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Ubuntu is a fast, secure, and functional operating system based on Debian Linux. It is free and can be downloaded directly from the company’s web page. The desktop version is a live CD so the operating system can be loaded and tested without affecting any of the data or current operating system loaded on the hard drive.

The standard desktop version installation offers the option to automatically partition the hard drive so multiple operating systems can be on the computer at once. When the computer boots it will ask if you want to load into Ubuntu or the other operating system.

For extra security, if Ubuntu is going to be installed then the alternate version is recommended. This version is available by checking the alternate version box at the bottom of the download page. The alternate version offers the option for whole disk encryption during the install process. Whole disk encryption protects all the data and the entire operating system from unauthorized access if the computer is stolen or lost.

http://www.ubuntu.com/

The SSH protocol can be used to securely connect to a remote computer. SSH access can be enabled in OS X by going to Preferences –> Sharing –> checking Remote Login On.

There are many client applications that can be used to connect to a computer running SSH (see here). When connecting to a computer over SSH a secure client application should ask to verify the key. The key is used to verify that the machine being connected to is the intended one. The OS X SSH key can be displayed by using the Terminal, which is located under Applications –> Utilities. After opening Terminal type:

ssh-keygen -l -f /etc/ssh_host_rsa_key

The key will be displayed as 16 hexadecimal characters separated by colons. If the string displayed by the SSH client does not match the one displayed in Terminal then it is likely there is a man-in-the-middle attack occurring and the connection should be terminated.

A secure, customizable, and free open source web browser that is easy to use. Versions are available for Linux, OS X, and Windows.

It is significantly more secure than Microsoft Internet Explorer and recommended because of this. Read more about the security features here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozilla_Firefox#Security

Firefox home page and download link:

http://www.firefox.com