Showing posts with label security. Show all posts
Showing posts with label security. Show all posts




Great chance for Google chrome lovers and for open source developers. If you are ready to spot bugs in Chrome web browser in security and get chance to back $500 and $1337. If you are talented to spot error, Google ready to award you.


Thursday, December 31, 2009

Lock PC with a USB flash drive

PREDATOR (With PREDATOR, security is as simple as inserting or removing a USB stick !)is the freeware, which is used for Lock your PC. It might resembles some Hollywood movie where a computer unlocks when USB flash drive is inserted. This is the software which is used for security application.

PREDATOR locks your PC when you are away, even if your Windows session is still opened.

It uses a regular USB flash drive as an access control device, and works as follows:

  • you insert the USB drive
  • you run PREDATOR (autostart with Windows is possible)
  • you do your work...
  • when you're away from your PC, you simply remove the USB drive:
    once it is removed, the keyboard and mouse are disabled and the screen darkens
  • when you return back to your PC, you put the USB flash drive in place:
    keyboard and mouse are immediately released, and the display is restored.

It's easier and faster than closing your Windows session, since you do not have to retype your password when you return.

Advanced Security Features:

  • PREDATOR records all security-related events in a log file: start, alarms, stop. By reading this log, you will know if intruders have tried to use your computer while you have been away.
  • PREDATOR can replicate this log on your Twitter account, allowing you to remotely monitor all access-control activity on your PC.
  • PREDATOR frequently changes the security codes recorded on your USB drive. If an intruder manages to copy your stick, this copy will not work because the codes on your own stick will have changed in the meantime.
  • PREDATOR disables the Windows task manager when you unplug the USB drive. Nobody can stop it with Ctrl-Alt-Del.
  • PREDATOR lets you regain control of your computer if you lose your stick: when you start the software for the first time, you set a password that will unlock your session if your USB drive is not available.
  • PREDATOR can sound an audible alarm if somebody enters an invalid password.
  • And finally, PREDATOR can protect several PCs with the same USB flash drive, e.g. your home and office computers.


"FREEWARE DOWNLOAD"

I read an article "Create strong passwords" in Microsoft Online safety. That was an very useful Article about password security.



How to keep your Password Safe and secure ?
* Steps to build a strong password
* Learn what makes strong passwords
* Avoid common password strategies that fail

Steps to build a strong password:
The strong password consist of random string and numbers, which should be difficult to guess and remember by others.

1. Think of a sentence that you will remember
Example: “My son Aiden is three years old.”
2. Turn your sentence into a password
Use the first letter of each word of your memorable sentence to create a string, in this case: “msaityo”.
3. Add complexity to your password or pass phrase
Mix uppercase and lowercase letters and numbers. Introduce intentional misspellings.
For example, in the sentence above, you might substitute the number 3 for the word “three”, so a password might be “MsAi3yo”.
4. Substitute some special characters
Use symbols that look like letters, combine words, or replace letters with numbers to make the password complex.
Using these strategies, you might end up with the passwordM$8ni3y0.”
5. Test your new password with Password Checker
6. Keep your password a secret
Treat your passwords with as much care as the information that they protect.

Password Strategies

To avoid weak, easy-to-guess passwords:

  • Avoid sequences or repeated characters
    "12345678," "222222," "abcdefg," or adjacent letters on your keyboard do not make secure passwords.
  • Avoid using only look-alike substitutions of numbers or symbols
    Criminals will not be fooled by common look-alike replacements, such as to replace an 'i' with a '1' or an 'a' with '@' as in "M1cr0$0ft" or "P@ssw0rd".
    These substitutions can be effective when combined with other measures, such as length, misspellings, or variations in case.
  • Avoid your login name
    Don't use any part of your name, birthday, social security number, or similar information for your loved ones.
    This type of information is one of the first things criminals will try, and they can find it easily online from social networking sites, online resumes, and other public sources of data.
  • Avoid dictionary words in any language
    Criminals use sophisticated tools that can rapidly guess passwords that are based on words in multiple dictionaries, including words spelled backwards, common misspellings, profanity, and substitutions.
  • Avoid using only one password for all your accounts
    If your password is compromised on any one of the computers or online systems that use it, you should consider all of your other information protected by that password compromised as well.
    It is critical to use different passwords for different systems.
  • Be careful with password recovery questions
    Many Web sites offer a "password " service that lets you provide the answer to a secret question. If you forget your password, the service will send it to you if you can remember the answer to your secret question.
    The questions are often random, but sometimes the answers to these questions are freely available on the Web. Choose your questions carefully or make up the answers.
  • Avoid using online storage
    If criminals find your passwords stored online or on a networked computer, they have access to all your information.
MORE INFO:Microsoft Online safety



Passwords Sentinel
is a fresh reliable solution developed for secure password storage, a personal assistant to organize that huge quantity of information you don’t like but so much need. It is light software whose purpose is to manage and keep safe passwords, access codes, important dates, figures, numbers, etc.

Forget all about memorizing huge amounts of data or hiding pieces of paper with personal information in places you have to remember! Stop worrying that someone might stumble upon your most important passwords! Let Password Sentinel manage your access codes – have one less concern!

Passwords Sentinel stores your passwords in a highly encrypted local database which consists of only one file, thus allowing easy transfer from one computer to another.

KEY FEATURES:

* Highly encrypted databases
* Freeware:which you have full access in terms of source code!
* Support of master passwords and key-disks
* Runs on all Windows operating systems and doesn't need to be installed
* Export password list to TXT, XML or CSV files
* Import from CSV, CodeWallet(Pro) TXT and Password Safe v2 TXT files
* Easy database transfer
* Support of password groups
* Time fields and entry attachment support
* Auto-type, global auto-type hot key combination and drag-n-drop support
* Intuitive and secure Windows clipboard handling
* Searching and sorting
* Multi-language support
* Strong random password generator
* Low memory requirement

http://www.passwordsentinel.com/downloads/

Related Posts with Thumbnails