The Four Rules of Home Computer Security

Computer security is on a lot of peoples' minds. And there are lots of companies out there offering all sorts of ways to stay hack proof. Most high-end products are geared toward large enterprises. This makes sense since they are worth millions or billions of dollars. Security companies go where the money leads. But what about the typical home computer user? How can novice users traverse this brave new world? Let's take a look at my four rules for home computer security.

Let's face it, the internet can be like the wild west. You never know what you're going to find and it's hard to trust anyone. But a little caution can go a long way. The first rule to keep in mind is the rule of the low hanging fruit. What's fruit have to do with computer security? Well, actually it has a lot to do with computer security. People tend to go after the path of least resistance. If you were to pick fruit off a tree, which fruit would you go after? Would you go after the fruit at the top of the tree or would you go after the one hanging in your face? Of course, you would go after the low hanging fruit. Hackers are no different. They will tend to exploit the targets that promise the biggest bang for the least effort. If you require more effort to hack, most hackers will pass you by.

The second rule is the rule of the front door. You never, ever want to hook your computer directly up to the internet. A caveat to this rule is if you know what you're doing and set up a firewall directly on that computer. There are other considerations, but I'm going after straight-forward solutions for you. What I mean is that you never want to hook a DSL or cable modem directly into your computer. You always want to put some type of router between the modem and your computer. This can be a simple dsl/cable router from someone like Linksys. This helps to segment a private network from the public internet network. Let me use an analogy. If you hook up your computer directly to your modem, it's like opening your front door and letting anyone into your house. There is no barrier between you and the outside world. However, if you put a router between the modem and your computer, it's like closing that door on the front of your house. Now, only certain, trusted people are allowed in.

The third rule is the rule of pest control. Please don't run a computer without virus protection. You can have the best front door in the world, but if you let the back door open it's useless. Anti virus programs help control loopholes in trusted communication lines. A friend of mine got a floppy from a friend. He then quickly copied a presentation for a corporate client on it. He went to the client, inserted the floppy, and was greeted by an obnoxious virus alert. The client was furious, my friend was highly embarrassed, but the software did its job. Never run a computer without virus protection. And these days, you need spyware protection. There are some great free ones out there like Spybot Search and Destroy. I also like SpywareGuide's Xscan for interval scanning.

The fourth rule is the rule of sewing. Ok, I'm not talking about sewing in the traditional sense. I'm talking about putting patches on - on your operating system that is. If you are using Windows, you need to make sure windows update is set to automatically download updates. Security patches regularly come out and you would be less than wise to ignore them. And be warned, in this day and age, some security issues involve simply visiting malicious websites to breech your security. Don't be a victim, be prepared.

While this certainly won't fend off the most hardened hacker, it will keep most at bay. It's sort of like home security. Is a thief going to target the home with lax security or the one with great security? I'll leave that answer to you.

For more great technology tips, visit PaulTech at: http://www.gopaultech.com

Home Security Systems

Not all homes are secure. Family members need to make it safe from intruders and calamities such as fire. People try to make homes safe by keeping doors locked, lights on, and valuables hidden in clever places. But burglars are a clever breed who try to devise ways to break into the safest of homes. One of the best ways to keep them out is to use a quality electronic security system. A security system is a comprehensive arrangement of control panels, touch pads, sirens and smoke and motion sensors. There are several kinds of security systems available in many prices. Choice depends on size of the house, features, number of products used, and advancement of systems. A suitable combination can be worked out according to specific budgets. Many professional companies help decide on what is suitable and available for a given home.

Basic machinery of a home security system includes control panel, touchpad, backup battery, telephone line seizure, a digital dialer linked to a central monitoring station, a siren, inside motion detectors, door and window sensors. A control panel operates the whole process and a touch pad is required to enter our command. A siren is required to announce arrival of intruders and also scare them. Some alarm systems dial police station automatically or sound loud. Poor quality alarms may also raise false alarms and just harass everybody around. There are different kinds of sensors available such as magnetic contacts, infrared, photoelectric, ultrasonic or microwave detectors, window shock sensor and so on. One can also install closed-circuit TV and private television system to monitor inside or outside activities. While installing a centrally operative security system there is choice between wired and wireless, each of them having their own advantages and disadvantages.

A good system can give protection to possessions, peace of mind and a sense of being secure. It should cover the whole home. If at all one decides to implement a home security system, one should go for good quality even if it costs little more. Reliability is the most important thing.

Home Security Systems provides detailed information on Home Security, Home Security Systems, Wireless Home Security Systems, Home Security Cameras and more. Home Security Systems is affiliated with Home Security Alarm Systems.

Wireless Home Security: Is it for you?

There is no question that the world is a more dangerous place today than it used to be. There are many of us who remember when we could leave our doors unlocked and we knew everyone who came into our neighborhood. There was a time when crime was a distant thing and not something that was up close and personal.

