Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons : A Step-by-Step Guide to Computer Security for Non-Techies

Rely on this practical, end-to-end guide on cyber safety and online security written expressly for a non-technical audience. You will have just what you need to protect yourself―step by step, without judgment, and with as little jargon as possible. Just how secure is your computer right now? You probably don't really know. Computers and the Internet have revolutionized the modern world, but if you're like most people, you have no clue how these things work and don't know the real threats. Protecting your computer is like defending a medieval castle. While moats, walls, drawbridges, and castle guards can be effective, you'd go broke trying to build something dragon-proof. This book is not about protecting yourself from a targeted attack by the NSA; it's about armoring yourself against common hackers and mass surveillance. There are dozens of no-brainer things we all should be doing to protect our computers and safeguard our data―just like wearing a seat belt, installing smoke alarms, and putting on sunscreen. Author Carey Parker has structured this book to give you maximum benefit with minimum effort. If you just want to know what to do, every chapter has a complete checklist with step-by-step instructions and pictures. The book contains more than 150 tips to make you and your family safer. It includes: * Added steps for Windows 10 (Spring 2018) and Mac OS X High Sierra * Expanded coverage on mobile device safety * Expanded coverage on safety for kids online * More than 150 tips with complete step-by-step instructions and pictures **What You’ll Learn** * Solve your password problems once and for all * Browse the web safely and with confidence * Block online tracking and dangerous ads * Choose the right antivirus software for you * Send files and messages securely * Set up secure home networking * Conduct secure shopping and banking online * Lock down social media accounts * Create automated backups of all your devices * Manage your home computers * Use your smartphone and tablet safely * Safeguard your kids online * And more! **Who This Book Is For** Those who use computers and mobile devices, but don’t really know (or frankly care) how they work. This book is for people who just want to know what they need to do to protect themselves―step by step, without judgment, and with as little jargon as possible. Table of Contents......Page 5 About the Author......Page 15 About the Technical Reviewer......Page 16 Preface......Page 17 “How Worried Should I Be?”......Page 20 Threat Analysis......Page 21 Indirect Threats......Page 24 Privacy vs. Security......Page 25 How to Use This Book......Page 26 Reader Prerequisites......Page 27 Navigating the Checklists......Page 28 Tip 1-3a. Microsoft Windows 7......Page 29 Tip 1-3c. Mac OS......Page 30 Web Addresses and Staying Up-to-Date......Page 31 Always Go to the Source......Page 32 Not So Fast......Page 33 I Dub Thee.........Page 35 Prevention, Detection, and Recovery......Page 38 Computer Lingo......Page 41 Hardware and Software......Page 42 Bits and Bytes......Page 43 Storage......Page 44 Networks (Wired and Wireless)......Page 45 Bandwidth......Page 46 Bluetooth......Page 47 Net Neutrality......Page 48 The Internet of Things......Page 49 Malware......Page 50 Hardware Bugs......Page 54 Exploit......Page 55 How the Internet Works......Page 56 Encryption and Cryptanalysis......Page 59 Modern Cryptography......Page 66 Authentication and Message Integrity......Page 69 Triple-A......Page 74 Newer Isn’t Always Better......Page 75 Privacy and Tracking......Page 76 Who Can You Trust?......Page 80 Summary......Page 82 Tip 2-1. Know Thyself......Page 83 Tip 2-2. Know What They Know......Page 84 Backups......Page 86 Spring Cleaning......Page 90 Update Everything......Page 91 Summary......Page 92 Microsoft Windows 7......Page 93 Microsoft Windows 8.1......Page 94 Microsoft Windows 10......Page 95 Mac OS......Page 96 Buy an External Hard Drive......Page 97 Connect the Drive to Your Computer......Page 98 Tip 3-1a. Microsoft Windows 7......Page 99 Tip 3-1b. Microsoft Windows 8.1......Page 103 Tip 3-1c. Microsoft Windows 10......Page 105 Tip 3-1d. Mac OS......Page 106 Tip 3-2. Back Up to the