Assorted Links from Defensive Computing Class by Michael Horowitz

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From the personal web site of Michael Horowitz

Assorted Defensive Computing Links

Topics Below

Cleaning
Installing Software
Electricity
Firewalls
Startup Programs

Odds and Ends
Bug Fixes
Security/Privacy
File Shredding
Reading List

Other Defensive Computing Links Pages
Backing Up Your Computer Links Virus links Spyware and Adware (malware) links Defensive Email links Introduction to Defensive Computing links

March 5, 2009: This page is old, it was last reviewed sometime in 2006.

Cleaning To Avoid OverheatingTOP

Intel Desktop Utilities If you have an Intel motherboard, this includes a free utility to monitor the heat inside your computer
Overheating may cause computer shutdown by Mike Himowitz in the Baltimore Sun. November 3, 2005. Be vary wary of a computer that gets too hot.
Rust Never Sleeps: How To Deal With Moisture And Corrosion In Your PC by Fred Langa in InformationWeek March 14, 2005
Getting The Grunge Out Of Your PC by Fred Langa in InformationWeek February 28, 2005. About cleaning a PC and with many pictures.
Curing Laptop Overheating by Fred Langa in InformationWeek February 14, 2005. Cleaning dust out of a laptop/notebook computer
The Dirt on Cleaning Your Computer Newsday October 14, 2003. Lou Dolinar
Troubleshooting PC Overheating from Dell
None Like It Hot by Fred Langa in Information Week. March 12, 2001. Excessive heat is a CPU's worst enemy.

The Correct Way to Install SoftwareTOP

Want a New Headache? Try to Uninstall by David Pogue of the New York Times February 17, 2005
See what others have said about the software you are about to install at: www.cnet.com , www.epinions.com, www.zdnet.com, www.techtv.com/techtv and www.amazon.com.
Banish Windows Blowups Before They Occur. Some golden rules on software updates and maintenance to keep your PC running smoothly. PC World magazine, May 2003 issue.
Full Disclosure: Installation Easy? No, Queasy! PC World Magazine. December 2002. Gripes about installing software by Stephen Manes.

ElectricityTOP

Power Protection by Jon L. Jacobi PC World magazine June 25, 2004 Which of the eight uninterruptible power supplies we review will best guard your PC from surges and spikes?
Don't let lightning zap your PC Tips for protecting your computer from summer storms. CNN. June 15, 2004
Empowering PCs to handle surges, outages a wise move by Mike Himowitz in the Baltimore Sun June 10, 2004
PC Juice Boxes, in Various Flavors Newsday September 16, 2003 Lou Dolinar
Blackout gives dark reminder to protect your computer, data About surge protectors and UPSs. By Mike Himowitz in the Baltimore Sun. August 21, 2003.
Beating Blackouts by Frank Hayes in ComputerWorld magazine. August 25, 2003
How Surge Protectors Work by Tom Harris. No date.
Surge Suppressors: Anatomy Lesson Your First Line of Defense Against Overvoltage by Winn Rosch ExtremeTech July 20, 2001
Uninterruptible Power Supplies By Winn Rosch ExtremeTech August 17, 2001
Flashes, Flickers and Fluctuations By Fred Langa June 18, 2001

