::Security and more security!

Security, Security, Security and well privacy I guess...

So AT&T and the US goverment decide to snoop on our packets big deal right?
I have nothing to hide right?
Not sure who the famous person was that blurted it out first but
"Put a microscope up close to anyone and you will find dirt."
So I offer some tools to help you try to remain anonymous
but also to keep the baddies from seeing you and doing the Identity theft thing.

So lets start with:

"Tor: An anonymous Internet communication system"
This is a eff sponsored site that you can become anonymous in your surfing habits.

EFF: Electronic Frontier Foundation.
You know the guys suing the US goverment over the whole ATT and US snooping thing.
Great guys by the way probably the only lawyers that are on the side of technology and the people.
**Sidenote There is a bunch of non free IP Proxy services out there. I would say a bit shady however.

Another great way to keep Baddies from using you as a revenue source is setting up a host file.
What is a host file you ask?
This file is installed into every Operating system.
It is a way for your PC to trust other pc's.
Much longer and more in depth explaination at: My freinds over at the mvps.org
They also have a great hosts file you can download and implement.
**Another Sidenote there is a great many of these lurking out on the internet as well.
Be Carefull Read the file before implementing it.
How to install a host file you ask? Well good question.
If you are running a windows XP box go to: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc You will already have a hosts file in this directory; you can modify it or paste it. Here is mine for example:

# This Hosts file has been altered to block ad servers.
# To restore the file just
# delete everything below the first entry or rename hosts.old
# to hosts and move it to the proper directory.
# Updated: scroll down for date stamp
# This is an ad blocking hosts file compiled by
# Mike Dopp at MikeDopp.com
# Also available at
# http://everythingisnt.com/hosts.html
#
# Just add '0.0.0.0 ADSERVER' to the bottom to continue the list.

127.0.0.1 Localhost

0.0.0.0 localhost #this is not an ad server this is your PC
0.0.0.0 www.doubleclick.net
0.0.0.0 ad.doubleclick.net #remove this for atomfilms problems
0.0.0.0 ad.preferences.com
0.0.0.0 ads.doubleclick.com
0.0.0.0 ads.infospace.com
0.0.0.0 ads.msn.com
0.0.0.0 ads.switchboard.com

Or just download the blessed thing. Download Hosts

Now for this to work correctly you need to go to start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Sevices.
In services you need to disable or stop the "DNS Client"
This will force IE or Firefox when searching for a site to look at your hosts file first.
This will also kill alot of stupid pop up ads and web ads.
You will get some dead space on your browser that says 404 cannot not find host.
This means it is working correctly do not panic. It may even speed up your browsing time.

Last but not least Microsoft released a beta software for windows but never ran with it.
I found it quite good actually.
Its called Family Safety settings.
This software allowed blocking of bad web addresses or those you do not want your kids to surf.
Enjoy

Once again so many issues with security and privacy.
Please find out more before we all get wire tapped and big brother gets to be too big.
There is so many great resources about this topic please see:
Steve Gibsons website GRC.com
TWIT.tv Podcasts of security info called Security NOW!