Security Tips
Security Tips, Checklist
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Good places for more information:
- Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG)
- AuditMyPC.com
- BBB - Better Business Bureau
- CERT, US-CERT - United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team
- GetNetWise
- i-SAFE
- OnGuardOnline.gov
- The SANS Institute
- Social Networking Safety Tips (National Cybersecurity Alliance, from Security Products)
- StaySafeOnline.org
- WiredSafety.org
- more...
- General research
- Some manufacturer's:
- Apple: apple.com/macosx/security/ (apple.com/security/)
- Microsoft: microsoft.com/protect/
- Additional Checklists
(The list below was started based on sites listed at onguardonline.gov/about-us/overview.aspx, retrieved 2010-04-19.)
Anti-Phishing Working Group
The Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) is the global pan-industrial and law enforcement association focused on eliminating the fraud and identity theft that result from phishing, pharming, and email spoofing of all types.
AuditMyPC.com
"You’ll find a ton of free online tools at Audit My PC. Home internet users will enjoy our security audits, speed tests and free software while webmasters will love our website utilities, such as our link checker, sitemap creator and our website monitoring services. There is something for everyone!"
- www.auditmypc.com - On-line tools (e.g. firewall test), speed tests
- A few selected features/topics/areas:
- Internet Security - "Internet Safety can be complicated, but we attempt to explain popular topics in way that you don’t have to be an expert to understand."
- Internet Usage Policy - Covers Web Email and Privacy Policy
- web master tools:
(Added 2010-04-22)
Better Business Bureau
The BBB system is dedicated to fostering fair and honest relationships between businesses and consumers, instilling consumer confidence and contributing to an ethical business environment, in both the traditional and online marketplaces. The BBB's Internet self-regulation program, BBBOnLine, helps consumers identify online merchants that meet BBB standards through its Reliability and Privacy "trustmark" programs, and the BBB Code of Online Business Practices. BBBs in the U.S. and Canada are supported by 375,000 business members throughout North America.
- www.bbb.org/data-security/, www.bbb.org
- Data Security Made Simpler (PDF; local copy downloaded 2010-04-20 - 29 pgs)
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- Cyber Security Tips - us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ - Cyber Security Tips - describe and offer advice about common security issues for non-technical computer users. A few selected (they have many more useful tips!):
- US-CERT Cyber Security Tip ST04-002 -- Choosing and Protecting Passwords
- US-CERT Cyber Security Tip ST04-003 -- Good Security Habits - us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST04-003.html
- US-CERT Cyber Security Tip ST04-022 -- Understanding Your Computer: Web Browsers
- US-CERT Cyber Security Tip ST05-001 -- Evaluating Your Web Browser's Security Settings
GetNetWise
GetNetWise is a public service sponsored by Internet industry corporations and public interest organizations to help ensure that Internet users have safe, constructive, and educational or entertaining online experiences. The GetNetWise coalition wants Internet users to be just "one click away" from the resources they need to make informed decisions about their and their family's use of the Internet.
- Kids' Safety, Spam, Security, Privacy
- Glossary w/ Internet terminology - www.getnetwise.org/glossary
i-SAFE
Founded in 1998, i-SAFE America is a proactive prevention-oriented Internet Safety Education and Outreach program, dedicated to educating and empowering the youth of America to safely and responsibly take control of their online experiences. i-SAFE provides age-appropriate K-12 curriculum to schools in all 50 states FREE of charge. Founded on the principle that education must extend beyond the classroom, i-SAFE brings the message of Internet safety home through integrated youth empowerment activities and community outreach, offering programs for students, educators, parents, law enforcement, and community leaders.
OnGuardOnline.gov
OnGuardOnline.gov provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information.
- Quite useful overview of both government and private organizations with additional information on security in specific cases: onguardonline.gov/about-us/overview.aspx
- Also has multiple games.
The SANS Institute
The SANS (SysAdmin, Audit, Network, Security) Institute was established in 1989 as a cooperative research and education organization. Its programs now reach more than 165,000 security professionals, auditors, system administrators, network administrators, chief information security officers, and CIOs who share the lessons they are learning and jointly find solutions to the challenges they face. It also develops, maintains, and makes available at no cost, the largest collection of research documents about various aspects of information security, and it operates the Internet's early warning system — Internet Storm Center.
| SANS' also maintains a status-indicator of threats on the Internet (click on graphic for more): |
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National Cyber Security Alliance
StaySafeOnline.org - A not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) provides tools and resources to empower home users, small businesses, and schools, colleges, and universities to stay safe online. A public-private partnership, NCSA members include the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Trade Commission, and many private-sector corporations and organizations.