FirewallsTOP

Comodo Personal Firewall 2.0 PC Magazine May 30, 2006. They loved it.
Reviews of FREE firewalls from PC Magazine September 28, 2005
Skype and Firewalls
Choosing The Right Personal Firewall By Wayne Rash December 10, 2004
Big bug in the Windows XP SP2 firewall
Microsoft fixes 'critical' XP firewall issue IDG News Service December 17, 2004
Description of the critical update for Windows Firewall "My Network (subnet) only" scoping in Windows XP Service Pack 2
XP SP2 Bug Inadvertently Shares Your PC's Files Online by Andrew Brandt PC World September 17, 2004
ZoneAlarm Pro 5.5 reviewed by PC Magazine November 18, 2004. They liked it.
Norton Personal Firewall 2005 reviewed by PC Magazine October 1, 2004. They liked it.
Personal Firewall—Don't Surf Without It PC Magazine October 1, 2004 By Neil J. Rubenking
Why does svchost access the internet? September 1, 2004 Leo Notenboom
Routers, firewalls give PCs extra hack-attack protection by Mike Himowitz in the Baltimore Sun August 12, 2004
Some programs seem to stop working after you install Windows XP Service Pack 2 from Microsoft. August 4, 2004. By default, Windows Firewall is enabled and blocks unsolicited connections to your computer. This article discusses how to make an exception and enable a program to run by adding it to the list of exceptions.
Troubleshooting Windows Firewall in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 by Microsoft. How Windows Firewall works, common problems with it and tools used to troubleshoot it.
Troubleshooting Internet Connection Firewall on Microsoft Windows XP by Microsoft. How ICF works, how to enable it, common problems with using ICF, and the set of tools used to troubleshoot ICF issues.
Manually Configuring Windows Firewall in Windows XP Service Pack 2 by Microsoft February 16, 2004
Don't Toss That Personal Firewall By Larry Seltzer in eWeek August 5, 2004. About problems and limitations with the Windows firewall in Windows XP SP2.
Windows XP SP2's Windows Firewall won't be enough by Brian Livingston July 8, 2004
Pop-up pains by David Strom in his Web Informant newsletter, December 12, 2003. About Messenger pop-ups.
Stay Safe Online from the National Cyber Security Alliance
Step-By-Step: Bulletproof Your PC With a Software Firewall The setup basics. PC World magazine June 24, 2003
Hackers And Viruses Don't Stand A Chance About ZoneAlarm Pro v4. Forbes Magazine Ten O'Clock Tech June 13, 2003
New ZoneAlarm Toughens Firewall. Version 4 improves e-mail protection, hacker-tracing, and VPN support. PCWorld.com June 12, 2003
Great Walls of Fire - How to Keep Ruffians Out of Your Computer—for Free The Village Voice April 18, 2003 by Brendan I. Koerner
www.firewallguide.com
Do your systems need ZoneAlarm? ZDNet June 13, 2002
About XP's Internet Connection Firewall Read why you should not use the Microsoft firewall that is part of Windows XP. by Scot Finnie December 9, 2002.
Firewall Feedback Fred Langa tests a new crop of desktop firewalls and makes recommendations. Covers ZoneAlarm, Agnitum Outpost, Sygate Personal Firewall and Tiny Personal Firewall. Information Week April 15, 2002.
Personal Internet Firewalls that really work! by Steve Gibson. Explains what a firewall is and how it works. February 2002.
How Much Protection Is Enough? Too much or too little online security can lead to a world of trouble. About Firewalls. By Fred Langa in Information Week magazine. June 4, 2001.
Description of a Personal Firewall from Microsoft. What a firewall is and does and problems it may entail.
Internet Firewalls For Windows XP. From Microsoft. Introductory article. By Tony Northrup. August 12, 2002
Which Programs Should I Let Access the Internet? About configuring ZoneAlarm v3. PC World Magazine. November 2002 issue
How It Works: Personal Firewalls PC World June 5, 2000
How Firewalls Work by Jeff Tyson No date.
Firewalls from Microsoft. No date. Long and fairly technical article.
Troubleshooting Internet Connection Firewall on Windows XP from Microsoft. How ICF works, how to enable it, common problems and tools used to troubleshoot problems. October 2003.
ComputerWorld magazine Firewall center
Download many firewall programs from PC World Magazine
Identify Ports

Port Authority Database from Steve Gibson
Port Numbers from iana - plain text - not as comprehensive as Steve Gibson's
PC Flank's Port Database
Port Requirements for the Microsoft Windows Server System Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 832017

Firewalls

ZoneAlarm Free and paid versions
Kerio Sunbelt Personal Firewall Free and paid versions. This was purchased by Sunbelt Software in November 2005
Outpost Personal Firewall Free and paid versions
Jetico Personal Firewall for Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP freeware
Sygate Personal Firewall The Standard Edition is free, there are paid versions too.
Update: Symantec purchased Sygate and discontinued the free firewall in November 2005.
McAfee Firewall Express is free from AOL Broadband
Tiny Software makes a Personal Firewall that sells for about $50 and runs on Windows 2000, XP, and 2003.

