Tag Archive for 'security'

Why do I use linux? Top 5 Reasons.

Published on March 8, 2009 in linux and suggestions. Closed Tags: , , , , , , .

Linux TuxI was inspired by a blog post about “Why Do You Use Linux” to post why I use and I wanted to post how I use one of the best operating systems out there as well. First off if you are not familiar of what is you can read up about it at wikipedia, but basically it is an operating system like Windows and Mac OSX that allows you to interface with the hardware and software on your computer system. Each operating system has its pluses and minuses. I’ll give you my take on what those are bust first I’ll give you some background.

I’ve been using Linux since around 1999 for both personal and professional reasons. I’ve always liked to tinker with computers as it is more than just a job for me. It’s fun. What isn’t fun is having to reboot every 10 minutes and having no clue why something like that is happening. It’s like having a car that is sputtering smoke and your not allowed to look under the hood. Fortunately in everything is available under the hood. File locked? check it with lsof, network slow? view all the traffic with wireshark, running out of memory? use free or a large amount of other free and that is at your disposal. So here are the main reasons why I use :

  1. Freedom: no vendor lock-in, open source code
  2. Stability: I have that have been running for over a year. ’nuff said
  3. : never have to worry about virus’ again, plus built from the ground up to be a secure OS
  4. Efficiency: Can run on small devices (Kindle anyone?) as well as a full or server
  5. Choice: I’m not forced into candy XP, glassy Vista or keechy OSX I have a multitude of choices from KDE, Gnome, XFCE, e17 and more great . Not to mention the thousands of other programs I can use.

    6. And those are just 5 of the reasons of why I use . If you want to try this out you can download a “Live CD” that allows you to boot from a CD to run and not touch mess with the system you are on right now, but I must warn you you might be tempted to click on the install now button because it is nice!

    I’ll write another post on How I use , but this should get anyone who has not heard of interested.

    Until next time. on!

    Linux!

Paypal’s Security FOB

Published on June 15, 2008 in security and technology. 2 Comments Tags: , , , .

Yes this has been reviewed multiple times (here) as well as talked about on one of my favorite podcasts Security Now (transcript), but I just had to let the people who look at my blog (all 8 of you lol) how great it is. Here is a picture of it:

This hangs on my keychain and has a button that when I press on it gives me a 6 digit number which I can then use to log into .

In fact I just used it to login to to help my buddy Matt get his Dad a new wii at http://www.mydadneedsawii.com/. Please check it out and donate a dollar or two.

So here are the steps to using the device:

1) Goto http://www.mydadneedsawii.com/
2) Click on the Donate button on the right
3) Enter an amount (ie $5) and click Update Total
4) Enter your email and password
5) Then instead of logging you in you are presented with a box to enter your 6 digit code from your FOB.

So that is it. Pretty simple and makes your account alot more secure. Check out more on the paypal site.. You also get to use the same key for your login!

SEO Powered by Platinum SEO from Techblissonline