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Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:00:00 GMT Alfresco founder says open source makes software better
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In 2005, Alfresco was the first open source software company in the UK to capture venture funding, for its collection of enterprise document management applications. John Powell, formerly the COO of Business Objects, and John Newton, founder of Documentum, got together to launch Alfresco because they wanted to create a business that would have "global reach," according to Powell. Right from the start, Powell and Newton knew that the best way to do that was to create and market an open source product.
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Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:05:22 GMT Patches coming today for DNS vulnerability
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Whether you're running Linux, Windows, Cisco, Sun, or other DNS servers, you are at risk from a newly discovered vulnerability. So says Dan Kaminsky, head of penetration testing research at IO Active, who accidently discovered the DNS "design flaw" earlier this year.
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Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:00:00 GMT Maemo 4.1 bring mail and packaging improvements to Nokia's Linux-based tablets
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Nokia released version 4.1 of it's Linux-based Internet Tablet platform Maemo last month. 4.1 is a minor update to the operating system, but it boasts two important features that answer long-held complaints: an improved open source email client, and migration to a package updating system more like that of a desktop Linux distribution.
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PC Protection Tips
Your computer, whether used for home, office or your home office is a valuable piece of equipment. Irrespective of how much you've purchased it for,
getting a virus or other hardware failure can be expensive to repair. To recover a hard drive that has failed completely can cost you around $600.00 US.
Removing a virus can cost you in the hundreds of dollars - not to mention your PC being left at a shop. Once the virus(s) have been removed - you may need
to re-install all your software. Some viruses can be that damaging. These simple tips will protect your PC from viruses and other common problems.
Virus Protection
Do you use virus protection software on your computer? If not, what is stopping you? Consider the cost of purchasing virus protection software versus
the cost of having the virus removed and possibly re-formatting your hard drive and re-installing software. What about the potential to lose information?
Viruses have been known to destroy files -- and they don't discriminate between digital family pictures or your letter to your aunt.
Backup Important Data
Backup your important data - namely your personal documents such as resumes, digital pictures, letters, reports, tax files and other such documents. Today,
CD re-writers can be purchased for under $79.00 and blank CD can be bought for far less for 100. On a monthly basis, you should back-up your important personal
information and store your CD in a safe place. If you have a bank safety deposit box, put the CD in there.
Laptop Security
Source: Metropolitan Police Department, Washington, District of Columbia
Laptop computer theft has been described as a 'high-growth' industry both in the United States and abroad. It is estimated that over 300,000 laptop computers were stolen in the US in 1999 alone.
Laptop computers have become a target of choice for thieves all over the country. Why? Because they are small, valuable, can be removed quickly, are easily hidden, and there is a market for them. A good laptop can be worth up to $5,000 or more. A thief can sell a stolen laptop to an unsuspecting used computer store or pawnshop, and easily receive up to half its value in cash. Another reason criminals find the laptop such an attractive item to steal is the legal consequence - most criminals know that the penalties for a property crime (theft) are less severe than those of a crime against a person (robbery).
The cost of a stolen laptop is not just its replacement cost, but also the cost of peripherals such as modems and network cards, the installed software, the cost of configuring and loading replacement software, and the cost of lost time for the laptop owner while the computer is being replaced. An even greater cost (especially if your employer issued your laptop) is the potential exposure and liability that results from lost confidential corporate and client information.
What can you do to reduce the risk of having your laptop stolen?
- Don't leave a laptop in an unlocked vehicle, even if the vehicle is in your driveway or garage, and never leave it in plain sight, even if the vehicle is locked—that's just inviting trouble. If you must leave your laptop in a vehicle, the best place is in a locked trunk. If you don't have a trunk, cover it up and lock the doors.
- Parking garages are likely areas for thefts from vehicles, as they provide numerous choices and cover for thieves. Again, never leave your laptop in plain sight; cover it or put it in the trunk.
- Do be aware of the damage extreme temperatures can cause to computers.
- Carry your laptop in a nondescript carrying case, briefcase, or bag when moving about. Placing it in a case designed for computers is an immediate alert to thieves that you have a laptop.
- Going to lunch, or taking a break? Don't leave a meeting or conference room without your laptop. Take it with you, or you run the risk that it won't be there when you return.
- Lock the laptop in your office during off-hours.
- Don't have your own office? Use a cable lock that wraps around a desk or chair leg. Or put the laptop in a locked closet or cabinet.
- Don't let unaccompanied strangers wander around in your workplace. Offer assistance and deliver the visitors to their destinations.
- Apply distinctive paint markings to make your laptop unique and easily identifiable. Liquid white-out is a good substance to apply.
- Consider purchasing one of the new theft alarm systems specially made for laptops.
