Secure Your MacBook

iAlertU from SlappingTurtle Software is a free application to secure your MacBook computer in public places like cafes or meeting rooms. iAlertU is like a car alarm for your laptop which uses the built-in sudden motion sensor device of the MacBook.

iAlertU can be armed using either the keyboard or the remote. Movement of the MacBook or keyboard/trackpad activity will trigger an audible alarm that will continue sounding even if the computer is closed. The MacBook's built-in iSight camera will snap a photo of the villain and email it to a specified address.

Cybersecurity: Where do McCain and Obama Stand?

"It is no longer sufficient for the U.S. Government to discover cyber intrusions in its networks, clean up the damage, and take legal or political steps to deter further intrusions," Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell noted in a February 2008 threat assessment.

Information systems have become the backbone of our economy, our government agencies, energy, healthcare, food supply, and nearly everything else we do. As such, these systems have become the targets of both criminals and terrorists, and perhaps even foreign governments.

What are the positions of the presidential candidates regarding this very real emerging threat to our national security?

Senator Obama has stated that he will make cyber-security a top priority, appointing a national cyber advisor to synchronize policy. Senator McCain has said that a much greater investment toward the federal responsibility for cybersecurity is needed.

For more information:
Cybersecurity and the National Campaign, SC Magazine
US Pesidential Candidates to Tackle Cybersecurity, Softpedia
A plea to McCain and Obama: No Cyber Security Boondoggles, NetworkWorld
Which Presidential Candidate Has the Better Cyber Security Position, Hybrid Consulting Group

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A Safe Give-out Phone Number

Ring-To Number gives you a way to let people call you directly without giving your actual phone number!

Callers dial the anonymous phone number and shortcode, and the call rings on the phone of your choice. Callers will not know your actual phone number when calling via your Ring-To number.

The FREE service gives you a non-local number and a shortcode. For $5 per month you can get a local number with no shortcode required.

Disposable Phone Numbers

Recently I published a post about temporary, disposable email addresses. A similar service is now available for phone numbers.

We've all been reluctant to give out our phone number such as in an ad or to a short-term or unknown contact. Full of useful features, Numbr gives you the option to use a disposable number that will expire after a time period you specify. And, it's FREE!

You can also get a temporary number by calling (415) 234-5678

Protect Yourself with a Temporary Email Address

You are always being asked to submit an email address when you register or participate in for something online. I'm always a little concerned who's getting hold of my address even when a web site claims they will not redistribute your address.

You can get around this by using temporary, disposable email addresses which will allow you to get and respond to those confirmation emails before doing a Mission Impossible-like self-destruct.

jetable.org provides you with a temporary email address. As soon as it is created, all the emails sent to this address are forwarded to your actual email address. You specify the lifespan of this address from 1 hour to 1 month.

GuerillaMail provides you with disposable e-mail addresses which expire after 15 Minutes. You can read and reply to e-mails that are sent to the temporary e-mail address within that time.

Any e-mails sent to 10 Minute Mail's temporary e-mail address will show up automatically on their web page. You can read them, click on links, and even reply to them. The e-mail address will expire after 10 minutes.

These are all free services. For a more extensive listing of temporary, disposable email addresses click here.

Is Your Computer Safe?

This FREE Symantec Security Check tests your computer's exposure to a wide range of online threats.

It's a free and an effective tool that helps determine your Internet security needs.

It takes only a few minutes to check your computer's vulnerability to hackers, trojan horses, and so forth.