- Tips for Home Users, K-12 Educators, Higher Education, Small Business,
- Top Tips | STAYSAFEONLINE.org
WiredSafety.org
WiredSafety.org is an Internet safety and help group. Comprised of thousands of unpaid volunteers around the world, WiredSafety.org provides education, assistance, and awareness on all aspects of cybercrime and abuse, privacy, security, and responsible technology use. It is also the parent group of Teenangels.org, FBI-trained teens and preteens who promote Internet safety.
More...
"Unsorted"
National Consumers League
The National Consumers League (NCL) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. Among its many programs, NCL operates the National Fraud Information Center/Internet Fraud Watch, a hotline and website that provides advice about telemarketing and Internet fraud and transmits information from consumers about suspected scams to law enforcement agencies.
Direct Marketing Association
The Direct Marketing Association is a global trade association
for businesses and nonprofit organizations that practice and support
direct marketing. As
more marketing increasingly becomes direct marketing and utilizes a
growing number of media, the DMA facilitates the pioneering of new
frontiers in the
industry by providing cutting-edge research, education, and
networking, as well as advocacy and brand-building benefits. By
promoting these advances and
establishing industry standards, the DMA enables members to better
reach consumers with more personal, relevant, and desirable offers.
The National Association of Attorneys General
The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) represents the Attorneys General of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, the chief legal officers of the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. Attorneys General are the chief legal officers in their respective states and serve as counselors for state government agencies and the legislature and as representatives of the public interest, dealing in areas as diverse as consumer protection, drug policy, and environmental protection.
NetFamilyNews
NetFamilyNews is kid-tech news for parents. A website, blog, and email newsletter, NFN is a nonprofit public service designed to keep parents informed about and engaged in their kids' online lives. NetFamilyNews is breaking news on all the technologies and devices kids love, as well as their interests and activities, from games to blogging, IM to file-sharing, on the Web, phones, consoles, handhelds.
CompTIA
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a global trade association representing the business interests of the information technology (IT) industry. For more than 23 years CompTIA has provided research, networking, and partnering opportunities to its 20,000-plus members in 102 countries. The association is involved in developing standards and best practices, and influencing the political, economic, and educational arenas that impact IT worldwide. More information is available at www.comptia.org.
National Crime Prevention Council
The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) is a private, nonprofit organization whose primary mission is to enable people to create safer and more caring communities by addressing the causes of crime and violence and reducing the opportunities for crime to occur. Among many crime prevention issues, NCPC addresses Internet Safety with kids and parents through www.mcgruff.org and public service advertising under the National Citizens' Crime Prevention Campaign — symbolized by McGruff the Crime Dog® and his "Take A Bite Out Of Crime®."
Association of College Unions International
ACUI is a nonprofit educational organization that brings together college union and student activities professionals from hundreds of schools in seven countries. Its members are students and administrators whose mission is to build campus community.
Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association
The Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association (LISTA) is committed to supporting Latinos who focus in the Science, Mathematics, Information Sciences and Technology sectors. LISTA promotes the utilization of these sectors for the empowerment of the Latino community. LISTA is committed to bringing various elements of technology under one central hub to provide its partners, members and the community with the educational information they need to succeed in a highly advanced, technologically driven society.
StopBadware.org
StopBadware.org is a partnership among the Berkman Center for Internet & Society, technology industry leaders, and volunteers, all of whom are committed to protecting Internet and computer users from the threats to privacy and security that are caused by bad software.
iKeepSafe.org
iKeepSafe educational resources teach children of all ages, in a fun, age-appropriate way, the basic rules of internet safety, ethics, and the healthy use of connected technologies.
Additional Checklists
10 security tips for all general-purpose OSes - , ZDNet Asia, Jan 22, 2008
- Use strong passwords
- Invest in good perimeter defense
- Update your software.
- Shut down services you don't use.
- Employ data encryption.
- Protect your data with backups.
- Encrypt sensitive communications.
- Encrypt sensitive communications.
- Get an uninterruptible power supply.
- Monitor systems for security threats and breaches.
Updated 2010-09-18