Sarah's 5 Easy-as-Pie Privacy Tips

1. Secure Instant Messaging
If you use AIM, have you ever noticed how some of your buddies have little lock icons to the left of their screenname? That means they've installed a free encryption certificate through AIMEncrypt. Once both parties have it, the conversation will be totally encrypted. If you're not an AIM user, try Trillian Pro (128-bit encryption) or Hush Messenger (a whopping 2,048-bit encryption) for safe chatting.

2. Secure FTP transfer
If your server supports secure FTP transfer (make sure you check because some don't), then consider arming yourself with an FTP client called SecureFTP. I know you wouldn't upload or download anything embarrassing or anything, but still.

3. Text-Only Outlook
Unless you like spam, it's important that you make sure you set Outlook to display messages as text-only. When Outlook downloads an HTML message with embedded images, it often needs to send a request to grab the image data from the originating server. So even if you delete a message right away, you've let the sender know there's a real person on the end of your address. In Outlook 2003- Tools/Options/Email Options Tab/check "read all standard mail in plain-text" In Outlook Express- Tools/Options/Read tab/check "read all messages in plain-text"

4. Secure Email Clients
Pocomail- free trial, $35 to buy - comprehensive virus protection, spam filtering, and organization options
Cryptomail- open source encrypted email software- free, but accepting donations
Hushmail-        encrypted web-based email (also a new plugin for Outlook)  free, $30 for premium edition

5. Password-protect MS Office files
Keep all the snoops around your home or office out of your MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files. From within Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, click on the Tools menu and select Options. Click on the Security tab. Under "File encryption options for this document," type in a password. Click OK. When you try to open the document, you get a password.

Easy stuff folks! Hope you're feeling just a little bit safer now. Unless of course you already knew about everything I just mentioned, in which case you are very, very cool and deserve a treat.

Comments

[Jim]

I WILL GIVE AWAY GMAIL INVITES TO ANYONE WHO SUCCESSFULLY SIGNS UP FOR THE FREE IPOD DEAL UNDER ME. PLEASE READ THE ARTICLE ON KEVIN ROSE'S SITE IF YOU THINK THIS IS FAKE. PLEASE EMAIL ME AT JIMSJUNKMAIL@GMAIL.COM AND I WILL SEND YOU A REFERAL EMAIL. ONCE YOU SIGNUP I WILL SEE THE VERIFICATION AND YOU WILL GET A INVITE. AFTER YOU SIGN UP UNDER ME YOU JUST HAVE TO GET 5 PEOPLE TO SIGN UP UNDER YOU AND YOU GET A FREE IPOD ALSO. PRETTY SIMPLE. THANKS

[Donald]

Hey! Sarah

There is a problem with your links on your Sept. 14 post, they have a (mailto:) script that causes your link prompt a e-mail client.

[marian]

thx for the tips Sarah! :) 'specially the text-only Outlook tip (i hate spam!) My oh-so-techie hubby & I are going to be visiting your studio this Thursday (9/16) seeing you guys in action! We're looking forward to it! woo hoo! :)

[Lee Wilkins]

Try http://secway.fr a free secure chat plugin for AIM, Yahoo, ICQ, etc

[SLOwag]

If you guys are interested in cool AIM progs you should try GAIM. It's a nice open source client that allows you to connect to AIM/MSN/Yahoo/IRC/ICQ. Has cool extra's like transparency and various other neat features.

http://gaim.sourceforge.net/

[PorkEverlasting]

Woohoo, I deserve a treat!

[Rafael Ebron]

Don't forget Mozilla Thunderbird
http://getthunderbird.com

Most secure email client out there, rivals Outlook in functionality, and it's free.

-Rafael

[Relik]

www(dot)geocities(dot)com/ipodandmore

Good place to go for info on the free iPod etc.

[Hyper Smiley]

I agree Marian. Text only is a very useful tip to keep in mind (especially for dialup users). I'm jealous. :D Hope you and your husband have a great time at the show.

I really love the show now. I just had to get used to the shock of a new host. I think Alex really pulls the show together. I'd like to see some more on security in the future. It'd be nice to cover anonymous proxy servers for all the newbie lurkers and leeches out there. :D

[Ryan]

Try Filezilla http://filezilla.sourceforge.net/ for a free native SFTP client for windows.

