I'm not too savy about computers but I do use some security. What are we worried about on the net and what are we worried about as potential subjects of interest to mr leo? I'd say one thing most people are concerned about is not picking up spyware, viruses, trojans and the like. For that I'd say use a good firewall. I use zone alarm because it's very good and very free though there is a pay version. It will let you know if someone is trying to access your files and equally important, it will tell you if a prog on your machine is trying to access the internet without your knowledge or permission.
What other things might we want to do? Having good security settings on your puter might be another wise thing to do. I disable java and permanent cookies, session cookies are ok. How about a proxy for visiting sites that you might discuss things our wonderful president may not approve of? That's a good move also since it blocks sniffing. It's no good if you are registered under your real name at the proxy but it'll slow them down some. A proxy in another country is much harder for them to get to but not totally impossible.
Any other security tips? I'm sure I just scratched the surface.
Stoney
My security strategy:
iMac, so since the other 95% of the OS being used are the targets, not mine.
A router, so my iMac is not what is seen by snoopers.
Firewalkx on top of the Mac OS X firewall. To date, nothing logged.
If inclined, NetShade, which rotates through several proxies for anonymous browsing.
OS X, plus an Apple Airport Extreme with firewall.
The security of OS X is only partially (if at all) due to the relatively low market share.
The primary reason OS X is secure is due to it's BSD Unix underpinnings. Side by side, you would have no better luck hacking a BSD Unix box than you would an OS X box. On the other hand, if you put a Windows PC next to an OS X Mac, you will have a practically infinitely *easier* time hacking into the Windows PC than you would the OS X Mac. Windows is just plain less secure, market share considered or not.
Other than that, I'm just not too paranoid. I don't visit sites that concern me so I have no need for proxies. There is no spyware for OS X since the security is too high. None of the malicious website scripts run in OS X browsers as they do in IE on Windows. And the only ports open through my firewall are for bittorrent, and that's to only one of the active Macs on our network.
-TM
As Trouty pointed to ( hello trout long tiome no speak :) ) a linux based box is the way to go but you have to put the effort in to learn. Im just getting into linux now, from what i've experienced and been told virii are almost always made to get windows boxes ( I've never had a virus on my slackware linux box ).
Using a linux box does require learning, this knowledge you aquire is the main thing though...when you start learning more you start realising the possible security threats. Linux is free also!
Booosh
Good points, guys. How about partitioning your harddrive so that you can run linux on one side and windoz on the other? Use the linux side for browsing and the windoz side for progs and things that are not compatible to linux. I just don't know if you can partition your hd after it's already been set up with one of the spyware friendly versions of M$. Can you do an after the fact partition if you have enough space left?
Stoney
If you are wanting to dual boot, you have to install windows and then partition your hard drive.
In my experience, windows will not install if you already have a linux partition.
Most of the more user friendly linux distros will give you the option of partitioning automatically or manually during installation.
Just make sure you defragment your windows partition before you install linux to avoid any potential data loss.
QuoteIf you are wanting to dual boot, you have to install windows and then partition your hard drive.
In my experience, windows will not install if you already have a linux partition.
Most of the more user friendly linux distros will give you the option of partitioning automatically or manually during installation.
Just make sure you defragment your windows partition before you install linux to avoid any potential data loss.
I logged in before I posted and it still showed up as guest?
Can the admins disable guest posting?
I use the firewall in OS X, and Little Snitch, shareware that tells me when a program tries get online.
For the PC (used only to print shipping labels) I used AdAware SE, Spybot, MS's new anti-spyware thing, Zone Alarm and the Windows firewall. And I think in has Symantec anti-virus software.
Both machines are part of a home network using a shared modem with a firewall. (Thanks bro!)
I delete cookies daily, anything I don't recognize, but am not really knowledgable about them.
For the guy who wanted the dual boot....
Get Partition Magic and you can divide your HD's partitions easily. You will need a bootloader though like Grub. When you set up your linux partition, you will need a swap partition too. You can look up how to set up partitions for a linux installation on the net anywhere.
SpyBot Search and Destroy and Adaware are some excellent free programs. BCWipe and Eraser are a couple other great security freeware programs that don't deal with spyware, just wipe up what you already tried to delete on your computer but is still lurking waiting to be recovered by some forensic software. Some buds who managed to acquire some of the forensic sofware used by federal agencies to detect "deleted" data ran a wide range of erasing software, both freeware and expensive software, only eraser did the trick and BCWipe came in second.
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/)
Here's a couple other good spyware tools and references:
http://pestpatrol.com/downloads/eval/download.asp (http://pestpatrol.com/downloads/eval/download.asp)
- you can download the trial or just click on the pestscan button and get an online scan with directions on how to manually remove any pests uncovered by the scan. This one is pretty good as it detected things that SpyBot S&D and Adaware didn't.
http://www.spywarewarrior.com (http://www.spywarewarrior.com)
- Some very good forums on spyware and good folks who'll examine your highjackthis logs and give you some tips on what to do with it.
http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareguard.html (http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareguard.html)
- This one is like a firewall spyware protection addition that works to block the spyware before it hits your computer.
