Your business and home needs a firewall…why?

So what happens when you install a firewall and make sure all operating systems on your home network are fresh installs?

craziness

 

You’ll probably see hits from foreign and U.S. IP addresses trying to make connections to your computers, phones and other devices on your network.   You’ll also notice common port numbers in the above log.  So what would happen if any of the services and ports were open?  It could result in the loss of data.

What should you do?  Install a hardware SOHO firewall and keep your OS firewall on.  While there are tons of other precautions you also need to take, ultimately this is a form of protection most home users and business users fail to implement.

Credit: Chris Davis

Service Pack 1 available for Office 2013

Service Pack 1 is available for Office 2013.

Full Download links-

32 bit download link

64 bit download link

How do I find out what version I have?

Open Word

Open File, Account and Click on About Word.  Look at the top in the first line at the end of the line.  This will indicate 32 or 64 bit.

What improvements are in this Service Pack?

Hundreds- Download the list from here

 

 

Office 2013 Problems? Use Microsoft Office Configuration Analyzer Tool 1.1

Installation problems with Office 2013?  Check out the Microsoft Office Configuration Analyzer Tool.  This tool can be used to help you analyze problems with your installation.  Download it here from Microsoft.

Office Analyzer

Office Scan

 

Scanning

 

 

 

 

 

Check a process – Can you trust it? Use CrowdInspect

CrowdInspect by CrowdStrike uses resources such as WOT,  VirusTotal  and Team Cymru’s Malware to check a running process.   This allows you to see if the process may be malicious or not.   The DNS information about any connections is also listed to let you determine if a process that is running should be looked into.

Crowd Inspect

What should you do with an old computer? Create a home router/firewall!

ITX-motherboards can often be found in older computers from garage sales or thrift stores.  What is the practical use for these motherboards or older computers?

Here’s a small project that involves protecting your home.

After finding an ITX motherboard and gathering extra parts from broken laptops and computers, this project will put the software SMOOTHWALL Express onto the computer to make a mini firewall.  Total cost?

  • $22 250watt power supply
  • $5 Gearhead mini keyboard

0306141659a

Base processor
Athlon 64 X2 (B) 5400+ 2.8 GHz (65W)
800 MHz front side bus
Socket AM2

Chipset
GeForce 9100

Motherboard

  • Manufacturer: Pegatron
  • Motherboard Name: APX78-BN
  • HP/Compaq motherboard name: Nutmeg-GL6E

Power supply
250W

Memory
240 Pin DDR2 PC2-6400 MB/sec
4GB
Hard drive
120 GB SATA 6G (6.0 Gb/sec)
7200 rpm

Video Graphics

Integrated on motherboard (NVidia 9100)

Sound/Audio
High Definition 6-channel audio
ALC 888S chipset

Network (LAN)
Integrated 10/100 Base-T networking interface
Added Broadcom wireless to create a wireless router

External I/O ports connections – 6  USB

Expansion slots

PCI Express mini card socket – added Broadcom Wireless
PCI Express x16
PCI Express x1

Additions-

  • 2″ Fan for Chipset

In the video below, HAK5 shows just how to make a motherboard like this into a nice home router/Firewall.

Consumerization has lead to a false sense of security…

The number of calls I get to direct people on how to get their identity back or give advice to members of law enforcement has grown to several times per week-
Consumerization has lead to a false sense of security.  I don’t feel secure on most days…You know, you may live in a small town but the internet exposes you to the entire world.  

Identity theft is at an all time high and our use of devices from smartphones, netbooks, laptops, computers and other devices has become a part of our lives.  With over 666,000 breaches last year, we believe it won’t happen us.  We aren’t creating complex passwords, using VPNs in hotspots (coffee shops, hotels, etc.).  We believe that Linux, Apple or Microsoft is secure and we have no idea that even our home routers are being attacked (over 300,000 recently).

The internet has a search engine for unsecured devices that we use everyday and reports are pouring in on the exploits and vulnerabilities on everything we put in our hands.

  • Don’t click on emails from people or business you don’t know
  • Don’t let social networking and internet surfing be part of your business.  You are protecting the identity of your clients
  • Businesses should use a hardware firewall – Firewalls on your computer is NOT enough protection
  • Change passwords, clean your computer (Yes, Apple and Linux too), perform maintenance such as updates and encrypt the hard drive or folders with critical data
  • Don’t use passwords that are the same on different accounts
  • Use two factor authentication with your bank, cc or any account that offers this services
  • Don’t use public computers that aren’t updated
  • Encrypt your flash drive
  • Never assume you are secure (ALL operating systems are vulnerable)
  • Get updates on ALL of your devices
  • Don’t fall for internet scams
  • Never meet with people to purchase internet merchandise without someone being with you.  Choose a secure place to meet.
  • Make Facebook private (stop publishing public post)
  • Don’t take pictures of driver’s license, car tags or valuables and post to social networks
  • Turn off the GPS on your phone and don’t check in at places – You are telling thieves you are not home.  Children should never tell where they are going on Facebook or other social networking sites.
  • Using apps often gives permission for the social network to use your personal information including contact (your friends) information
  • Monitor your credit report (Credit Karma is free)
  • Use Prey Project on your phones, tablets, laptops and computers
  • Update your router, TV and other devices with the latest firmware