Testing a FirewallTOP

ShieldsUP! by Steve Gibson of GRC. To learn how to use Shields Up, see this free streaming video by Patrick Crispen
Hackerwatch from McAfeee is particularly easy for non-techies to understand
Internet-Security Site by Symantec includes a security scan to see if your computer is safe from online threats. It uses ActiveX and thus only works with Internet Explorer.
The Java based Port Scan from DSLReports is one of their many assorted tests and tools. The results are a bit techie.
AuditMyPC has a free port probe
PC Flank has a number of different tests
Leak Test also by Steve Gibson, tests outbound protection of your firewall
How Scot Finnie tests firewalls when he reviews them in his newsletter
Good And Bad Online Security Check-Ups About web sites that testing system and network security. By Fred Langa in Information Week magazine. June 11, 2001.
Security Scan from Sygate has been discontinued
DSL Reports port scan has been discontinued
Secunia Online Vulnerability Scanner has been discontinued

Startup ProgramsTOP

Answers that Work tasklist programs (alternate link)
LIUtilities Process Library aka www.processlibrary.com
Greatis Startup Application Database
Startup Inspector for Windows a free program to manage autostarted programs. The web site has a database of autostarted programs.
StartupList from CastleCops (formerly computercops.biz)
Network Techs Startup Program Database and Process Database
Startup Applications List at sysinfo.org Alternate Link
Startup Content Pacman's Portal where you can also download a zip file of programs that run at startup
Known Processes from Security Task Manager
Statup programs from cexx.org
William Krick's Startup Items List Alternate Link
Tasklist.org
The Elder Geek explains services
Disabling unnecessary and potentially dangerous services for Windows XP from UK Security Online. No date.
Black Viper on Windows 2000 services and Windows XP services and a full description of services
Keep It Simple Cut the clutter on your PC and you can stop aggravations before they begin. Our 50 tips show you how to simplify Windows and your system from startup to shutdown. by Scott Spanbauer PC World magazine August 27, 2004
Stop Unnecessary Services Batch File for Windows XP. A batch file that stops services not needed while using the computer to play games or any other time when performance matters most. September 2004
System Settings for a Game Machine From TweakXP.com Hard core gamers can live without a long list of Windows services.
Autoruns from sysinternals.com
Startup Problems and Tips from DJ Denham
To research Windows 2000 services see Purpose of Windows 2000 Services and Glossary of Windows 2000 Services both from Microsoft. The second one can be downloaded as a Word document.
System Services for the Windows Server 2003 Family and Windows XP Operating Systems May 1, 2003. Provides detailed descriptions of system services included as part of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.
Supercharge Windows by Paring Unneeded Services PC World August 2003 issue
TweakHound's Super XP Tweaking Guide Services One persons opinion on services that can be disabled.
Tweaking Win2k services for home users by Andrew McConville. Also for Windows XP. October 2001
The Windows 2000 Services Tweak guide shows how to change services and what to change. By Thomas McGuire March 2001.
TechSpot has guides to Windows 2000 and Windows XP services
Services Guide for Windows XP from The Elder Geek What the services do and how they should run
Stopping Windows XP Services April 16, 2002 from the WinXPnews newsletter
Startup Control Panel by Mike Lin is free
To download msconfig for Windows 95 and 2000
A list of programs that can control startup applications from spywareinfo.com
How to use MSCONFIG by Patrick Crispen
Managing the Programs That Run When Windows Starts Up by Vic Laurie
Download MSCONFIG for Windows 2000 from perfectdrivers.com
Startup Cop program from PC Magazine. New version released December 2003. Costs at least $5. Screen shot
Take Control of your Computer PC Magazine. August 5, 2003. About TaskPower.
A description of Svchost.exe in Windows XP Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 314056

Odds and EndsTOP

Questions to ask when upgrading to Broadband (cable or DSL)

Download Too Much, Lose Your Broadband PC World magazine July 2004 issue
Putting a lid on broadband use CNet News.com September 22, 2003
Broadband Scorecard PC Magazine September 16, 2003. Large reader survey of broadband ISPs
More Broadband for Your Buck Are you getting all the ISP you pay for? Make the most of your connection, and what to do if it's time to switch providers. From the September 2003 issue of PC World magazine
Fowl Snip. The Village Voice. August 12, 2002 Brendan I. Koerner. Road Runner, Time Warner Cable's Internet service may be blocking use of file sharing software.

