Recently had my mac (V 10.4.11) defragged; by another person. Question- I am (too late) concerned about security. What steps can I now take to go thru and secure everything? Change all passwords, ok. Anything else? Where are the weak points?
posted by ebesan on Nov 28, 2009 - 2 answers

What are the basic steps to remove personal information off of a hard drive? (XP Home, SP3) [more inside]
posted by salvia on Nov 27, 2009 - 9 answers

I live in a semi-rural area. After a rash of recent home invasions in my area (which is something new for here), I'm wondering whether to invest in an alarm system, a gun, or more motion detector lights and just keep locking the doors and windows as I have always done? I have 4 dogs that range from a beagle sized one that is mean to a 95 pound lab that barks like hell but is very loving. My wife is home alone (well, with the dogs) for a couple of hours in the morning after I go to work. Our house is set back from the road a fair distance, and we don't have neighbors that are within visual distance. What do you recommend? I've called the Sherrif's office to ask for advice and they were no help, saying just to use deadbolts etc. [more inside]
posted by dukes909 on Nov 25, 2009 - 36 answers

Looking for a GSM alarm system for my house. I don't live in the States, so the answer should ideally be non-US specific. I was wondering about the Panasonic BL-C131A, but that needs presumably a decent amount of light and a working internet connection to alert me of break-ins. And without push email, fifteen minutes could pass before I get the alert. It's not really ideal, I don't think... [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 24, 2009 - 0 answers

Auto-Delete XP Laptop's Wireless "Preferred Networks" List? [more inside]
posted by NYScott on Nov 12, 2009 - 3 answers

What is the name of the technology that produces powder (that verifies authenticity, I suppose) when you bend a drivers license or other ID card? [more inside]
posted by JakeWalker on Nov 11, 2009 - 10 answers

If a person smoked pot in early July 2009, what is the likelihood of that person getting a secret security clearance for summer 2010 federal government internships? Is there anything that person can do now to maximize chance of getting a clearance? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 9, 2009 - 15 answers

After problems with my old laptop Apple sent me a free replacement, whats the best way to migrate my data, eliminate personal info but leave potential problems intact? [more inside]
posted by UMDirector on Oct 30, 2009 - 8 answers

Someone purchased an airline ticket for me, but booked it under my nickname instead of my legal name. I don't have any photo ID with my nickname on it. Will I be able to fly? [more inside]
posted by arianell on Oct 26, 2009 - 24 answers

Any good books on web penetration testing? [more inside]
posted by jacobian on Oct 18, 2009 - 3 answers

What could happen to my mac if I connect remotely to my windows computer at work. Is there a viciously secure way of doing this? [more inside]
posted by OlivesAndTurkishCoffee on Oct 9, 2009 - 8 answers

Best practices for storing OracleDB/mysql/ldap/smtp/etc... system passwords for enterprise application integration use? [more inside]
posted by bottlebrushtree on Oct 8, 2009 - 9 answers

Where can I find the written laws that regulate amnesty bins at airports? (Amnesty bins are the bins right before the metal detectors in some airports where you can, according to signs, throw away anything that you can't take through security without penalty.) And, related, are these actually legally binding, or just a gentlemen's agreement? Could someone hypothetically put a stolen painting in the bin, and be free of legal consequence of having stolen it?
posted by Damn That Television on Oct 5, 2009 - 18 answers

At secure offices, you have to get buzzed in the door. Help me build one of those systems for a local non-profit. Bonus points for inexpensive and practical for home use too! [more inside]
posted by TomMelee on Sep 30, 2009 - 13 answers

Living in Albuquerque, currently renting a house, and wondering what options are available for home security in this specific situation? [more inside]
posted by aflores on Sep 25, 2009 - 3 answers

Engineers, construction workers, and lawyers: How can I find out what the specific site safety requirements and statutes are for an under-construction commercial urban development site? Specifically, I'm looking to find out more about site-safety requirements in the city of St. Louis, Mo. [more inside]
posted by limeonaire on Sep 20, 2009 - 16 answers

Seeking tips, gadgets, and hacks for feeling safe in a ground floor apartment. [more inside]
posted by SweetTeaAndABiscuit on Sep 13, 2009 - 15 answers

How did rich European gentlemen on a "grand tour" of Europe in the 18th Century manage their finances? I can't imagine they carried enough money (or gold) to support months or years of travel--was there a system of banks they could use? Or credit notes? Also, how did they arrange to get their packages shipped home?
posted by mstillwell on Sep 13, 2009 - 9 answers

Someone hacked my laptop! What do they know now, how much can I find out, and how can I keep it from happening again? [more inside]
posted by atchafalaya on Sep 10, 2009 - 13 answers

Why does Apple's Finder bypass some group permissions? [more inside]
posted by jeffburdges on Aug 30, 2009 - 15 answers

How safe is it to deposit plain old cash into a bank's ATM? [more inside]
posted by Askiba on Aug 29, 2009 - 26 answers

I need an alarm system that will go off if windows in my ground-floor apartment are shattered. Can I install a wireless unmonitored alarm system like this myself? Should I? [more inside]
posted by iamisaid on Aug 25, 2009 - 12 answers

This is a 2 pronged question: Are degrees earned online ever worth it? If they are, are they worth it relative to IT? [more inside]
posted by zennoshinjou on Aug 12, 2009 - 6 answers

How worried do I need to be about bringing my cellphone to the DEFCON hackers security convention? [more inside]
posted by y6y6y6 on Jul 28, 2009 - 31 answers

