By Sarah Russel

Whether you’re a network administrator, security professional, or an end user, it’s important that you keep your system clean and secure. There are a variety of high quality open source security tools available, and many of them are free. Check out this list to find 100 of the best of them.

General

These tools offer a variety of useful security functions.

1. Untangle: Untangle will provide you with spam, virus, and spyware protection, as well as Web filtering, firewall, and more.
2. Network Security Toolkit: This tool combines a variety of open source apps that will help you stay on top of traffic, intrusions, and more.
3. Bastille Linux: With this tool, you’ll answer questions about your security, and will get a custom lockdown for your machine.
4. OSSIM: OSSIM brings together a number of open source security tools to give you network details and stay on top of intrusions.
5. ProShield: Use Proshield to get a scan of your system for up to date software and malware.
6. Hardened Linux: This Linux distribution will help you improve your security.
7. eBox Platform: Use this network management framework for content filtering, proxy, firewalls, and more.sa
8. Kismet: Kismet offers wireless network detection, intrusion detection, and packet sniffing, all in one.

Monitoring

With these tools, you’ll get constant monitoring of your security.

9. Nessus: Use this free scanner to stay on top of your vulnerabilities.
10. Nagios: This host and network monitoring tool will let administrators handle outages before clients and users are affected.
11. AWStats: Use AWStats to get a look at attacks on your server.
12. Honeytrap: With this tool, you’ll get advanced warning about attacks.
13. The Multi Router Traffic Grapher: Use this tool to monitor your SNMP network devices.
14. Snort: Snort is an incredibly effective intrusion detection system.
15. BASE: This tool works well with Snort to make your intrusion detection data more easy to understand.
16. Internet Secure Access Kit: This suite will help you restrict and monitor access on your network.
17. Afick: Afick will help you stay on top of changes to your system.
18. Network Security Analysis Tool: Use this tool to scan your network for vulnerabilities.
19. Nagios: This program will monitor your enterprise network services, environmental factors, host resources, and point out potential vulnerabilities.
20. JbroFuzz: With this tool, you can test the integrity of your network.
21. Yet Another Security Monitoring Interface: This web based application will help you take a look at the data flow in your router.
22. ettercap: Ettercap will monitor your LAN, staying on top of content, live connections, and other potential attacks.
23. Metasploit: Often used by hackers, you can test your system with this tool.
24. SNARE: Make use of this tool that collects and analyzes your event log data.
25. Nikto: Nikto will scan your web servers for problems and dangerous files.

Email & Spam

Use these tools to keep your email secure.

26. Spam Assassin: This anti-spam tool will help you keep your email neat and clean.
27. Tiger Envelopes: This email encryption tool works with a variety of programs, including Thunderbird and Outlook.
28. Anti-Spam SMTP Proxy Server: Use this application to filter out spam and viruses.
29. Spamato: With this client-side spam filter, you can keep the junk out of your Outlook, Thunderbird, and other popular email clients.
30. phPOP3clean: Use this scanner to look for worms, spam, blacklisted words, as well as blacklisted domains.
31. Thunderbird: This open source email program has a variety of tools for keeping spam and viruses at bay.
32. Mailsaurus: This email client will encrypt all of your data so that no one can read your email.
33. MailCleaner: With this filtering application, you can keep the spam and viruses out.
34. Web Stat: Want to know how much spam you’re blocking? Use this tool that will display your level of blocked spam graphically.

Anti-Virus

With these tools, you can protect your computer and network from viruses.

35. FullControl: This software will stay on top of all the programs running on your computer and verify their integrity.
36. ClamAV: Make use of this excellent antivirus tool to keep your machine free of viruses.
37. ClamWin: If you want to take advantage of ClamAV on your Windows machine, make use of this tool.
38. Moon Secure Antivirus: This antivirus scanner also features a firewall.
39. Winpooch Watchdog: Winpooch will stay on top of spyware, trojans, and viruses.
40. Softlabs AntiVirus: Using this antivirus tool, you can scan your email for phishing and viruses.

Firewall

Use these firewall tools to keep unwanted intruders and items out of your system.

