Thursday, September 30, 2010

Now you can protect your Important Files with Minimal Effort!


Starting off, I'll be totally honest with you, in this modern age of information exchange, your personal information will never be 100% safe. Every ounce of computer prowess and common sense on the internet will not stop an elite hacker who has your IP address and REALLY wants what's on your computer, but we don't have to make it easy for the average script kiddy hacker who happens to live next door. So I present for your benefit, the following ways I use to thwart the typical hard drive heist!:


      1. Update your operating system (Windows, OSX, ubuntu) completely. Apple and Windows don't come out with these software upgrades because they're bored, they do it because over time they discover easily exploited holes in their program and plug them up! The added irony is that these companies post whatever weaknesses they fixed with each new service pack, so all a hacker needs to do is find an un-patched computer and go down the list that was so conveniently posted to the world!

      2. Make sure, if you use wireless, that it is well-encrypted. Click the network manager in the bottom right hand side of your task bar where it shows your signal strength and then mouse over the router to which you are currently connected. Does it say unsecured? DANGER! That means there is no password and literally ANYONE can connect to your computer through it! Does it say WEP? if so, then you are less protected than you could be. Most new Linksys routers come standard with WPA encryption and this is the good stuff. Now don't get me wrong, WPA passwords CAN be cracked with sufficient time and effort, but having WEP or no password at all is just inviting trouble.


     3.Encrypt your sensitive files with TrueCrypt. Lets say that the above steps haven't stopped a troublesome intruder, he got onto your wifi and exploited your computer so he has access to everything on your computer, would you be in serious trouble if he found that text file you use to remember you bank account password? How about some...compromising photographs that you took of your ex-girlfriend? Fear not, because even if someone gains 100% access to your hard drive, you can protect delicate info that only you ever need to see. TrueCrypt will take a certain part of your harddrive and encrypt it so well that the NSA will have a hard time looking at what's inside, particularly if your password is over 20 characters long. Bonus points if you keep the TrueCrypt password taped to the underside of your desk; one of the few places someone without physical access to your office will never be able to reach.

     4. MOST IMPORTANT: Use common sense. If a website has a banner promising you a brand new Ipod, ignore it, its probably just going to download a virus that will gradually slow down your computer or steal your personal information. When entering your credit card info anywhere, check the bottom right of your browser to make sure there's a padlock symbol. If there isn't that means the site is unsecured and any Joe Schmoe identity thief might intercept your info.




Link to the free open-source TrueCrypt, its very simple to use and after you install it will offer to run a tutorial
http://www.truecrypt.org/downloads

22 comments:

  1. Your personal information can be safe if you aren't a retard. It's entirely up to you what information you put out there.

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  2. awesome tip.

    I'm an avid reader of yours so I'd appreciate it if you headed over to my blog and voted in my poll and stuff =)

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  3. Just don't trust anyone and you're safe. Bear in mind that you can't win anything on the Internet.

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  4. Useful for those that don't already know I suppose. It's overall really simple.

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  5. very interesting, cant wait for more :D

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  6. gonna give it a try (don't want my brother to read my personal stuff)

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  7. Thanks this helped so much! Just sharing daily love ;p

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  8. Now i can protect my files! so awezome

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  9. Thanks for the pro tips man. Followed.

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  10. thanks for the suggestions. following for more advice.

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  11. This will secure my most important documents

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  12. Good information. I'll def. consider it. I'd like to see some more updates like this.

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