Congratulations on buying a new Microsoft Surface Pro 3 tablet. I’m sure you have some serious usage planned for the days to come. Before you hit your new tablet hard I’d like to suggest a few simple steps to help protect the security of your tablet along with your privacy anytime you connect to the Internet.
Let’s start with tips to help secure your new Suface 3 Pro tablet. The Microsoft Security Response Team @msftsecresponse recommends that you install EMET (Enhanced Migration Experience Toolkit) and enable auto updates.
You can learn more about the Enhanced Migration Experience Toolkit and download it directly from this Microsoft knowledge base article. In short EMET is a utility that helps prevent software vulnerabilities from being exploited.
Once you have EMET installed on your new Surface 3 Pro tablet you’ll want to enable automatic updates. To do so follow these instructions from Microsoft:
- Open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen (or, if you’re using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up), tapping or clicking Settings, tapping or clicking Change PC settings, and then tapping or clicking Update and recovery.
- Tap or click Choose how updates get installed.
- Under Important updates, choose the option that you want.
- Under Recommended updates, select the Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates check box.
- Under Microsoft Update, select the Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows check box, and then tap or click Apply.
Now that your Surface Pro tablet has the help of EMET to block software vulnerabilities from being exploited let’s look at ways to protect your privacy. As the name of the site suggests I’m a huge fan of VPN. A good VPN service can help protect you online.
A lot of people know what a VPN is from using one for work. What you might not be aware of is the growing number of people using VPN services like IPvanish and OverPlay to protect their privacy online. In addition to unblocking sites in other countries.
A good VPN provider like the ones we just listed will help protect your privacy online through the use of encryption. They use protocols like OpenVPN, L2TP and PPTP to encrypt your connection. Similar to the SSL you use to communicate with banking sites but even more secure.
I strongly suggest VPN for those who plan on traveling with your Surface Pro tablet. A good VPN is essential when connecting on public wi-fi networks like those in coffee shops, airports and hotels. Without a VPN your communications are open for others to snoop on any unsecured network.
Both IPVanish and OverPlay support Microsoft tablets. Their service will give you privacy on your Surface tablet, Windows PC, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android devices. You can install VPN on all your devices with a single account. The extra level of privacy is well worth a few dollars a month.
In addition to online privacy, VPNs like IPVanish open access to sites and streaming services around the world. For example if you live in the United States and want to access BBC iPlayer content you can do so by connecting to a UK server. The same is true for those outside the US. Connect to a US VPN server to enjoy access to services like Netflix, Hulu and Pandora.
Install EMET, enable automatic updates and consider a VPN service. Those tips will help you secure your Surface Pro 3 and help protect your online privacy. Please follow us @VPNFan for the latest security and online privacy news.