41. SELinux: Using SELinux, you can set mandatory access control features for Linux.
42. m0n0Wall: This tool offers both firewall and VPN.
43. ShellTer: ShellTer offers a firewall with SSH protection.
44. Endian Firewall Community: Use this tool to turn an old PC into an appliance that provides a variety of security functions.
45. FirewallPAPI: This system will stay on top of your network traffic.
46. SmoothWall Express: Use SmoothWall to turn a PC into a firewall appliance for your network.
47. WIPFW: Use this tool to monitor and filter packets entering your network.
48. Fail2Ban: Fail2Ban will stay on top of log files and look for failure prone IPs, which will be blacklisted.
49. Vyatta: Turn to Vyatta to get an enterprise class firewall for free.
50. ISP-FW: With this server side firewall application, you can get packet filtering and monitoring.
51. Firewall Builder: This tool will make it easy to establish rules for your firewall.
52. AppArmor: Create policy-based profiles to control access to applications with AppArmor.
53. Firestarter: Make use of this firewall if you want to get your firewall security up and running in a hurry.
54. Linux Embedded Appliance Firewall: This firewall tool will help you shore up your security.
55. IPCop: With this tool, you can turn any PC into a firewall appliance to get your network secure.

Files & Data

Keep your files, data, and transfers secure with these tools.

56. Darik’s Boot and Nuke: If you want to wipe out a hard drive, just boot up with a disk containing this tool.
57. Packet Generator: Use this tool to optimize the routing schematics for your network.
58. Paros: Paros intercepts data, offering a way to evaluate web application security.
59. Cyberduck: With this tool, you can transfer files to remote computers and networks.
60. WinSCP: Use this SFTP and FTP client for secure file transfes.
61. Eraser: This tool will eliminate files by overwriting them several times, so that they can’t be read using digital forensic tools.

Encryption & Cryptography

Make use of these encryption and cryptography tools to stay secure.

62. KeyCzar: Use this toolkit to make cryptography easier to use in applications.
63. Cameloid: Keep your voice connections safe with this encryption tool.
64. GNU Privacy Guard: This encryption tool uses a number of different encryption algorythms.
65. TrueCrypt: Use TrueCrypt to encrypt a partition or drive, or create a virtual encrypted disk within a file.
66. Cryptonit: Secure your files and address books with this encryption tool.
67. Checkpoint Commander: This tool will both encrypt and completely erase your files.
68. AxCrypt: AxCrypt is a simple encryption tool that will allow you to encrypt files with just a few clicks.
69. Magikfs: You can hide your files using this tool with a steganographic filesystem.
70. FreeOTFE: This tool will create secure virtual drives on your PC.
71. Cryptology: Cryptology offers encyption that integrates into Windows Explorer right-click menus.

Passwords

With these tools, you can keep your passwords handy and secure.

72. KeePass: Use this password safe to keep all of your passwords safe and encrypted.
73. CiphSafe: This tool will encrypt your usernames and passwords for popular Internet websites.
74. Password Safe: Password Safe will help you create strong passwords and can store multiple password databases.
75. Keep It Secret! Keep It Safe!: With this tool, you can store your important usernames and passwords in an encrypted file.

Remote Access

Use these tools for secure remote access.

76. OpenSSH: With this tool, you can safely operate a remote host.
77. Stunnel: Stunnel will encrypt your TCP connections inside SSL connections.
78. OpenVPN: Get safe VPN access using this tool.
79. SSL-Explorer: This web-based VPN server will allow you to use a standard browser.
80. Open SSL: This tool uses Transport Layer Security and Secure Socets Layer protocols to keep you safe.
81. strongSwan: strongSwan offers an IPsec-based VPN tool for Linux.
82. PuTTy: Get remote access with this telnet/SSH client.
83. UltraVNC: Use this tool to get safe and secure remote access.

Networking

These tools will help you operate a more secure network.