[tehchori]

WOO GO SARAH!! I WANNA BANG YOU! :O!!

[christian]

Hi Sarah,

Just to let you guys know that steganos will not let Windows update service packs. I have had the same problems on 2 systems and had to uninstall to get update to work.

Stop plugging steganos until they fix the problem!!
Thx

[Steve]

Cool tips Sarah.
I was running my site and mail server on my home system. Comcast has lately been cracking down on it. I had a feeling they were getting on to it - I called in about a billing issue and someone asked me if I was running server's because they noticed some interesting traffic. It kindof says in comcast eula that you're not supposed to host server's on your home system. I'm hosted with vizaweb now. I found out that their mail server support's ssl for pop3 and smtp. Kind of cool.
I'm learning phpnuke, php, mysql. Apparently there is an auto theme module that let's you use plain html for phpnuke themes. Trying to locate the download for the free version.

[Eagle.007]

the firefox 1.0pr has been giving me some troble i hadn't experienced with 0.9 is anyone else having problems?

[Eagle.007]

the firefox 1.0pr has been giving me some troble i hadn't experienced with 0.9 is anyone else having problems?

[unikon]

Who needs to sign up on a ipod pyramid scheme when you can click on a link like this http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-980b2b1587-19e3109814-227252e8a5

[Leon]

Sarah- you don't need to run your Outlook 2k3 in plain-text mode if you set it not to display images. That will keep those pesky 1 pixel hidden images from tracking your open habits. That way if you do want to look at the pretty picture, then it's a simple right click to see them. This also works like a charm in Thunderbird! :)

[SLOwag]

Yeah I have head problems with Firefox 1.0.. when I first downloaded it. It would crash like crazy.. but I've been using it for a few days now and it seems to be getting better.. NOT SURE HOW!? But it is, far less crashing.. Although when it does crash it never takes my whole computer down with it.

[Fred]

This offer has been featured in several news articles and has been validated to be real. Check it out:

http://www.FreeFlatScreens.com/default.aspx?referer=8347078

[mike]

http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-dcab043217-31bc069976-faeb37bffe
http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-dcab043217-115ab8364c-49dca8b568
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[Isaac]

I should mention that http://www.riseup.net has free encrypted mail and webhosting. Their service is quite good, though it may take them a few days to get you (or anyone else) an account.

[John-Paul]

"I WANNA BANG YOU" ??? Whoever said that needs to grow up. Think it yes but do we all really need to know your horney daydreams?

Good show Sarah. So far all good shows on the new set. Alex is a good co-host too.

The show seems to be testing the limits lately, anyone else get that? How many times in the last 2 weeks has Kevin had to say "we can't say that on air" about something.

Anyway, the other thing I love is how sarah said something like "if kevin was a hacker on the run....BUT HE'S NOT!!" Yea girl, really convincing. I'm not saying I think Kevin is a malicious hacker or anything. But at the sametime it would be incredably niave to think that he just "happens" to know all this hacker stuff but never does any of it. uh huh. sure :o)

Last thing, ya'll do realize that being in 50 million homes doesn't mean 50 million people are watching right? it's just, the superbowl gets that kinda ratings, I seriously doubt TSS does. But ya'll are whoring that number out like it's the shows rating. G4 should advertise TSS on other channels. Would probably increase viewership, I'm sure tons of people would watch that just don't know about the show yet.

I just dont' wanna see everyone get a big head though. L.A. already seems to effecting everyone that way. And the new set, the way the audience is like away from everything else, kinda back behind some bars and stuff. All I can think of is the old days when Leo would walk around and talk to the audience members, even after the show visit with them. I highly doubt that happens anymore... so that down to earth feel is slowly slipping away adn being replaced with more of a traditional hollywood television feel which kinda sucks.

What's next Sarah? Canned laughter? I'm just joking though, ya'll don't need that because the show is funny enough.

[John-Paul]

Plus I wanted to ad ya'll can say "don't actually do this stuff" or "it's illegal" all you want but I'm not sure who anyone is fooling.

