How to Secure Your Windows Computer and Protect Your Privacy

Anybody using internet should really read this article. While targeted at windows users, most of the
rules also apply to users of Linux and mac.

"Security consultant Howard Fosdick has contributed the latest entry in the
2008 OSNews Article Contest: a highly detailed examination of security and privacy on the
Windows platform, and how to use free
software tools and a little knowledge to protect your privacy online.
Do you know that --

• Windows secretly records all the web sites you've ever visited?
• After you delete your Outlook emails and empty the Waste Basket, someone could still
  read your email?
• After you delete a file and empty the Recycle Bin, the file still exists?
• Your computer might run software that spies on you?
• Your computer might be a bot , a slave computer waiting to perform tasks assigned
  by a remote master?
• The web sites you visit might be able to compile a complete dossier of your online activities?
• Microsoft Word and Excel documents contain secret keys that uniquely identify you? They also
  collect statistics telling anyone how long you spent working on them and when. "

Security made easy, automatic scan and update of your installed applications

If you are on the paranoia side, and you better should, if you're using ebanking on an internet connected pc. 

 Secunia is a well known internet site, Secunia is a Danish computer security service provider best known for tracking vulnerabilities in more than 12,400 pieces of software and operating systems. Numbers of "unpatched" vulnerabilities in popular applications are frequently quoted in software comparisons.Secunia also tracks currently active computer viruses. Secunia has gained publicity and a notable reputation with the discovery of major zero-day vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer and other widely used programs

• Secunia website
• Secunia corporate website

What is really new and interesting is that they are providing a free tool,  Secunia PSI which scan your PC and let you download the latest secure version of all your installed software. Something Microsoft should have done before Secunia

"The Secunia PSI detects installed software and categorises your software as either Insecure, End-of-Life, or Up-To-Date. Effectively enabling you to focus your attention on software installations where more secure versions are available from the vendors." [...]

Highlights of The Secunia PSI:

• The Secunia PSI will be available free of charge
• Calculates your unique Secunia System Score
• Automatically scans your computer
• Enables you to update Insecure/End-of-Life software
• Provides Direct Download Links to security updates & patches
• Detects and advises on more than 4,700 applications
• Direct correlation between thousands of Secunia Advisories and your specific system and software
• Secure SSL encrypted connection to Secunia

  Download | FAQ | About Secunia PSI & System Requirements | About Secunia

Secure, Safe, Fast Linux Hosting

I know that Secure, Safe, Fast Linux Hosting sound silly as nothing can be fast and secure at the same time, but I've compiled a list of things that are worth doing if you are maintaining your own server. This list is clearly targeted for people running an open source stack made of Apache, MySQL, PHP and Linux.

This list is an ongoing work, thta is why it has also a version number in it (v1.0). As soon as I will learn new tricks, the list will be updated.

By clicking read more, You'll be able to go through the checklist, or maybe you'll prefer the mindmap version HERE

Read more: Secure, Safe, Fast Linux Hosting

FaF File Anomaly Finder

• simplistic and to the point audit reports
• easy setup and configuration
• audits emailed to customizable address or user
• ideal for web servers or general purpose workstations
• audits of setgid/setuid, hidden, unowned, & world writable data
• very portable

Read more: FaF File Anomaly Finder