Safe Personal Computing

Bruce Schneier BLOG ^ | December 13, 2004 | Bruce Schneier

[Tribune7]

ping

[Sisku Hanne]

Can someone suggest a good free office suite for my new laptop? I've always preferred WordPerfect over Microsoft Word, and used to use freeware from some of the WP creators but can no longer find it.

[ShadowAce]

Openoffice.org

[power2]

bump for later read

[Quix]

EXCELLENT! THX!

[CyberCowboy777]

Use XP and feel safe....

With Anti-Virus software updated daily.
A good Firewall device
Windows Update ON and USED
Do not use IE
Do not use Express
If you use Outlook, turn the security settings to "High"

Do not install freeware or toolbars, cute monkeys or smiley's. I you are not absoluteltly sure of the safety and cleanliness of the software, you do not need it.

Do not open emails or attachments unless you are sure, knowing the sender means nothing, the next virus will likely come from a friend.

I use Firefox, Thunderbird (and Outlook with the Company Exchange Server) and Norton Anti-Virus.

[Vinnie]

Funny, just yesterday I was thinking I never hear of PGP anymore. And this article mentions using it.
I never have. Wonder how many do.

[Sisku Hanne]

Thanks for the tip...looks like a really comprehensive suite.

I'm having an issue here...just downloaded & installed the newest Zone Alarm, which has a totally different interface than the version I had on my desktop (that one had a Programs tab where I could hand select which programs went online or were allowed to pass the internet lock).
Now I can't seem to get anywhere online except Google.....it just sits there forever trying to load the page...no error messages or anything. I had to shut ZA down to get on FR and Yahoo. Is there something I need to change somewhere in the default settings?
TIA.

[zeugma]

I never have. Wonder how many do.

I do. So do others. It's a shame more don't.

[arasina]

One suggestion I'd add to his list: Intall Linux

My ex-boyfriend swears by Linux but does legal work for Microsoft. Uses his Linux OS computer to prepare the MS documents. heh heh

[ShadowAce]

Sorry. I don't run ZA. I've heard it's pretty good, but I've got a dedicated machine running Linux as my firewall/router.

[Swordmaker]

"Get a Mac" security advice PING!

If you want to be added or deleted from the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.

[anonymous_user]

I sense a theme here

[M][i][c][r][ ][s][ ][f][t]

"I'd like to buy a vowel, Pat."

[HangnJudge]

"Operating systems: If possible, don't use Microsoft Windows. Buy a Macintosh or use Linux.

Get a Mac Ping...."

Mac User 20+ years, no problems here

[zeugma]

I tried to take the survey, but it didn't work in mozilla or firefox. I'd already started this reply when I decided to try konqueror and it worked there. Something is seriously wrong with the site's code if you can't fill out a simple form in a standards compliant browser.

[JimRed]

No - but you can get a fake ID address and let people think you're someplace else. Its no one's business to find out where you really are.

That's what cyber criminals depend upon! They hide themselves well.

[zeugma]

My ex-boyfriend swears by Linux but does legal work for Microsoft. Uses his Linux OS computer to prepare the MS documents. heh heh

Delicious irony! Don't most courts still require documents to be formatted in wordperfect 5.0 format?

[Old Professer]

If I did everything he suggests, I would have a very expensive ashtray holder.

[arasina]

Delicious irony! Don't most courts still require documents to be formatted in wordperfect 5.0 format?

Not court documents. Patent stuff.