NSA Releases Useful Tips On Securing Your PC’s

from JoeUser Forums

 

I saw an article on the PC Magazine website which might be of use to a wide range of users. They detail how to secure your PC’s at home and when using public venues.

These guidelines were published by the NSA’s Central Security Service.

They are very good, and are the same recommendations being implemented throughout the government.

Worth a look, I’d say. It covers Microsoft, Apple, Linux and Sun’s OS’s – pretty much the full range.

Sources and Links:

1. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2385688,00.asp?kc=PCRSS03129TX1K0000625&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ziffdavis%2FPCMagazineTips+%28PCMag.com+Tips+and+Solutions%29&utm_content=My+MSN

2. http://www.nsa.gov/ia/guidance/security_configuration_guides/operating_systems.shtml#microsoft

80,679 views 40 replies
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

De rien, M. lecajef. (You're welcome).

Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top 
I am very sensitive to the help which you brought me and concerns which you have for the securité of computers.

You are of a help precious and sympatique.

If I can be useful for my inferior level, do not hesitate to ask me, it is with pleasure to contribute has the community.

So to appreciate you better, which is your job(business) and position?
Greeting

;) 

Jef

 

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I write articles here about tech, gadgets, security and when I see stuff on the internet about Stardock products, I generally post that too, as well as other customization software.

J'écris des articles ici de technologie, des gadgets, de sécurité et quand je vois des choses sur Internet au sujet des produits Stardock, en général je post ça aussi, ainsi que les logiciels de personnalisation d'autres.

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top 
Recently, the NSA, the agency of national safety(security) of the United States, announced to have participated in the elaboration of Windows 7,
in particular on the plan the safety(security) of the system. 
It was not more necessary it so that some imagine that the Agency had taken advantage of it to place of the code allowing to reach any machine
turning(shooting) under Windows 7. 
Suppositions immediately denied(contradicted) by the interested main things(head teachers).
Tags: Microsoft, Windows 7
Computerworld brings back(reports) that it is not obviously the first time when such suppositions are made. 
Effectively, the NSA is a powerful organization which doubtless has to try to have an influence on the big companies. And Microsoft, 
as quite other big company, would not escape this pressure and would deeply have been recommended to add a mechanism allowing the NSA
to listen to the communications of a machine equipped with Windows 7.
To dissipate the doubts, Microsoft specified that if the NSA had effectively worked on the safety(security) of their operating system, 
it was not on the code of the system, but on the tool "Security Compliance Management Toolkit". 
This tool allows to facilitate the deployment of the configuration of the safety(security) of a park of machines and to watch the potential problems
of configuration. Intended for the governmental agencies and for the big companies, he(it) thus installs(settles) no hidden door in the system. 
It is at least what both defendants(accused) tried to explain.

The idea of big miserable Microsoft introducing of the code spy within the millions of lines of code of its products
is not new and is sometimes advanced(moved) by defenders of freeware. Because according to them, a freeware, 
the code of which can be studied by whoever is capable of it, cannot contain of code spy without knowing his users. Is it really certain?...

:borg: 

Jef 
 
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 4
I write articles here about tech, gadgets, security and when I see stuff on the internet about Stardock products, I generally post that too, as well as other customization software.

J'écris des articles ici de technologie, des gadgets, de sécurité et quand je vois des choses sur Internet au sujet des produits Stardock, en général je post ça aussi, ainsi que les logiciels de personnalisation d'autres.
End of DrJBHL's quote

 

Super :thumbsup: 

If I can be useful of highly-rated Europe for you do not hesitate to ask me

It is with pleasure

 

Jef

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Great! Just what I need...a bunch of space cadets telling me how to use my pc.  :cylon: XD :-"

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Some people see conspiracies everywhere - some earn their living that way, also. I wouldn't believe that stuff unless someone could actually prove it with hard facts and the code itself.

Thanks for your offer, please pm me any suggestions you might have (hopefully in English - lol) and I'll be sure to look at them.

All this stuff is pretty much off topic, though. This was only supposed to inform people the NSA had some very good suggestions to implement for their computer security at home and elsewhere.

Quoting WebGizmos, reply 7
Great! Just what I need...a bunch of space cadets telling me how to use my pc. 
End of WebGizmos's quote

Giz: That's the NSA (National Security Agency), not NASA, lol.

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

It is just! You are right DrJBHL.

 

WebGiszmos !...  :rofl:

Reply #10 from Elemental Forums Top

"NSA experts recommend to install the NSA toolkit on your computer. This expert software, developed by the elite of the former underground hackers, now working for the NSA under a special contract, will secure your computer to the maximum extent, preventing unauthorized parties to gather sensitive data, perform DOS attacks and remotely control your network. Thank you for your compliance and cooperation.

NSA - killing the Devil with the Belzebob."