- Also check out your advanced Spybot S&D and you'll find a recommendation and link to Spyware Blaster, download and install it.
http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~ehowes/resource.htm (http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~ehowes/resource.htm)
- IE-Spyad is a nifty little preemptive tool to block out known spyware sites, install and it simply adds these sites to your IE disallow list.
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark, ... ~mode=flat (http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7833532~root=security,1~mode=flat)
I use Microsoft Virtual PC to run non-OSX operating systems. Actually, I only use Windows XP Pro to test my websites in IE/Windows.
Recently, several new and less expensive PC emulators for OS X have begun to surface.
-TM
crossbreed wrote:
>In my experience, windows will not install if you already have a linux partition.
If you have drive C with linux you can't install windoz in drive D after partition?
trancend wrote:
>Get Partition Magic and you can divide your HD's partitions easily. You will need a bootloader though like Grub. When you set up your linux partition, you will need a swap partition too. You can look up how to set up partitions for a linux installation on the net anywhere.
It started to sound easy but partition magic isn't enough? Is pm a freeware? Why do I need a bootloader? I've partitioned a harddrive before but I think it was after I formatted it. I also think I ran into some problems with drivers when I tried to set back up. I do not want to format again. Perhaps I'll wait until I buy another computer and have it done before I get it. Mine is over 3 years old and is getting creaky. The hard drive sometimes makes noises which makes me uneasy.
Stoney
QuoteIf you have drive C with linux you can't install windoz in drive D after partition?
Not in my experience.
You can have drive C with windows and then install linux, but not the other way around.
I have only tried it with Windows 95 and 98, so things might have changed.
Some versions of linux will let you install them into a folder inside windows, but they are usually slower.
That is always an option if you don't want to partition your HD.
QuoteIt started to sound easy but partition magic isn't enough? Is pm a freeware? Why do I need a bootloader?
Installing linux is very easy now compared to several years ago.
The new version of Partition Magic is $70, but it is not needed.
All of the popular linux distributions (SUSE, Mandrake, Fedora etc.) will let you modify partitions during the installation.
A bootloader allows you to chosse which operating system you want to boot.
It is set up during the installation of linux.
QuoteAll of the popular linux distributions (SUSE, Mandrake, Fedora etc.) will let you modify partitions during the installation.
A bootloader allows you to chosse which operating system you want to boot.
It is set up during the installation of linux.
Ya but I don't think the linux distros come with a program that will modify your partitions without deleting your data.
I mean the easiest way to boot linux/windows is to have 2 HDs and then select which one to boot to in the BIOS. But if you only have one HD then you will need some individual partitions and since he has windows installed and he's dual booting he probably doesn't want to reinstall it after his data gets wiped.
QuoteIt started to sound easy but partition magic isn't enough? Is pm a freeware? Why do I need a bootloader?
PM isn't freeware but you can get it on bittorrent in 5 seconds. You need a bootloader to choose which operating system you want to load. I don't know much about them but when I installed gentoo I needed a boot partition (make it like 30 megs, located at the beginning of the HD is best), a partition for linux, and a swap partition. It sounds complicated but once you read the appropriate documentation for the version of linux you want to install it's will be more understandable.
Basically your boot loader will be run from the Master Boot Sector of the HDD. It will then ask you what you want to run (Windows or Linux).
[/quote]
QuoteYa but I don't think the linux distros come with a program that will modify your partitions without deleting your data.
They do not delete your data unless you tell them to take over the disk during installation.
I have installed all of the distributions I mentioned, and quite a few others, onto computers with a pre-existing windows partition without data loss.
QuoteBut if you only have one HD then you will need some individual partitions and since he has windows installed and he's dual booting he probably doesn't want to reinstall it after his data gets wiped.
His data will not get wiped unless he tells the installation to take over the HD.
This is sounding interesting. So I can just buy mandrake off the shelf, install it on my hd and it'll set itself up and partition the hd? Now what about picking which one I want to start from? Lets say I install linux and partition off 10gb for that. I have over 30gb available so that should be no problem. When I turn on the computer, does it automatically start up in windoz like usual or does it give me a choice? Would I start in win and then restart in linux? Any of those would work for me. The bootloader sounds like a nifty option but do I need it? crossbreed, you've done it so I think you know the answer.
If that's all there is to it I'll get linux for sure. I'd love to do all my browsing in the linux partition and keep the other part for running progs and storing my pics and data. I could save stuff in a temp file in linux and transfer it over to the windoz side and delete it from the linux side. Does that sound like a good plan? I'm thinking if somehow a trojan or spyware did get picked up, it would be on the linux side since that's where I would be browsing from and it could only access my files there which would be little or nothing. Linux is supposed to be a lot safer anyway. Are there issues in using mozilla, netscape or ie with linux or is that a whole big subject you'd rather not get into?
Stoney
Stoney
yes, you will be using a bootloader. the way they work is that it will load up with the OS's you have installed and you select the one you wish to boot into. it also has a count down timer, so you if dont press any keys for 30 seconds (for example) then the default OS loads automatically.
though you certainly can support the mandrake team and pay for their OS, you can also DL it for free. check out //http://linuxiso.org/ to find images of all your favorite linux distros.
good luck. you'll have fun and learn a ton doing the installation. the first time you succesfully dual boot will be triumphant!
