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Technology in Action Companion Web Site: www.pearsonhighered.com/techinaction. Here you’ll find additional resources to support and supplement chapter topics, including an Online Study Guide and Web Research Projects.

24x7 Pearson Product Support: http://247pearsoned.custhelp.com. Use this site to obtain help by phone, e-mail, or chat, or explore the knowledge base to find answers right on the site.

Chapter 9: Securing Your System: Protecting Your Digital Data and Devices

Keeping Your Data Safe

IC3: http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx. A partnership among the FBI, BJA, and NW3C that serves to collect, develop, and refer cybercrime complaints.
CAPTCHA: http://www.google.com/recaptcha. A small Web applet that helps Web forms validate that entries are indeed being submitted by humans and not malicious Web crawlers.

Computer Threats: Computer Viruses

Types of Viruses

Different Types of Computer Viruses: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/different-types-of-computer-viruses.html. A description of the various types of virus models out in the wild.
Computer Knowledge VTutor: www.cknow.com/cms/categories/vtutor/vtutor-introduction.html. Tutorials and articles about computer viruses.
Microsoft Help and Support: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/129972. This article explains viruses and lists symptoms of a virus infection.
Microsoft Security on Viruses: www.microsoft.com/security/antivirus/whatis.aspx. An explanation of viruses and how to avoid them.
PCWorld: www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/147172/recovering_from_the_encryption_virus.html. Advice on how to recover files from an encryption virus.
WikiHow: www.wikihow.com/Remove-a-Boot-Sector-Virus. Steps to remove a boot sector virus.

Computer Safeguards: Antivirus and Software Updates

Antivirus Software

Symantec: http://www.symantec.com. A provider of antivirus software.
AVG: http://www.free.avg.com. Download AVG Antivirus Free Edition to protect your computer from viruses.
Microsoft Security Essentials: http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/. Microsoft’s free all-in-one security, spyware, malicious software, and virus detection program.
cnet Download: http://download.cnet.com/windows. Download software to meet your needs, such as antivirus, firewall, and security software.
Download.com: www.download.com. Plenty of shareware and freeware applications for mobile platforms.
TechFAQ: www.tech-faq.com/malware.shtml. Lots of information about computer viruses and antivirus software.

Software Updates

Mac OS X: Updating Your Software: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1338?viewlocale=en_US. Learn how to schedule automatic updates in Mac OS X.

Computer Threats: Hackers

PBS Frontline: Hackers: www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/hackers. A report on the exploits of hackers.
Hacking Alert: www.hackingalert.com/hacking-articles/white-hat-hacker.php. Read about the difference between white hat hackers and gray hat hackers.
Denial of Service Attacks

CERT: www.cert.org/tech_tips/denial_of_service.html. Here is a description of denial of service attacks as well as examples.

Restricting Access to Your Digital Assets

Firewalls

Firewall: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewall_(computing). A brief description of firewalls, how they work, and the different types available.

Types of Firewalls

Personal Firewall Reviews: www.firewallguide.com/software.htm. Here is a comparison of firewalls.

Knowing Your Computer Is Secure

Gibson Research Corporation: http://www.grc.com. Provider of software to protect your computer, including vulnerability checking software.

Preventing Bluetooth Attacks

Bluetooth: http://www.bluetomorrow.com. The Bluetooth technology Web site.
Blogspot: http://bluesnarf.blogspot.com. A blog about bluesnarfing.
BlueTomorrow: www.bluetomorrow.com/content/section/177/281. A comprehensive guide to everything Bluetooth related.

Password Protection and Password Management

Creating Passwords

Bytes Interactive: http://www.goodpassword.com. Generate strong passwords with these password generator programs.
Microsoft Password Checker: http://microsoft.com/protect/yourself/password/checker.mspx. An online password strength tester.
Perfect Passwords: www.grc.com/passwords.htm. Gibson Research Corporation will generate a unique, random password for ultimate security online.
The Password Meter: http://www.passwordmeter.com/. Get an in-depth analysis on the strength of your password.