How fast is your Internet connection?
Just How Fast is Broadband, Really? High-speed access isn't always as fast as advertised. PCWorld Magazine. April 25, 2003. A report found a big difference in broadband speeds among similar technologies. Comparing cable to DSL they found the average speed of a cable modem is 708 kilobits per second, while the average DSL speed is 467 kbps.
Optimize Your Internet Connection on ExtremeTech February 11, 2002. By Serdar Yegulalp
Test your connection speed at these web sites:

Speakeasy lets you chose the server nearest to you
www.pcpitstop.com/internet/bandwidth.asp
bandwidth.com/tools/speedTest has two tests. A download only test requires JavaScript. An upload and download test requires Java.
speedtest.dsl.net uses Java, measures both directions
www.wugnet.com/speedtest.html
webservices.cnet.com/bandwidth
performance.toast.net
Broadband Reports Alternate Link FAQ
www.bandwidthplace.com/speedtest
us.mcafee.com/root/speedometer.asp
Numion.com
Internet Speed Test at msn.com
speedtest.dslreports.com uses a Java applet to test speed in both directions

Blocking pop-up ads on the Internet

EndPopUps
Pop This! from ZDnet downloads or from vendor

Customizing Internet Explorer

Some tips on securing IE
Customize Your Web Browsing Layout from Microsoft for IE6. Works with IE5 also.
Internet Explorer Privacy & Security Settings
Never take candy, car rides or software from strangers by Mike Himowitz in the Baltimore Sun July 24, 2003 About protecting yourself from web sites installing software on your computer
Working with Internet Explorer 6 Security Settings from Microsoft March 26, 2003
American Stock Exchange web site does not respond to text size preferences

Upgrading an old version of Windows to a new version

Upgrading to Windows XP by Jim Foley, The Elder Geek

Closing a hole in Windows XP security

Securing Your PC: You're On Your Own. May 26, 2003. Stephen H. Wildstrom. Business Week

Free RAM testing programs:

See my class: So You Bought a New Computer. Now What?

Totally erasing a hard disk before getting rid of an old computer

See my class: So You Bought a New Computer. Now What?

Test your hard disk

SpinRite v6.0 is a high end program
SeaTools online disk checking from Seagate via ActiveX

Defragmenting your hard disk

The free versionof DisKeeper 7
PageDefrag from Sysinternals
Contig from Sysinternals
Defrag tips and information about scheduling in Windows 2000. Langa List newsletter. January 24, 2002.

Printers

Epson Faces Consumer Suits Complaints in three states claim printer vendor cuts off ink cartridges before they're empty. PCWorld.com October 24, 2003
$40 Printer, $40 Ink Low-cost HP ink jet is no bargain for users who print often. PC World magazine, September 2003
How to Buy a Printer PC World Magazine
Bogus Ink Stink Counterfeit ink and toner cartridges can ruin prints, spray ink, and permanently damage your printer. Part one of a series on cheap ink. PC World magazine July 2, 2003
Cheap Ink Probed Tests of third-party ink cartridges. From the September 2003 issue of PC World magazine
Minolta-QMS PagePro 1250W PC World Magazine January 2003
Print prudently with recycled cartridges CNET September 6, 2002. Names some trustworthy companies to buy ink cartridges from

Re-cycling or donating an old computer
The recycling links are now on the page for my new computer class
Getting a cheap second computer for backup

Real deals available on PCs, laptops By Mike Langberg Mercury News August 15, 2005.
Discount Desktops: How Low Can You Go? PC World November 19, 2004. Here's what you need to know to get the most desktop for your dollar at any price.
Kevin Savetz' Guide To Buying a Ridiculously Cheap PC
Gateway to outsource new low-end PC CNET News.com July 31, 2003. They started a $399 pc, the Gateway 310.
HP lowers price pole with $349 PC CNET News.com June 26, 2003
A $200 Computer Can Perform, Barely About three $200 Linux machines. The Washington Post June 15, 2003
Hardware Tips: Stretch Your Technology Dollar With a Used PC. Consider these important points when shopping for a previously owned system. PC World magazine. May 27, 2003

