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Safe Personal Computing
Bruce Schneier BLOG ^ | December 13, 2004 | Bruce Schneier

Posted on 12/17/2004 6:37:05 AM PST by zeugma

Schneier on Security

A weblog covering security and security technology.

December 13, 2004

Safe Personal Computing

I am regularly asked what average Internet users can do to ensure their security. My first answer is usually, "Nothing--you're screwed."

But that's not true, and the reality is more complicated. You're screwed if you do nothing to protect yourself, but there are many things you can do to increase your security on the Internet.

Two years ago, I published a list of PC security recommendations. The idea was to give home users concrete actions they could take to improve security. This is an update of that list: a dozen things you can do to improve your security.

General: Turn off the computer when you're not using it, especially if you have an "always on" Internet connection.

Laptop security: Keep your laptop with you at all times when not at home; treat it as you would a wallet or purse. Regularly purge unneeded data files from your laptop. The same goes for PDAs. People tend to store more personal data--including passwords and PINs--on PDAs than they do on laptops.

Backups: Back up regularly. Back up to disk, tape or CD-ROM. There's a lot you can't defend against; a recent backup will at least let you recover from an attack. Store at least one set of backups off-site (a safe-deposit box is a good place) and at least one set on-site. Remember to destroy old backups. The best way to destroy CD-Rs is to microwave them on high for five seconds. You can also break them in half or run them through better shredders.

Operating systems: If possible, don't use Microsoft Windows. Buy a Macintosh or use Linux. If you must use Windows, set up Automatic Update so that you automatically receive security patches. And delete the files "command.com" and "cmd.exe."

Applications: Limit the number of applications on your machine. If you don't need it, don't install it. If you no longer need it, uninstall it. Look into one of the free office suites as an alternative to Microsoft Office. Regularly check for updates to the applications you use and install them. Keeping your applications patched is important, but don't lose sleep over it.

Browsing: Don't use Microsoft Internet Explorer, period. Limit use of cookies and applets to those few sites that provide services you need. Set your browser to regularly delete cookies. Don't assume a Web site is what it claims to be, unless you've typed in the URL yourself. Make sure the address bar shows the exact address, not a near-miss.

Web sites: Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption does not provide any assurance that the vendor is trustworthy or that its database of customer information is secure.

Think before you do business with a Web site. Limit the financial and personal data you send to Web sites--don't give out information unless you see a value to you. If you don't want to give out personal information, lie. Opt out of marketing notices. If the Web site gives you the option of not storing your information for later use, take it. Use a credit card for online purchases, not a debit card.

Passwords: You can't memorize good enough passwords any more, so don't bother. For high-security Web sites such as banks, create long random passwords and write them down. Guard them as you would your cash: i.e., store them in your wallet, etc.

Never reuse a password for something you care about. (It's fine to have a single password for low-security sites, such as for newspaper archive access.) Assume that all PINs can be easily broken and plan accordingly.

Never type a password you care about, such as for a bank account, into a non-SSL encrypted page. If your bank makes it possible to do that, complain to them. When they tell you that it is OK, don't believe them; they're wrong.

E-mail : Turn off HTML e-mail. Don't automatically assume that any e-mail is from the "From" address.

Delete spam without reading it. Don't open messages with file attachments, unless you know what they contain; immediately delete them. Don't open cartoons, videos and similar "good for a laugh" files forwarded by your well-meaning friends; again, immediately delete them.

Never click links in e-mail unless you're sure about the e-mail; copy and paste the link into your browser instead. Don't use Outlook or Outlook Express. If you must use Microsoft Office, enable macro virus protection; in Office 2000, turn the security level to "high" and don't trust any received files unless you have to. If you're using Windows, turn off the "hide file extensions for known file types" option; it lets Trojan horses masquerade as other types of files. Uninstall the Windows Scripting Host if you can get along without it. If you can't, at least change your file associations, so that script files aren't automatically sent to the Scripting Host if you double-click them.

Antivirus and anti-spyware software : Use it--either a combined program or two separate programs. Download and install the updates, at least weekly and whenever you read about a new virus in the news. Some antivirus products automatically check for updates. Enable that feature and set it to "daily."

Firewall : Spend $50 for a Network Address Translator firewall device; it's likely to be good enough in default mode. On your laptop, use personal firewall software. If you can, hide your IP address. There's no reason to allow any incoming connections from anybody.

