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

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

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

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

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 need resources / links information to convince a friend that his small computer network might be of interest to hackers? [more inside]
posted by jacobean on Jan 11, 2009 - 7 answers

It's become apparent that my computer may have a Trojan. I just received a Returned Mail notice for mail I never sent, which instead of displaying my name it displayed "jasen kimberly," and was sent to a strange russian email address: munsov@pobox.spbu.ru. I'm concerned that this may be the result of a trojan "phoning home," or using my computer to send spam.
posted by matkline on Oct 5, 2008 - 9 answers

Help me with some free, easy to use software for elderly people to use on a computer. Specifically: hands-off, self-maintaining security, and a good replacement for Windows Explorer. [more inside]
posted by biwa-shu on Jul 2, 2008 - 9 answers

I think my computer might have a virus. Are there any trustworthy security testing services that I can use to conclusively prove whether or not this is the case? [more inside]
posted by Jack Alucard on Jun 10, 2008 - 7 answers

Can simply connecting an infected jump drive release bugs onto a computer? [more inside]
posted by Kronos_to_Earth on May 1, 2008 - 8 answers

I need your help to settle a debate. Could you suggest the safest antivirus setup, within the confines of Windows XP and a wireless internet connection, with the least bloat, and provide the statistics to prove it? I need more than simple AV comparatives. I need stats on the virtues of Firefox versus IE, on using two function-differentiated user accounts (admin versus everyday, with the 'everyday' account having no admin privileges), etc. Can you help? [more inside]
posted by flibbertigibbet on Mar 25, 2008 - 6 answers

General network and computer security: keyservers, PGP/GPG, encryption, etc...book/instructional recommendations? [more inside]
posted by jjsonp on Mar 10, 2008 - 6 answers

Computer maintenance 101: Just bought a Thinkpad T61. How do i make it go forever? [more inside]
posted by doppleradar on Feb 27, 2008 - 14 answers

Why does my Mac appear to have other people's computer names at the command line? What's up here? [more inside]
posted by Happy Dave on Nov 12, 2007 - 8 answers

How do we know that highly regarded secuity suites are not surreptitiously malicious? [more inside]
posted by Kevin S on Oct 27, 2007 - 14 answers

In Windows XP, is there a way to see the password that is stored in the system to log into a wireless network? [more inside]
posted by al_fresco on Oct 24, 2007 - 6 answers

How to keep prying eyes from the files on my laptop... [more inside]
posted by TheGoldenOne on Sep 1, 2007 - 9 answers

Have I been hacked? [more inside]
posted by Crotalus on Aug 4, 2007 - 16 answers

Is there a method/program for limiting a guest's access to my computer to -only- a web browser (no start menu, programs, file directories, etc.)? [more inside]
posted by JFitzpatrick on Jun 30, 2007 - 10 answers

I am looking for either high-resolution wireless IP cameras or Video Capture card recommendations and I have a few additional questions. [more inside]
posted by Raichle on Apr 19, 2007 - 3 answers

Help me figure out how I can do really cool computer security stuff for a living. The catch: it can't be work for the NSA or Justice Department or anything that requires a security clearance. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 27, 2007 - 15 answers

Can I allow users on a Windows computer to access only one website in one program (IE Explorer or Firefox) and nothing else on that computer? [more inside]
posted by einarorn on Feb 26, 2007 - 8 answers

Is there an application for my mac (OS 10.4) that would enable me to have a folder that would "self destruct" if the contents in that folder are not accessed for a user set ammount of time? [more inside]
posted by superdeluxe on Feb 5, 2007 - 15 answers

Can you help me diagnose if someone is spying on my computer? [more inside]
posted by RustyBrooks on Jan 4, 2007 - 30 answers

