Posts by :
- Any financial site, as in your bank, trading accounts, insurance, credit card institution or other such sites.
- Any online shopping site.
- Any site where you are required to exchange confidential information such as banks, credit bureaus, stock brokerage, and so on.
7 Easy Ways to Prevent Computer and Data Theft
March 17th, 2010
If you listened to our BlogTalk Radio Show today, then you will recognize this guest blog post! Any students reading this who work at the library or school systems, should look into the USB Port Block!
7 Easy Ways to Prevent Computer and Data Theft
By Christina Hansen
From banking and shopping to researching and applying for jobs, nearly every aspect of our daily lives has become faster and more convenient with the help of computers. Yet every day, the dark side of technology rears its ugly head. Between the virtual theft of personal information and the material theft of laptops and desktop computers, our desire for – and dependency on – technology can also put us at great risk for loss.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to protect your identity and personal property from falling into the wrong hands. In addition to digital safeguards like firewalls, filters, and anti-virus software, there are many other security devices that physically prevent theft and block unauthorized access to your computer drives, personal records, and online accounts.
Consider these 8 easy-to-use solutions available at CableOrganizer.com:
1. USB Port Block
A USB port block can help bar unauthorized access to your computer’s USB ports. Port blocks are very basic – they’re pretty much just tiny plates that cover USB ports so they can’t be tampered with. Just keep in mind that if you’re going to use one, you’ll also need to have a USB lock on hand to fasten it to your computer. When a USB lock is slipped through the square hole in a port block and snapped into a USB port, the port blocker then automatically covers one of the adjacent USB ports.
2. Kensington MicroSaver® Alarmed Computer Lock
For those of you who like to lounge around Starbucks with your laptop but are afraid of what might happen to it when you dash to the restroom, a computer lock/alarm combo could be just the ticket. Easy to use and extremely portable, the MicroSaver® alarmed computer lock by Kensington secures your notebook computer to a table, desk, or other hard to move piece of furniture. But it really goes the distance by sounding an alarm that can heard up to 50 feet away should anyone try to cut the lock cable or remove it from your laptop’s security slot.
3. Silex USB Fingerprint Reader
PC security has finally gone biometric, and it’s a good thing, because the only passwords that can’t be forgotten or stolen are the ones right on your fingertips. While the Silex USB fingerprint reader can’t prevent someone from physically stealing your computer, it will keep anyone other than you from accessing your passwords, logins, and personal files. Just hook the Silex fingerprint reader up to your USB port, and you’ll be able to ensure that your personal information remains for your eyes only.
4. 3M Notebook Privacy Filter
Speaking of laptop safety in public places, if you ever worry that someone nearby will glance sideways and take a gander at personal information on your computer screen (like social security numbers, credit card info, or banking transactions), you can ease your mind with a 3M notebook privacy filter. This clear overlay slides over your laptop screen, and while you’ll be able to see everything perfectly, anyone who looks on from an angle will just see a dark screen.
5. Davko Anti Theft PC Security Stand
Small form factor PCs are incredible at saving space in your workplace, classroom or home office, but their compact size can also make them easier for a thief to get away with. Protect your small form factor PC, and even an LCD monitor, with the Davko Anti Theft PC security stand from Kendall Howard. Using a unique support bracket and anti-theft hardware, this computer stand locks a small form factor CPU and flat screen monitor to your desktop in a space-saving configuration that strongly resists tampering and removal.
6. Black Box Secure Laptop Lockbox
The locking laptop cabinet from Black Box is ideal for college students living in dorms, or people who work in an office but rely on a notebook instead of a desktop computer. Leaving a laptop unprotected in these environments can result in the theft of information or your entire computer, so a secure storage space is always wise. This lockbox can be mounted right under your desk, so when you’re finished working, all you need to do is unplug your laptop, slide it into the box, and lock things up before leaving the premises.
7. Black Box CPU Security Cabinet
Perfect for use in high-traffic workplaces where you never know who may wander in or out, this computer cabinet takes the most direct route to protecting your desktop’s CPU: it locks it up. Black Box’s CPU Security Cabinet fits easily under you desk, right where your computer tower would normally sit – the only difference is that your CPU is now completely encased in a locking enclosure that denies unauthorized access to CD and disk drives. To make authorized access easier, the enclosure has a slide-out tray that lets you pull your CPU out for maintenance in just seconds.
