What you'll learn:
- Understand operating system security fundamentals and defense in depth principles
- Configure user accounts properly and understand administrator versus standard user privileges
- Set up and manage file and directory permissions on Windows (NTFS) and Mac
- Implement full-disk encryption using BitLocker (Windows) and FileVault (Mac)
- Use VeraCrypt for cross-platform encryption compatibility
- Create comprehensive backup strategies using Time Machine, Windows System Images, and System Restore Points
- Configure Windows Firewall and Mac Firewall to protect against network threats
- Use Windows Defender and Mac XProtect built-in antivirus protection effectively
- Implement application control using UAC, AppLocker, and Gatekeeper
- Understand the critical importance of patching and configure automatic updates
- Harden operating systems by disabling unnecessary services and securing privacy settings
- Secure the boot process and understand UEFI Secure Boot
- Learn when to use built-in features versus third-party security software
- Protect against ransomware using Controlled Folder Access and proper backups
LEARN OPERATING SYSTEM SECURITY FROM ONE OF UDEMY'S TOP IT INSTRUCTORS
Your computer contains your most sensitive data: financial records, personal photos, business documents, passwords, and private communications. Yet most people rely on basic antivirus software without understanding the powerful security features already built into Windows and Mac.
Every unencrypted hard drive is one laptop theft away from total data exposure. Every misconfigured user account is a vulnerability waiting to be exploited. Every system without proper backups is one ransomware attack away from permanent data loss.
This comprehensive course teaches you how to secure your Windows or Mac computer using built-in operating system features. No expensive third-party software required. Designed specifically for absolute beginners with step-by-step demonstrations for both platforms.
WHAT MAKES THIS COURSE DIFFERENT: 35+ LIVE DEMONSTRATIONS FOR WINDOWS AND MAC
Unlike courses that only lecture about operating system security concepts, this course shows you exactly how to implement security measures through extensive live demonstrations on both Windows 10 and Mac.
You'll watch step-by-step demonstrations of BitLocker and FileVault disk encryption, see how to configure NTFS and Mac file permissions, learn to set up Windows Firewall and Mac Firewall rules, implement Time Machine and Windows System Image backups, configure Windows Defender and Mac XProtect antivirus, and harden your operating system through UAC, AppLocker, and Gatekeeper configurations.
This isn't just PowerPoint lectures. This is hands-on training showing you how to leverage the powerful security tools already included in your operating system.
This is Part 3 of the Cybersecurity for Absolute Beginners series. While Parts 1 and 2 cover essential concepts and online privacy, Part 3 focuses specifically on securing your Windows or Mac computer at the operating system level. Earlier courses are helpful but not required. This course can stand alone.
WHAT YOU'LL RECEIVE IN THIS COURSE
5 Hours of Focused HD Video Instruction: Over 70 lectures across 12 sections, combining security theory with extensive live demonstrations
35+ Live Demonstrations: See actual security configurations in action on both Windows 10 and Mac, not just described in theory
Dual Platform Coverage: Every major security feature demonstrated for both Windows and Mac operating systems
BitLocker Encryption Demonstration: Step-by-step walkthrough of full disk encryption on Windows
FileVault Encryption Demonstration: Complete Mac disk encryption setup and configuration
VeraCrypt Cross-Platform Encryption: Learn encryption that works on both Windows and Mac
Windows Defender Configuration: See built-in antivirus setup and scanning demonstrations
Firewall Configuration: Windows Firewall and Mac Firewall setup with live demonstrations
Backup Strategies: Time Machine, Windows System Images, and System Restore Points all demonstrated
AppLocker Demonstration: Windows application restriction policies configured step-by-step
Permission Management: NTFS permissions and Mac permissions demonstrated with real examples
System Hardening: UAC settings, Gatekeeper configuration, privacy settings, and boot security
Built-In Security Features: Learn to use free, powerful tools already in your operating system. No expensive software required.