84. Nmap: Nmap will help you stay informed of all of the hardware that is connected to your network.
85. Wireshark: Using Wireshark, you can take a look at all of the traffic that passes over your Ethernet network.
86. Bro: Bro offers network intrusion detection that will passively monitor your network traffic for anomalous traffic behavior.
87. Network Simulator and Network Animator: With this tool, you can test your network flow to prevent bottlenecks and promote better routing.
88. OCS Inventory NG: This tool will provide you with a list of hardware and software on your network.
89. Netcat: Netcat is a simple utility that will help you read and write data across UDP or TCP network connections.
90. Angry IP Scanner: This tool will scan IP adresses and ports on your network.
91. Ossec HIDS: With this intrusion detection system, you’ll find out when your network is being attacked.
92. TcpDump: If you’re looking for a light, secure packet sniffer, check out this tool.
93. The Network Visualizer: Get graphic information on your network activity using this tool.

Miscellaneous

Check out these tools for even more open source security applications.

94. Tripwire: Find out when changes are made to your system by using this tool.
95. Firefox: A very popular web browser, Firefox offers a variety of secure options and add ons.
96. The Sleuth Kit: With this kit, you can recover deleted files.
97. JAP: This tool will allow you to browse the Internet anonymously.
98. iSAK: Using this tool, you can filter out specific types of websites.
99. Advisory Check: This tool will read RSS and XML security feeds to monitor the security of the software you’re using.
100. Babel: Babel will let you know about all of the security flaws that you have in your system.

By Sarah Russel

Watching crime movies can be a thrilling way to kick back and forget about our own troubles, and they also provide an intriguing opportunity to study society in a way we might not normally be able to do. From Mafia films to cop dramas to westerns to superhero stories, check out how many of the following 100 crime movies you’ve seen, and how much you’ve learned from of a life of crime.

Gangster/Mafia

This list features Mafia classics like The Godfather and Goodfellas as well as newer hits.

1. The Godfather: Still a favorite after more than 35 years, The Godfather introduces us to the tangled Mafia family of Don Vito Corleone.
2. The Departed: Martin Scorsese’s 2006 film won four Oscars thanks to its beautiful direction and all-star cast including Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Alec Baldwin, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen and others.
3. Donnie Brasco: Al Pacino and Johnny Depp star in this movie about an FBI agent who goes undercover in an Italian-American Mafia ring in New York during its last days at the top.
4. The Godfather Part II: Nearly as popular as the first film, Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather Part II goes back and forth in time to give us a more intimate and startling look at the history and future of the Corleone family. This film won six Oscars.
5. Goodfellas: Martin Scorsese’s 1990 movie about moving up in the Mafia in 1960s and 1970s New York stars Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Ray Liotta, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino and other talented actors. The film also won an Oscar plus numerous other film awards.
6. Pulp Fiction: This brutal but comic story from Quentin Tarantino is a classic crime drama that won an Oscar and stars John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis, Uma Thurman and other big-name stars.
7. Road to Perdition: Sam Mendes’ 2002 film about an Irish-American mob family is ruthless. Tom Hanks, Daniel Craig, Paul Newman, and Jude Law star.
8. The Untouchables: Brian De Palma’s 1987 film centers around the mob’s attempt to take down Al Capone in 1920s Chicago. Sean Connery won the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
9. American Gangster: Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe star in this 2007 crime drama about the untold story of the 1970s New York mob boss Frank Lucas.

Superhero

You may not associate Superman with the top crime movies, but superheroes are the ultimate crime fighters. From Batman and beyond, check out this list.

11. The Dark Knight: 2008’s The Dark Night was at once a cult classic and a blockbuster film. Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker in the Batman film is dark, depraved and fascinating.
12. Spider-Man: Tobey Maguire, James Franco, Willem Dafoe and Kirsten Dunst bring Spider-Man to life in this exciting story.
13. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: You might not think of the TMNT as a crime drama, but they taught a generation of kids about fighting crime and discipline.
14. Batman Begins: Darker than most superhero movies, the Batman revival starring Christian Bale shows us how it all began.
15. Superman: The 1978 Christopher Reeve Superman is a classic good vs. evil story also starring Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman.

Cybercrime and Technology

A new crime genre focuses on cybercrime and more high-tech story lines. Here are our picks for the top films in this genre.

16. The Matrix: The Matrix ushered in a new genre of film and storytelling and quickly became a cult classic.
17. Untraceable: Diane Lane is an FBI agent who becomes hunted herself in this high-tech crime drama.