Cloud......Page 108 Tip 3-4. Clean Up Your Apps......Page 111 Tip 3-4a. Microsoft Windows 7......Page 112 Tip 3-4b. Microsoft Windows 8.1......Page 113 Tip 3-4c. Microsoft Windows 10......Page 115 Tip 3-4d. Mac OS......Page 116 Update Everything......Page 117 Tip 3-5a. Microsoft Windows 7......Page 118 Tip 3-5b. Microsoft Windows 8.1......Page 120 Tip 3-5c. Microsoft Windows 10......Page 121 Tip 3-5d. Mac OS......Page 123 Tip 3-6. Update Adobe Flash (If You Really Need It)......Page 124 Tip 3-7. Update Java (If You Really Need It)......Page 127 How Did We Get Here?......Page 129 Understanding Password Strength......Page 131 Managing Your Passwords......Page 137 Choosing a Master Password......Page 140 Doing the Two-Step......Page 141 Periodically Changing Passwords......Page 143 Summary......Page 144 Checklist......Page 146 Tip 4-2. Install LastPass on Your Computer......Page 147 Tip 4-3. Install the LastPass App on Your Smartphone......Page 148 Tip 4-4. Enable Two-Factor Authentication......Page 149 Tip 4-5. Disallow LastPass Login from Foreign Countries......Page 151 Tip 4-7. Disable Password Saving on Your Browser......Page 152 Tip 4-8. Perform a Security Check in LastPass......Page 154 Tip 4-9. Generate Strong Passwords for Key Accounts......Page 155 Tip 4-10. Use LastPass to Store Secure Notes......Page 158 Tip 4-11. Generate and Store Offline Passwords......Page 160 Tip 4-12. Use Throwaway Accounts......Page 162 Macs Are Safer Than PCs......Page 163 Nonadmin Accounts......Page 164 iCloud and Microsoft Accounts......Page 166 Built-in Security Features......Page 168 The Pros and Cons of Antivirus Software......Page 171 How to Properly Delete a File......Page 172 Summary......Page 173 Checklist......Page 174 Tip 5-2. Require Passwords for Computer Accounts......Page 175 Tip 5-2a. Microsoft Windows 7......Page 176 Tip 5-2b. Microsoft Windows 8.1......Page 180 Tip 5-2c. Microsoft Windows 10......Page 185 Tip 5-2d. Mac OS......Page 189 Tip 5-3. Create a Separate Admin Account......Page 190 Tip 5-3a. Microsoft Windows 7......Page 191 Tip 5-3b. Microsoft Windows 8.1......Page 195 Tip 5-3c. Microsoft Windows 10......Page 199 Tip 5-3d. Mac OS......Page 205 Tip 5-4. Install Free Antivirus Software......Page 209 Tip 5-4a. Microsoft Windows 7......Page 210 Tip 5-4b. Microsoft Windows 8.1......Page 212 Tip 5-4c. Microsoft Windows 10......Page 214 Tip 5-4d. Mac OS......Page 216 Tip 5-5. Enable Controlled Folder Access (Windows 10 Only)......Page 217 Tip 5-6a. Mac OS......Page 219 Tip 5-7. Encrypt Your Backups (Mac OS Only)......Page 222 Tip 5-8. Securely Erase Sensitive Files......Page 224 Tip 5-8b. Mac OS......Page 225 Tip 5-9a. Microsoft Windows......Page 226 Tip 5-9b. Mac OS......Page 227 Tip 5-10. Buy a Paper Shredder......Page 228 Tip 5-11. Set Up Find My Mac (Mac OS Only)......Page 229 Tip 5-12. Don’t Trust Other Computers......Page 230 Tip 5-13. Avoid Foreign/Unknown USB Devices......Page 231 Tip 5-15. Unplug or Cover Webcams When Not in Use......Page 233 Tip 5-16. Beware Cold Calls for Computer Support......Page 234 Network Overview......Page 235 Modem......Page 238 Wi-Fi Router......Page 239 The Internet of Things......Page 241 Virtual Private Network......Page 242 Summary......Page 244 Checklist......Page 245 Tip 6-2. Get Your Own Router......Page 247 Tip 6-5. Set a Strong Password for Your Router Admin Page......Page 248 Tip 6-9. Enable and Use the Guest Network......Page 249 Tip 6-11. Register Your Devices......Page 250 Tip 6-14. Turn Off Your ISP’s Wi-Fi......Page 251 Tip 6-16. Use a VPN......Page 252 Chapter 7: Practice Safe Surfing......Page 254 The Webs We Weave......Page 259 Enter the Panopticon......Page 264 On the Ethics of Ad Blocking......Page 266 Information Leakage......Page 268 Most Secure Browser......Page 270 Beyond the Big Four......Page 271 Summary......Page 272 Tip 7-1. Install Firefox and Chrome......Page 273 Tip 7-2a. Firefox......Page 274 Tip 7-2b. Chrome......Page 278 Tip 7-3. Remove (or Disable) All Unnecessary Add-ons......Page 280 Tip 7-3a. Firefox......Page 281 Tip 7-3b. Chrome......Page 282 Tip 7-4. Change the Default Search Option to DuckDuckGo......Page 283 Tip 7-5a. Firefox......Page 284 Tip 7-5b. Chrome......Page 285 Tip 7-7. Beware of Pop-ups Offering/Requiring Plugins......Page 286 Tip 7-9. Use Private or Incognito Browsing......Page 287 Tip 7-9b. Chrome......Page 288 Tip 7-11. Change Your DNS Provider on Your Laptop......Page 289 Tip 7-11a. Windows 7/8.1......Page 290 Tip 7-11b. Windows 10......Page 291 Tip 7-11c. Mac OS......Page 295 E-mail......Page 298 Text Messaging......Page 300 Spam and Spoofed Messages......Page 301 “So How Do I Communicate Securely?”