The show lately is coming across very shady lately. Which probably has something to do with all the "adults" having left the house... so to speak, or something to do with Kevin hosting, either way it still stands out as one of the smartest shows on t.v.

[Top]

Have fun kids.

http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-f3a1c6b5f2-0016b64378-d868d7ae07
http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-f3a1c6b5f2-885a90ebf6-2f9e903f0d

[Matt]

Free Gmail at my blog iMatt711.blogspot.com

[John-Paul]

hehe, tonights episode furthered my theory. The "disclaimer" is becomming a daily thing on TSS.

[unikon]

first 2 ppl that email me just "might" get an invite

[Steve]

Firefox 1.0 pr working very well for me under Suse 9.1 linux.

[Steve]

Got xmpcr working under Suse linux.

[CanadaGuy]

Get well soon, Sarah. If anyone wants a gmail invite just drop me a line. I have 6. Cheers. :)

[Block Sheep]

an alternative to your suggestion for the "Secure FTP transfer" client is FileZilla, an open source project at filezilla.sourceforge.net

[ben morris]

I just put some gmail invites at my site.
My site is: http://ben_morris.blogspot.com/

[richard]

thank you for the great job on screensavers & thank the whole crew for me - you help me alot in learning my pc
God Bless You All

[richard]

thank you for the great job on screensavers & thank the whole crew for me - you help me alot in learning my pc
God Bless You All

[kilo]

Great show !! looks like you are lovin LA!!
20 gmail invites at
http://kilosparksitup.blogspot.com/
i have more so email me if they are gone!

[Andrew]

http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-82363e4ea1-63420e9a52-c31dadc5b7

[machine]

Alright I started a conga line for everyone to help each other at to get a free ipod. All the rules are at my blog
http://ipodcongaline.blogspot.com/ For those that does this ill give you a gmail account. SO help out. And one more thing, this is not for me i already got my ipod :-)

[Claude]

Welocome back. Glad to see you feeling better.

[clinton bowen]

https://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-b16ac32e94-5c20689d64-5e53e07d06
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https://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-13b5133048-d1253d2ab8-b675ac8f21
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[afda]

Hey guys. I got my new free ipod today!!! This thing is sweet. Get yours here (my friend's referal)... it really works!

http://snipurl.com/8nzt

[Dev]

I don't have techtv....:( I want techtv!

[Steve]

Glad you're feeling better Sarah. Tonights episode was good.
I set up php nuke on my site and I was worried about security. I found a free application ( NukeSentinel) from nukescripts that protects against php nuke against injection and other attacks. It has limited protection against DOS.

[Dran0]

If you want to sign up for the free iPod, I recommend getting on my Conga line before it gets long. When you sign up under the first person on my conga line, you will be added next in line, when the first person gets 5 complete referrals, the next person moves up to the top position to get their referrals, so this makes it easy for everyone to get their complete referrals. If you want to get on the conga line, go here:

www[dot]geocities[dot]com/freeipodcongas

When you sign up under the top person, AND complete your offer, you will be added next.

Replace [dot] with . in the url link above.

[Kashif Khan]

Hey there guys, I need 2 more referalls

here is my link http://snipurl.com/92g6

offering 8 gmail invites for every sucessful referall.

[ben morris]

http://ben_morris.blogspot.com/ for free gmail

[Chris]

You didnt mention GAIM and it's encryption plugin for this handy Instant messaging client. :(

[william]

sign up for me plzzzzzzz here help a guy out to get a free ipod

http://www.freeiPods[dot]com/default.aspx?referer=8957475

[kilo]

Whip the Screen Savers in to shape Sarah. It seems kinda silly now, at times, almost childish. MORE TECH!!
Just posted gmail invites at
http://kilosparksitup.blogspot.com/
email or post for more!!

[Eagle.007]

I hate to say it but in the last two weeks I have fallen asleep during TSS 4 times, that NEVER happened with the old show. It has to be the content.

[Steve]

Sarah, just to let you know password protecting office documents isn't foolproof. There are programs out there that will crack or in some cases remove the password protection from an office document entirely.
I run into a situation like that at work once. Someone had to access a document and their job kinda depended on it and they didn't know their password. I got a program to remove password protection from document off the internet.