Anonymous Web Surfing: Hiding from Prying Eyes

IronKey: www.ironkey.com. Manufacturer of the world’s most secure flash drive and provider of remote management.
PenDriveLinux: www.pendrivelinux.com. The power of Linux on a flash drive.
Hotspot Shield: http://www.hotspotshield.com/. A free software utility that ensures all of your data is transmitted across the Internet through a virtual private network.

Biometric Authentication Devices

SecuGen: http://www.secugen.com/. Maker of biometric authenticating devices such as keyboards and mice.
Fujitsu: www.fujitsu.com/us/services/biometrics. See some biometric authentication products that are available today.

Managing Online Annoyances

Spam

SneakEmail.com: www.sneakemail.com. Disposable e-mail service designed to eliminate spam.
SPAMfighter: http://www.spamfighter.com/. A third-party spam filter available for many of the Microsoft and Mozilla e-mail programs.
Spam Laws: www.spamlaws.com. Up-to-date information on issues affecting Internet security.

Cookies

Kookaburra: www.kburra.com. Small footprint software, like Cookie Pal, designed for Windows that doesn’t waste system resources, particularly Internet connection and cookie management software.
Cookie Central: www.cookiecentral.com. Comprehensive resource on Internet cookies, including what they are, and how to block or stop them.

Protecting Yourself From Yourself

Protecting Your Personal Information

Anonymizer: www.anonymizer.com. A company that provides online privacy and identity protection solutions.
Controlling How You Share: http://www.facebook.com/#!/privacy/explanation.php. An in-depth explanation of the privacy settings available on Facebook.
10 Privacy Settings Every Facebook User Should Know: http://www.allfacebook.com/facebook-privacy-2009-02. A listing of the top 10 most valuable Facebook privacy and security settings.
FTC Identity Theft Site: http://consumer.gov/idtheft. The U.S. federal government site on identity theft.
Backing Up Your Data

IBackup: www.ibackup.com. Known best for Remote PC, IBackup also handles online backup and storage as well as the ability to connect to your personal computer from any location.
Genie-Soft: www.genie-soft.com. A Web site providing backup and security software solutions so you don’t lose the important data you store on your computer.
Digital Iron Mountain: http://backup.ironmountain.com. Easily and automatically back up your important data.
Mozy: http://mozy.com. An online computer backup resource.
Windows 7 Backup and Restore: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/features/backup-and-restore.aspx. A description and instructions for setting up backup and restore functionality in Windows 7.
Setting Up and Adjusting Time Machine: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.5/en/11421.html. Instructions for setting up and adjusting backup settings for Mac Time Machine.

Social Engineering: Fooling the Unwary

Federal Trade Commission: www.ftc.gov. The FTC is a government agency charged with protecting consumers.
Security Focus: www.securityfocus.com/infocus/1527. Social engineering is explained in easy-to-understand language.

Phishing and Pharming

Microsoft Security on Pharming: www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/phishing/pharming.mspx. Recognize the signs of pharming.
Microsoft Security on Phishing: www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/phishing/identify.mspx. Recognize the signs of phishing.

Hoaxes

Republic of Cascadia: www.zapatopi.net/treeoctopus. An example of a hoax Web site.
Snopes.com: www.snopes.com. Snopes is dedicated to busting urban legends. Check out this Web site if you want to know if that ominous e-mail you were forwarded is true or not.
TruthOrFiction: truthorfiction.com. A searchable database of hoaxes, e-rumors, viruses, and more.
Hoax-Slayer: www.hoax-slayer.com. A site that debunks e-mail hoaxes and Internet scams.

Protecting Your Physical Computing Assets

Deterring Theft

Software Alerts

Absolute Software: www.absolute.com. This company can physically recover stolen computers and remotely delete sensitive files as well as deliver state-of-the-art IT asset management.
Brigadoon Security Group: www.pcphonehome.com. Provides software to protect computers against theft.
Tealpoint Software: www.tealpoint.com. Creator of productivity-based software solutions for the Palm computing platform.

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