QuoteI could save stuff in a temp file in linux and transfer it over to the windoz side and delete it from the linux side. Does that sound like a good plan?
I don't know which version of windows you are using, but windows 95 and 98 will not recognize the linux partition.
However, the windows partition can be accessed from within linux.
QuoteAre there issues in using mozilla, netscape or ie with linux or is that a whole big subject you'd rather not get into?
It might be possible to run IE in linux with a windows emulator(ex. wine), but why would you want to?
I use Firefox in both windows and linux.
crossbreed wrote:
>I don't know which version of windows you are using, but windows 95 and 98 will not recognize the linux partition.
What about win2k? Are bootloaders freeware?
More great news about Windows XP:
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,17 ... X1K0000594 (http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1757786,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03119TX1K0000594)
"Microsoft Corp. on Monday confirmed it was investigating a claim by a Russian security researcher that two key security technologies built into Windows XP Service Pack 2 could be easily defeated......."
-TM
Hm, shut down and boot into a new system... With Virtual PC, there is no need to shut down to start a new system. You can run OS X, several varieties of Windows and Linux simultaneously on one Mac, dragging files between each OS or whatever. You wouldn't want to play any graphic-intensive games but everything else is fully functional.
Virtual PC is also available for Windows to run other OSs simultaneously on PC hardware as well, but since the base OS is Windows you wouldn't gain security that way.
-TM
When it comes to linux flavors, I recommend trying Knoppix or maybe MEPIS live cd's before making the migration.
i've had problems with the GRUB boot loader when trying to dual os.
Keep a copy of your windows cd handy, just in case. If you get a problem with GRUB you can fix your boot sectors by booting up the cd, running a recovery console and then after entering the prompt typing "fixmbr" and then "fixboot"
-j.
no need to run virtual PC and emulate an OS as you would with a PPC system trying to run an x86 OS, since your running two OS's that run natively on x86. and you get the added benefit of not having to deal with the sluggish performance of an emulator.
it is neat on my G4 how i have the ability to boot into OS X, and then load x-windows. i can switch between OS X and gnome/kde with a few keystrokes. i suppose that's the benefit of having the *nix based OS X. basicallly just switching window managers (aqua for kde, for example), and it "feels" like your switching operating systems.
Quote from: "jonah"i've had problems with the GRUB boot loader when trying to dual os.
-j.
I have also had problems with GRUB.
Suse has a Live-Evaluation cd or dvd if you want to try linux before you start modifying partitions.
If you can find the december issue of Linux magazine, it comes with a Suse 9.1 Professional DVD.
The installation is incredibly easy and the OS is very easy to navigate.
I'm going to be buying a computer soon. Can I have it preloaded with windoz and partition it later and put on linux? Or do I have to set all that up at the beginning? They usually come with the os already installed so it would be nice to be able to add linux later if I could.
Hi Stone,
There are a few vendors out there that will sell pre-installed linux PCs, very few but then I have never looked to any great depth. You could always go for a self build but that isn't everyones cup of tea. That would put Windows out of the equasion.
If you are looking to have a dual boot so that you have the Windows that you are familar with and the GNU/Linux that you want to experiance I would recomend you ask the vendors to be precice on answering one particular question, does it come with a Windows restore disk or a Windows install disk. In fact, I think most supply the install disk these days and I have made it up about some vendoes only having restore disks.
Dell I know for certain (in the UK at least when you buy from the business outlet) give you a full install disk. Nuke the HD, repartiation using the Windows installer and install Windows in the new sized partition. Once running, get your GNU/Linux distro of choice and install in the remaining diskspace. Beware on Dells, there is a partition that contains the factory reset data, only remove this partition if you are absolutly sure you never want the preconfigured Dell set up. It is no great loss to leave it be, it will only occupy 50Mb of space.
If all else fails, you might want to invest in a copy of Partition Magic.
I just ordered a computer and it's got the system restore on it. If I got partition magic would that allow me to partition it without formatting the hd? I really don't want to format because there is always trouble with drivers or some damn thing and I will end up having to pay $100 an hour to have it fixed. Hmmm, anybody got a copy of partition magic?
QuoteIf I got partition magic would that allow me to partition it without formatting the hd?
Most mainstream linux distributions have partitioning software built into the installer.
You can partition without having to format the entire drive, but you still have to format the linux partition you created.
I would recommend using a live evaluation cd before trying to partition your hard drive.
In another post you said that you wanted to browse in your linux partition.
Unless you ordered your computer with a hardware modem instead of a winmodem, that might be a problem.
If you have a cable or dsl modem there shouldn't be a problem.
Thanks, crossbreed. That sounds very good. I'll look for a copy of mandrake or redhat and see if it has the partition software built in. I don't even have a modem on my new pc but I have an nic card and a stand alone cable modem. If it screws up, the system restore should be able to untangle things. On my old 40 gig hd I had about 90% unused and my new one has 80 gig so I shouldn't run out of space.