Technology – Page 33

Google Vs Bing

June 15, 2009 by Raj Agrawal 1 Comment

Blocking Explicit Content

It has always been a matter of concern regarding the easy access to explicit content on the internet. Google Safe Search filter does not really block all the potentially explicit content while browsing through. In fact, Safe Search is available for Images only. Even if search for the term “hot” with the filter set as “Use strict filtering (Filter both explicit text and explicit images)”, the image results will still return with content that won’t be suitable for minors. And not to forget the “Related search” suggestions.

Microsoft’s Bing is proving a tough competitor to Google Search with it’s speed an better search results. Bing is strict on blocking explicit content for web searches and image searches too. Bing has a separate invisible domain explicit.bing.net for allowing users to search explicit content. If you don’t want to it, just block explicit.bing.net the way you block any other objectionable site.

I am not being Anti-Google. It’s interesting how Google will answer to what Bing has done for blocking pornography.

The New York Post reports: But co-founder Sergey Brin is so rattled by the launch of Microsoft’s rival search engine that he has assembled a team of top engineers to work on urgent upgrades to his Web service, The Post has learned.

It was destined that Google Search had to face a tough competitor. Lets see how Google and Bing outsmart each other.

Better Speed and Security With OpenDNS

June 12, 2009 by Raj Agrawal Leave a Comment

OpenDNS was launched by computer scientist and entrepreneur David Ulevitch. OpenDNS provides access free DNS servers which are available for use to everyone, individuals and businesses. It is an excellent alternative to the Internet Service Provider’s DNS servers. The servers are setup optimally so that the user can experience faster DNS queries and as a result there is a noticeable increase in browsing speed.

The best way to get the most from this service is to register on OpenDNS (it’s free) and follow the setup guide. When you’re done setting up the basic configuration, you can further customize it. Like you can block unwanted domains which are related to adults only, abusive, racism, adware and a big list to chose from, thus making the internet browsing experience much faster and safer.

Other features include a phishing filter, domain blocking and typo correction. By collecting a list of malicious sites, OpenDNS blocks access to these sites when a user tries to access them through their service. OpenDNS also launched Phishtank, where users around the world can submit and review suspected phishing sites.

Here are a few handy links to get started with:

If you just need better DNS queries, you can continue using the service with registering. The OpenDNS servers are:

208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220

Hardening And Securing It

June 1, 2009 by Raj Agrawal Leave a Comment

Prevention is much better than curing it

Internet & Network security have always been a matter of great concern and will continue to be, there is no doubt. Content theft, network intrusion, phishing, password cracking, key logging e.t.c are some of the most common types of attacks that take place everyday all around the world. If a “hacker/attacker” is intending to hack into something, no matter how secure the target is, he’ll do anything to get his job done.

This doesn’t mean it’s easy to hack into anything and everything. Hacking is only possible if a security system allows a hacker intrude in, whether through a loop hole or by breaking in forcefully. Again, loop holes can only be exploited if they are successfully found.

If the security system is smart enough or the loop holes are timely identified and blocked, it’s always better. Earlier i had written a similar article on “How To Achieve Better Security” which explains an unconventional way to keep away malware from your system. To add more, there are two great freeware applications called, Harden It and Secure It by Sniff’em that block many of the ignored security flaws, in Microsoft Windows. You just install these tiny apps(only few KBs in size), run them and secure your PC from the all the security adjustments they offer. Also, their list is updated frequently, so you can protect your system from newly discovered flaws.

What is Secure-It™ ?

Secure-It™ is a local Windows security hardening tool developed by Thierry Zoller, it proactively secures your PC by either disabling the intrusion and propagation vectors proactively or reduce the attack surface by disabling underlying functionality malware uses to execute itself.

It secures Windows desktop PCs against new dangers by blocking the root cause of the vulnerabilities exploited by malware, worms and spy ware. In some cases Secure-it is even able to protect your PC against threats prior to a patch release of the vendor.

What is Harden-It™ ?

Harden-It™ is a Network and System hardening tool for Windows, by hardening the IP stack your Network can sustain or completely thwart various sophisticated network attacks. Harden-It is intended for advanced or professional user.