Some useful tips

Greetings. While I was surfing online today, I was inspired to write my first Newsletter for my group members. Since there are new security threats everyday, it is important to consider the following points. Most often, people want to know which firewall is good and where they can get them for free. Here is the link:
http://www.firewallguide.com/software.htm . There is major security flaw in Zone Alarm's freeware. You can find more
information about this if you look in Google. For those who don't want to search, here are some more links:
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/326371
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/55/31481.html
http://www.extremetech.com/article2...,1185848,00.asp
http://www.spywareinfo.com/articles...xploit_hoax.php

Recently, Cisco announced that they have a very serious flaw which could disable the whole device until you restart. For more information about this here are the links:
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,3959,1196606,00.asp
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105_2-1026518.html
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/perl/story/31142.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/djus/030718/1313000600_1.html

To fix this problem you can visit:
http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/70...7-blocked.shtml

Defacement

I still can't believe people deface web sites. Why? Maybe to test them? If anyone wants to take part in the defacement contest, here is the link:

http://www.defacers-challenge.com/

More info on the topic can be located at these URLs:

http://www.zone-h.org/en/news/read/id=3005/
http://www.zone-h.org/en/news/read/id=2986/
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,3959,1174323,00.asp
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t278-s2137062,00.html
http://www.vnunet.com/News/1142169

BigBrother
Everyone knows what BigBrother is and if you don't, stfw:
http://www.google.com/intl/xx-hacker/

It is important to know what the government is doing to protect your privacy. The US Government took some serious steps to bring those to justice who promise to give you security but don't deliver. For more information visit:

http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/171

Internet Security

This is a very sensitive issue since information flows over the internet and billions of dollars in transactions get completed over the net. I think getting a security certification or degree will help you not only to make your future better but also strenghten security globally. One security Certification you can get is CISSP. This is the most widely recognized security certification. Most information can
be found at
http://www.isc2.com
http://www.contingencyplanning.com/P.../mar2003/3.cfm
http://www.isse.gmu.edu/~csis/semina...csis_cissp.pdf
http://www.cissp.com

GSE(GIAC Certified Security Engineer)

http://www.giac.org

Certification: SCNA(Security Certified Network Architect)
http://www.securitycertified.net

Certification: SCNP(Security Certified Network Professional)
http://www.securitycertified.net

Certification: CISM(Certified Information Security Manager)
web site: http://www.isaca.org

Certification: CISA(Certified Information Systems Auditor)
web site: http://www.isaca.org

Certification: CCSA(Check Point Certified Security Administrator)
web site: http://www.checkpoint.com

Certification: CCSP(Cisco Certified Security Professional)
web site: http://www.cisco.com

Certification: SCSP(Symantec Certified Security Practitioner)
web site: http://www.symantec.com

How to protect your box

Well this is the sum of all fears isn't it? Most computer users just know the basics when it comes to computer security. They think having anti-virus software and a firewall is the end of the story. Well guess what, it is not. Thousands of people get online everyday and they are an open target to those who just wait and watch to strike. There is no way you could be ever 100% safe. But you could decrease the chances of a breach by setting your BIOS password and having your screensaver password protected. It is better if you have an anti virus protection. Use it to scan every file you download from web. Don't just eat what others give to you. Update your anti virus and firewall as much as possible. Always backup your data, and if you are not using the internet, disconnect. Pull the damn plug. Use encryption to encrypt your sesitive files and email messages. PGP is the best encryption tool:
http://www.pgpi.org

For more information:

http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/home_networks.html
http://www.computeractive.co.uk/Features/1138957

This is all for today. Until then, keep up the passion of learning.