Computer running slowly

Using MSCONFIG article by Patrick Douglas Crispin
Process Explorer from SysInternals
Try the diagnostic utilities at www.pcpitstop.com
Which Background Programs Can I Close? Shut down unnecessary applications; find the cause of sudden reboots; save PC power via hibernation; exit Windows with one click. by Lincoln Spector PC World magazine May 28, 2003

File Systems

Overview of FAT, HPFS, and NTFS File Systems from Microsoft
Description of the FAT32 File System from Microsoft
Description of the FAT32 File System in Windows XP from Microsoft
How to Use Convert.exe to Convert a Partition to the NTFS File System from Microsoft

The Perfect Rescue Tool By Fred Langa June 23, 2003 Information Week magazine.
How to make a custom, bootable CD containing the right tools to fix just about any system trouble.
Part 2 of the article was published July 7, 2003.

Bug Fixes TOP

How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 2 from your computer Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 875350
Microsoft Takes its Time with Backup Patch by Brian Livingston July 6, 2004. A user reports a problem to Microsoft and waits forever for a fix.
Why Microsoft's patch process needs patching By David Berlind of ZDnet July 2, 2004
Microsoft Doesn't Care, So Hack Your Own Update CD By Larry Seltzer in eWeek July 1, 2004
Oh Patch How I Hate Thee; Let Me Count the Ways by Jesper M. Johansson, Security Program Manager at Microsoft April 15, 2004
Office XP Service Pack 3 problems bite users By Brian Livingston March 26, 2004
Microsoft Readies Security Update CDs Disc provides dial-up users with necessary patches, but lacks the latest fixes. IDG News Service February 19, 2004.
Successful Updates Despite Very Slow Connections Information Week. February 16, 2004. Fred Langa shows how some simple workarounds let you bypass bottlenecks when keeping your PCs up to date.
eEye Digital Security finds bugs in software and publishes a list of bugs that haven't been fixed for loooong time.
Patch Backlash Is Microsoft doing enough to fix its security mess? PC World December 15, 2003
Patches That Patch By Brian Livingston in eWeek. November 17, 2003. The monthly schedule for routine patches is a sham as Microsoft has to patch the patches.
Great Expectations You don't expect software to actually work do you? By Ed Foster November 6th, 2003
Can Microsoft Finally Kill All The Bugs? Fast Company October 2003
Fred Langa had Windows Update fail on him. Useful article because it also describes the fix. Mr. Langa found a web page with information on many problems with Windows Update called MrScary's Windows Update Resource Page. September 15, 2003.
Companies Scramble to Patch Software Holes System Administrators Burdened by Number of Vulnerabilities Washingtonpost.com September 15, 2003
Patching Windows Systems Draws IT Pros Ire Long after Bill Gates began the Trustworthy Computing campaign, the bugs keep coming. Information Week magazine. September 15, 2003.
Windows Patches and the Dial-Up Problem By Larry Seltzer in eWeek. September 12, 2003
Windows Update Gripes by me.
Security firm: IE patch does not work CNET News.com September 8, 2003. The long, winding story of a single bug fix.
Patch and Pray It's the dirtiest little secret in the software industry: Patching no longer works. And there's nothing you can do about it. August 2003 issue of CSO magazine. By Scott Berinato
Tightening The Security Screws In Windows By Larry Seltzer for Ziff Davis August 21, 2003
Patching Becoming a Major Resource Drain for Companies ComputerWorld August 18, 2003
Windows Update Patch Process Faulty, Expert Says Claims flaw fools users into thinking that their systems have been patched properly.ComputerWorld August 18, 2003. A scary story.
Tips for Securing Your Windows Operating System ComputerWorld July 14, 2003. About hot fixes, service packs, QFEs and security hot fixes
Microsoft's Problematic Updates Fred Langa May 19, 2003 Information Week magazine. Windows Updates sometimes cause more harm than good. What's the best way to handle them?
What Windows knows By Brian Livingston March 14, 2003. How Windows Update uploads to Redmond your Product ID number and a list of your hardware.
When the Cure Is Worse Than the Disease Applying bug fixes can make things worse, rather than better. PC World magazine. No date.
A bug by any other name by James Gleick. 1997. On why Microsoft never refers to mistakes in their software as bugs.
From Microsoft

