Slashdot Mirror
A Security Guide For Non-Technical Users?
kin_korn_karn asks: "Like many of you, I am the family IT department. I cannot convince my parents to follow proper PC security procedures. I'm not talking about enterprise-level things such as card swipes and fingerprint scanners, just simple measures like logging off of the PC when it's not in use. They, like many people of their generation, seem to be willing to sacrifice security for convenience, as long as their real data isn't being impacted. I can't seem to get it through to them that it's only a matter of time until they are. Since my own arguments aren't working, I need documented proof to back it up. Can Slashdot offer up some kind of arguments or information that I can use?"
"Does anyone know of a guide to IT security that:
a) Is written for a non-technical audience, but is neither condescending nor overly 'soft.'
b) Defines the various terminology (trojan, virus, zombie, etc.) clearly.
c) Explains what threats each security measure protects the user from.
d) Uses cases and examples to demonstrate the before and after scenarios, like: 'Jane's credit card number was intercepted via a non-encrypted connection. She started looking for the padlock symbol on her browser's status bar. Now, her credit card number looks like this: @*#(!@($).' (That's just an example, by the way)
It's the content that's important not the media, so your suggestions can be anything, be it an online document, multimedia presentation, or a print book."
a) Is written for a non-technical audience, but is neither condescending nor overly 'soft.'
b) Defines the various terminology (trojan, virus, zombie, etc.) clearly.
c) Explains what threats each security measure protects the user from.
d) Uses cases and examples to demonstrate the before and after scenarios, like: 'Jane's credit card number was intercepted via a non-encrypted connection. She started looking for the padlock symbol on her browser's status bar. Now, her credit card number looks like this: @*#(!@($).' (That's just an example, by the way)
It's the content that's important not the media, so your suggestions can be anything, be it an online document, multimedia presentation, or a print book."
1- Never connect a Windows PC to the internet without first connecting to an external firewall (such as a router).
2- Never install Linux, who knows who's been adding what to it.
3- Never use a MAC if you can't wash your hands after.
4- Never use FireFox, it sends your personnal information to Google. Use elinks for secure browsing.
I think that covers it.
Linux violates 235 Microsoft patents.
Right, the reason nobody is listening to him about security matters is that he's batshit insane, and is going on about logging off when you are not using your home machine, possibly to protect yourself from ninjas breaking into your house and stealing your files.
You see, it's a generational gap. You need to explain things to your parents in terms they can understand. Explain that leaving your home computer logged in is like allowing the Soviets (don't worry, they'll know who the Soviets are) to put missiles in Cuba.
Then explain to them that you're kind of like Joseph McCarthy and you're just trying to protect them. I think that'll get them to pay proper attention to your important message of salvation.