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

[quote who="WebGizmos" reply="7" id="2941159"]Great! Tout ce dont j'ai besoin ... un tas de cadets de l'espace me dire comment utiliser mon pc.  [/quote]

 

I found them but I leave you the care of contacting them :grin:

 

 

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Kamamura_CZ, reply 10
"NSA experts recommend to install the NSA toolkit on your computer. This expert software, developed by the elite of the former underground hackers, now working for the NSA under a special contract, will secure your computer to the maximum extent, preventing unauthorized parties to gather sensitive data, perform DOS attacks and remotely control your network. Thank you for your compliance and cooperation.

NSA - killing the Devil with the Belzebob."
End of Kamamura_CZ's quote

 

Hello Kamamura_CZ,

Great !

Can give me myself the link ? Please.

Jef

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

kamamura_CZ: Where is that from? Never mind. Please add a source to your reply #10.

 

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top

DrJBHL,

La seule suggestion que je peux vous apporter actuellement dans les nouvelles technologies ne sont pas dans la customization software mais dans l’environnement du temps réel automatisé pour le domaine bancaire, trader et pétrole.

Je vous transmet le lien et si cela vous intéresse, je peut poursuivre plus loin le contact pour vous.

___

DrJBHL,

The only suggestion that I can bring you at present in the new technologies are not in the customization software but
in the environment of the real time automated for the banking domain, trader and oil.

I passes on to you the link and if it interests you, me can pursue farther the contact for you.

[link removed - moderation] or [link removed - moderation]

Good look !

Jef

Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

lecajef - please, send any links in pm. Otherwise they get removed as they are "commercial sites". Also, please make them tech links only. Thanks.

lecajef - s'il vous plaît, envoyer des liens dans h. Sinon, ils sont supprimés car ils sont "des sites commerciaux". Aussi, s'il vous plaît faire des liens techno. Merci.

Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Gloups ! Sorry DrJBHL,

How to send you links within (h) hour or to make techno links?

Saddened for my ignorance.

Thank you

 

Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 8
Giz: That's the NSA (National Security Agency), not NASA, lol.
End of DrJBHL's quote

I knew that! :P XD :grin: :-"

Reply #21 from JoeUser Forums Top

Reading these, I always look for that great something that I missed.  Sometimes I find good things, but so far, no killer app or advice.  In other words, I am already paranoid!  Guess that helps in today's computer world. ;)

Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Glad you haven't missed anything, Dr Guy. Sorry - no killer app. :(

@ lecajef - yes i received your pm and don't worry. it's ok...

@ WG - i know that. ;)

 

Reply #23 from Sins Forums Top

NSA http://www.nsa.gov/about/mission/index.shtml

NSA is working with NIST to create SCAP
 http://www.afcea.org/signal/articles/templates/Signal_Article_Template.asp?articleid=2353&zoneid=300

The U.S. Defense Department, National Security Agency (NSA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) were the primary drivers behind creating SCAP. Brought down to their bare bones, the standards establish common enumerations for software flaws, security-related configuration issues and product names. This seemingly simple piece of common sense helps agencies that are working together to understand each other’s languages when describing details of the same information security problems.

Although the government initially had received some pushback from industry, many companies now understand that if they are going to be part of the cyber ecological system, products and tools need to be able to speak to each other using a common language. “Although it is not a delineated requirement, it has become apparent that if you want to sell products in the DOD environment, then your product has to speak this language, or I can’t afford to have you in our group,” Sager explains.

NIST Computer Security Publications

 

yea, I get a little "paranoid" when a spy agency is allowed to write code for my OS.

 http://gawker.com/5409368/microsoft-let-nsa-spooks-enhance-windows-7

Marc Rotenberg, the executive director of the Electronics Privacy Information Center (EPIC), expressed his concern as the NSA has an interest in surveillance as as a part of its efforts in security.

"The key problem is that NSA has a dual mission, COMPUSEC, computer security, now called cyber security, and SIGINT, signals intelligence, in other words surveillance," Rotenberg said in an e-mail.

 

Also an unrelated interesting snippet about the owners of PC Magazine 

The platform collects, scores and analyzes data sent by Web site code snippets to BuyerBase. The technology identifies activity related to search queries, product codes and model numbers, and how often site visitors interact with the content. The platform identifies patterns to connect consumers with ads. Some of those actions include viewing product reviews and prices. 
Once the platform collects the information on patterns it pings ad networks, exchanges, portals and publishers across the Internet to bid on ad inventory. http://www.greathillpartners.com/index.php/news/view/113

 

 

Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top

All this post was for was to help folks secure their computers.

 

Reply #25 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting myfist0, reply 23
yea, I get a little "paranoid" when a spy agency is allowed to write code for my OS.
End of myfist0's quote

How do you know they have not been doing it all along? :)