nixCraft Linux Sys Admin Blog

How To Secure Mac OS X Computer ( Hardening Mac )

Posted: 04 Jun 2008 03:43 PM CDT

Apple has released 230 page guide for securing and safeguarding Mac OS X system from the hackers and crackers. The Security Configuration Guides provide an overview of features in Mac OS X that can be used to enhance security, known as hardening your computer. Using this guide you can:

=> Lock down the system.
=> Protect Mac OS x from external attackers.
=> Avoid unauthorized access
=> Secure Mac by hardening your computer.
=> Mac OS X security and much more.

However, guide is heavily depend upon shell prompt (read as terminal) to perform recommended tasks. So you need to have some basic knowledge of terminal. From the Apple site:

Certain instructions in the guides are complex, and deviation could result in serious adverse effects on the computer and its security. The guides should only be used by experienced Mac OS X users, and any changes made to your settings should be thoroughly tested.

Download Mac OS X Security Configuration Guides

Download guide for Mac OS X v10.5 (Leopard) / Mac OS X v10.4 (Tiger) / Mac OS X v10.3 (Panther):

How to Harden Your Mac Guides [ 3.4M ]

Download Google Gadgets for Linux

Posted: 04 Jun 2008 03:22 PM CDT

Google gadgets is an open-source implementation of Google gadgets platform for Linux and is now available for download. It is the first cross-platform desktop gadgets framework that works with Linux, Windows and Mac OS X computer system. From the google blog:

For Gadgets for Linux, we don't just want to simply release the final offering, but we also want to give everyone a chance to tinker with the code powering the gadgets. For this project, fostering a transparent and lively developer community is just as important as serving our users.

Google Gadgets for Linux provides a platform for running desktop gadgets under Linux, catering to the unique needs of Linux users. We are compatible with the gadgets written for Google Desktop for Windows as well as the Universal Gadgets on iGoogle. Following Linux norms, this project will be open-sourced, under the Apache License.

Download Google Gadgets for Linux

You can download Google Gadgets for Linux here at project website.

Ubuntu Linux Remix For Intel Atom Processor

Posted: 04 Jun 2008 11:45 AM CDT

Intel Atom processor used by ultra-mobile PCs, smart phone, other portable and low-power applications. Ubuntu announced Ubuntu Linux Remix, the new operating system will be targeted to OEM vendors that are building their own netbooks for sale to end users. From the press release:

Canonical, the commercial sponsor of Ubuntu, today announced that it will be demonstrating a reworked desktop image of Ubuntu built specifically for a new category of portable Internet-centric devices â€" netbooks. These affordable, power-efficient, small screen devices, based on the ground breaking low-power micro-architecture of the Intel Atom processor, and Ubuntu allow consumers to enjoy email, instant messaging, Internet surfing and on-line access to photos, videos or music with an affordable, reliable device.

=> Canonical Showcases Ubuntu Netbook Remix at Computex