Technical Tidbits™

Posts Tagged ‘Security’

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!

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.

Those of you who are my PC security (Introduction to PC Security) students don’t have to worry about this because in the first few lessons of the course you’ve disabled this!

However, many of you have not taken the course so I thought it was wise to post this.

Oh, and by the MAC users, this affects you too if you are using the Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Client to connect a MAC to a windows PC.

According to Microsoft’s Security Bulletin: MS09-044:

This security update resolves two privately reported vulnerabilities in Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection. The vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if an attacker successfully convinced a user of Terminal Services to connect to a malicious RDP server or if a user visits a specially crafted Web site that exploits this vulnerability. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

via Microsoft Security Bulletin MS09-044 – Critical: Vulnerabilities in Remote Desktop Connection Could Allow Remote Code Execution 970927.

There is also known issues after installing this update, so you may want to check the bulletin for a list of those.

I’ve been teaching the Introduction to PC Security course for over 5 years and from day 1 I’ve had the students disable this service! I wonder what else you’re missing?