Computer geniuses! How to make my computer "secure"

[Freak Show]

I just clicked on that "X Cleaner banner" on the top of the page. It got me wondering. If I feel I need to have more security when I use my computer, what types of things do you feel are MOST IMPORTANT (i.e. can't live without). I've heard about firewalls, openPGP, etc. Is X cleaner worth it? What do you recommend? Maybe give me an explanation of what exactly they do.

 

[HappyScrappy]

the extreme: never use it and sure as hell don't connect it to the net

less extreme but still likely out of your range: one of the linux systems with an encrupted filesystem

not so extreme: run winXX, use pgp on your mail, have a firewall (ideally hardware), and encrypt any files that... well, need it (and if it is an office product, don't bother relying on their encryption - unless it has changed significantly since '95, it sucks)

probably sufficient: use hushmail or elitefitness

nothing: nothing

 

[r00+]

Not a genuis, but have an opinion

Ok here's my take:

Xcleaner is crap. E-mail me from an account I can send files to for better solutions.

Your first concern should be physical security. Meaning who can and cannot access your machine directly. www.activcard.com for a product that allows smartcard access to your machine.

Your second concern should be remote access. Now most people will immediately say, "Well, I only have one user account enabled on my machine!" I'm not really talking about somone logging into your machine. I'm talking about websites you browse being able to run applets and scripts on your machine and I'm also talking about cookies, wafers, tags etc.

Your third concern should be regarding the data traffic to/from your machine. TCP/IP is all clear text, so I can look at EVERYTHING you transmit with the following command from my sun box: snoop -V tcp <IP address> |more. ALl your IMs, PMs, the websites you hit and the stuff you send to and from websites can be seen.

Your fourth concern should be data integrity and disaster recovery. Meaning, how do I make sure the data on your machine is Supposed to be there and what do I do if I need to recover from a total (or partial) data loss.

Here are products I would never use a PC without, in no particular order:

PGP
Activcard Gold 1.3
Junkbuster proxy
Norton Anti-virus
Tripwire for Win32
SafeHouse
Private Idaho
PGP for voice-over-IP
eTrust (for Intrusion detection)
Checkpoint or gauntlet (none of that freeware crap)

Some hardware I'd never run without a PC:
16K cryptoflex smart card
Chrysalis encryption accelerator
Second nic card
Only use removable trays for Hard drives

Hope this helps!

And yes, I use all of this crap on my PC.

 

[Freak Show]

Thanks HS and roo+.
R00+ stellar info bro!

 

[r00+]

Not a problem

No problem guys.
If you need help finding the apps let me know. I may be able to help find them cheaper.

 

[r00+]

RE:linux

Ok, this is flame-bait but here it goes:

If you do not know linux very well (basic shell programming and kernel maintenance) then DO NOT USE IT because you think it's more secure than windows.

If you do, four weeks after your install you will be two revisions and about 30 patches behind an average hacker.

Best case scenario, you run Red Hat out of the box and never know you're being used as a hop for a hacker.

Worst case, you can't log into your machine and all your data are belong to us.

Seriously, linux is not similar enough to windows for your average power-user to go from win98 to linux and keep the machine secure.

The rule of thumb I use when choosing an OS is this:
Never use the OS of choice for hackers, unless it's not networked.

 

[manny78]

another good advice run wingate to connect through the internet, hide your Ip as much as you can. Dont get a cable connection or any static IP (T1, T3....). get a dsl so you'll be able to switch from an Ip to another one. Get BlackIce..its pretty easy to find it for free on Hotline..... there's also another Firewall software which is used on big networks but I jsu cant remember the name....

 

[bstone]

Bottom line. Unless you are into something REALLY illegal, not just using AS or drugs, nobody really wants to mess with your computer or your world. All of these cleaning softwares and security stuff is for the paranoid or hackers. I have the basics and they have served me well. You must have a virus scanner, Norton, mAcaffee, etc. Other then that is really not necessary.

Also, don't leave your computer online all the time, it is like leaving your home unlocked.

Just my take.

 

[§äñît¥ Pôí§ðñ]

Re: RE:linux

all your data are belong to us.

HAHA
ok im a dork