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Secure Software
The risk of using inherently vulnerable applications and software increases the risk of violating your privacy and security. Although computer application development has embraced security in recent times, the fruits of these efforts may not land in the hands of the end-user for much time to come.
We recommend that users of computer systems take the time to find and use applications that are less inherently vulnerable than their counter-parts. To assist in this process we have compiled the following list of software and applications. All software listed below is free unless otherwise noted.
Web Browsers
- Mozilla - A drop-in replacement for Internet Explorer that is based on the Netscape WWW browser. Mozilla is quickly becoming the preferred alternative to Internet Explorer due to it's privacy, pop-up blocking, and Javascript controls.
- Opera - Opera is an ad-supported browser capable of rendering multiple windows in a single window pane. Opera also includes many pop-up controls.
- Safari - Safari is now the de-facto standard WWW browser for Mac OS X. If you're using Mac OS X, use Safari!
E-mail Readers
- Mozilla - Mozilla also contains a highly configurable and intuitive email/newsgroup reader. The Mozilla mail client offers robust junk-mail controls that learn to detect spam so you don't have to.
- Eudora - Developed by QUALCOMM, Eudora has been a favorite for several years. Eudora offers spam controls and support for multiple accounts and identities.
- Mutt - UNIX users will enjoy the configurability and speed of Mutt. Whether you're interested in using "vi" keys to navigate mail or enjoy automating send and receive hooks, Mutt may interest you.
- Mail - Running Mac OS X? Check out Mail. This integrated email reader is fast and painless to use. Mail also is immune to most email-borne viruses and malware.
Anti-Virus Software
- Avast! - Avast! is available for both commercial and home use. Although the commercial version is offered at a low price, the home personal use version is offered free of charge. Avast! impresses CSRT by maintaining a quick roll-out schedule for combating new viruses and other malware.
- AVG - Grisoft offers A/V scanners for personal home use, commercial use and for email/file server scanning of Microsoft and Linux platforms. A free version is available.
- Symantec - Pioneers of anti-virus and spam technologies, Symantec is best known for the Norton Anti-Virus virus scanners. Products offered by Symantec are offered at a charge "per license."
- McAfee - Network Associates offers McAfee Virus Scan, and other products, for a "per license" fee. However, the university may be able to offer this software in the future under a site-license.
Spyware Detection
- Ad-aware - Developed by Lavasoft to detect spy ware (software which tracks your Internet usage and may report it back to a third party collector), Ad-aware is available in many sizes to fit your needs.
- SpyBot-S&D - SpyBot-S&D is a freeware spy ware detection tool offering a large amount of signatures and extremely fast scanning.
Email/File Encryption
- Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) - PGP allows you to send and receive encrypted email and secure files on your computer. PGP works with both symmetrical and asymmetrical strong encryption, allowing you to save data with a password, or using public and private keys. This version of PGP is 6.5.8, which is often referred to as the last "trusted" version due to it being open source. Other versions are available from PGP Corporation.
- The GNU Privacy Guard (GnuPG) - GnuPG (aka. GPG) is an open-source replacement to PGP. GPG is completely free and open source, and is offered under the GNU Public License.
Operating Systems
- Mac OS X - Developed by Apple Computer, Mac OS X is an up-and-coming rival to Microsoft operating systems offering the stability of a UNIX operating system and the functionality of a traditional Macintosh operating system. CSRT highly recommends Mac OS X as an alternative to Microsoft Windows and it's security problems.
- OpenBSD - "Secure by default." The OpenBSD operating system is based on the BSD 4.4 UNIX operating system and is highly secured. OpenBSD runs on many architectures including sparc, sparc64, macppc, alpha, x86 and more. CSRT recommends OpenBSD for all server deployments requiring strong security defenses.
- Linux - Linux is a free Unix-type operating system developed under the GNU Public License. Linux comes in various "distributions" that that can be used from server to desktop levels.
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