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Browser Upgrades / Security
The links below are offered for your convenience, but Purposeful Singleness can not assure their suitability for use.
PLEASE keep in mind: Perhaps the most basic security of all is to 'UNPLUG'
your connection to the internet when you aren't actively using it.
Be sure to back up your CURRENT registry and system files before testing new software.
Summer Heat / Dust
Don't forget to
blow
the dust from your
CPU and controller and power supply
heatsinks & fans regularly!
Heat can kill your system faster than a virus.
Processor temps above 140°F might be reduced by remounting your heatsink with
ARTIC SILVER.
Browsers
In order to to view the Purposeful Singleness site at its
optimum, we'd like to suggest that you run a recent version of one of the following browsers.
Newer versions of a web browser are generally more secure than the older ones,
especially after they've been out for a while.
SAVE A COPY OF YOUR OLD VERSION:
YOU MIGHT LIKE IT BETTER !
- Mozilla FireFox
- OPERA Now "free". Be advised that Opera uses a component supplied by Lucent Technologies.
- INTERNET EXPLORER
Note by US-CERT: "There are a number of significant vulnerabilities++ in technologies relating to the IE..."
But if you do use IE, I strongly advise extremely pessimistic security settings under "TOOLS - INTERNET OPTIONS - SECURITY" ('disable' everything or 'prompt' at worst), AND diligent application of IE security patches.
++http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/713878
- AVANT - tabbed IE skins and tools.
- Flock: Open Source, MOZILLA roots.
- W3 AMAYA - html browser/editor/'validator'.
Security
Apart from having the recent security updates for your operating system and browser,
internet users additionally NEED some sort of protection from BOTH Inbound and Outbound unsanctioned traffic to/from your PC.
Alternate Operating Systems
Tired of beta testing pricey, vulnerable, MS software??
See the reviews of UBUNTU linux. (DVD format)
Or, for another free linux OS install Fedora.
ISP Filtering
This is the first "friendly" ally between you and your attacker (you hope),
and has a reason to be involved in your protection. Ask them about their different levels of protection or look on their website.
Hardware Firewalls
The first line of a defense YOU can control, and likely the most 'per-attack' cost effective, is to put a ROUTER between you and your ISP.
Shown here are a small sample of broadband routers (be sure to change the default passwords to something unpredictable):
Any firewall, hardware based or software based, must be configured for minimal access. Spend some time tweeking. (A star indicates which can also be used with an external dial-up modem*)
A few of the many:
- D-Link EBR-2310 Broadband only, also available from Amazon.
- SMC Router and Firewall
- Netgear FVS338* [limited product support?]
- USR 8001* from Amazon
- DrayTek Vigor 2910VG (Wireless with VoIP - for Broadband+++ only, no dial-up support.) Dual ISP Broadband capable; fewer interuptions and load balance.
See ratings of other firewalls by ICSA LABS.
IF you connect to the net by DIAL-UP (not broadband):
To access your DIAL-UP connection to your ISP, USING A FAILOVER CAPABLE ROUTER,
you will ALSO need an external dial-up modem, like this example.
(Here's a modem list but Im not sure if these are all external).
Be sure to verify that your system meets the "system requirements" of any software you are considering for purchase.
Software Firewalls
The second line of defense is software that controls the doors into your computer. Also if anyone gets control from the outside, you can often stop them from exploiting your resources by controlling the outgoing traffic.
Plug as many exploitable network loop holes as possible: nothing beats unplugging from the network when you arent on-line; or some cable modems have a standby switch if you are on highspeed.
In spite of the seeming cost advantage, beware of security bundles.
Virus Scanning
If an email gets thru unfiltered, or a hacker or trojan finds a way thru all of the above, there are several programs that
will run on your machine that can scan for, and sometimes prevent damage from, virus and other malicious programs.
- Trend Micro "Antivirus 2008"
- Trend Micro "HOUSECALL" FREE online virus scanner.
- BitDefender "Online Scanner" FREE online virus scanner.
- "Norton AntiVirus"
- Grisoft
"AVG" Passable detection. Removal ability uncertain; and unfortunately they were using Akamai for DAT file updates last I checked. (there's a free edition)
- Network Associates Inc.
"VirusScan" NOT RECOMMENDED SINCE VERSION 8 due to interface compromizes.
See ratings of other virus products by ICSA LABS.
Disc and File Encryption
Confidence for when your files are in the wild open places, or the when 'baser sorts' manage to pay a visit, or just plain walk away with your computer.
- True Crypt. "Free open-source disk encryption for Windows XP/2000/2003" Software based encryption of folders or even an entire hard-disk and make it unbootable and unreadable without your password.
- WinZip has strong encryption for your secure files incase anyone does happen to get in.
- PGP "open source" whole disk encryption software.
- Momentus® "FDE" laptop hard drive from Seagate. For the few who can use it, this hdd offers supposed hardware encryption of your entire hdd. Just remember some of these guys are from California.
- Also watch for the Barracuda® FDE 7200 rpm desktop hard drive. FDE stands for "Full Disk Encryption".
Hidden Software Deflection
Hidden software my be running on your machine, tracking your habits etc...
If your PC performance is dwindling try cleaners like:
- CCleaner - Free Cholesterol Cleaner for your PC.
Deleted File Destruction
For the truely paranoid: ("A file is still a file after you toss it in the garbage".)
- Eraser, another "free" product.
Info Links
Some excellent links for opening your eyes to security and getting some good ideas you can easily implement.
Psa 127:1
...except the LORD keep the city,
the watchman waketh but in vain...
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