Tips for safe computer usage?

[skirtchaser79411]

people still use ie why maybe they might still be stuck with netscape also

[ZedX79]

Best security feature? Common sense.

[69]

Any suggestions for software that cleans up after you that runs on Win7? I used to use Webroot's "Window Washer" with WinXp. You could select and save the cleaning options you needed and run it whenever you wanted, including erasing/wiping (shredding) files. I have been looking but have not been able to find a single "all-in-one" product that offers all of the same options with an easy to use interface.

[Kloie]

I read the article here about phone memory and such. Does anyone have any suggestions on cleaning history on them? I was told by a hobbyist that if you make contact with LE they can track you by the location of your smart phone... I keep my gps on my phone off just in case.

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[thx]

The article was meant for novice computer users.

Can someone write one for the more computer literate audience? For the geek side, perhaps, they can discuss various TORs (and their weaknesses), firewalls, burner laptops, portable applications, browser cookies. Also, ways to try to clean up your browser after you are done.

[sky_wire]

I’ll join in….

Never broadcast a username and password over a non-secure network like at Starbucks. If you can’t resist using non-secure open networks, make sure the username/passwords you broadcast are NOT used for any other accounts, especially things like bank accounts. Also, never download a software “update” over a non-secure network. It could be a virus from the guy drinking the latte next to you.

Everybody knows it’s a supper hassle keeping track of a million usernames and passwords. Here’s some good advice I found. Make three username/password combos. One is for non-sensitive accounts like a gmail account that you read at Starbucks, a free porn site, or Dominos Pizza. Another is for sensitive accounts like private email or workplace logins. These use medium to complex strength passwords that are never broadcast over a network that isn’t secure. The third set of username/passwords is used for credit card accounts, banks, and life savings. These are super complex passwords that you only broadcast from your home network.

Also don’t store usernames/passwords on your computer unless encrypted. If your computer is stolen, hackers have software that scans for this information.

[Capt. Lincoln F. Stern]

if you want the ultimate laptop security, run a linux distro off a "live" CD... aka it boots/ loads from a CD every time you boot up. no data can be written to disk (temp files never stored) and when you shut down all history is gone from the laptop memory.

Bookmarks are not stored either so you best have a good memory. You can even create bootable USB thumb drives..

[SaytownFinest]

Originally Posted by Spirit13

if you want the ultimate laptop security, run a linux distro off a "live" CD... aka it boots/ loads from a CD every time you boot up. no data can be written to disk (temp files never stored) and when you shut down all history is gone from the laptop memory.

Bookmarks are not stored either so you best have a good memory. You can even create bootable USB thumb drives..

...I thought you were going to say, "don't use a laptop. Ever."

[rlams2000]

Originally Posted by 69

Any suggestions for software that cleans up after you that runs on Win7? I used to use Webroot's "Window Washer" with WinXp. You could select and save the cleaning options you needed and run it whenever you wanted, including erasing/wiping (shredding) files. I have been looking but have not been able to find a single "all-in-one" product that offers all of the same options with an easy to use interface.

ccleaner will delete and wipe your browsing history.

[thx]

A suggestion towards the geeky side of the house without sounding like a geek: portable apps

[Capt. Lincoln F. Stern]

If you want to run a live CD and be secure, TAILS (no pun intended) is a distro of linux that was built to be secure and does secure browsing.

First - a live CD boots off CD (or thumb drive if you go that route) and loads into memory. There it runs in memory, no data is written to your Hard drive. In Fact you can take a laptop with no hard drive and 4 gigs ram and use this OS.

If you need to store data, sign up for one of the many free cloud storage places like Ubuntu One, Drop Box etc.. each will give you 2 to 5 gigs storage so for documents and photos, there you go. And you can map your storage to Iphones, Droid phones, Tablets, etc. so its universally shared!

If the cops grab your laptop and there is no data on the hard drive then they are out of luck. The boot CD will bring up a desktop but there is no browser history or bookmark file... the important ones you keep in your head and they are not allowed in there.

[MrMistoffelees]

Tor browser bundle is all you need. It is portable, doesn't leak information (unless you screw with the default settings), and is safe.

https://www.torproject.org/projects/torbrowser.html.en

The only exposure you have with Tor and ECCIE is that ECCIE does not support HTTPS (SSL-encrypted) browsing of the site. Because it's "in the clear", interested parties can vacuum up traffic for analysis. So, if you're sending personal email addresses around that you use elsewhere, consider your identity compromised insofar as interested parties are concerned (national security apparati, etc).

If ECCIE would allow or force SSL encryption, all they'll vacuum up is heavily encrypted static.

If you want to go the live CD route... Linux Liberte is a great, all-in-one package. It's meant for political dissidents, so your hobbying is hardly worth the effort.

[JohnHeart]

P411 went SSL a few years ago. It would be nice if ECCIE follow in the interest of privacy.

[Malcolm1357]

I had a provider years ago tell me to use a proxy server. I've done so ever since and it is very easy and inexpensive. Pretty much gives your hobby email and web activity complete anonymity.

[NYr]

If you are really concerned, then paying for something within reason should not be an issue. With that in mind, I would suggest taking a serious look at Ironkey USB sticks; models S250 or D250 personal drives. They have locked storage, built in secure browser using Tor as mentioned above. Also has password vault.

I didn't want to post a link here to avoid them seeing a bunch of hits from Eccie sending you over there.