The Windows Security Update CD has bug fixes up to February 2004
All the Service Packs for all their software
HOW TO: Keep Your Windows Computer Up-to-Date
About Windows Update
Windows Update Troubleshooter A list of known bugs in Windows Update
Microsoft Security Guidance Center: Patch Management Index
Patch Management, Security Updates, and Downloads
HOW TO: Schedule Automatic Updates in Windows XP, Windows 2000, or Windows Server 2003
Microsoft Guide to Security Patch Management Undated
You can sign up to have Microsoft send you an email message for each security alert
Browse the latest security bugs in Windows. Note, this not a full list of Windows bugs, just the security related ones.
Help and Support for Windows Update

Security and Privacy TOP

Security Now! audio/podcast with Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte. Includes a discussion of important issues in personal computer security. You can download and listen to selected episodes or subscribe to the ongoing series as an RSS "podcast" and have them automatically downloaded to you as they are produced.
Browsing the Web and Reading E-mail Safely as an Administrator by Michael Howard of Microsoft. November 15, 2004. Very interesting article about forcing your Internet-facing programs to run as restricted users even while logged on as an administrator.
Paul's First Week as a Limited User Paul Thurrott wrote about why it is all but impossible to use Windows XP as a restricted user. June 2004.
Increase Your Browsing and E-Mail Safety 4 Steps to Help Ward Off Hackers and Attackers from Microsoft June 11, 2004
Tips on creating and securing passwords AP June 1, 2004
Lock Down Your PC By Scott Spanbauer From the April 2004 issue of PC World magazine
Microsoft Security Guidance Center
Microsoft Security Newsletter for Home Users A monthly newsletter with security news, guidance, updates, and resources
How to Keep Your Browsing a Secret Newsday Lou Dolinar October 7, 2003
Problems Can Add Up When File Sharing Newsday Lou Dolinar September 30, 2003
Remove your information from the Google index
The Danger of Too Much File Sharing Are strangers grabbing more than just tunes from your PC? About BearShare, Kazaa and Morpheus. From the September 2003 issue of PC World magazine
The PC World Password Safety Test PC World magazine, September 2, 2003
Managing Your Windows XP Passwords by Fred Langa. August 18, 2003 in Information Week. Suggestions about how to get back into your accounts and files after losing a Windows XP password.
Cracking Windows passwords in seconds CNET News.com July 22, 2003
Kinko's case highlights Internet risks by the AP at NewsObserver.com July 22, 2003. About an invisible key logger program installed at some Kinko's stores that stole userids and passwords.
The Other Kind of Tracks by Walter Mossberg May 2003
Securing Your PC: You're On Your Own. May 26, 2003. Stephen H. Wildstrom. Business Week.
Easy Encryption by Fred Langa InformationWeek June 2, 2003
The Encrypting File System from Microsoft. no date.
Software Simplifies E-mail Encryption - Somewhat USA Today May 22, 2003. About PGP.
A Cybersecurity Primer: Creating a Password from The Washington Post September 18, 2002. Password advice.
Passwords - the weakest link, Hackers can crack most in less than a minute May 22, 2002 CNET News.com. Includes advice on choosing a password and many relevant links.
Home Computer Security from CERT, the Carnegie-Mellon Software Engineering Institute
eWeek magazine has a page with many articles on Security
Business Week magazine columns on Internet Security
The Microsoft web site has two portal pages on security. One seems to be for home users, the other, from Technet, is for techies.
Sign up to have Microsoft send you an email message for each security alert.
Browse the latest security bugs in Windows. Note, this not a full list of Windows bugs, just the security related ones.
Security and Privacy Basics From Microsoft. Consider the source.
Many security articles are at Security Pipeline from Internet Week
Computer Security Special Publications from NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)
Secure Your Home Computer from TomCat Internet Solutions
Book - The Complete Idiot's Guide to Internet Privacy and Security by Preston Gralla. January 2002.

