OpenDNS - Free, Fast, Secure DNS with Phishing Protection and Adult Site Blocking

Switching to broadband (high-speed) Internet access such as DSL or Cable Internet brings a whole new level of Internet experience. Unfortunately with all that wonder also comes additional security issues. OpenDNS steps in to help home users, small business owners, and even larger organizations increase their Internet efficiency and security by providing DNS service that can filter out phishing domains, typographical errors, and even adult-oriented websites (optional).

DNS, or Domain Name System, tells your computer where to go when you tell it to go to a specific website such as http://www.google.com. DNS is provided by all ISP's, but not all ISP's optimize their DNS service to include additional features and protections like OpenDNS. Setting up OpenDNS is a one time setup and is provided free to all users. The settings should be applied to your home router so that all the computers on your home network automatically benefit from OpenDNS. Filtering out adult-oriented websites with OpenDNS will require you to setup an account (free).

Link to OpenDNS

Apple Sends out Software Security Update 2006-07

Apple released their seventh security update for 2006 to squash some bugs that could cause problems if the wrong person was interested in hacking your shiny Macbook. Be sure to run Software Update and download the 23 MB system patch.

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Adware: Coming to a Mac Near You

F-Secure has discovered what may be the first adware for the Mac which will cause additional advertisement pop-ups in the Safari web browser. Currently the software inspected was provided as a proof-of-concept which means that Mac users are still safe from adware...for now.

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Bugs in Every Computer

One thing you should know by now is that computers have problems every now and then. Windows users know that one must have antivirus, antispyware, firewalls, a good browser, and some common sense just to keep your computer from being hijacked from some spyware/adware/malware. A new trend in computing is to use an alternative choice for your computer like buying a Mac or running Linux. However these alternatives also come with security vulnerabilities. One anonymous hacker reported a vulnerability in Mac OS that can be exploited through a DMG (disk image) file through Safari. No security updates have been issued by Apple yet, but the recommended course of action is to not use Safari (i.e. use Firefox) to download DMG files or to turn off the offending feature. See the article from Betanews to find out more.

Updates, updates, updates: Be sure to keep your OS and software applications up to date.