First Take: July QBL Meeting (23 July; same day of the week, same time, same place)

Attachment

LA Times Feature Article.pdf

118j7yxx6-58p/b0bsl79jx59rwtw7lr978psshbdk7tsxlb1w4wlpmfhprmt/LA_Times_Feature_Article.pdf

Description

Topic:

Internet & Desktop Security: From personal VPNs to the latest free anti-malware software

Description:

As always, the computer security scene is rapidly changing.  Since last year, two free anti-malware software products have taken center stage (one is a firewall, the other is an anti-virus/anti-spyware program; one is well known, the other is barely known), and a free VPN -- especially useful in open (so-called "in the wild") WiFi environments like Starbucks and many hotels, and a way to access sites not normally accessible in China -- is now available.   And among the four major web browsers, one has pushed much further ahead than the others with their latest security features.

In addition to demonstrating how to use these four free software packages, this session will discuss best practices, including a look at how to secure a system even after it has been infected with a Trojan or keylogger (another free software package), how to run the best test for malware detection (also free), how to encrypt desktop files (free again), and the easiest way to run encrypted online applications (yep, free).  Time permitting, we'll take a look ahead at what to expect over the next year.

Speaker:

David Scott Lewis is hailed in the forthcoming August issue of Wired magazine as the "model for David Lightman," the lead character in the cyberthriller movie, WarGames.  He has been involved with computer security issues longer than California has been a state.  David gave our IT-related presentation last June and promises to use screen captures this year -- to make sure the presentation isn't at the mercy of a wireless network.  And he promises no more than three minutes on Twine.  (David is co-admin for our QBL twine and the admin for the QBL Executive Committee private twine.)  As a point of reference, David will be giving our talk just prior to heading off to Las Vegas for the largest annual hackers conference, DEFCON. (The conference name was taken from WarGames.)

Cost: FREE for QBL members; all others, RMB 75  (Note: David will contact one of the better paid VPN services to see if they'll offer attendees a $10 discount; this would cover the RMB 75 admission fee for those choosing to use this service.  No promises, however.)

Date: 23 July

Day: Wednesday

Time: 7 pm, with a social beginning around 6:15

Place: Crowne Plaza, probably our usual spot on the 3rd floor