Police dramas

Cop dramas are exciting, suspenseful and full of surprises. Our picks include Dirty Harry, Training Day and others.

19. The Devil’s Own: Harrison Ford plays a New York City cop who takes in an Irish immigrant, only to find that he is entangled with the IRA. Also stars Brad Pitt.
20. Dirty Harry: Clint Eastwood’s famous police drama follows a 1970s cop in San Francisco who hunts a psychopathic serial killer.
21. The French Connection: Gene Hackman stars in this classic cop drama about drug smugglers in New York. It’s famous car chase is still a standard for modern films.
22. Training Day: Denzel Washington won an Oscar for his portrayal of a corrupt drug detective in Los Angeles.
23. Se7en: Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey and Gwyneth Paltrow star in this grisly murder mystery featuring the seven deadly sins.

Political and War Crimes

Political crimes and war crimes affect more than just the central characters in the film. They can tell us a lot about our society and introduce a new dialogue into the public domain.

23. Schindler’s List: Steven Spielberg tackles arguably the most horrific crime in history, The Holocaust, in this heartbreaking by realistic portrayal of real-life businessman Oskar Schindler.
24. Rendition: Learn about the U.S. policy of extraordinary rendition in this modern day political drama about a foreign born Egyptian-American held for interrogation.
25. Munich: Steven Spielberg’s movie about the retaliation of a group of Israelis after athletes were murdered at the 1972 Munich Olympics was nominated for five Oscars. Stars Eric Bana and Daniel Craig.
26. Judgment at Nuremberg: This 1961 black-and-white film starring Spencer Tracey and Marlene Dietrich won two Oscars and is an unsettling classic about the Nazi war crimes.
27. Mission Impossible: CIA agent Tom Cruise tries to make sense of the betrayal and double agent action in Brian De Palma’s 1996 film.

Drugs

These films follow drug traffickers, addicts and other frightening characters.

29. Traffic: This film by Steven Soderbergh won four Oscars and gave the public a realistic look at several different aspects of the drug war in the United States and beyond.
30. Blow: Johnny Depp plays real-life cocaine king George Jung in this epic drama. Penelope Cruz also gives an incredible performance.
31. Scarface: This 1983 film looks at the destructive drug world in Miami. Al Pacino stars as Tony Montana, one of films’ most violent criminals.
32. City of God: This beautifully directed film from Fernando Meirelles and Katia Lund tells the heartbreaking but realistic story of two boys growing up in the slums of Rio de Janeiro and how life separates them.
33. Bad Boys II: This film from Michael Bay is an over-the-top, part crime, part comedic film starring Martin Lawrence, Will Smith and Gabrielle Union. It’s full of action and is pretty unrealistic, but it’s a lot of fun.
34. Requiem for a Dream: This touching, intense film depicts the stories of seemingly unrelated characters as their drug habits and insecurities ruin their lives.

Gambling

From James Bond to Martin Scorsese, gambling and casino movies are full of suspicion and high rollers.

34. Oceans 11: George Clooney and Steven Soderbergh’s project features a bumbling, all-star cast including Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, Elliott Gould, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan and even Julia Roberts.
35. Casino Royale: This James Bond film introduced Daniel Craig as a darker, harder Bond who goes to Montenegro to dominate a poker game and take down the terrorist LeChiffre.
36. Rounders: Matt Damon and Ed Norton star in this brutal look at underground gambling rings.
37. Casino: Martin Scorsese’s film about mobsters in Vegas stars Robert DeNiro, Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci.

Child Crimes

This list features films that involve children, from kidnapping stories and more.

