Do I need to say more?

It seems like common sense to block peer-to-peer file sharing on computers and networks that contain sensitive data(ie credit card numbers or medical records).  Apparently, some companies(and government offices) missed that memo.  According to CNET, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, issued notices to over a hundred private and public organizations that sensitive information about their customers was being distributed through peer-to-peer networks.  In other words, these companies either each have shady people in their employment or they all hired idiots.  I like to think the latter.  Come on people, most file sharing applications scan your computer for files to share.  If you are not careful they open up your computer so anyone can download any file! So, the moral of the story is either higher smarter people or disable peer-to-peer file sharing on networks with sensitive data.  Come on people!

For more info go to CNET.

Sex, Drugs, and a Firewall?

There are people who have unprotected sex, ride motorcycles without protective gear(including a helmet!), text while driving, and do all manner of other stupid things. We call these people stupid(at least I do). If these things can be considered stupid then why is it okay to leave your personal computer unprotected. I can't tell you how many computers I have seen without the latest security patches, has no virus scanner, the firewall disabled, and/or a password I could guess on the first try(hint: try 'password'). When I ask these people why they always answer “its just easier that way.” To those who agree with this sentiment, and have done one or all of the above, you are asking for trouble(hackers, viruses, and identity theft oh my!).

Now, I am not advocating spending hundreds of dollars to make your home computer an electronic Fort Knox. You don't need your own private army and a barbed wire fence to protect your house against a bugler. You just need secure locks and an alarm system. Security on your personal computer follows the same principle. The following are just a few simple steps to secure your personal computer:

• Pick a secure password. Include numbers as well as letters.
  
• Keep your computer up to date. Companies like windows and Apple release these updates to fix a hole in your software some hacker has exploited. If you don't install these updates then the holes are still there!
  
• Use a firewall. For windows this is built in. Don't disable it!
  
• Get a good virus scanner. For Windows I recommend Avast. It is free and has a lot of the features others don't.
  

Having an alarm system in your house can't guarantee you won't get robbed.  Similarly, following these steps won't make your computer hacker or virus proof. It will, however, make it that much more difficult for them to get into your computer and give you the tools to clean up if and when they do.

For more information go to the Internet Safety Wiki.

What is your Pedigree?

Recently I was asked an interesting question. I was asked where I came from.  My knee-jerk response was that I am from Virginia. In retrospect this was a poor response. Not only do I come from a proud European history, but I also have many forbearers in my field of study, Computer Science. Where would I be without their work? What would I do if we didn't have computers?  These men who pioneered the industry, who pushed the limits of their imaginations and creativity, not only gave us the tools to be more productive but shaped our very way of life. So, today I would like to thank everyone from Alan Turing, who first imaged what a computer can do, to Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, whose work in operating systems influence how we use the computer on a daily basis. So I ask you, where do you come from?