Computer Security

Here are some links that you may find useful, in keeping your computer and yourself safe while using it.

General Security

• For all encompassing computer security, and vulnerability alerts - http://www.cert.org/.
• Another good site for vulnerability alerts, and virus tracking - http://isc.sans.org/.
• This is Symantec's Security Response site, nice to see top threats (real time) - http://www.sarc.com/.
• Almost everyone knows this site, but just in case - http://www.microsoft.com/security/default.mspx and a direct link for Microsoft updates http://update.microsoft.com. Turn on Automatic Update!
• For those Mac users, here is an support link - http://www.apple.com/support/.
• A good, free for home use, Anti-virus tool (AVG)- www.grisoft.com.
• A couple good Anti-spyware/AV tools -
  Spybot Search and Destroy , and Malwarebytes.
• A good windows cleaning utility CCleaner

Note: There is no silver bullet for AV or AS, so be wary not to be too confident with any one tool. Ultimately, you need to be cautious when computing, especially when surfing the Internet.

Encryption

• It only works if you use it!
• Here is a great open source (free) tool for keeping all those passwords safe (and help you create good passwords) - http://passwordsafe.sourceforge.net/.
• GNU Privacy Guard (GPG) - http://www.gnupg.org/ .
• This link could go above, but Bruce Schneier is predominately know for Cryptography. Check his site out - http://www.schneier.com/

Some steps for smart computing

• Beware of messages (e-mail, Instant Messages, and web sites) that tell you you need to act now! Use Google or another search engine to search on the claims. Another site to try is http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/. If it looks to good to be true, it usually is.
• Make sure anytime you enter personal information on a site (making on-line transactions) the site is an HTTPS (Secure HTTP) site, try typing the site address with HTTPS rather than HTTP. You should see a lock icon in the lower right corner of your browse.
• Before selling, trashing, or giving away your old PC, make sure to fully erase everything on the PC (yep everything). This is the only way you can be sure the data on it is not re-assembled. Use a tool like DBAN. Or if you know exactly where the files are on the system, try Eraser.
• Stop Identity Theft - Detect, Detect, Defend.
  • Check your credit history, and financial statements frequently.
  • Keep all documents with personal data secure (lock them up!)
  • Shred all documents with personal data on them before throwing them away or recycling them. This includes those pesky credit applications you get in the mail.

Keep checking back for updates!