Complete Course Materials: Downloadable PDF versions of all lecture slides
WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING
"Thanks Alton for the excellent course. The course is very useful as it provides lots of information on the built-in features in the OS that can reduce cybersecurity risks and better protect our own data. I believe any individuals or small business owners who only have limited financial resources or computer-related knowledge should be able to benefit from the course by adopting the recommended measures or changes in the OS settings to improve cybersecurity." — Maggie ★★★★★
"Course was very easy to follow and provided an excellent overview of Operating Systems and best practices to secure them." — Michael ★★★★★
"Another banger by Alton. I've learned so much in this course I'm looking forward to the next one" — Andrea ★★★★★
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM: THEORY + 35+ LIVE DEMONSTRATIONS
All Operating Systems Have Vulnerabilities: Understand that no operating system is perfectly secure and why layered security (defense in depth) is essential for protecting your computer and data.
Core Security Principles Refresher: Review the CIA Triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability) and how these principles apply to operating system security.
Core OS Protection Topics: Overview of the key security areas this course covers including user accounts, permissions, encryption, backups, firewalls, antivirus, and system hardening.
Understanding Account Types: Learn the critical differences between administrator and standard user accounts, why running as admin increases risk, and when to use each account type.
Microsoft to Local User Account (Live Demo): Watch how to convert Microsoft accounts to local accounts for better privacy and control.
Creating Windows 10 Local User Accounts (Live Demo): See step-by-step creation of local user accounts with appropriate permissions.
Creating Mac Local User Accounts (Live Demo): Watch Mac user account creation and configuration.
Exploring Windows Standard User Privileges (Live Demo): See what standard users can and cannot do on Windows systems.
Exploring Mac Standard User Privileges (Live Demo): Understand Mac standard user limitations and capabilities.
CIA Triad Refresher: Review confidentiality, integrity, and availability as they apply to file and directory protection.
Importance of File & Directory Permissions: Understand how permissions prevent unauthorized access and protect data integrity.
Basic NTFS Permissions: Learn Windows NT File System permissions, including read, write, modify, and full control, and how they combine and inherit.
Basic NTFS Permissions (Live Demo): See NTFS permissions configured in real time on Windows files and folders.
Verifying Windows Permissions with Effective Access (Live Demo): Use the Windows built-in tool to verify permissions work correctly.
Understanding Mac Permissions: Learn how Mac file permissions work and differ from Windows NTFS.
Mac Permissions (Live Demo): See Mac file and directory permissions configured step-by-step.
Understanding Encryption: Learn how encryption protects your data even if your computer is stolen, and understand the difference between file-level and full-disk encryption.
Windows Encrypted File System (EFS) (Live Demo): Watch file-level encryption setup and configuration on Windows.
BitLocker (Live Demo): See the BitLocker full-disk encryption setup process.
Mac FileVault (Live Demo): Watch Mac full-disk encryption configuration and recovery process.
VeraCrypt (Live Demo): Learn cross-platform encryption that works on both Windows and Mac for maximum flexibility.
The Importance of Data Storage & Backups: Understand why backups are your last line of defense against ransomware, hardware failure, and accidental deletion.
Understanding Backups: Learn full, incremental, and differential backup approaches and when to use each.
Understanding RAID: Explore RAID configurations for redundancy and how they protect against hardware failure.
Storage Solutions: Compare local versus cloud storage options and understand hybrid backup strategies.
My NAS and Cloud Storage Strategy (Live Demo): See a real network-attached storage and cloud backup strategy in action.
Creating & Restoring Windows System Images (Live Demo): Watch the system image creation and restoration process.
Using Windows System Restore Points (Live Demo): See how to create and use restore points for system recovery.
Exploring Windows Backup (Live Demo): Understand Windows built-in backup options and configurations.
Mac Time Machine (Live Demo): Watch Mac Time Machine setup and file restoration process.
Local vs. Cloud Storage and Backups: Understand the tradeoffs between local and cloud backup strategies.
Firewall Refresher: Review how firewalls protect computers by controlling inbound and outbound network traffic.
Windows 10 Firewall (Live Demo): Configure Windows Firewall settings, rules, and exceptions.
