http://www.dmmug.org/index.htmlDMMUG Newsenwebmaster@dmmug.org 2008-04-23T22:07:32-05:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:21:44 -0500webmaster@dmmug.orgMeetings2008-04-23T22:07:32-05:00http://www.dmmug.org/news/files/92999e7537f5878d28f04a7bb495f3b9-5.html#unique-entry-id-5http://www.dmmug.org/news/files/92999e7537f5878d28f04a7bb495f3b9-5.html#unique-entry-id-5
You can find it here.]]>webmaster@dmmug.orgMeetings2008-04-17T12:17:19-05:00http://www.dmmug.org/news/files/9ce32171c949c7f7befdadae277a12dc-4.html#unique-entry-id-4http://www.dmmug.org/news/files/9ce32171c949c7f7befdadae277a12dc-4.html#unique-entry-id-4
Bring a list of your favorite software to share.]]>webmaster@dmmug.orgMeetings2008-02-20T10:45:30-06:00http://www.dmmug.org/news/files/00dc0204db5295f07b2c11651b0fafa3-3.html#unique-entry-id-3http://www.dmmug.org/news/files/00dc0204db5295f07b2c11651b0fafa3-3.html#unique-entry-id-3
If anyone wants to serve or nominate someone else, please let me know asap so the slate can be sent out ahead of time.

Someone should volunteer to bring pop and cookies so we don't have to impose on Haddock so much.]]>webmaster@dmmug.orgMeeting Notes2008-01-23T06:50:30-06:00http://www.dmmug.org/news/files/a9936badaac13280bf452090a8199da1-0.html#unique-entry-id-0http://www.dmmug.org/news/files/a9936badaac13280bf452090a8199da1-0.html#unique-entry-id-0
Mac OS X is no more secure than any other OS, and it too needs to have protective steps taken to prevent theft, breakage, hacking and the like.  The test of how paranoid you need to be and how secure you should be is:  how and where is your data stored and how could someone use it against you?  If your on line banking records are on your computer, they're not safe if you don't take steps to protect them.  If your personal family information, health history, etc., is on your computer, it's not safe if you don't take steps to protect it.   If your business records are there, you have obligations to those clients or businesses to protect them from access by others.   If you have written the Great American Novel, the Greatest Piece of Music, its special nature is compromised if it's not secured.  In other words, it's NOT paranoia, it's a necessity to be concerned about security whether you're a home user or someone with other needs as well.

There are Command Line [Terminal] steps that can be taken to really make an OS X machine secure against dangers, but those are not for the faint of heart and probably better done by someone used to the steps needed [I know my rule is don't mess with Terminal - fortunately, there are lots of free and shareware applications that can be of asistance here]

The whole issue of Physical Security is forgotten, but it's really the first and primary barrier:  you need to make sure no one has access to your computer/data through theft, hacking, etc.  Once someone gains entry to your computer and its data, they can take information and use it to hurt you or others.  So you need to prevent thefts, stolen laptops or harddrives or USB Flash sticks, and the Q is how to do that.  There are plenty of good software resources for that [more information will be on the website of DMMUG, www.DMMUG.org].

Use a Lock:  cables with keys or combinations lock to the computer thru its locking port and you attach it then to some immoveable object [don't tie it to a chair or pillow and expect it not to wander away].  If some determined thief comes across it, he/she will turn and steal someone else's unlocked laptop and yours will probably be safe.

There are alert systems, tracking down systems and the like which also deter theft or, if it happens, finds the culprit and lets you rip them limb from limb.  [There are more advanced technical steps within OS X such as setting up the open firmware or EFI to require passwords before booting and the like, which may be worth exploring]

Disable the Microphone and iSight in your computer, since access to them could allow someone to steal images or sounds from a highly confidential meeting [again, whether or how much you may need this depends on your circumstances;  it's certainly something to askthe IT department personnel about].

Reset the various OSX defaults:  there is a tradeoff between Security and Useability and Apple's defaults err toward the latter.  So, if you want a more secure machine you will have to jump through some hoops to use it, but it'll be more protected, your data will be more protected, and the hoops won't be that difficult to handle given the pay back.  (1) in System Preferences, set the machine to go to sleep regularly and require a password to wake it from sleep, (2) disable the IR [infrared], (3) use an encrypted Disk Image created by Disk Utility [free program, part of Utilities in OSX] to store things that you want protected especially and use AES-128 security to encrypt, (4) reset your Account preferences to keep the Administrative user only for limited purposes and use only a Standard account for yourself, (5) limit the number of Log In items to those you really need and recognize.

Have a good way to generate passwords and use it.  Passwords should have:  uppercase and lower case letters, numbers and punctuation.  They can be created in and stored in Keychain Access [an encrypted file reachable thru a special password you better remember, again a free program in the Mac OS X Utilities].  There're also programs such as 1Password and Password Wallet that leverage the keychain and allow for all sorts of things to be secured, remembered and accessed beyond the main computer [such as thru syncing with Treos, iPhones, .Mac etc.]  [shameless plug, I have a Password Algorithum article I wrote on my website for download, http://www.herringlaw.com/publications.html ]

Use your Firewall:  You need to prevent easy access to your computer by those who would come into it thru wifi or landline or whatever and get your data.  If you don't both set up your software OS X Firewall [Sharing pane in System Preferences] AND have a hardware firewall between the cable or DSL modem and your computer, you are asking for trouble.

Turn off sharing of Printers.  In fact, in larger enterprises with those fancy new large printers, there are people hacking the printers and then getting into the network, so closing the printer system to unnecessary access is vital [again, tell your IT folks].

QuickTime is a major security hole - apply all updates and security patches, disable Auto Play and Instant On in the preferences.

Be sure to Security Empty Trash and Secure Erase FreeSpace to prevent information being leaked;  Secure Virtual Memory [all these terms are in the OS X Help area or googleable]

Get a Virus Program - Macs can have viruses and, more to the point, pass them on if they are received.  Be good to yourself and your data and protect it from viruses.  I use VirusBarrier, there are programs from Symantec, Virex [a bit old], Sophos, and free programs ClamAV and ClamXAV.  And be sure to update your definitions regularly, and run it.

Wireless is like Radio - it not only receives data, it sends it.  You need to make it difficult for people to steal or obtain your wireless signal or use it to access your comptuer.  Use encryption of messages and material over wireless, set up your Airport Utility to use WPA security.

Practice Safe Computing: don't click on links in emails - enter the URL directly in the browser instead;  if you can, use cable not wireless, in public hotspots [coffe cafes, city libraries, other general access points] do NOT do any banking or handling of extremely confidential information.  The old saw about 'you're not paranoid, they really are out to get you' holds true -- maybe no one is targeting you, but they will target your data and use it for their own purposes [and hurt you in the process].  Make it hard to do so.

Your banks, brokerage accounts and other such are all interested in security.  Don't pay attention to emails from them [probably spoofs or phishing] but go to your bank's or credit card or brokerage sites and check their information on security.  Lots of good tips there too.

A great and helpful program no matter the OS, but a good wakeup call for OS X users.]]>