Computerworld
Quick Menu
Search



Ads by TechWords

See your link here


Subscribe to our e-mail newsletters
For more info on a specific newsletter, click the title. Details will be displayed in a new window.
Finance
Security
Computerworld Daily News (First Look and Wrap-Up)
Computerworld Blogs Newsletter
The Weekly Top 10
More E-Mail Newsletters 
Computerworld 2007Subscribe to Computerworld
40 years of the most authoritative source of news and information for IT leaders.

A gift list from 'Security Claus'

 

Sign up to receive Security Resource Alerts

December 6, 2005 (Computerworld) -- It's the time of year when you need to pick out gifts for your friends, family and co-workers. I thought I would add a little security to your season, and maybe help you choose gifts that are unusual but also useful. So to that end, enjoy!


Security software suites: For about $50, you can buy a firewall/antivirus/antispam suite. Antispyware is also a good option as well. Sadly, many people don't have this type of software, and frequently, if they do, they don't maintain the licenses so that the software can update attack signature files. Without an updated license, the software is as bad as having nothing.
Personal shredders: With identity theft being a crime that will only continue to grow, a gift that helps to prevent identity theft should be very welcome. Personal shredders can be found for under $30 and are useful for everyone. You should look for cross-cut shredders that can accommodate at least five sheets of papers with staples, if you really like the person receiving the gift.
USB drives: Most people don't perform backups regularly, primarily because they don't have a logistically feasible way to do it. This puts them at risk from everything from viruses to just stupid accidents. Without backups, you are basically screwed if something goes wrong. The newer Universal Serial Bus drives can hold up to 2GB and should be able to back up most people's "My Documents" directory structure. People with a lot of pictures and music will need several of them, but you can be one of the first to help them out.
3M Privacy Filters: For the frequent travelers on your list, 3M Privacy Filters are great gifts. I've gathered some of my best intelligence looking over people's shoulders on airplanes and in other public areas. While people shouldn't do sensitive work where "outsiders" can spy on them, they will. Just to make sure your friends don't lose that big contract and get fired, these filters are great gifts.
Laptop cable locks: Also for the road warriors on your list, a cable lock can be a great gift. If you take a good look at a laptop computer, you will see an oval hole or two that's about a half inch in length. There are special cables that have a head that fits right into that hole. You wrap the cable around something that isn't going to move too easily, and then lock the head into your computer. While this doesn't guarantee your computer can't be physically stolen, it makes stealing your computer exponentially more difficult.


Hackers Challenge and Hackers Challenge 2 (McGraw-Hill Cos., 2001 and 2002, respectively): If you're looking for a great reference for technical computer security professionals, this is it. These books test your computer security skills by putting you through more than 20 realistic scenarios, and see how well you would respond to them. You'll have a lot of problems finding a person better qualified to put a book like this together than Mike Schiffman.
Hackers Beware (Sams, 2001): If you're not a computer security professional but you're technically inclined and want an idea about the intricacies of hacking, this is a good book. While the hacking techniques presented might be somewhat dated, the fundamental concepts are universal. You will also pick up a few security tips along the way. Eric Cole, the author, is one of the most knowledgeable people in the field and one of the SANS Institute's most popular instructors.
Spies Among Us (Wiley, 2005): OK, I'm biased as far as this one goes, but it is a good book. If you don't know why the gift recommendations above are so important, then you definitely need the book. I wrote this book, not for security professionals, but for the manager and the average person. It's intended to take away the hype surrounding computers and general security and provide practical and cost-effective solutions to everyday security problems. The case studies have been described as reading like spy novels. Don't take my word for it; read the reviews at Amazon.com.
Paranoia: A Novel (St. Martin's Press, 2004): If you're looking for an entertaining, fictional take on security, Paranoia would be it. The plot involves industrial espionage, and Joe Finder did a great job researching the subject and makes the book a page turner.

Continued...
1 | 2 | NEXT  



Print this Story Send Us Feedback E-mail this Story Digg! Digg this Story Slashdot this Story
"I had a chuckle when I read Gregg Keizer's article "..." Read more...
Read more Security posts or See all Blogs
'Experimental' security fix is malware, Microsoft says
Tough economic climate can heighten insider threat
Top security suites fail exploit tests
More top stories...
16 e-mail and instant messaging boosters
Microsoft readies first attack forecast
NASA follows Mars successes with plans for $2B super rover
How bad? 'I thought I was going to throw up,' Jennifer Brunner recalls.
Think your project's off track and over budget? Learn a lesson or two from these infamous project flameouts.
In our hands-on testing, the new Xohm WiMax network from Sprint was fast and smooth -- but for now, you have to be in Baltimore to get it.
College student David Kernell allegedly broke into a middle school server eight years ago, according to a former teacher.
Reviews, analyses, how-tos, visual tours, hot issues and predictions about Microsoft's new OS.
Four years from now, the IT field will be a vastly different place. Will you be ready?
All Zones
Application Performance Zone
Business Continuity Zone
The File Data Management Zone
Security Management Zone
The SAS Zone
Business Intelligence and Analytics Zone
Windows Protection Zone
The Enterprise Search Zone
Software as a Service Zone
The Security Zone

Ads by TechWords

See your link here
Moving to Windows Vista: The Promise, The Reality
Moving to Windows Vista: The Promise, The Reality
View this exclusive webcast today!
Go to the webcast 
Computerworld Executive Bulletin: Building a Robust Antivirus Defense
Download this Executive Bulletin (a $49.95 value) for free, compliments of MessageLabs.
(Source: MessageLabs) Antivirus software alone isn't enough to prevent today's speedy, sophisticated virus attacks. Security managers should consider multitiered approaches that include behavior scanning, appliances that check e-mail for worms, and restricting user access to dangerous Web sites. Download this Executive Bulletin (a $49.95 value) for free, compliments of MessageLabs, to learn more.
Download this executive briefing download
Quick Sizing Guide for SAS Grid Running on HP BladeSystems and EVA Storage
Download this white paper today!
(Source: HP) Designed for CIOs, IT managers, data center managers and grid computing architects seeking to improve performance, SAS Grid Computing on the HP BladeSystem c-Class helps accelerate growth and mitigate risks with a simplified, consolidated infrastructure that's agile enough to efficiently handle change. SAS Grid Manager on HP BladeSystem can lower costs through automation, virtualization and improved IT efficiency.
Download this white paper go
White Papers
Read up on the latest ideas and technologies from companies that sell hardware, software and services.
LIVEWIRE™: Full-Server Protecting and Recovery in Real-Time
Eliminate Tape Restores with TimeData CDP
Protecting Sharepoint with Double-Take for Windows 5.0
View more whitepapers