Encryption: Install an e-mail and file encryptor (like PGP). Encrypting all your e-mail or your entire hard drive is unrealistic, but some mail is too sensitive to send in the clear. Similarly, some files on your hard drive are too sensitive to leave unencrypted.

None of the measures I've described are foolproof. If the secret police wants to target your data or your communications, no countermeasure on this list will stop them. But these precautions are all good network-hygiene measures, and they'll make you a more difficult target than the computer next door. And even if you only follow a few basic measures, you're unlikely to have any problems.

I'm stuck using Microsoft Windows and Office, but I use Opera for Web browsing and Eudora for e-mail. I use Windows Update to automatically get patches and install other patches when I hear about them. My antivirus software updates itself regularly. I keep my computer relatively clean and delete applications that I don't need. I'm diligent about backing up my data and about storing data files that are no longer needed offline.

I'm suspicious to the point of near-paranoia about e-mail attachments and Web sites. I delete cookies and spyware. I watch URLs to make sure I know where I am, and I don't trust unsolicited e-mails. I don't care about low-security passwords, but try to have good passwords for accounts that involve money. I still don't do Internet banking. I have my firewall set to deny all incoming connections. And I turn my computer off when I'm not using it.

That's basically it. Really, it's not that hard. The hardest part is developing an intuition about e-mail and Web sites. But that just takes experience.


This essay previously appeared on CNet


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: computers; computersecurity; exploit; internetexploiter; lookoutexpress; lowqualitycrap; microsoft; patch; safecomputing; securityflaw; trojan; virus; windows; worm
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To: Temple Owl

ping


41 posted on 12/17/2004 8:22:26 AM PST by Tribune7
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To: zeugma

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.


42 posted on 12/17/2004 8:27:21 AM PST by Sisku Hanne (Deprogramming the left, one truth at a time.)
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To: Sisku Hanne
Openoffice.org
43 posted on 12/17/2004 8:28:03 AM PST by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: zeugma

bump for later read


44 posted on 12/17/2004 8:30:25 AM PST by power2 (JMJ)
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To: zeugma

EXCELLENT! THX!


45 posted on 12/17/2004 8:40:09 AM PST by Quix (5having a form of godliness but denying its power. I TIM 3:5)
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To: zeugma
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.

46 posted on 12/17/2004 9:07:22 AM PST by CyberCowboy777 (Zip it Hippie! - http://www.casualconservative.com/)
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To: zeugma

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.


47 posted on 12/17/2004 2:02:19 PM PST by Vinnie
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To: ShadowAce
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.

48 posted on 12/17/2004 4:38:13 PM PST by Sisku Hanne (Deprogramming the left, one truth at a time.)
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To: Vinnie
I never have. Wonder how many do.

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

49 posted on 12/17/2004 6:40:47 PM PST by zeugma (Come to the Dark Side...... We have cookies!)
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To: zeugma
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

50 posted on 12/17/2004 6:45:42 PM PST by arasina (So there.)
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To: Sisku Hanne

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.


51 posted on 12/17/2004 7:51:31 PM PST by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: Bush2000; antiRepublicrat; LasVegasMac; Action-America; eno_; N3WBI3; zeugma; TechJunkYard; ...

"Get a Mac" security advice PING!

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


52 posted on 12/17/2004 11:05:32 PM PST by Swordmaker (Tagline now open, please ring bell.)
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To: ChadsDad
I sense a theme here

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

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

53 posted on 12/18/2004 7:07:04 AM PST by anonymous_user
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To: CheneyChick

"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


54 posted on 12/18/2004 7:15:28 AM PST by HangnJudge
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Comment #55 Removed by Moderator

To: jb6

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.


56 posted on 12/18/2004 9:38:45 AM PST by zeugma (Come to the Dark Side...... We have cookies!)
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To: goldstategop
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.

57 posted on 12/18/2004 9:39:21 AM PST by JimRed (Investigate, overturn and prosecute vote fraud; turn more counties red!)
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To: arasina
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?

58 posted on 12/18/2004 9:40:49 AM PST by zeugma (Come to the Dark Side...... We have cookies!)
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To: zeugma

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


59 posted on 12/18/2004 9:45:00 AM PST by Old Professer (The accidental trumps the purposeful in every endeavor attended by the incompetent.)
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To: zeugma
Delicious irony! Don't most courts still require documents to be formatted in wordperfect 5.0 format?

Not court documents. Patent stuff.

60 posted on 12/18/2004 9:54:07 AM PST by arasina (So there.)
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