51 Open Source Tools to Protect Your Identity: Page 3

Open Source Gateway Security Appliance

34. Untangle

Untangle gives you the option of connecting a PC to your network to use as a Linux-based network gateway or running the software in the background on a standalone Windows PC. In either case, the free option includes 12 different open-source apps for anti-virus, web filtering, anti-spam, VPN, and more. Commercially supported versions are also available. Operating System: Windows, Linux.

35. Endian Firewall Community

Very similar to Untangle, Endian lets you create a gateway security appliance out of an old PC. It's easy to install and use, but does not come in a Windows version like Untangle. Endian does offer hardware and software appliances and support commercially. Operating System: Linux.

Open Source Laptop Theft Prevention

36. A.L.A.R.M

Need to leave your laptop unattended for a moment? Plug your laptop into an A/C outlet and then lock it. If someone removes it from the power source, A.L.A.R.M. will play a loud noise—sort of like a burglar alarm for your laptop. Operating System: Windows.

37. ThinkPad Anti-Theft Manager

Like A.L.A.R.M. this app sounds an alarm when someone tries to swipe your laptop. Only in this case, it detects any motion instead of removal of the A/C power source. Note that it only works with ThinkPad systems. Operating System: Windows.

Miscellaneous Open Source Security Tools

38. Security and Privacy Complete

This app gives you control over a number of system settings and settings for Windows Media Player, Internet Explorer, and Firefox. A handy tooltip feature lets you know what each function does and why you might want to enable or disable it. Operating System: Windows.

39. Bastille Linux

Because it does such an excellent job educating users about security issues as it takes steps to harden their systems, many organizations use Bastille Linux to train new systems administrators as well as to harden systems against attack. The app walks users through a series of questions about their security needs, helps them make informed decisions, and then applies the necessary changes to the system. Operating System: Linux, Unix, OS X.

Open Source Mobile Applications

40. PortableApps.com

Downloaded more than 100 million times, this is truly one of the most popular open-source projects. It includes dozens of the most popular freeware and open-source apps, including several which also appear on our list of ID protection tools: 7 zip, ClamWin, Eraser, FileZilla, Firefox, KeePass, PeaZip, Thunderbird, and WinSCP. Operating System: Windows.

41. winPenPack

Like PortableApps.com, winPenPack lets you use lots of apps from a thumb drive, but it offers different packages depending on your needs. The "Essential" pack includes several apps from this list, such as 7 zip, ClamWin, Firefox, KeePass, and Thunderbird. (Note: when you click the link, you'll get the Italian Web site. Click the British flag in the corner for English.) Operating System: Windows.

42. Democrakey

Unlike the other two projects in this category, Democrakey was specifically designed to protect your identity. The Minimal version includes Tor, ClamWin, Thunderbird, and TrueCrypt, while the full version adds AbiWord (word processing) and Gimp (image editing). Operating System: Windows

Open Source Password Safes

43. KeePass

KeePass protects your password database with encryption so strong that, according to its makers, "even if you would use all computers in the world to attack one database, decrypting it would take longer than the age of the universe." With KeePass you can also create a "key" on a CD, DVD, or thumb drive that you can use instead of or in addition to your master password for unlocking your passwords. Operating System: Windows.

44. KeePassX

The original KeePass works only on Windows, but this version works for Mac and Linux users as well. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.

45. KeePass SD

Use a Windows-based mobile device? This is the version of KeePass for you. Operating System: Windows.

46. WebKeePass

Have your own Web server? This version of KeePass lets multiple users access a KeePass database from any Web-connected system. It's ideal for small businesses. Operating System: OS Independent.

47. Password Safe

Password Safe makes it very simple to set up your password database. It gives you the option of creating multiple databases so that different users can each have their own databases or so that you can create separate databases for work and home. A version for U3 USB thumb drives is available for a fee. Operating System: Windows.

Open Source PDF Tools

48. PDFCreator

As you might expect from the name, this app lets you create PDF files from nearly any application without using Adobe software. It gives you the options of encrypting and/or digitally signing your PDFs as well. Operating System: Windows.

49. jPDF Tweak

This Java-based program lets you merge, split, reorder, sign, and encrypt previously existing PDF files. Operating System: OS Independent.

Open Source System Monitoring

50. Afick

Very similar to the commercial product Tripwire, Afick ("Another File Integrity Checker") monitors and reports on any changes to your file system. Note that in order to use it, you'll need to be pretty comfortable working from the command line. Operating System: Windows, Linux.

Open Source Web Filtering

51. iSAK

The "Internet Secure Access Kit" (iSAK) lets you view reports on what type of sites your users are visiting and when. Of course, it also gives you the option to block specific sites or categories of sites for security or to prevent access to objectionable sites. It also incorporates anti-virus and anti-spam protection. Operating System: Linux.