journals

Security Dos and Don’ts

By Nick, March 7, 2006

“I’m Elmer FUD. Be vewy quiet, we’re hunting vulnerabiwities!”

DT staff member and server administrator Sogni has written up a piece on his (Mostly) CyberLife Blog calling for people to “shut the FUD up” when it comes to Mac security.

All of this is FUD and people wanting their 15 seconds of fame, and it is making me lose my temper!

Either show me an outbreak or SHUT THE FUD UP!!!

All these people screaming “the sky is falling” simply want to instill fear, uncertainty and doubt into would-be and newbie Mac owners. But the fact of the matter is that Mac OS X is one of the safest operating systems out there, and thousands of times safer than Microsoft’s Windows OSs.

He also offers up a number of ridiculously easy ways to secure your computer; you know, like not giving out your password and stuff like that.

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Shut the FUD UP!!!

By SogniX, March 6, 2006

If I hear about one more OS X “Virus”, “Trojan”, “Worm” or “Hack” I swear I’m going to SCREAM!!!

From exploiting ancient vulnerabilities that had been resolved ages before it became an issue, to writing a shell script and tricking people to run it, and my all time favorite - “hacking” into a Mac OS X box (by getting the owner to give you SSH access, opening ports and disabling the firewall)…

All of this is FUD and people wanting their 15 seconds of fame, and it is making me lose my temper!

Either show me an outbreak or SHUT THE FUD UP!!!

All these people screaming “the sky is falling” simply want to instill fear, uncertainty and doubt into would-be and newbie Mac owners. But the fact of the matter is that Mac OS X is one of the safest operating systems out there, and thousands of times safer than Microsoft’s Windows OSs.

Any computer can be secure or vulnerable depending on the actions of the owner.

Here are some tips to be safe - no mater what operating system you use.

Don’ts

x Do NOT use a “root” or “administrator” account for normal use!
When configuring your computer, setup an admin account 1st with a good password, then add your user account(s) as regular users.

x Do NOT give strangers an account on your computer.

x Do NOT open ports unless you know exactly what you are doing!

x Do NOT give out your password!

x Do NOT use…
(Continue)

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Spam poetry

By Nick, March 5, 2006

O spam, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways! -1, -2, -3…

After getting over 175 pieces of spam over the last week and a half, i decided to take these lovely wastes of verbiage and turn them into something almost worth reading. Submitted for your approval, spam poetry, incorporating some wonderful spam subject lines and emails.

Good morning Manny,

solecism.
vengeful at felony or even twitchy as in benight.
contradictory!
Darrin, not addressee Gena Suarez.

And reimburse is canopy
from My Canadian Pharmacy
while having vestigial some crosswalk.
Care to join me?

Can bed be swanson?
Perhaps!
Be meretricious with monadic crab?
Doubtful.

Really, raymond, not stylus!
gnawed folly in india
and defiant Champlain on pus.
But this what u asked 4.

No prescription needed!
Right phonology on pursuant!
Right on!
But Daisy was at marguerite when that happened. Pity.

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28 Days of Linux: I give Up

By Liam, March 5, 2006

Just to let you all know, I’ve given up. There were three resons for this:

I got frusterated not being able to watch any WMV files.
I’m not very happy with the performance of the OSS ATi drivers, and the fglrx (fireGLsomethingsomething) drivers wouldn’t install properly.
I doscovered the joys of online multiplayer.
Now that I’m free, I’ll give you a preview of what I’m working on for DT:
- Review: Internet Explorer 7 Beta 2 Preview (I might just wait for Beta 2, since its coming out after MIX 06
- Review: Google Earth (Windows)
- Tutorial: Scheduling your PC’s DVR when you use a cable box.
  That’s all folks!
  
  (I know it’s short, but I’ll make up for it in reviews)

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Cya around

By moreApple, March 5, 2006

I'd still like to see our Geeks on the forum when my new iMac needs a tune-up!

I’m leaving the blog but sticking around for my summary of the Apple world and more. DT Geeks has led me to people with interesting insights, intelligence, and imagination making me a better computer user, but I feel detached from the scene at a basic level. I’m frustrated because I’ll never be able to think different about technology, even though I love think.

I’ll continue to grow because of computers but not much more by writing about them.

I’d still like to see our Geeks on the forum when my new iMac needs a tune-up!

~Bryan Bernstein
withaychromosome on AIM