Products for the Paranoid
Fingerprint scanners, security keys, encryption software: Which tools should you use to keep sensitive data from prying eyes?
Jeff Bertolucci
Tips: Practice Good Security Habits...Or Else
You don't have to go overboard in your security hardware or software purchases to keep your data private. Here are some free and inexpensive things that you can do to keep your PC secure.
If you use Windows XP or Windows 2000, log on with a password to prevent someone from accessing your files. Go to Start, Settings, Control Panel; then open User Accounts (in Windows XP), and select the account you want to password-protect. In Windows 2000, double-click Users and Passwords in Control Panel, click the check box entitled Users must enter a username and password to use this computer, press Ctrl-Alt-Del, and click the Change Password button.
Turn your screen saver into a security tool. In XP, right-click the Desktop and click Properties. Click the Screen Saver tab, and check the On resume, password protect box. In Wait, select 5 minutes or less for maximum security. In Windows 2000, choose a screen saver, check Password protected, and click OK.
Any passwords you use should include upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and a special character such as % or $.
Use Windows 2000's and XP Professional's file encryption. To encrypt a folder in Explorer, right-click it, choose Properties, and click Advanced. Check the Encrypt contents to secure data box, click OK twice, and check Apply changes to this folder, subfolders, and files. Warning: Encryption can slow PC performance, and if you don't back up your encryption keys before reinstalling Windows, you will lose access to your data.
Save your secret files on removable media, such as a flash memory drive, a CD, a DVD, or a floppy. Lock up your media. If you no longer need your CDs, use a disc-shredding machine.
It's easier than you think to inadvertently download a malicious Trojan horse that logs your keystrokes and steals data. Logger detector apps, such as Anti-keylogger can sense software loggers and stop them cold. (click here for details on detection programs.)
A hardware keystroke logger attached to your machine can cause similar mischief. Look for a small cylinder connected between the end of the keyboard cable and the computer. Turn off your system and then remove the logger.
Antivirus and firewall software typically won't detect spyware that installs unwanted programs on your PC. Solution: Use anti-spyware tools such as Lavasoft's Ad-aware.
--Jeff Bertolucci