However, your home is still your castle, so you must protect it and you can?t dig a moat. What are you to do? Home security systems are your modern day moat - providing an invisible barrier between you and the outside world.

But with so many choices how do you choose? And which is better for you - wired or wireless?

'Wireless' is a big part of our modern lives for a good reason. Wireless home security offers virtually the same security as wired and it?s easier to install.

The system operates simply. A wireless home security system includes the security device itself which sends a radio message to a receiver that then sets off an alarm or calls the police or security agency. Really simple.

One big advantage to a wireless home security system is that the devices can be placed in an area where a hardwire system is impossible or undesirable. Remember that the security device that you hook up to your wireless home security system can be a video camera, a motion detector, or a mechanical device that tells you when a door or window is opened. You can even hook a wireless home security system, particularly in the case of a camera, right to your computer.

Wireless means portable and with the right software you can even keep an eye on your domain while you?re at the office or on vacation. Mom or dad can monitor the interior of their home while away: watching children, babysitter, pets, etc. You can have a powerful, global-wide video surveillance system in just a few minutes.

Another plus for wireless home security is that it?s not just for people who live in houses or who own their own homes. When you?re renting someone else's place you certainly don?t want to spend a lot of money putting in a wired security system - you need a portable, wireless security system.

Amy Herndon is a recognized authority on home security and personal safety. Her web site: www.azhsurveillance.com has even more information and tools for home security and surveillance.

Wireless Home Security: Is it for you?

There is no question that the world is a more dangerous place today than it used to be. There are many of us who remember when we could leave our doors unlocked and we knew everyone who came into our neighborhood. There was a time when crime was a distant thing and not something that was up close and personal.

However, your home is still your castle, so you must protect it and you can?t dig a moat. What are you to do? Home security systems are your modern day moat - providing an invisible barrier between you and the outside world.

But with so many choices how do you choose? And which is better for you - wired or wireless?

'Wireless' is a big part of our modern lives for a good reason. Wireless home security offers virtually the same security as wired and it?s easier to install.

The system operates simply. A wireless home security system includes the security device itself which sends a radio message to a receiver that then sets off an alarm or calls the police or security agency. Really simple.

One big advantage to a wireless home security system is that the devices can be placed in an area where a hardwire system is impossible or undesirable. Remember that the security device that you hook up to your wireless home security system can be a video camera, a motion detector, or a mechanical device that tells you when a door or window is opened. You can even hook a wireless home security system, particularly in the case of a camera, right to your computer.

Wireless means portable and with the right software you can even keep an eye on your domain while you?re at the office or on vacation. Mom or dad can monitor the interior of their home while away: watching children, babysitter, pets, etc. You can have a powerful, global-wide video surveillance system in just a few minutes.

Another plus for wireless home security is that it?s not just for people who live in houses or who own their own homes. When you?re renting someone else's place you certainly don?t want to spend a lot of money putting in a wired security system - you need a portable, wireless security system.

Amy Herndon is a recognized authority on home security and personal safety. Her web site: www.azhsurveillance.com has even more information and tools for home security and surveillance.

Is Homeland Security ?The Last Comic Standing??

The Department of Homeland Security (?DHS?), the brainchild of this current administration, has an operating budget for 2006 of $40.6 billion. After three years and more than $100 billion, have we really reached the point were we can sleep better at night with the knowledge that our ?Leaders? are doing everything possible to protect us against those terrorists attacks.

According to the Government Accountability Office (?GAO?), nothing has changed since the inception of the DHS in 2003. During their most recent test of nine US border crossings: California, Texas, Arizona, Michigan, New York, Idaho and Washington, the GAO investigators were able to penetrate all nine border crossings using fake ID's and phony names.

Terrorists or criminals can "pass freely into the United States ... with little or no chance of being detected," the GAO concludes in testimony given to the Senate Finance Committee. The investigators used readily available computers and software to create these counterfeit driver's licenses and documents. None of the Customs and Border Protection agents "ever questioned the authenticity of the counterfeit documents." The GAO also said similar tests in 2003 produced similar results.

According to the DHS, it has trained border agents to spot fake documents and the agents intercepted more than 75,000 last year, but the job is complicated by the huge variety of legitimate documents. More than 8,000 are used to enter the country, including easy-to-forge licenses and birth certificates.

So let me make sure I understand this: three years, $100 billion, the complete erosion of our Civil Liberties, invasion of our privacy during phone calls, surveillance on our bank accounts and arresting citizens and denying them legal counsel, but yet the test results are the same as 2003. Am I missing something here or is the DHS the biggest joke ever played on the American public.