- Be aware that if your computer is stolen, automatic log-ins can make it easy for a thief to send inappropriate messages with your account.
- Back up your information on disks today, and store the disks at home or the office.
Flying to a conference? Never check laptops as luggage at the airport because they can disappear. The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a warning about an increasingly common scam—stealing laptops from the conveyor belts of metal detectors. At the X-ray scanner two thieves get in line. The first one passes through the scanner quickly. The second person moves slowly, being delayed by pockets full of change, keys, or other items. Meanwhile, the travelers stuck behind the thief have already placed their belongings, including laptops, on the conveyor belt. The first thief picks up the laptop as if it were his or her own and walks away while the other thief continues to hold up the line. Only put your laptop on the conveyer belt when you are next to line. Keep your eye on your laptop as it comes off the conveyor belt. And alert security personnel right away if you think someone is attempting to steal your computer.
There are a variety of technologies that exist that can assist you in protecting your laptop computer. Here are two ways these new systems work:
- Two-way wireless security alarms for laptops consist of an alarm installed on the computer itself and a remote key-chain device. If the alarm detects movement, it first checks whether you're nearby. If not, your key-chain remote is alerted, emitting a "chirp." You can then choose to trigger the 110-decibel alarm on your laptop. The alarm can also be set to trigger solely on detecting motion.
- Another type of alarm works by setting up a security perimeter for the laptop. Moving the laptop beyond the perimeter sets off an alarm, locks keys to encrypted files, and disables the computer, making it useless to unauthorized users.
If a theft does occur, you must report it to the police department promptly. Users should have the make, model, and serial number available so police can file a complete report and enter the stolen laptop information immediately on the national crime information computer. If you have backed up all your data, all will not be lost for you. If you have sensitive and confidential information in your data, consider using encryption software.
Firewalls to Protect Data from Hackers
Source: United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT).
Copyright © 2004 Carnegie Mellon University.
What do firewalls do?
Firewalls provide protection against outside attackers by shielding your computer or network from malicious or unnecessary Internet traffic. Firewalls can be configured to block data from certain locations while allowing the relevant and necessary data through. They are especially important for users who rely on "always on" connections such as cable or DSL modems.
What type of firewall is best?
Firewalls are offered in two forms: hardware (external) and software (internal). While both have their advantages and disadvantages, the decision to use a firewall is far more important than deciding which type you use.
- Hardware - Typically called network firewalls, these external devices are positioned between your computer or network and your cable or DSL modem. Many vendors and some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) offer devices called "routers" that also include firewall features. Hardware-based firewalls are particularly useful for protecting multiple computers but also offer a high degree of protection for a single computer. If you only have one computer behind the firewall, or if you are certain that all of the other computers on the network are up to date on patches are free from viruses, worms, or other malicious code, you may not need the extra protection of a software firewall. Hardware-based firewalls have the advantage of being separate devices running their own operating systems, so they provide an additional line of defense against attacks. Their major drawback is cost, but many products are available for less than $100 (and there are even some for less than $50).
- Software - Some operating systems include a built-in firewall; if yours does, consider enabling it to add another layer of protection even if you have an external firewall. If you don't have a built-in firewall, you can obtain a software firewall for relatively little or no cost from your local computer store, software vendors, or ISP. Because of the risks associated with downloading software from the Internet onto an unprotected computer, it is best to install the firewall from a CD, DVD, or floppy disk. Although relying on a software firewall alone does provide some protection, realize that having the firewall on the same computer as the information you're trying to protect may hinder the firewall's ability to catch malicious traffic before it enters your system.
How do you know what configuration settings to apply?
Most commercially available firewall products, both hardware- and software-based, come configured in a manner that is acceptably secure for most users. Since each firewall is different, you'll need to read and understand the documentation that comes with it in order to determine whether or not the default settings on your firewall are sufficient for your needs. Additional assistance may be available from your firewall vendor or your ISP (either from tech support or a web site). Also, alerts about current viruses or worms (such as US-CERT's Cyber Security Alerts) sometimes include information about restrictions you can implement through your firewall.
Unfortunately, while properly configured firewalls may be effective at blocking some attacks, don't be lulled into a false sense of security. Although they do offer a certain amount of protection, firewalls do not guarantee that your computer will not be attacked. In particular, a firewall offers little to no protection against viruses that work by having you run the infected program on your computer, as many email-borne viruses do. However, using a firewall in conjunction with other protective measures (such as antivirus software and "safe" computing practices) will strengthen your resistance to attacks.
Check back often for more tips to protect your PC and its contents!
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and what you need to do to remedy them. We can even implement the solutions we suggest - from installing virus checkers, firewalls and spy removal software to hardware solutions such as backup systems.
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