I typically use Safari, and have my preferences set to store all of my passwords and user names in my Keychain.app. However when it starts acting up and giving me the spinning beach ball, I use Camino (v. 1.0.3.) When I try to log in to a website, it asks me for my user name and password - do I really have to fill in ALL those passwords and user names all over again? In other words, is there any way I can get Camino to access the passwords I saved using Safari? [more inside]
posted by invisible ink on Sep 19, 2006 - 6 answers

network management filter: I'm working for a local government education department. My team is meant to be maintaining/improving several large websites. The IT support people refuse to install a web browser that isn't IE 6, citing network security as the reason.... are their fears reasonable? [more inside]
posted by Tixylix on Jul 10, 2006 - 23 answers

I'm dropping my laptop off for service--what do I need to do to protect myself? [more inside]
posted by divka on Jul 8, 2006 - 10 answers

Best choice for securing a monitor in a kiosk setting... [more inside]
posted by O9scar on Apr 29, 2006 - 1 answer

I have a linksys wireless-G 2.4 ghz router. I use a macbook pro. The set up cd for the router works only on Windows. The router works and i get wireless, but i was unable to set up a security feature. I am guessing anyone in my neighbourhood can use my signal. How can i make this secure if the set up cd with instructions is incompatible with my OS ?
posted by cascando on Apr 15, 2006 - 9 answers

What do I need to do, practically speaking, after a computer theft? (Several related questions inside.) [more inside]
posted by catesbie on Mar 24, 2006 - 18 answers

I know that cookies may be automatically and surreptitiously installed on my computer when I arrive at a webpage, but what about spyware/malware/virus ? [more inside]
posted by studentguru on Feb 25, 2006 - 13 answers

Is Zone Alarm the last free firewall software? [more inside]
posted by jaronson on Feb 12, 2006 - 24 answers

Can anyone recommend a good lock (Kensington-style) for my Apple iMac and new LCD TV? [more inside]
posted by kevinmeyers on Feb 2, 2006 - 5 answers

Computer security question. Is a typical home PC, when it's connected to the net via a cable to a DSL modem, any more or less secure against intrusions than if the same computer were plugged into the network on the campus of a typical, large American university? Say, for example, a UC campus.
posted by shoos on Nov 10, 2005 - 23 answers

Am I qualified to do this IT job, and/or is it something I could pick up as I go? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 13, 2005 - 12 answers

Need nerd help: Is it better to use a software firewall or a router to protect oneself while connected to the internet? Pardon my igorance, but I really am quite stupid. [more inside]
posted by _sirmissalot_ on Oct 12, 2005 - 18 answers

Wifilter: Wired + Wireless network architecture: How can I protect my wired machines, but still access them from my wireless devices? [more inside]
posted by daver on Sep 22, 2005 - 1 answer

My computer illiterate family has an HP box running Windows XP Home SP 2. They are constantly installing random programs from suspicious websites and allowing nefarious Active X controls to run – often leaving a trail of destruction for me to deal with. Is there an easy way to restrict their ability to install software? (Also - was I dreaming or did Microsoft just release some kind of policy editing tool that deals with this kind of problem?)
posted by mockjovial on Aug 26, 2005 - 11 answers

Army Knowledge Online is a webmail/pop email service that any current or former US Army member can use in order to have a .mil address. I've been using it for a while, but for going on three years now I can't get Mail.app (and the keychain) to accept its security certificate. The normal way of importing a self-signed certificate doesn't work under Jaguar, Panther, or Tiger- I can import the cert, but nothing happens. I've tried setting up a new "root" certificate. Nothing works. Apple discussion boards have been useless. Can someone look at this certificate (try going here and it will send you the cert) and maybe tell me what's going on? I think it's in some odd format that prevents it from being imported.
posted by yesno on May 27, 2005 - 10 answers

I am looking for the definative method for determining if my machine has been hacked. I don't trust antivirus software and was thinking of looking into packet sniffers but wasn't sure if that was the place to start.
posted by Wong Fei-hung on Mar 3, 2005 - 16 answers

Is VirtualPC less secure than an actual PC? [more inside] [more inside]
posted by kirkaracha on Jan 30, 2004 - 4 answers