Comments on: How to Properly Secure a PC http://www.technibble.com/how-to-properly-secure-a-pc/ A Resource for Computer Repair Technicians & to get PC tech support help. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:20:45 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: erik http://www.technibble.com/how-to-properly-secure-a-pc/comment-page-1/#comment-6339 erik Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:50:52 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/how-to-properly-lock-down-a-pc/#comment-6339 Some people are helpless. I once had someone asking me for advice. So, I told her she needed to put a password if she had wireless internet connection. She argued with me as to why she should. I said, you don't want other people logging into your network and stealing your information or using your internet connection to do illegal stuff and then you become the accused. She said, I don't have any important data in my computer, and even if I did, I have no money in my bank account so I could care less. As to people using my connection to do illegal stuff, I will clearly explain that I didn't do anything wrong and check my comp if the police don't believe me. Then I said, even so, if you want a fast internet connection you need to put a password, because if people start logging on, it'll slow down your entire connection. She said, no, I have subscribed for the fastest internet connection and it allows a lot of people to connect to my network. At that point I was like, screw you. Do whatever you want...LoL. Some people are helpless. I once had someone asking me for advice. So, I told her she needed to put a password if she had wireless internet connection. She argued with me as to why she should. I said, you don’t want other people logging into your network and stealing your information or using your internet connection to do illegal stuff and then you become the accused. She said, I don’t have any important data in my computer, and even if I did, I have no money in my bank account so I could care less. As to people using my connection to do illegal stuff, I will clearly explain that I didn’t do anything wrong and check my comp if the police don’t believe me. Then I said, even so, if you want a fast internet connection you need to put a password, because if people start logging on, it’ll slow down your entire connection. She said, no, I have subscribed for the fastest internet connection and it allows a lot of people to connect to my network. At that point I was like, screw you. Do whatever you want…LoL.

]]> By: Roadie Ron http://www.technibble.com/how-to-properly-secure-a-pc/comment-page-1/#comment-3666 Roadie Ron Fri, 05 Sep 2008 03:22:07 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/how-to-properly-lock-down-a-pc/#comment-3666 Security is an illusion. A word created to make people feel safe. In reality, security does 3 things and 3 things only.... Let's compare a PC to a house... 1) Security at one level is a locked door so it basically keeps people honest, BUT if they want in, then they can just bust a window to get in. Enter #2 and #3... 2) Once they get in, hopefully they get caught in the act, or (leading into #3 here)... 3) or they leave enough evidence behind to catch them later on. If its not a matter of "IF", but "WHEN" someone will get in if they so desire to. If you want complete computer security, put your PC in a 55 gallon drum and pour conret on top it. Once it sets, your PC is now forever secure. The weakest link in any security scheme is the end user. People are hacked far easier than any computer can be. Kevin Mitnick was good at what he did, but much of it was exploiting the weakest link in the security chain, the end user via social engineering. Also automatic Windows Updates are a bad idea and can cause bloat in Windows. Better to have Windows notify you, but let you choose which ones to download and install. Also, the Windows Firewall is pointless. If someone has hit your PC, they've already been too far. You need to stop them at OSI Layer Level 2 - the Router. Lastly, if you want a secure OS, remember first and foremost security is an attitude, a way of thinking, NOT a software package or a setting. Windows is used by most, but not very secure when compared to say NetBSD. Security is an illusion. A word created to make people feel safe. In reality, security does 3 things and 3 things only….

Let’s compare a PC to a house…

1) Security at one level is a locked door so it basically keeps people honest, BUT if they want in, then they can just bust a window to get in.

Enter #2 and #3…

2) Once they get in, hopefully they get caught in the act, or (leading into #3 here)…

3) or they leave enough evidence behind to catch them later on.

If its not a matter of “IF”, but “WHEN” someone will get in if they so desire to. If you want complete computer security, put your PC in a 55 gallon drum and pour conret on top it. Once it sets, your PC is now forever secure.

The weakest link in any security scheme is the end user. People are hacked far easier than any computer can be. Kevin Mitnick was good at what he did, but much of it was exploiting the weakest link in the security chain, the end user via social engineering.

Also automatic Windows Updates are a bad idea and can cause bloat in Windows. Better to have Windows notify you, but let you choose which ones to download and install.

Also, the Windows Firewall is pointless. If someone has hit your PC, they’ve already been too far. You need to stop them at OSI Layer Level 2 – the Router.

Lastly, if you want a secure OS, remember first and foremost security is an attitude, a way of thinking, NOT a software package or a setting. Windows is used by most, but not very secure when compared to say NetBSD.

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