Monday, December 19, 2005

Securing your Home Computer

I have recently published my white paper on securing your home computer on Infosecwriters.com. For those of you who are interested it is at http://www.infosecwriters.com/texts.php?op=display&id=342

In my opinion this article fills a void in that it is a step-by-step guide aimed at novices and the average home user.

Hope some of you will read and enjoy it. Comments and constructive criticisms are always welcome.

Rick

I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member. - Groucho Marx

Cell Phone Security

Again, compliments of Bruce Schneier... http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2005/12/cell_phone_comp.html

Apparently Rogers Communications has fraud detection software, but chooses whether or not to shut off a phone based on the subscribers ability to pay.

As some of you know, I work for a telecommunications company that is also in the cell phone business... fortunately not Rogers. I wonder if this could happen to us???

Rick

A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five. - Groucho Marx

Airline Security

Another insightful comment from Bruce Schneier in the latest edition of Cryptogram (Dec 15, 2005).

"Maybe people who have watched MacGyver should never be allowed to fly."

This comment hits the whole thing right on the nose. As I have stated before...the restrictions imposed on passengers have very little to do with security, and more about a political attempt to placate constituents.

Fortunately, it looks like Mr Schneier's and others words are starting to be heard.

http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2005/12/airline_securit_4.html

Hopefully this is a sign that the DHS and others are starting to see that it is best to not do "movie plot" security and start to focus efforts in areas where security can actually do some good.

Rick

Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. - Groucho Marx