5 Essential Steps to PC Security   |
| This is a very nice 3 page article in Information Week by Fred Langa. It covers the basics, but also offers links to mentioned products. Good resource if you're not sure where to start or want to find other vendors. |
| 5-Minute Security Advisor - The Road Warrior's Guide to Laptop Protection |
| A 5 Minute guide produced by the Microsoft TechNet folks that offers 5 key areas to protecting your notebook. Some of the items are a bit techy, but a good read for everyone concerned with data. |
| Anti-Spyware Test (guide) |
| This is a paper on spyware written by Eric Howes who is a graduate student at Univ of Illinois. Paper has some nice comparative reviews, but is technical. |
| AVAST Anti-virus Home Edition |
| This is another quality free anti-virus solution for home users. The product is not for businesses and does require you to register the program to continue using it past the trial program. I'm presently using it on my notebook and have been pleased with the performance. |
AVG Anti-virus Software  |
| While you may not have heard Grisoft, they've been providing anti-virus software for some time. Although it doesn't come with support except for a FAQ, it provides excellent coverage. |
| CA Free Online Spyware Scanner |
| This site performs an online scan using the Pest Patrol engine. It will identify spyware items, but will NOT remove them. |
| Cyber Security Tips |
| This is a series of tips published by the US Computer Emergency Readiness Team. The tips provide useful information on protecting your computer and information. The articles are written for non-technical users. |
| Effectively Erasing Files (CERT Advisory) |
| Before selling or discarding an old computer, or throwing away a disk or CD, you naturally make sure that you've copied all of the files you need. You've probably also attempted to delete your personal files so that other people aren't able to access them. However, unless you have taken the proper steps to make sure the hard drive, disk, or CD is erased, people may still be able to resurrect those files. |
| GFI Email Anti Virus and Security Test Zone |
| Like Qualys, GFI's business is corporate security. They provide security and messaging software for corporations. They also provide this free suite of email tests that cover everything from ActiveX to viruses. |
| GRC Shields Up Port Test |
| This test developed by Steve Gibson quickly scans the first 1056 ports on your computer for vulnerabilities. The test takes several minutes and color codes each port based on the status of open, closed or stealth.
You can also test specific ports that are in a higher range. Please note, you need to scroll down the page and click on the ShieldsUp link. |
| Microsoft's Security at Home |
| This site is a good starting place to find items relating to product security for Microsoft programs. The site is geared more towards home users rather than developers. |
| Qualys Browser Checkup |
| This is a browser test for people using Internet Explorer with Windows. Even if IE isn't your main browser, you should test it for vulnerabilities since it's closely tied to your operating system. |
| Scanit Web Browser Security Check |
| These folks provide a nice suite of tests against your web browser. One nice feature is you can limit the test by your browser. So, if you're using Firefox you don't have to engage in the IE tests and vice versa. |
| Security Glossary |
| This resource will hopefully prove to be useful in helping you to understand the jargon within the information security industry. I don't like the color scheme, but that shouldn't take away from the definitions. |
| Spybot Search and Destroy |
| This shareware program has long been a favorite spyware identification and removal tool. The program can find many of the pests that hide in your machine as well as immunize programs. |
| The Spyware warrior |
| This is a site put together by Eric Howes who is now Director of Malware Research for Sunbelt Software. The site has numerous resources on spyware such as which sites and products are bad or questionable. Other sections involve how to look at advertising and what to do if you get infected. He even has a section on trustworthy software which lists specific products by name. |
| US CERT Advisory - Recognizing and Avoiding Spyware |
| Good page defining spyware and how it can affect you. The page also provides some tips on preventing and removing spyware.US-CERT is a partnership between Homeland Security and the public and private sectors. |
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