What it is… Last week, a nasty bug, Heartbleed, was found in OpenSSL, version 1.0.1 (released April 19, 2012). OpenSSL, allows for the encrypted transference of data (usernames, passwords, cookies, etc.) from users to website servers. There are several versions of OpenSSL, but the one I just mentioned is very popular. The actual percent of… Continue reading HeartBleed: What it is, How dangerous is it, and What you should do
Category: OS X Security
Use rsync To Backup Your Data On Mac OSX and Linux
The Problem: I had been backing data from my stand-alone server (Mac Pro G5 with Ubuntu Server 13.04 software) to an external USB drive on an iMac, then to a hard drive on a HP laptop with Debian OS, and finally to SkyDrive (a Microsoft cloud storage option). I used a “Norton Commander – like”… Continue reading Use rsync To Backup Your Data On Mac OSX and Linux
Tor – Practice Safe Surfing On The Web
In May of last year, I wrote an article titled “Anonymity on the Web – the Tor Browser” (http://wp.me/p2J68t-1q). When I wrote the “Anonymity……” article, I was concerned about how much information I was imparting to websites each time I visited one. After some investigation, I discovered The Tor Project. They provide a free open source… Continue reading Tor – Practice Safe Surfing On The Web
Sparse Image: A Secure Disk Image For Your Mac
The Sparse Image is a very robust and pretty much hidden in the Mac OS X Disk Utility program. When you create a Sparse Image, you create an encrypted password protected disk image. You can use the disk image to store private files, documents, photos, and other data. There are other programs that work similar… Continue reading Sparse Image: A Secure Disk Image For Your Mac
Keep Your Mac Safe For Free Part 4 (The Little Things)
Semper Vigilans There are plenty of programs waiting to attack your computer in cyberspace: malware, virus’s, trojans, worms, phishing, and other assortments of strangely labeled nasty code. Their purpose is to take your personal data (credit card info, phone numbers, addresses, license numbers, social security numbers, etc.) off your computer. This information is then sold… Continue reading Keep Your Mac Safe For Free Part 4 (The Little Things)
A Samba File Server And Network For Your Home/Small Office
Do I Need A File Server? A file server stores the data from a number of computers in one place. In addition, security is provided through secure access (username and password), with authorized permissions established for controlling usage of a single user, a specific group of users, and anyone else that may or may not… Continue reading A Samba File Server And Network For Your Home/Small Office
Samba Server (File Sharing) Setup
What is Samba? Samba is a fascinating and powerful networking program. Because of its level of complexity and multitude of uses, precisely defining it can be quite a challenge. Here are three definitions found from the software’s developers, at samba.org: “Samba is an Open Source/Free Software suite that provides seamless file and print services to… Continue reading Samba Server (File Sharing) Setup
Keep Your Mac Safe – Part 3 (Preparing for Disaster)
In Part 1 of this series, I discussed ways to keep your Mac safe: Tightening up Java and Flash Player access; some suggestions on anti-virus programs; setup programs for built-in firewalls; and some types of password protection. Part 2, discussed a data encryption program, and some ways to more safely “surf the net”. If you… Continue reading Keep Your Mac Safe – Part 3 (Preparing for Disaster)
Linux and Unix File Permissions
What Do You Mean I Can’t Do This? If this hasn’t happened to you already, it surely will: On your Mac or Linux computer, you attempt to load, save, copy, paste, or delete a file, and you receive a message on your screen that your request has been canceled because you do not have the… Continue reading Linux and Unix File Permissions
Anonymity on the Web – Tor Browser
Developed by the Tor Project, Tor is free open source software that allows you to surf the web with a high degree on anonymity. Initially, your web request (for the website you will eventually connect to) is bounced through a number of server relays, and through this process, your IP address (your online identity) is… Continue reading Anonymity on the Web – Tor Browser