Christina Hansen is a Product Specialist at CableOrganizer.com – a leading eTailer of cable, wire and equipment management solutions including those assuring ADA compliance. She may be reached through the company’s Web site located at http://CableOrganizer.com.
You can follow CableOrganizers on twitter at: twitter.com/cableorganizers
TIIM: I have no affiliation with this company nor do I make a commission on anything the company sells. Christina was a guest on our show and I really think people need these security products!
HSBC: data on 24,000 Swiss account holders stolen – Yahoo! News
March 11th, 2010
Sorry I’ve not been around much posting and such. Dealing with some family “issues” and should have everything back to normal shortly!
That being said, I wanted to briefly comment on the article I read this morning about the HSBC Swiss Data breach.
According to the article:
A former IT employee of Swiss subsidiary HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) SA, identified by French authorities as Herve Falciani, stole the information between late 2006 and early 2007, the bank said.
My concern with this is that the breach took place in late 2006 and early 2007 and we’re just hearing about it now????
We should all be questioning what other data breaches – at other banks or companies – have taken place that affect us and our private data but we haven’t heard about????
To me, that is more frightening than the breach itself!
via HSBC: data on 24,000 Swiss account holders stolen – Yahoo! News.
Invalid Server Certificate Warnings
March 3rd, 2010
I have had two separate support questions raised because of the Invalid Server Certificate Warning in both Internet Explorer (IE) and Firefox (FF) this week, so I thought I’d post a brief explanation about this issue.
From time-to-time, you may receive one of the following Server Certificate warnings or error message, as some call it.
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The above graphic is what you will see if you are using Internet Explorer.
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The above graphic is what you will see if you are using Firefox.
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The above graphic is what you will see if you are using Google Chrome.
I have blurred out the clients website I was visiting to get this image.
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The above graphic is what you will see if you are using Apple Safari.
I have blurred out the clients website I was visiting to get this image.
Why does this happen?
It happens because the security certificate – the code that makes the HTTP an HTTPS (or secure connection) has been self-signed and has not been issued by a certification authority such as Thawte, Verisign, and so forth.
Where does it happen?
It should only happen when you are logging into your own secure e-mail client on your web hosting site, or when you try to access your control panel on your web hosts site.
When should I NOT see this?
You should NEVER see this when you are logging into:
Why does my web host do this?
Certificates from a certifying authority is costly especially for hosting companies. Many hosts self sign certificates to allow secure access for their customers who want security when accessing their online email or control panel for their hosting accounts.
If I log in to my e-mail or control panel anyway, am I still secure?
You are secure to the level of security that your web host offers. You need to check with them as to the level of encryption they provide.
Keep in mind that the certificate does not guarantee encryption. If the certificate was provided by a third party provider, it only guarantees that the site and the site owner has been verified that they are, who they say they are!
Why is this such an issue?
It’s an issue because of the scammers and phishers that have become rampant on the Internet. The browser providers like Google Chrome, IE, FF, and Safari – to name a few – have included this warning to help you spot a phishing or scammer site more easily.
Can I ignore this warning?
Yes, if you know with CERTAINTY that this is the site you want to go to.
If you have clicked on a link in an email, a Twitter DM, or any other web page link and you see this message, do not proceed! Chances are good it’s a phishing or scam site.
If you have typed in the URL to your webmail or control panel account on your web host, or clicked the link from within your web hosts setup information, then you can proceed safely. In the images that follow, you will see that there is also a button in the Firefox message that will allow you to see the actual self-signed certificate to make sure you are at your web hosts server.
How can I stop this error message?
If you are getting this error message when you try to login to your web host control panel or web mail on your web host, you can add a permanent exception by accepting the self-signed certificate.
In most browsers, you can click on a button to see the actual self-signed certificate and verify it’s your web host. The following is an example of a self-signed certificate on a LunarPages server.
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In Firefox, it’s a slightly different behavior. You have to click the arrow next to the second line item to get to view the certificate or accept it.
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Remember, this is normal behavior if you are signing in to your web host email or control panel and neither you, nor your web host have purchased a certificate from an issuing authority.
It is NOT normal behavior for any sites that you would do business with like shops, financial and investment institutions, and other such businesses.
I hope this helps clear up the matter of Server Certificate warnings.