Random Bytes of Reality

Every once in a while I come across a program or app that I think deserves mad respect. Secunia PSI (Personal Software Inspector) is one of those. This sweet little program runs in the background using hardly any noticeable system resources and actively protects you from having a program that’s out of date or insecure. Considering that the majority of computer users are unaware of just how out of date some of their software is, this free program can help by alerting them to this potentially unsafe scenario. How does it work? Glad you asked.

After installing Secunia PSI and running it for the first time, you want to go to the Settings function under Configuration. This is where you’ll set your installation up for your particular tastes. Under the Drives Tab, you’ll set this as the main drive on your computer normally. I’m showing a screenshot of mine here as an example only.

Once you have the Settings the way you want them, it’s time to start your first scan. This can take some time depending on the amount of software you have on your computer but shouldn’t take too long. You’ll be able to see the Scan Status (length of time scan has been running), Last & Next Full System Scan (scheduled) and the Scan Message windows. There’s also the Step by Step Scan Progress so you’ll know where the scan is in terms of it’s progress. Of course, the progress bar at the top kind of gives that part away too.

After Secunia PSI completes it’s scan, you’ll be presented with a small window with the results listed and options pertaining to the next steps. It will either show a warning or congratulations depending on what the scan results are as well as what is insecure, any end-of-life programs and any patched programs. Below this are two buttons which will either take you to the Dashboard or to the scan results. In this case, my computer is fully patched and no programs are insecure or at an end-of-life situation.

If you opt to view the scan results the following screenshot is what you’ll see next. The one after that is one with insecure programs listed. Insecure programs or end-of-life programs are listed at the top so you won’t have to hunt for them. Everything else is listed alphabetically.

Scan results – Secure

Scan results – Insecure

Considering the fact this program is free, there is no excuse for not using it to help ensure that the programs on your computer are up to date and thus leaving you with a secure machine in respect to the software installed on it. Unfortunately, Secunia PSI works on Windows computers only at this time. Hopefully, they will get it to work on Macs too at some point in the future. Linux users don’t have to worry about this as most Linux distros are good about keeping things up to date anyway with frequent updates.

So, to recap: Secunia PSI is a free program that helps computer users keep their programs and software up to date. This aids in keeping your computer secure plus it uses little in the way of system resources. I hope that you found this post to be of some use. If you have a program that you are particularly fond of, whether it’s native to Linux, Windows or Mac, or even cross-platform compatible…let me know in the comments.

This reminded me to remove that pesky Adobe Air app that I don’t need anymore using Revo Uninstaller. More on that later.

I ran another blog called Scott.Wilsonsway.net which was actually a techie kind of blog where I wrote about Linux, web hosting, computers and the things that revolved around them. I learned a lot about the topics I wrote about partly due to my research plus that of the comments my visitors left behind. Many of them added to the topic with their own experiences which I valued. Those visitors I’ll miss.

In essence, I’ve experienced some changes in my life that led me to a new approach in my Linux computing world. They’re good for the most part and are allowing me to focus more on what’s most important in my life which is family and work. Not that I’ve slighted either in the past. Read more »

I love this video even though it’s around 2 years old about a Mac and PC bragging about how well each other’s desktop’s perform. Then the Linux girl makes her entrance and…well, you watch it and see for yourself. Totally cool!