Silicon Valley Computer Society
Internet SIG

June 5, 2000 -- Internet Security or the lack thereof

The Internet SIG's meeting on June 5, 2000 included a discussion led by Jim Clements of React Network about Internet security.

During the discussion several references to tools were made. Jim handed out information about some of the companies he represents:

ISS (Internet Security Systems) a leader in internet scanning technology/weaknesses.
Para-Protect an organization founded by some people from CERT. Jim had invited K. Mic Hoffmann of Para-Protect to join him this meeting.
Recourse Technology.
Keep It Simple Computer Center.

and referencs were made to several internst sites for security software:

Black Ice was highly recommeded as a cost effective small firewall.
Zone Alarm from ZoneLabs is a personal Windows firewall, free for personal use, $20 for businesses.
Steve Gibson's Shields Up program helps you determine port vulnerabilities on Windows systems and then close them.
Macintosh users might want to look at Net Barrier a personal firewall for OS 9.
Jim Clements also recommended a secure mail client or mail service (both are available) Zix Mail.

There are several authoritative or reasonably authoritative places for security information on the net:

CERT, Computer Emergency Response Team's site founded after the famous Morris Worm exploit.
Subscriptions, faq and archives to the original Bugtraq mail list can be found at Security Focus's site. NOTE: Bugtraq is hosted by Security Focus, which also has very nice information pagexs about threats, securing various platforms and new products (play with the menus on the left side of the page.
NTBuqtraq Mail list for WindowsNT Security issues.
The ICSA provides news and tools about security on the Web.
The SANS Institute Online has quite a bit of security and threat protection software information.