1. ACCESS -- includes having a boot password and setting your boot-drive sequence (both via the CMOS); having a passworded screensaver; setting appropriate (or eliminating) file and printer sharing; using a desktop security program (see further down this page) if and as appropriate.
2. VIRUSES -- includes installing and constantly updating a properly configured anti-virus program; maintaining awareness of virus infiltration methods and practicing “safe computing”.
3. ATTACK DEFENSE -- includes being aware of the possibility of both internal and external attacks; testing your computer (see below) for weaknesses and correcting same; installing personal firewall software (see below) as appropriate and necessary; maintaining an awareness of the various attack potentials - e-mail, javascript, IP, etc.

§   Want to scan your own machine's ports and see what's being exposed?  Just download NetCop Scanner and run it against your own IP address (Note: if you don't know your IP address, using an IP address of 127.0.0.1 will automatically run any such program against your own computer).

§   And, for keeping a tight control on just what program or service on your machine is connecting to the Internet, as well as acting as an excellent firewall against Trojan Horse attacks, ZoneAlarm is just the ticket!

§   Be sure to take full advantage of the many defensive, checking and preventing capabilities that are available to you via the Internet -- Free Tools & Services.

Attack Defense

§   Download & install the excellent shareware trojan scanner, The Cleaner, from Moosoft.

§   OR, download the ChekOf program (free for personal use) that monitors the macro security settings of Microsoft Office 95/97/2000 as well as allowing you to disable/enable various Windows scripting options.

§   And be sure to take advantage of the free SurfinGuard software - a great defense against the latest first-strike worm and trojan attack scripts and programs.
To test your machine against Trojan attacks, check out Finjan Software's Trojan Horse Awareness Center!

§   There's no better comprehensive list of security exposures, problems, and vulnerabilities than the CVE site.

Privacy

§   How about checking (and/or deleting) out any or all of those Cookies that your browser sets when you visit Web sites?  Just download the Cookie Cruncher and have at it!  Remember - you can configure your browser to give you maximum cookie control!
And while you're thinking about cookies, be sure to check out Cookie Central.

§   Curious about what information about you can be gathered quickly and invisibly when you visit a web site?   Find out!

§   You can "opt out" of a number of sites -- i.e., you can tell them not to track your movements via the web anymore.  The best starting place is the Opt-Out Center.  But you should also check out the Network Advertising Initiative pages.

§   Feel like being "anonymous" while you're surfing the Internet or sending e-mail?
Give these sites a try:     Anonymizer;   IDzap;   Anonymity Services;   SafeWeb;   Zero Knowledge;   ReWebber;   The Freedom Remailer;   Keating's Anonymous Remailer;
NOTE: Nothing says that these service providers won't know who you are and what you're doing!!!

§   And be sure to give the JunkBusters, and e-Mail Preference Service sites a perusal.

§   Keep on top of Privacy issues and news at the Freedom site and at Privacy.net..

§   WARNING!   Aureate Media Corp. has contaminated many many computers with an advertising-based "Trojan" that spys on your system (even after its host application is removed!) and sends this information to Aureate.  Steve Gibson has constructed an excellent site giving all available details and has even generated "OptOut" software that will remove this "Trojan" bit of coding from your system.  Kudos to Mr. Gibson.

§   For the latest information on the FBI's "Carnivore" e-mail snooper, stop by their Carnivore page, or the Stop Carnivore page.

Encryption

§   For the best in inexpensive but effective personal communications encryption, you can't beat PGP.

§   You can get your free copy of the PGP software at the MIT Distribution Center.  FAQs & information sites for this program are available at:  andrebacard.com, Buscar PGP, and Watrous' page.

§   PGP links can be found at SherlockHolmes and John Masinter's page.

Viruses

§   For all the virus/anti-virus information and software you need, hop on over to the Virus Information Center, or to our very own Anti-Virus Central.

Spooky

JYA §   EchelonWatch - tracking the most powerful intelligence-gathering organization in the world (it's not who you think!).   More Echelon information at:   Echelon & the UKUSA Resources; and Patrick Poole's site

§   And don't forget our friends at the FBI, CIA, NSA, and InterPol.

§   Find out information on TEMPEST at The Complete Unofficial TEMPEST Information Page.   Other information can be found at TEMPEST Links.

And for your best firewall protection/protectors:

Need More Information?
• For reliable sources for security/hacking information, exploits, tips, etc., you can't go wrong by visiting the "Anti's" -- AntiOnline, AntiCode, and AntiSearch or Packet Storm.
• Get your up-to-date security news at Pure Security Networks, the National Infrastructure Protection Center, Computer Security News Daily, Security Focus, or at the Security Geeks.
• Check out the front-line sites fighting for your privacy:   Electronic Privacy Information Center,  Electronic Frontier Foundation, Privacy.net and Americans for Computer Privacy.

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