Report: Windows 7 almost five times more secure than XP: "Infection rates for Windows 7 is about four to five times less than for Windows XP, according to Microsoft's latest Security Intelligence Report."
Important for those thinking that Windows XP is adiquate in 2011.
-Stuart
Showing posts with label security. Show all posts
Showing posts with label security. Show all posts
4.28.2011
How Dropbox sacrifices user privacy for cost savings
Must read for anyone considering DropBox for cloud storage...what is the real cost of free? -Stuart
How Dropbox sacrifices user privacy for cost savings:
Summary
Dropbox, the popular cloud based backup service deduplicates the files that its users have stored online. This means that if two different users store the same file in their respective accounts, Dropbox will only actually store a single copy of the file on its servers.
The service tells users that it 'uses the same secure methods as banks and the military to send and store your data' and that '[a]ll files stored on Dropbox servers are encrypted (AES-256) and are inaccessible without your account password.' However, the company does in fact have access to the unencrypted data (if it didn't, it wouldn't be able to detect duplicate data across different accounts).
This bandwidth and disk storage design tweak creates an easily observable side channel through which a single bit of data (whether any particular file is already stored by one or more users) can be observed.
If you value your privacy or are worried about what might happen if Dropbox were compelled by a court order to disclose which of its users have stored a particular file, you should encrypt your data yourself with a tool like truecrypt or switch to one of several cloud based backup services that encrypt data with a key only known to the user.
How Dropbox sacrifices user privacy for cost savings:
Summary
Dropbox, the popular cloud based backup service deduplicates the files that its users have stored online. This means that if two different users store the same file in their respective accounts, Dropbox will only actually store a single copy of the file on its servers.
The service tells users that it 'uses the same secure methods as banks and the military to send and store your data' and that '[a]ll files stored on Dropbox servers are encrypted (AES-256) and are inaccessible without your account password.' However, the company does in fact have access to the unencrypted data (if it didn't, it wouldn't be able to detect duplicate data across different accounts).
This bandwidth and disk storage design tweak creates an easily observable side channel through which a single bit of data (whether any particular file is already stored by one or more users) can be observed.
If you value your privacy or are worried about what might happen if Dropbox were compelled by a court order to disclose which of its users have stored a particular file, you should encrypt your data yourself with a tool like truecrypt or switch to one of several cloud based backup services that encrypt data with a key only known to the user.
2.16.2011
IE9 and Tracking Protection: Microsoft disrupts the online ad business
IE9 and Tracking Protection: Microsoft disrupts the online ad business: "
As indicated by Ed Bot in this report there are some really great features coming in the next version of Internet Explorer (IE9). If you have not done so already I encourage all our users to download the IE9 Release Client to see what improvements have been made - Download from Microsoft's Beauty of the Web HTML5 test site.
Microsoft has just launched a remarkably effective tool to protect your privacy on the web. Using the IE9 RC, it takes exactly two clicks to begin blocking cookies, web beacons, and other third-party tools that track your movements and activities on the web. Here’s how it works.
"As indicated by Ed Bot in this report there are some really great features coming in the next version of Internet Explorer (IE9). If you have not done so already I encourage all our users to download the IE9 Release Client to see what improvements have been made - Download from Microsoft's Beauty of the Web HTML5 test site.
2.08.2011
How to Avoid the Most Common and Dangerous Passwords
In a recent survey conducted by ZoneAlarm, 79% of consumers were found to use risky password construction practices, such as using personal information and common words. The graphic below illustrates some of the most commonly made mistakes people make when selecting a password, as well as some tips on how to make your password more secure - read further at the Zonealarm Blog.
3.30.2010
Windows is safer when not using admin rights
Windows 7 is safer when the admin isn't around: "
Not that we necessarily needed a report to tell us this, but the fewer privileges you afford yourself as a Windows user, the more secure your operating system becomes. The report looks into vulnerabilities disclosed by Microsoft during 2009 and concludes that all 55 reported Microsoft Office issues and 94 percent of the 33 listed for IE could be prevented by simply running a standard user account.