38. Gone Baby Gone: Written and directed by Ben Affleck, this disturbing story about child kidnappings mainly focuses on two independent detectives hired to find a young girl who was taken from her druggie mother. Stars Casey Affleck, Morgan Freeman, Michelle Monaghan, Ed Harris and Amy Ryan.
39. Man on Fire: Little Dakota Fanning finds herself kidnapped in Mexico City and depends on her bodyguard Denzel Washington to save her.
40. The Professional: Natalie Portman and Jean Reno star in this 1994 film about an assassin who reluctantly takes charge of a young neighbor.
41. The Client: A little boy finds himself involved in a mob fight with the FBI in this film based on the John Grisham novel. Stars Susan Sarandon, Tommy Lee Jones, Mary-Louise Parker, Anthony LaPaglia and Brad Renfro.
42. Notes on a Scandal: This startling story is wonderfully acted and stars Cate Blanchett as a teacher who starts sleeping with a student. Judi Dench is also magnificent.
43. Freeway: In one of Reese Witherspoon’s earlier films, a teenage runaway gets caught up with a freeway rapist and an attempted murder.
44. Taxi Driver: A very young Jodie Foster plays a prostitute in this Oscar-nominated film.

Westerns

Anyone who’s watched a western can tell you that the rules out west are different, and our picks include John Wayne movies as well as newer hits like No Country for Old Men.

45. No Country for Old Men: The Coen brothers’ Oscar winning film was released during a Western comeback in the film industry, and this violent drama was also the breakout movie for Spanish actor Javier Bardem.
46. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid: This Oscar-winning Western stars Paul Newman and Robert Redford as train robbers on the run.
47. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford: Brad Pitt, Mary Louise Parker and Casey Affleck star in this movie about Jesse James and his gang of outlaws.
48. The Wild Bunch: The Wild Bunch is a 1969 Western about outlaws get tangled up with the Mexican army, bounty hunters and a plot to rob a U.S. army train.
49. The Comancheros: John Wayne’s 1961 movie involves a Texas Ranger who gets entangled with a gang of thieves.
50. The Ox-Bow Incident: Based on the novel by Walter Van Tilburg Clark, The Ox-Bow Incident is part western, part social commentary as a group of angry men argue about a criminal’s punishment. Stars Henry Fonda, Anthony Quinn and Dana Andrews.
51. El Dorado: This classic John Wayne film involves a sheriff, gunfighter and revenge.
52. Viva Zapata!: This 1952 film directed by Elia Kazan and based on John Steinbeck’s novel tells the story of Mexican revolutionary and bandit Emiliano Zapata.

Murder

The following crime movies involve murder plots, serial killers and other grisly tales.

53. Summer of Sam: John Leguizamo, Adrien Brody, Mira Sorvino and Jennifer Esposito star in this film about the creepy, true-life Summer of Sam murders in New York City in 1977.
54. Zodiac: 2007’s Zodiac is a thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Murk Ruffalo as a journalist and investigator determined to capture the real-life serial killer who plagued San Francisco and the surrounding area during the 1960s and 70s.
55. The Silence of the Lambs: This sickening classic stars Jodie Foster as a young FBI agent determined to find a serial killer and get to the bottom of Hannibal Lecter’s story.
56. Romeo + Juliet: Baz Luhrmann’s modern remake of Shakespeare’s tragedy stars Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio. The film was nominated for an Oscar and won several critics awards.
57. Psycho: Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 horror film involves a robbery and a psychopathic killer.
58. Basic Instinct: Michael Douglas has to investigate the murder of a rock star in this steamy, dramatic thriller.
59. Dial M for Murder: Alfred Hitchock casts one of his favorite leading ladies, Grace Kelly, in this film about a foiled murder plot.
60. Hamlet: This dark tragedy was recreated by Kenneth Branagh in 1996 and stars Richard Attenborough, Judi Dench, Julie Christie and more.
61. The Bone Collector: Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie star in this 1999 murder mystery that must be solved by figuring out a series of forensics clues.
62. Kiss the Girls: Ashley Judd helps Morgan Freeman find a serial killer and kidnapper in this 1997 thriller.

Social Commentary

Understand social trends, psychology and history when you watch either of these two films.

63. To Kill a Mockingbird: Based on the novel by Harper Lee, the Oscar winning To Kill a Mockingbird is a social, historical film about a lawyer who defends a black man falsely accused of rape. Gregory Peck, Frank Overton and Robert Duvall star.
64. American Psycho: This twisted but strangely entertaining film is really a commentary on the materialistic yuppie culture that began to dominate New York City during the 1980s and 90s.