Why is it that whenever we get near to a budget or increased funding hearing for the DHS at the Senate Finance Committee we seem to suddenly be bombarded with new terrorists threats or new information about a pending attack? Do they really think we are all that stupid or is it that they just have so little respect for us, they just don't care!

So what did we get for our money and loss of Civil Liberties? Michael Chertoff, the Homeland Security Secretary, applauded increased funding and changes to the Department of Homeland Security?s organization during a ceremony at the White House in October last year where President Bush signed the FY 2006 Homeland Security Appropriations Act. He outlined an integrated Preparedness Directorate to enhance coordination and deployment of preparedness assets and training at a cost of $4 billion.

What were they doing for the last three years? Secretary Chertoff, earlier this year, outlined a new six-point agenda which included the following: the creation of an Office of Intelligence and Analysis to be led by a Chief Intelligence Officer by separating and elevating the Information Analysis component of IAIP. Wow this sounds important. He also wants to establish an Operations Office, which will include the Homeland Security Operations Center. Then there's the Office of Policy and the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs.

I am now sure there must be a department within DHS that has an operating title of Formation of Stupid Titles for Departments to Increase Funding.

Have an opinion or a question you would like me to answer, then write me!

Your? Money Matters By Carl Hampton From the Author of ?From Credit Despair To Credit Millionaire? http://www.CarlHampton.com http://www.fcdtcm.com

A safe world with home security

Nowadays, it seems that the necessity for enhanced, superior home security is increasing. The advancement of technology and the improvement of the means (tools, devices) which facilitate intruders? access into other people?s homes resul

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Nowadays, it seems that the necessity for enhanced, superior home security is increasing. The advancement of technology and the improvement of the means (tools, devices) which facilitate intruders? access into other people?s homes result in an upgrade of the security systems as well which, in turn, can prevent housebreakers from breaking in. Common sense tells us all that it is always best to be on the safe side. One manner of making sure that you and your dear ones are protected is given by studying and putting into real practice some of the diverse ways in which you can build up or improve your home security.

Here, and nowadays, there is one crucial advantage: security systems, on account of speedy and uninterrupted development of technological equipment and stratagems, are available at lower and lower costs. Competition is born along with the progress of technology, a situation out of which the consumer ? in our case, the homeowner who wishes to actually hold a confirmation of his home security ? extracts most of the benefits ? in our case the diminishing of the costs of security systems. In fact, in the field of security systems, the variety of products and the range of prices is remarkable. Practically, there are options for both deep pockets and more restricted ones, each product built to support successful home security. From security systems created to supervise your residence as long as you are away, to shatterproof locks and security systems based on sonorous alarms, the display of home security devices is substantial. And, since the offer of security systems is so generous, why not try one?

The advantages of security systems converge into one area, easy to guess from the very designation that we use: they give you the benefit of protection. The protection that security systems can provide is available for all varieties of houses. Whether you live in a detached house, share a duplex, live in a terraced house or have your home in an apartment building, security systems can take care of practically each home. And they are not made for protecting you only from burglars.

Houses, wherever or however they are built, can be threatened by other dangers as well. Home security means preventing those dangers from occurring as well. For instance, most frequently, basic security systems are being installed in order to prevent fires or in order to diminish their strength until firemen arrive at the scene. Fire extinguishers and fire alarms may prove useful for your home security and they easily manageable too. As for intruders, an apartment in an apartment building is worth securing with security systems more advanced than the unpretentious, minimal fire alarms. It?s no news that many people come and go as they wish in an apartment edifice and, although these people may seem indistinct, or even insignificant, it is precisely their apparent insignificance which is unsafe. In this case, elementary home security can be made available by such essential security systems as are those represented by high-quality illumination of the shared places in the building ? like the stairs or the corridors ? or by making sure that the door to your apartment is protected by some functioning deadlock.

Nonetheless, home security may request more than just the basic security systems given as examples. Normally, such basic home security is equal, in fact, with protecting, let?s say it like that, the ?limits? of your home. The ?limits? are the doors, and you may want safety beyond those doors as well. In this case, what you need is something more complex, which will guarantee, nonetheless, some more sophisticated degree of home security. This means that you may need ? additionally, because doors mustn?t be neglected in any way ? safety contacts for your windows and even sensors in case glass is broken. And even if more high-tech devices are being proposed to you, don?t worry that you may get confused about how to set them to operate: reliable security companies will provide you with security systems instruction manuals and even with qualified assistance.

In other words, if something?s worth doing, then it?s worth doing well ? a saying that becomes particularly accurate when home security is at risk. There?s no use gambling with your home security as long as there are affordable and reliable instruments of rendering it an almost 100% sure thing. Taking everything into account, there?s no place like home, and what wouldn?t you do for your own home?s safety?

A wide range of security systems is available for you to improve your home security and the feeling of being safe in a dangerous and unpredictable world.