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

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

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

Does SSL protect information even if the wi-fi connection is unsecured? [more inside]
posted by Busoni on Mar 22, 2009 - 22 answers

Windows Vista for Dummies 101: This is probably a totally stupid question, but if i create another user account on my laptop for a friend, will that person be able to view my internet history, favourites and passwords I have saved (i.e. "Remember me on this computer" and whatnot)?
posted by Weng on Mar 18, 2009 - 4 answers

How worried should I be about the recent rash of stories in the mainstream media about P2P software being used to commit identity theft? [more inside]
posted by The Ardship of Cambry on Mar 2, 2009 - 9 answers

I've been unsuccessful in getting an old pc up and running with Ubuntu or some other *nix OS. I am wondering. Is it possible to use VPN or ssh from my computer to my Dreamhost account to create a secure tunnel to their servers into to the internet? I'm using 0.00 gb on my account for bandwidth. Sound doable? [more inside]
posted by BoldStepDesign on Jan 3, 2009 - 11 answers

How do I force WiFi to only work through VPN on company laptops? [more inside]
posted by bartleby on Jan 14, 2008 - 4 answers

When my browsing and downloading is "encrypted," who or what am I protecting myself from? [more inside]
posted by Avenger50 on Jan 9, 2008 - 18 answers

As part of my work for a client I've begun researching online privacy, cryptography, and other sundry ways of protecting oneself online. And I'm now completely creeped out and must switch NOW to uncrackable passwords, multiple email accounts, encrypting the crap out of everything I do, and generally making sure that only the things I want public on the internet are publicly accessible. But we run into the question - how do I do that without driving myself nuts trying to remember my passwords, convince everyone I know to use encrypted communication, and maintain a reasonable amount of privacy in my web surfing? And how do I do that after 8 years of webwhorage where I wasn't too concerned who knew what about me? [more inside]
posted by saysthis on Dec 28, 2007 - 15 answers

How do I access files on my work PC from home? I just need to share files, not take control of the computer. [more inside]
posted by valleys on Jun 23, 2007 - 22 answers

What's a good, free firewall I can use on my home PC (running WindowsXP SP2) that isn't Zone Alarm Pro, Sygate or Kerio? [more inside]
posted by Effigy2000 on Apr 25, 2007 - 24 answers

New ISP offers static IP addresses. Should I take 1 or 8? What can I use them for? Should I be concerned about the RIPE database? [more inside]
posted by boosh on Mar 1, 2007 - 7 answers

I need advice for buying a new internet security suite (or individual programs). [more inside]
posted by Joleta on Dec 17, 2006 - 14 answers

Mac OS X security question: it may be that one of our employees is illicitly logging in remotely to one of our computers. [more inside]
posted by londongeezer on Nov 2, 2006 - 13 answers

I can't figure out how to password-protect my wireless internet connection. [more inside]
posted by grumblebee on Oct 27, 2006 - 10 answers

How can I make a wireless internet connection as secure as possible? This question is actually for my father, whose practice is set up in a building that offers free wireless access to its tenants. [more inside]
posted by Sara Anne on Sep 30, 2006 - 13 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

WebSecurityFilter: I'm looking for a PHP or CGI script which would redirect a user to their password protected folder when they enter their username and password. [more inside]
posted by DragonBoy on Dec 21, 2005 - 4 answers

Home Security Camera Filter: I'm looking for a wireless camera that can transmit over my existing 802.11g network. Ideally, it would have motion detection and the ability to record to the web rather than just my hard-drive. Where to look? What to Buy? Personal Experiences? [more inside]
posted by Mave_80 on Dec 1, 2005 - 15 answers

I owe a great debt of gratitude to all the noobs in my neighbourhood who keep open, unsecured wireless networks. It's because of them that we can blog from the laundromat, blog from the waterfront park, blog from... well, you get the idea. How can I make my network 'open' to others without compromising the security of my computers? [more inside]
posted by optimuscrime on Nov 21, 2005 - 35 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

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

What's the cheapest way to get an SSL certificate (for serving HTTPS connections)? Obviously I'd want the company selling these certs to be listed in most browsers as a trusted authority.
posted by LukeyBoy on Dec 23, 2004 - 12 answers

Which Mac OS X Files let Safari securely connect to sites?

I'd accidentally lost some of my System (my fault) and had to reinstall, etc. to get it back. Looks like everything is working... EXCEPT when I try to connect to https:// sites. gmail, hotmail, whatever.

I have other Macs here, so if anyone knows what frameworks or whatever likely make that work, I can easily copy them over and correct the permissions. But WHICH files? (minimally more inside) [more inside]
posted by John Kenneth Fisher on Jun 14, 2004 - 12 answers

Every day for the last three weeks or so Sygate Personal Firewall Pro has blocked twenty or more port scans. In the past I would be scanned maybe once or twice a week. What has changed? I change my IP address from time to time and I know my box is secure and isn't worth hacking anyway. What gives? I'm getting tired of the blinking icon.
posted by Grod on Apr 3, 2004 - 17 answers

Someone's using a friend's wireless internet connection. How can I mess with him/her? [more inside]
posted by Mayor Curley on Mar 13, 2004 - 26 answers

I'm considering buying a domain, and setting up a personal site. This wouldn't be a problem, really, except that I've got over five years of content on my current personal site in various formats, and I don't want to repeat the mistakes of the past. [Very long, very geeky details inside. Not for the faint of heart.] [more inside]
posted by Jairus on Feb 5, 2004 - 6 answers