......Page 304 Summary......Page 306 Tip 8-2. Use an Encrypted E-mail Service......Page 307 Tip 8-3. Send Sensitive Info Securely......Page 308 Tip 8-3a. Windows......Page 309 Tip 8-3b. Mac OS......Page 311 Tip 8-4. Send Files Securely Using the Web......Page 312 Tip 8-5. Read Your E-mail Using the Web......Page 314 Tip 8-6. Don’t Abandon Unused E-mail Accounts......Page 315 Tip 8-8. Don’t Forward Something Without Verifying It First......Page 316 Tip 8-10. Don’t Open E-mail Attachments, If Possible......Page 317 Tip 8-13. Use Secure Messaging Apps......Page 318 Banking and Shopping Online......Page 319 Credit Bureaus and Identity Theft......Page 321 Cloud Storage Services......Page 322 Social Media......Page 323 Summary......Page 325 Tip 9-1. Lock Down Your Apple/Microsoft Accounts......Page 326 Tip 9-1a. Microsoft Windows 7/8.1......Page 327 Tip 9-1b. Microsoft Windows 10......Page 328 Tip 9-1c. Mac OS......Page 329 Tip 9-2. Use Throwaway E-mail Accounts......Page 332 Tip 9-5. Give Your Credit Card Company a Heads-Up......Page 334 Tip 9-8. Freeze Your Credit......Page 335 Tip 9-9. Use Secure Cloud Services......Page 336 Tip 9-12. Don’t Divulge Too Much Personal Info Online......Page 337 Tip 9-14. Account Recovery Questions: Lie......Page 338 Tip 9-17. Enable Two-Factor Auth Wherever You Can......Page 339 Tip 9-19. Know What They Know......Page 340 Tip 9-20. Lock Down Your Social Media Accounts......Page 341 Tip 9-21. Close Accounts You Don’t Use......Page 342 The Internet Is Everywhere......Page 343 The Grandmother Rule......Page 344 Adult Content......Page 345 Summary......Page 346 Tip 10-2. Use Parental Controls for Young Children......Page 347 Tip 10-2a. Microsoft Windows 7......Page 348 Tip 10-2b. Microsoft Windows 8.1......Page 349 Tip 10-2d. Mac OS......Page 353 Tip 10-6. Honor the Age Restrictions......Page 356 Tip 10-10. Keep Computers in a Common Area of the House......Page 357 Tip 10-13. Create a Contract for Your Kids......Page 358 Tip 10-14. Parental Resources......Page 359 iOS Is More Secure Than Android......Page 360 iOS Is More Private Than Android......Page 361 Wireless Madness......Page 362 To Hack or Not to Hack......Page 363 Privacy Matters......Page 364 Summary......Page 366 Tip 11-1a. iOS......Page 367 Tip 11-2b. Android......Page 368 Tip 11-5. Dial Down What Your Apps Can Access......Page 369 Tip 11-6a. iOS......Page 370 Tip 11-8. Enable (Self) Tracking......Page 371 Tip 11-10. Use the LastPass Browser, Too......Page 372 Tip 11-13. Install (and Use) a Mobile VPN......Page 373 Tip 11-16. Disable Bluetooth and NFC When You Can......Page 374 Tip 11-17a. iOS......Page 375 Tip 11-16b. Android......Page 376 Tip 12-1. E-mail Account Is Hacked......Page 377 Tip 12-2. Web Site Password Breach......Page 378 Tip 12-3. You Suspect You Have a Virus......Page 379 Tip 12-5. Restoring a Lost or Messed-Up File......Page 380 Tip 12-7. Add a Backup to Your Safety Deposit Box......Page 381 Tip 12-10. Appoint a “Digital Executor”......Page 382 Tip 12-11. Install NoScript......Page 383 Tip 12-13. Add a Dedicated Guest Wi-Fi Router......Page 384 Tip 12-16. Install Custom Wi-Fi Router Software......Page 385 Tip 12-19. Need to Blow the Whistle? Use SecureDrop......Page 386 Tip 12-21. Use a Dedicated Secure Computer......Page 387 Tip 12-23. Completely and Securely Erase a Hard Drive......Page 388 Keep Calm and Carry On......Page 389 The Case for Optimism......Page 390 Don’t Take This Lying Down......Page 391 Going Further......Page 392 Documentaries......Page 393 Podcasts......Page 394 Fighting the Good Fight......Page 395 Glossary......Page 396 Index......Page 398 Just how secure is your computer? Protecting your computer is like defending a medieval castle: moats and castle guards can be effective, but you'd bankrupt the kingdom trying to build something dragon-proof. Parker shows you dozens of no-brainer things we should all be doing to protect our computers and safeguard our data