Digital Issues

Issue #262: Beyond 5G

Behind the scenes, the cellular phone network has always been the preserve of highly specialized and proprietary equipment, but some recent innovations could be changing that. This month we explore the Open RAN specification, which could one day allow more of the mobile phone network to operate on off-the-shelf hardware.

DVD contents are not available with the digital version of the magazine.

Issue #261: USB Boot

Live boot was such an exciting idea 15 years ago -- just carry a CD with you and boot from anywhere. But old-style boot CDs had some limitations. For one thing, they came in a fixed size. Then there was the problem that you couldn't save anything. Today's USB boot tools solve those problems plus offer a feature that no one even thought about back then: access to several boot images on a single stick.

DVD contents are not available with the digital version of the magazine.

Issue #260: Privacy

If you are really serious about privacy, you'll need to lean on more than your browser's no tracking button. Those who need anonymity the most depend on the Tor network – a global project offering safe surfing even in surveillance states. We also look at Portmaster, an application firewall with some useful privacy features.

On the DVD: Ubuntu 22.04 "Jammy Jellyfish" LTS Desktop Edition and Fedora 36 Workstation

DVD contents are not available with the digital version of the magazine.

Issue #259: Zero Trust

Twenty Years ago, everyone thought a gateway firewall was all you needed to stay safe from intruders, but recent history has told a different story. Today, the best advice is: Don't trust anyone. Your internal network could be just as dangerous as the Internet.

DVD contents are not available with the digital version of the magazine.

Issue #258: Clean IT

Most people know you can save energy by changing to more efficient light bulbs, but did you know you can save energy with more efficient software? This month we examine the ongoing efforts to bring sustainability to the IT industry.

DVD contents are not available with the digital version of the magazine.

Issue #257: Encryption

This month, we survey the state of encryption in Linux. We look beyond the basics to explore some of the tools and technologies that underpin the system of secrecy -- and we show you what you need to know to ensure your privacy is airtight.

DVD contents are not available with the digital version of the magazine.

Issue #256: Facial Recognition

Biometrics got a boost recently with the arrival of Microsoft's Hello technology. Now the open source world is catching up, with an innovative tool appropriately called Howdy. Facial authentication might not be ready for the CIA yet, but we'll help you get started with Howdy and explore the possibilities of authenticating with a glance.

DVD contents are not available with the digital version of the magazine.

Issue #255: Break It to Make It

Fuzz Testing: Ever wonder how attackers discover those "carefully crafted input strings" that crash programs and surrender control? Welcome to the world of fuzz testing. We introduce you to the art of fuzzing and explore some leading fuzz testing techniques.

DVD contents are not available with the digital version of the magazine.

Issue #254: Phone Hacks

Eventually, phone manufacturers stop supporting old hardware. If you're not ready to abandon that hardware yourself, you might find a better alternative with LineageOS – a free Android-based system that supports more than 300 phones. We also explore PostmarketOS, a community-based Linux distribution that runs on several Android devices.

DVD contents are not available with the digital version of the magazine.