Ive also been watching the conversation and enjoying it. I wasnt sure if I should speak up. Ive been admining internet servers for as long as internet has been internet (military, then ISPs, now just a couple for myself and friends at home). Ive done forensics on many an invaded computer. And Ive run homeypots just for fun.
The problem with me piping in is that Im too involved. Im like the expert car mechanic who wants to say "you dont really have to change your oil that often" or a doctor who wants to say "not everyone needs to take a daily vitamin". The answers that are given are always great things that should always be said to anyone who is new enough to the subject to need to ask such questions. On the other hand... You would be amazed at how few of those I do on my linux servers. My Windows desktops, YES. But linux does take care of itself very well. ON the third hand... just because the houses in your neighborhood rarely get robbed it doesnt mean you would leave your doors open or unlocked. There are excellent programs that block unwanted activity. But having locks doesnt mean that a watchdog isnt a good idea. Getting programs that look for breakins (no matter how secure you think you are) are also a good idea. Im afraid I cant help with recommendations. I like coming up with my own tricks in that area. On the fourth hand... there is such a thing as having so many locks on the door that its a pain to use. And we all know that a dozen locks still wont protect you from the high end burglar. A real peace of mind can be achieved by maintaining the attitude "if you are going to work that hard to blow my system away then no sweat". Keep track of what you load and would miss. If the system gets totally trashed; then have a good cry, consider it a chance to do major hardware and OS upgrades, reload. Have good backups of personal stuff. Oh and speaking of keeping track.. one thing that is a real killer on peoples systems is off-catalog programs. Since its off-catalog, the updates are not automatic. Im not saying NOT to give in to the temptation of the wonderful toys available from so many sites but try to hold them down. Ive often seen to cool app, but if I search the catalog there is something like it already there. I grab that first and see if it will serve my purpose. Items you DO get off-catalog, keep track of them. Dont leave them running and upatched for years and years. "My Mom made me the security expert that I am today. She always told me that if you open it, then you shut it. And if you arent going to pay attention to it, then dont leave it running. And put away your toys when you are done playing with them. Never talk to strangers and never accept gifts from people you dont know." - Gandalf Parker Gandalf Parker -- the music should always change when.. Someone in a horror movie says "We should be safe here" Someone driving says "Ive never had an accident" Some computer user says "My machine is secure" - Gandalf Parker _______________________________________________ vox-tech mailing list vox-tech@lists.lugod.org http://lists.lugod.org/mailman/listinfo/vox-tech