Extra cautious while blogging.

So, after the story about blogger being sued and all, some of us can't help it but feel paranoid about our blogging habbit. Some do take precaution, especially those who blog at work but is it enough? Do spyware and antivirus can really prevent malicious virus from taking away your privacy? As I was blog-surfing, I come accross this useful comment;

hasilox said...

security tips for all bloggers. Please pass it on and feel free to share other ideas.

Email
1. Standard application like Microsoft Outlook, Eudora, etc (without addons) - Emails are transferred in plain text. Easily intercepted. Not safe.
2. Company's email system - Copy of your inbound/outbound email can easily be made at the servers. Not safe.
3. Web-based email (e.g. Yahoo Mail, Google Mail) - After you open a mail, check the URL. If the URL starts only with "http:" (without 's'), not safe. If the URL starts with "https:", the data is encrypted and safe.

Email safety
1. web-based encryption (http://www.hushmail.com/). Free edition has limitations.
2. Or, Use encryption application/addon. Requires technical expertise to integrate into email software.

Email (my recommendation)
- Use the free service, http://www.hushmail.com/

Spying
1. There were cases of companies install spy software in their employees computers. In such cases, encrypted page is not useful.
2. Watch out for non-computer spying, such as; surveillance cameras.

Spying (my recommendation)
- For whistle blowers, avoid using your company's computer and network to transmit confidential information.

Web and Email hosting
- All data such as logs and files, both encrypted or unencrypted, can be obtained or intercepted at the servers.

Web and Email hosting (my recommendation)
- Important to host only in companies that you trust.
- Consider overseas hosting if local jurisdictions are issues of concern.

Other security tips for computer.

1. Install a firewall
http://www.zonelabs.com/

2. Encrypt your documents especially, if you are using laptop
http://www.truecrypt.org/

3. Anonymous
(such software does not work if you're using a router or behind a local network)
http://tor.eff.org/

4. Anonymous (without software)
(such sites also enable you to access sites that your company blocks)
http://www.shysurfer.com/

5. Check your computer's IP address seen by servers you're accessing
http://www.ip-adress.com/

6. Delete cached data
http://www.ccleaner.com/

7. Wipe your hardisc to prevent deleted document reconstruction
http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/