look for, download, and install security and other system updates. This option does not turn on Windows Defender, so unless you install some other, third-party tool, your computer will be vulnerable to spyware and phishing schemes.
- Use recommended settings. This option turns on the automatic updates feature, which automatically updates your system software; turns on Windows Defender; and enables the downloading of updates for the anti-phishing and anti-spyware system as they become available. This is the recommended option, to help keep Vista up to date and to help keep your computer safe from unauthorized intrusion.
- Click the protection level you wish to use. I highly recommend selecting the 'Use recommended settings' option.