A question for IT and telecoms boffins: Help me understand voicemail. Specifically, what would need to go wrong with a mobile phone company's voicemail server for it to randomly connect customers to the mailboxes of complete strangers? Is it more likely to be an isolated technical glitch, a systemic network security problem, intentional foul play, or something else?
posted by embrangled on Jul 21, 2009 - 9 answers

Wi-Fi security. How much of the contents of my a) iPhone or b) iBook can be "seen" if I'm on a public network? Particularly concerning the latter, I've never been clear whether, in logging on to network X--be it a free municipal net or my employer's "guest net"--I'm simply an inscrutable blip on a network or I'm making my hard drive an open book to anyone who cares to peek. Any insight would be appreciated.
posted by the sobsister on Jul 19, 2009 - 11 answers

A webhost my company uses just changed the security settings and now Joomla no longer works correctly. Are these new security settings industry standard and what should I do? [more inside]
posted by clockworkjoe on Jul 17, 2009 - 4 answers

Security alarm: I'm looking for a portable, battery operated house/office alarm system which can watch the only entrance of a flat. It's a concrete building and the front door is the only way in, unless somebody scales a balcony which would definitely be noticed. This should function much like a car alarm, with a remote key fob to arm and disarm, motion sensor and a opening sensor on the door, and make a very loud noise if it's disturbed. [more inside]
posted by thewalrus on Jul 11, 2009 - 4 answers

How can I prevent users from copying / printing / emailing certain files from my computer, while allowing them to work on those files like reading and modifying ?? [more inside]
posted by inquisitive on Jun 20, 2009 - 36 answers

How is it legal to post people's social security numbers on the internet for everyone to see? [more inside]
posted by rubberkey on Jun 9, 2009 - 6 answers

Plot my IT computer certification schedule. [more inside]
posted by l2yangop on Jun 8, 2009 - 6 answers

How can a competent but not technical geek person browse internet as securely and privately as possible, keep files private on a pc etc? Linux distro? specifics - [more inside]
posted by Not Supplied on Jun 8, 2009 - 12 answers

on Mac OSX Leopard(10.5.7), which log file, archived or not, would I find when a user account was renamed? [more inside]
posted by neilkod on Jun 4, 2009 - 6 answers

How to I compute safely in dangerous places? Looking for advice on hiding data, protecting accounts, and securing connections. [more inside]
posted by Nothing on Jun 2, 2009 - 25 answers

I want to burglar proof my home! Now that I have a family, the last thing I ever want to have happen is to become the victim of a home invasion, robbery, burglary, etc. I am interested in things that I can do to deter bad guys and prevent this from happening. Secondly, if a robber / gang did get into my house, how could I get them to leave peacefully. I am open to any idea from physical security, reinforced doors / locks, cameras, psychology, geography / topology, lasers, stun guns, trap doors, safe rooms, fake jewelry / money, persuasion, etc. Keep my family and all MeFites safe from the bad guys.
posted by jasondigitized on May 31, 2009 - 40 answers

Securitycamerafilter: Our company is installing a surveillance system for our small two story building. We would like to know what you may have used, your review, your recommendation. We are mainly focused only on the camera, what kind of cabling (cat5, coax, etc.), and server versus stand alone dvr. [more inside]
posted by lateriser on May 28, 2009 - 2 answers

We just moved into a ground-floor apartment with an abundance of windows. How can we increase the security of the apartment short of installing bars on the windows? [more inside]
posted by arnicae on May 17, 2009 - 26 answers

Twenty-something interested in buying first serious car...a Volvo maybe! [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 17, 2009 - 16 answers

I'm looking for creative, inexpensive ideas to keep vegetables safe from thieves and pranksters. [more inside]
posted by Eicats on May 11, 2009 - 22 answers

Diamond Heist Filter: I'm writing a crime story and I could use some technical info so things sound realistic -- do you know gems or security systems or African languages? [more inside]
posted by xz on May 6, 2009 - 18 answers

Taking a (big) pay cut for great benefits, job security, and potential long-term gain: worth it? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 4, 2009 - 33 answers

Is it a good idea when traveling to connect to a secure proxy with an ssh tunnel for doing business on the internet? [more inside]
posted by tangonerd on May 3, 2009 - 9 answers

Help me choose a VPN provider. [more inside]
posted by blacksky on May 3, 2009 - 4 answers

Are there any sources via programs, web browsers, firefox add-ons, or web services that allow someone to truly surf anonymously? [more inside]
posted by randomthoughts on Apr 24, 2009 - 6 answers

Is there a list of Twitter clients that support OAuth?
posted by braveterry on Apr 20, 2009 - 1 answer

OK, so my new Mac will arrive next week. Can power users fill me in on best practices for setting it up? [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock on Apr 17, 2009 - 16 answers

Teach me about the newer colour display x ray scanners used in security checkpoints. [more inside]
posted by Meatbomb on Apr 13, 2009 - 1 answer

How can I secure my bicycle from weather and thieves with the least amount of work and hardware? [more inside]
posted by ChrisR on Apr 10, 2009 - 17 answers

How do I excuse myself from applying for secret clearance without having my boss think less of me? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 7, 2009 - 25 answers

I have a new EeePC 1000HE with Windows XP, which I want to use for both web development and casual web browsing. Are there security issues with installing Apache and PHP on a machine that is also used to access public wireless internet? If so, what steps can I take to make my netbook more secure?
posted by oulipian on Apr 5, 2009 - 5 answers