How to Automatically Update Your Software

Part of security maintenance is making sure that your software gets the latest updates. If you have a Windows computer, there is a great software package that will help you do this: Personal Software Inspector (PSI). For Windows users, I recommend that you download and install this program right away.

Secunia PSI inventories the software […]

How To Protect Your Wireless Network

First of all, you DID turn on encryption for your wireless network, didn’t you? If you wireless network is unencrypted, then anyone driving by can connect to your network, and try to steal information from your computers. (This is called wardriving. And, there is a newer version where the bad guys can do the same […]

How to Configure a Hardware Firewall

Devices that provide hardware firewalls usually need to be configured. It may be that the default factory settings are OK, and you don’t need to do anything extra. But, it would be good to contact your ISP, and ask if they have instructions for configuring your firewall with high security.

For example, I just installed […]

How to Keep Top-Secret Documents Off the Internet

I don’t know about you, but I don’t have any top-secret documents. But, suppose you use Quicken. Suppose you have a secret plan to become the world’s next billionaire. Suppose you don’t want the NSA prying into the photo collection of your, um, kids. Well, don’t connect your computer to the Internet.

Some people may […]