Mac Firewall (Live Demo): Set up Mac Firewall with application-specific controls.
3rd Party Firewalls (Live Demo): Explore third-party firewall alternatives for advanced users.
What is Antivirus?: Learn how antivirus software detects and removes malware using signatures, heuristics, and behavioral analysis.
Windows Defender Antivirus (Live Demo): Explore Windows Defender (the powerful free antivirus built into Windows 10), perform scans, and review threat detection.
3rd Party Antivirus Alternatives (Live Demo): Explore third-party antivirus options for both Windows and Mac.
Understanding Application & Execution Control: Learn how restricting which applications can run prevents malware execution and unauthorized software installation.
Windows User Account Control (UAC): Understand how UAC prevents unauthorized system changes by prompting for administrator approval.
How to Adjust UAC Settings in Windows (Live Demo): Watch UAC configuration to balance security and convenience.
Windows App & Browser Control (Live Demo): Configure Windows built-in app and browser protection features.
Controlled Folder Access (Live Demo): Set up ransomware protection that prevents unauthorized applications from accessing protected folders.
AppLocker Software Restriction Policies (Live Demo): Implement enterprise-level application whitelisting and restriction policies.
Mac Gatekeeper (Live Demo): Configure Mac Gatekeeper to control which applications can install and run.
The Importance of Patching: Understand why software updates and security patches are critical and why unpatched systems are the primary targets of attackers.
Exploring Windows Updates (Live Demo): See Windows Update settings and configure automatic updates.
Exploring Mac OS Updates (Live Demo): Review Mac update processes and configuration options.
Discussing Software Updates: Learn strategies for managing software updates across all applications, not just the operating system.
Securing the Boot Process: Learn how Secure Boot prevents rootkits and bootkits from loading during system startup.
Checking Secure Boot Status in Windows (Live Demo): Verify Secure Boot is enabled and understand UEFI security.
Disabling Unnecessary Services & Processes (Live Demo): Reduce attack surface by disabling services and processes you don't need.
Exploring Windows Privacy Settings (Live Demo): Configure Windows privacy settings to limit data collection.
Exploring Mac Privacy Settings (Live Demo): Set up Mac privacy controls for enhanced security.
BUILT WITH WINDOWS 10, FULLY APPLICABLE TO WINDOWS 11
This course uses Windows 10 for demonstrations, but the underlying Windows security architecture is identical in Windows 11. BitLocker encryption, AppLocker policies, NTFS permissions, Windows Defender, Windows Firewall, User Account Control, backups, and all core security concepts work the same across both operating systems. Some settings may be located in different menus due to Windows 11's redesigned interface, but the security functionality remains the same. Whether you're securing Windows 10 or Windows 11 computers, you'll gain the same hands-on skills.
WHY LEARN OPERATING SYSTEM SECURITY NOW?
Operating system security is the foundation of all cybersecurity. You can have the best antivirus software, the strongest passwords, and the most secure network, but if your operating system is misconfigured, all those protections can be bypassed.
Whether you're a home user protecting family photos and financial records, a small business owner securing customer data, or an aspiring IT professional building foundational security skills, understanding how to properly configure and harden your operating system is essential.
The best part? You don't need to buy expensive security software. Windows 10 and macOS already include powerful security features such as BitLocker, FileVault, Windows Defender, built-in firewalls, and backup tools. This course shows you how to use them effectively.
The operating system security knowledge you'll gain applies to personal computers, business workstations, and small business infrastructure. Protecting against data theft, ransomware, unauthorized access, and hardware failure.
PREVIEW OVER 45 MINUTES OF THIS COURSE FOR FREE
Scroll down and click the blue "Preview" buttons on 12 free sample lectures. See the live demonstrations and teaching style before you enroll.
READY TO SECURE YOUR COMPUTER?
Join thousands of students who've learned to protect their Windows and Mac computers through this course. Start securing your operating system today with 5 hours of practical instruction and 35+ live demonstrations for both platforms.
See you inside the course!
Alton