Mysteries and Detective Movies

From Agatha Christie to Alfred Hitchcock, mystery movies make for some of our favorite crime movies.

65. Death on the Nile: One of Agatha Christie’s most famous mysteries, this film version of Death on the Nile stars Mia Farrow, Bette Davis and Jane Birkin.
66. And Then There Were None: The grainy black and white picture makes this famous Agatha Christie mystery even creepier.
67. Sherlock Holmes The Hound of the Baskervilles: This classic Sherlock Holmes movie is spooky in the best way.
68. The Usual Suspects: This intense thriller is one of the ultimate "gotcha" films and stars great actors like Gabriel Byrne, Benicio del Toro, Chazz Palminteri and Kevin Spacey.
69. Constantine: Exorcism, hell, suicide and murder plague this dark but intriguing film starring Keanu Reeves and Rachel Weisz.
70. Hollywoodland: Ben Affleck, Diane Lane, Adrien Brody and others recreate the murder and investigation surrounding George Reeves, who played Superman on TV in the 1950s.
71. Rear Window: Jimmy Stewart spies on his cryptic neighbors in this 1955 Alfred Hitchcock film that also stars Grace Kelly.
72. Citizen Kane: Often thought to be one of the best movies ever made, Citizen Kane is a classic murder mystery.
73. Memento: Director Christopher Nolan uses innovative storytelling techniques to tell the story of a man trying to find his wife’s murderer.

Blackmail, Revenge and Corruption

The criminal underworld feeds on blackmail and corruption, and these movies portray it all.

74. Charade: Audrey Hepburn is hunted by a gang of men who murdered her husband. Also stars Cary Grant and was nominated for an Oscar.
75. Kill Bill Vol.1: Quentin Tarantino’s bloody but immensely popular film is an homage to Japanese fight techniques and film direction.
76. The Firm: Tom Cruise gets in way over his head when he moves up the ranks in a Memphis law firm. Directed by Sydney Pollack and based on the John Grisham novel.
77. L.A. Confidential: Russell Crowe, Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito and Kim Basinger star in this tale of murder and corruption in Hollywood and the LAPD in the 1950s.

Robbery and Heist

For an exciting heist thriller, check out one of these movies, from Reservoir Dogs to Bonnie and Clyde.

78. The Italian Job: This fun heist thriller is a remake of the Michael Caine movie and features a group of thieves as they try to reign in their renegade partner.
79. The Sting: This classic film starring Paul Newman, Robert Shaw and Robert Redford won seven Oscars and tells the story of a 1930s Chicago crime ring involving small-time con men and a major crime boss.
80. Reservoir Dogs: Quentin Tarantino’s 1992 film about a jewelry heist gone wrong is all about confusion and mistrust.
81. Snatch: Guy Ritchie’s bumbling, confusing story about a diamond robbery is full of both violence and comic relief.
82. Heist: Gene Hackman and Danny DeVito star in this movie about a jewel thief and a major gang leader.
83. Ronin: This well-received action thriller stars Robert DeNiro and features the turmoil and danger of the underground.
84. A Fish Called Wanda: Though it’s a comedy, A Fish Called Wanda is still a classic crime movie.
85. The Thomas Crown Affair: Pierce Brosnan is a sexy smooth art thief who’s game is compromised when he falls for a detective.
86. Entrapment: Catherine Zeta-Jones plays an insurance agent with a double motive in this exciting and sexy thriller.
87. Bonnie and Clyde: Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty star as the infamous real-life couple Bonnie and Clyde in this 1967 classic.
88. To Catch a Thief: Alfred Hitchcock’s 1955 film about a cat burglar in the south of France stars Cary Grant, Grace Kelly and Brigitte Auber.

International

Not all of the best crime movies are from the U.S. For international flavor, watch these films.

89. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: This stunning Chinese film directed by Ang Lee involves the complicated plot of two warriors from the Qing Dynasty, a murder and an undercover police investigator.
90. La Haine: The French film La Haine, or Hate, examines the social unrest and tension of poor, Arab-French teenagers in the suburbs of Paris.
91. Mou gaan dou, "Internal Affairs": This Hong Kong thriller inspired Scorsese’s The Departed.

