Do you trust your computer?
You shouldn't.
Personal computers are now part of the furniture in
homes around the world. We use them for generating, storing
and communicating documents and images; we talk to friends
and family via email and surf the Web without giving too
much thought to the security of our personal information.
Unfortunately hacking and computer security are issues
which affect all computer users, not just big
corporations.
What is a desktop witness?
Your computer stores a record of every document you create,
every e-mail you write or receive, which sites you visit on
the Internet, even attachments which you don't open.
An unattended computer may reveal your secrets if you
leave security vulnerabilities unattended to. It may 'let
in' outsiders through your IR port. It 'whispers' behind
your back when you are online. Detectable radiation gives
away the contents of your screen. Eavesdroppers can hear
conversations through your microphone. Your computer
remembers everything.
What can you do?
This straight-talking guide, with its easy-to-follow
instructions will enable you to regain control and protect
your personal information. It will show you the virtues of
computer-anonymity, by making you aware of what might
motivate people to access your computer in the first place,
and it will help you free-up valuable memory by showing you
how to really delete the files your computer stores without
your knowledge.
A valuable read for any computer user and absolutely
essential for any individual, company or practice with
information to protect.
Contents
- The Need is Very Real: Author's Perspective
- So You Want to Encrypt: Don't Hurt Your Own Interests
by Doing So
- Protect What and From Whom? The Answer Determines What
You Should and Should Not Do
- Effective Protection for Computers Not Connected to
Networks
- Effective Protection for Computers Connected to the
Internet or other Networks
- Encrypted Telephony
- Legal Issues
- In Conclusion
- Appendices