CNET | 
BeyondTrust (PDF)"
This article is a great reinforcement to the structure of SU's computing environment. We do not place restrictions on users without cause, if we could mitigate vulnerabilities without removal of rights we would much rather do so.
It is also important to point out that out dated operating systems like Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 (and even Vista) are more vulnerable than Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008.
Not that we necessarily needed a report to tell us this, but the fewer privileges you afford yourself as a Windows user, the more secure your operating system becomes. The report looks into vulnerabilities disclosed by Microsoft during 2009 and concludes that all 55 reported Microsoft Office issues and 94 percent of the 33 listed for IE could be prevented by simply running a standard user account.
Windows 7 is safer when the admin isn't around originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 06:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
PermalinkCNET | BeyondTrust (PDF)"This article is a great reinforcement to the structure of SU's computing environment. We do not place restrictions on users without cause, if we could mitigate vulnerabilities without removal of rights we would much rather do so.
It is also important to point out that out dated operating systems like Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 (and even Vista) are more vulnerable than Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008.
3.26.2010
Clean XP Antivirus and other fake alert infections with McAfee Stinger
Clean XP Antivirus and other fake alert infections with McAfee Stinger: "
Malware infections are the most common problems I see on my workbench. While there are plenty of different kinds, fake alerts and rogue antivirus programs seem to be the most widespread. They end up on my customers' systems with many different names -- Antivirus XP, Personal Antivirus, Spyware Protect, XP Antivirus -- and they're all major annoyances.
If you've fallen victim to one of these nasty bits of malware, a big repair bill doesn't have to be in your future. There are plenty of great, free, programs you can download to remove fake alert infections. A good one to start with is McAfee Stinger, which they've updated to clean this kind of malware.
Stinger is a free download and doesn't require you to install anything. Save stinger.exe to your desktop, double-click the icon to launch the program, and run a scan. Once it's done, remove any files it detects and reboot your system. That's it! Stinger currently detects and removes more than 1,300 types of malware (including most of the common ones I remove at my day job).
It's a good idea to double-check with another program when you try to clean up an infection like XP Antivirus (or its hundreds of variants). I highly recommend using Malwarebytes -- another free program -- to make sure the malware has been removed.
Filed under: Security, Windows
Malware infections are the most common problems I see on my workbench. While there are plenty of different kinds, fake alerts and rogue antivirus programs seem to be the most widespread. They end up on my customers' systems with many different names -- Antivirus XP, Personal Antivirus, Spyware Protect, XP Antivirus -- and they're all major annoyances.
If you've fallen victim to one of these nasty bits of malware, a big repair bill doesn't have to be in your future. There are plenty of great, free, programs you can download to remove fake alert infections. A good one to start with is McAfee Stinger, which they've updated to clean this kind of malware.
Stinger is a free download and doesn't require you to install anything. Save stinger.exe to your desktop, double-click the icon to launch the program, and run a scan. Once it's done, remove any files it detects and reboot your system. That's it! Stinger currently detects and removes more than 1,300 types of malware (including most of the common ones I remove at my day job).
It's a good idea to double-check with another program when you try to clean up an infection like XP Antivirus (or its hundreds of variants). I highly recommend using Malwarebytes -- another free program -- to make sure the malware has been removed.
Clean XP Antivirus and other fake alert infections with McAfee Stinger originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
3.20.2010
Macs vs. PCs on Operating System Security [Blockquote]
Macs vs. PCs on Operating System Security [Blockquote]: "Security expert Charlie Miller on the record-breaking 20 zero day security holes soon to be announced in OS X. [H-Online] More »
Yes, Macs do have security issues and even are susceptible to viruses and malware/spyware. As we see OSX becoming more and more popular with Students it is important that we educate them in protecting themselves just as we do for students who choose to use Windows PCs. -Stuart
Yes, Macs do have security issues and even are susceptible to viruses and malware/spyware. As we see OSX becoming more and more popular with Students it is important that we educate them in protecting themselves just as we do for students who choose to use Windows PCs. -Stuart
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