If there was ever a need to give your desktop security a
boost, it is now. Take, for example, the e-mail worms. Despite all sorts of
network protection, they still manage to get inside and do their deeds.
Navidad.exe, Kak.hta, LoveLetter… the list is endless. When the desktops
themselves are not secure, then the security of their communication channels
also becomes questionable. How do you know that your e-mail is not being
captured and read elsewhere? It may be fine if your mail is any regular mail,
but what if it contains the details of a critical project, or your financial
data? Web browser security, too, has been an issue for sometime. There’s a
plethora of Websites that can run malicious script on your machine the moment
you click on a link. Then, of course, the safety of desktop hardware itself is
becoming an issue. A computer is made up of so many small parts that anyone can
easily put one in the pocket and walk off. Notebooks are even easier to swipe as
they’re light and easy to carry. In the pages that follow we analyze most of
these issues and talk about how you can secure your desktop and communication.

• Security
  Threats to your Desktop
  Any PC is prone to attack, so let’s analyze the gaps and plug them

• Of
  Worms and Trojans
  These usually enter your system through e-mail. Find out how you can
  safeguard yourself from them

• What
  Digital Certificates Do
  In the virtual world even your signature is not sufficient proof of your
  identity. Your e-mail can easily be read by prying eyes. Digital
  certificates are solutions to both these problems

• Obtaining
  Digital Certificates
  An easy to follow step-by-step guide to getting one

• Mail
  Safe with Digital Certificates
  Digitally Signing your e-mail in Outlook Express will verify you as the
  sender. Encrypt it so that only the intended receipient can read it

• Security
  Alert
  Two worms that are wreaking havoc through e-mail, incompatibilities in
  Windows Me, and vulnerability in Windows 2000

• Are
  you Secure When Someone Seeks you?
  Some desktop security issues with the popular instant messenger, ICQ

• The
  Browser as a Security Threat
  How malicious are cookies, JavaScript, Java applets, and ActiveX
  components

• Linux
  Password Policies
  How to set up password aging, and make Linux secure

• Secure
  with PGP
  A Step-by-step guide on communicating safely by encrypting your e-mail

• Secure
  Mail on Linux
  Use Kmail e-mail client and PGP to send and receive encrypted messages

• Protect
  Data During Remote Sessions
  The Linux Secure Shell provides safe remote login services by encrypting
  the data flow

• Security
  Algorithms
  The techniques involved in authentication and conducting secure
  e-transactions

• Norton
  Ghost 2001
  A simple backup solution for network and standalone PCs

• Sophos
  AntiVirus
  This product works with many operating systems, and offers good customer
  support

• A
  Personal Firewall
  NPF protects your system from infiltration and monitors the flow of
  private information

PCQ Labs