Reviews and Recommendations to Help You Secure Your PC
From About.com
You want to use your PC without having your computer system compromised or your identity stolen. You also work hard for your money and don't want to waste it on books or applications that won't really help you. This section contains tips and how-to's to help you protect your PC. It also contains product reviews, book reviews, tool profiles, and free tools and utilities that you can use to secure your computer.
Apple iPhone / iPod Touch Apps
Profiles of Apps related to computer and information security available for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch.
Free Tools
Categorized listings of free software available to help you secure your PC, protect your data, and surf the Web safely.
- Antivirus Software
- Email Spam Blocking
- Encryption Software
- Enumeration Tools
- Intrusion Detection and Prevention (IDS / IPS)
- Miscellaneous Tools
- Network Monitoring
- Packet Sniffers
- Personal Firewalls
- Pop-Up Ad Blocking
- Port Scanners
- Spyware Removal
- Vulnerability Scanning Software
- Wireless Network Security
Security Tool Profiles
Some of these tools are free, while others may be commercial applications. This section features profiles, or overviews of the features and functionality of the given tools. The profiles are not as in-depth and don't reflect personal experience with the product like the product reviews.
- AnalogX Packetmon
- Analyzer
- Ethereal Network Protocol Analyzer
- Foundstone FPort
- Foundstone Vision
- IP Sniffer
- Netstumbler
- Network Probe
- NMap Scanner
- Plastic Sniffer
- Sniphere
- SnoopAnalyzer Standard
- Sub-7 / Backdoor-G RAT (Remote Access Trojan)
- Wireshark Network Protocol Analyzer
How-To's and Tutorials
For many, if not most, of the steps and precautions you can take to secure your PC and protect your data, you already have the tools and technology available. You just either don't know the solution is there, or you don't know how to use it. This section provides how-to guides and visual tutorials to explain to you in simple, step-by-step fashion, how to use these tools to secure your computer.
- Change Default SSID
- Change Wireless Router Default Username and Password
- Clear Your Page File
- Configure Internet Explorer Security
- Configure or Disable UAC in Windows Vista Home (or Home Premium)
- Configure Unix / Linux File and Directory Permissions
- Configuring McAfee VirusScan Step-by-Step
- Configuring Password Policies in Windows
- Disable Acting Scripting in Internet Explorer
- Disable AutoComplete Password Storage
- Disable DHCP and Use Static IP's on Wireless Network
- Enable Security Auditing in Windows XP Pro
- Enable WPA Encryption to Protect Your Wireless Network
- Filter MAC Addresses on Your Wireless Network
- How Can I Protect My Microsoft Office Files?
- Prepare Your Hard Drive for Disposal
- Remove Hidden Data
- Transfer Windows XP Activation Information
- Undo Malware With System Restore
- Vulnerability Scanning with Nessus
Product Reviews
Software is one of those things that is virtually impossible to return once you've opened the packaging. All the more reason to do some homework and make sure you are buying quality products that do what you need them to do. I have loaded, installed, configured, and used the products posted here, and I provide my feedback and analysis for you to help you get an inside look at the products before you spend your money on them.
- Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition
- Anonymizer 2004
- Backup For One
- Backup For Workgroups v2.0
- Co-Mail Secure Email Service
- Driveshield Plus
- eBlaster 3.0
- Firefox Web Browser
- Firegate Sentry Appliance
- GFI LanGuard Network Security Scanner
- Hack - Counter Hack Training Course
- iPrism Appliance v3.3
- McAfee Home Wireless Network Security 2006
- Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer
- Microsoft Windows Live OneCare
- Nessus Vulnerability Scanner
- NeWT Vulnerability Scanner
- PIP (Personal Information Profile)
- PrepLogic CISSP Practice Exam
- Zonet Wi-Fi Camera with Night Vision
Book Reviews
I have always wanted to read faster. I have so many books and so little time. When you want to learn about computer and network security, you want to make sure you choose books that will provide you with the information you need in a format you can comprehend. You don't have extra time to waste reading books that don't provide value. In this section, I provide my opinion and assessment of computer and Internet security books to help you find the resources that will teach you what you want to know. The most recent reviews top the list, followed by the remainder of the book reviews organized alphabetically by title.