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In the Spotlight \| More Topics \| Top Picks \| Comp Sec 101

from Tony Bradley, your Editor and Guide

Tomorrow is Tax Day! You've most likely filed your taxes by now. If you used software on your computer to do your taxes you may want to take extra precautions with the data. Most popular income tax applications save the data unencrypted. If anyone gets access to the file they would be able to obtain a lot of information about you- name, address, social security number, job, investment and bank account numbers, etc.

Microsoft released two Security Bulletins this past week. The first, MS03-011, applies to pretty much anyone running Windows who uses the World Wide Web. The vulnerability could allow an attacker to run any program they want on your computer. The second, MS03-012, applies only to users of Microsoft Proxy Server 2.0 or Microsoft ISA Server. Make sure you are aware of these and apply any patches you need to secure your computer or network.

There are two new book reviews this week as well as a new Top Picks of computer and network security books. Lesson 4 of Computer Security 101 was also posted. Watch this week for more book reviews and product reviews as well as Computer Security 101: Lesson 5.

If you have a question you would like answered you can email me. You can also post your question in the Forums so that the whole NetSecurity community can help and also learn from the answer. If you want an instant answer you can go into the Chat room. Other members of the NetSecurity community may be chatting there. I am there at 9pm every Thursday evening.

Have a great week!

In the Spotlight

Practical Unix & Internet Security
This is the 3rd Edition of an Information Security classic. Practical Unix & Internet Security should be required reading for all security admins. Click to read the review.

More Topics
•	Top Computer and Network Security Books
•	Are You Breaking The Law?
•	Rootkits: Stealth Hacking
•	Windows NT: R.I.P.
•	Plan Ahead to Catch an Intruder
•	Wireless Network Security for the Home

Security+ Certification for Dummies
Security+ Certification for Dummies is a good book to go over the week before testing and the CDROM can help you do last minute cramming. Don't try to take the exam based only on this book though.

Resource Links - Get Listed Here

What Is This?

Top Picks - Computer and Network Security Books from your Internet/Network Security Guide

Whether you want to know how hackers think and work so you can defend against them better, or you need to create a solid disaster recovery plan or you just want to make sure your network is secure- these books can give you the information you need. While the Internet is a valuable resource, sometimes it helps to have a book right there on your desk that you can refer to when you need it.

1) Hacking Exposed- 3rd Edition
The Hacking Exposed series of books is an invaluable resource that all security administrators should have sitting on their desktop. Hacking Exposed - Third Edition provides updates of some hacker tricks and techniques that have come out since the Second Edition. If you don't have this book- buy it now!

2) Security Planning and Disaster Recovery
This book is an excellent beginning for anyone who is new to security planning or disaster recovery and can also serve a valuable resource for CIO’s and IT executives to understand the why’s and how’s of information security.

3) Building Secure Wireless Networks with 802.11
Jahanzeb Khan and Anis Khwaja provide a wealth of knowledge to help any home user or system administrator implement and secure a wireless network.

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Computer Security 101

Computer Security 101: Lesson 4

This week Lesson 4 of Computer Security 101 was posted. This lesson focuses on Email Viruses, Hidden File Extensions and Email Spoofing.
Lesson 5 will cover Web surfing security including Java / ActiveX Malicious Code and Cross-site scripting as well as Instant Messaging / Peer-to-Peer programs and Packet Sniffing. Watch for it soon.

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