File Shredding and Recovering Deleted FilesTOP

Hard Drives Exposed They examined used hard drives and found sensitive data on all but one. PC World magazine May 2003
Old hard drives yield data bonanza CNET News.com January 15, 2003. Scavenging old hard disks they found many credit card numbers.
Remembrance of Data Passed: A Study of Disk Sanitization Practices by Simson Garfinkel and Abhi Shelat. January 2003
Sanitized hard drives still full of information Associated Press January 26, 2003
Ultimate Data Destruction A long list of file shredder programs. Feb 20, 2003. Tech TV.
Wipe Your Drive Clean of All Its Sensitive Data PC World Magazine. April 2003
A long list of encryption software products

Reading ListTOP

Home office security checklist from Microsoft. December 21, 2005. Help safeguard your business when you work from home
More on safe computing by David Strom January 10 2005 in his Web Informant newsletter. Good introductory article.
Cheapskate's Guide to a Safe PC By Michelle Delio of Wired February 10, 2004
Don't use RAM optimizers. The Memory-Optimization Hoax January 2004 by Mark Russinovich in Windows & .NET Magazine
Secure Your Home Computer from TomCat Internet Solutions. A depressingly long list
Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File from MVPs.org a site associated with the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional program
To Fix Software Flaws, Microsoft Invites Attack the New York Times September 29, 2003
Protecting Your Privacy & Security by Eric L. Howes
How to Buy a Hard Drive PC World magazine
Enough Already: Microsoft Must Change by Fred Langa in Information Week September 28, 2003. About safe computing.
Safe computing requires 2 types of defense by Mike Himowitz in the Baltimore Sun. September 18, 2003
When Bad Things Happen to Good Computers How to protect from viruses, a blackout, or a lightning strike. FORTUNE magazine, September 2, 2003 By Peter Lewis
Protect Your PC! by Ed Bott on his web site. September 1, 2003
How to avoid, or address, software trouble. Consumer Reports magazine. August 2003
PC protection for procrastinators by Mike Langberg in the Mercury News August 21, 2003
Looking out for users Broadband service providers step up protection of their customers against viruses, spam and worse. by Laurie Willis in the Baltimore Sun August 14, 2003
From the makers of insecure software, advice on how to secure it, but only for Windows XP. For "End Users" www.microsoft.com/protect. For "IT Professionals" www.microsoft.com/technet/security/tips/pcprotec.asp. Read with salt.
There is no product category where the shopping experience is made more opaque and confusing than computers. Some of the reliance on jargon in the computer business is meant to make you pay for things you don't need. Walter Mossberg. Wall Street Journal. December 4, 2002.
The Weekly Fab Five The five things you should do each week to keep your computer running in tip-top shape. By Patrick Crispen of the Tourbus Internet newsletter. Includes screen shots of Windows Update.
Preventive Maintenance of a PC Webopedia June 13, 2003
Checklist: Conduct Routine Security Maintenance From Microsoft. Last updated February 17, 2003.
Cybersecurity and You: Five Tips Every Consumer Should Know from The Washington Post May 16, 2003
Helpfulness Is Next to Geekliness PC World magazine, Steve Bass, April 29, 2003. Suggested web sites offering technical support.
Digging Out From A Disaster By Loyd Case January 1, 2003. Sometimes there is no substitute for a standby computer.
Having trouble with your personal computer? from Consumer Reports
Home Computing Guide from Consumer Reports
Windows Tips: Banish Windows Blowups Before They Occur. PC World magazine. May 2003.
Paper Thin - Are Computer Warranties Rip-Offs? The Village Voice, March 2003 by Brendan I. Koerner
Refill 'er Up. About Brand-X printer cartridges. The Village Voice, October 2002 by Brendan I. Koerner
Don't send computer off to college till it's equipped by Mike Himowitz in the Baltimore Sun. August 15, 2002. Good computer advice in preparation for sending a student off to school.
Protect Your PC A long article that covers viruses, stealthy software and firewalls. From the July 2002 issue of PC World magazine
Protect your computer against Internet attacks CNet by Robert Vamosi May 9, 2002
Monitors - links on computer monitors are with my Buying and Owning a Laptop Computer class
Newsletters

The Langa List There is a free version and a longer paid version which costs $11 a year
Scots Newsletter by Scot Finnie
Windows XP News from Sunbelt Software

Books

Troubleshooting Your PC by M. David Stone and Alfred Poor. This is what we are trying to avoid with Defensive Computing.
PC Fear Factor: The Ultimate PC Disaster Prevention Guide by Alan D. Luber. A book on Defensive Computing (a bit dated).



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