Miscellaneous

Our final list is a mish-mash of some of our favorite crime films, including Sin City and even The Big Lebowski.

92. Sin City: Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez’s dark look at the decaying lives of the residents of Basin City is based on a graphic novel and stars big name actors like Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba, Elijah Wood, Rosario Dawson, Benicio del Toro, Alexis Bledel and more.
93. The Bourne Identity: Matt Damon stars as a rogue CIA assassin suffering from amnesia in this thriller.
94. The Big Lebowski: A cult classic and favorite comedy, The Big Lebowski follows "The Dude" as he tries to track down the gangsters who ruined his favorite rug in a case of mistaken identity.
95. The Accused: Jodie Foster’s controversial story about a gang rape won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
96. Unfaithful: Unfaithful begins as a film about an illicit affair, but it ends with a brutal crime.
97. The Shawshank Redemption: This beloved film follows a man sentenced to life in prison for murdering his wife. It stars Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins.
98. A Clockwork Orange: Young hooligans in a future Britain terrorize their community with violence.
99. Cool Hand Luke: Another prison film, Paul Newman’s Cool Hand Luke constantly tries to escape.
100. On the Waterfront: On the Waterfront is one of Marlon Brando’s earlier films. Directed by Elia Kazan, the story follows an amateur fighter who witnesses a murder on the docks ordered by his boss.

Whether you live in a tiny apartment or a huge mansion, your house deserves to be protected. Even if you don’t have a lot of expensive gadgets lying around, you and your family, as well as your important papers and even online activity are vulnerable to hackers, burglars and other dangers. To make sure your family, your property and all of your belongings remain unharmed, be your own security professional with this ultimate list of 100 security tips and tools.

Cameras

Monitor trespassers and any suspicious activity going on around your property with these stealth video cameras.

1. Night vision cameras: Night vision cameras will allow you to clearly monitor any trespassers or unwanted visitors around your property.
2. Real-Time Security DVR: With a system like this one, you’ll be able to watch what your camera picks up on a TV monitor inside your home in real time.
3. Car video camera: An experienced burglar might be checking your house for cameras, but they might not know about the one in your car.
4. Baby monitor: Video and audio baby monitors can also serve as more cost effective home security solutions.
5. Pan, tilt and zoom cameras: See more of your yard and around the corners of your house with pan, tilt and zoom cameras.
6. Smoke detector camera: This smoke detector is a great guise for a hidden camera.
7. Wireless camera: Make sure you’re using a wireless camera. Otherwise, you’ll give away too many clues and your camera will be useless.
8. Video entry: If you don’t have a peep hole or can’t discreetly check to see who’s ringing the doorbell, use a video surveillance system like this one.
9. Sprinkler Head Camera: Many yards have sprinkler systems, making it easy for a trespasser to miss this undercover camera.
10. Dummy Security Camera: If you can’t afford a high-tech system, set up this imitation security camera to make criminals and trespassers nervous.

Lighting Solutions

These motion detectors and flood lights are great for scaring away potential burglars.

11. Dual floodlight motion detectors: This motion detector turns on an outside light when it senses motion, which then triggers four lights inside your home to turn on as well.
12. Floodlight Lamp: You don’t need a big security budget to set up this floodlight lamp and motion detector yourself.
13. PIR floodlights: The British Institute of Lighting Engineers has issued this FAQ page and review of PIR (passive, infrared) floodlights.
14. Low-voltage security lights: These lights are low-voltage and can be kept on all the time without running up your energy bill.

Monitoring and Alerts

From driveway sensors to voice alert systems and glass breaking sensors, these monitoring devices will alert you to any atypical activity going on inside or outside your home.

15. Wireless Annunciator System: This voice alert system records your voice messages and plays them whenever it senses movement in your driveway, backyard or patio.
16. Driveway Sensor: This sensor sends off a chime whenever someone comes up your driveway, letting you know someone’s arrived.
17. Door Motion Sensors: This camera is also a motion detector and will let you see and hear whomever is at the door.
18. ActiveHome Pro: This cost effective home automation system allows you to automate lights and more.
19. Glass break sensor: This system alerts you when someone breaks your windows or kicks in a door.
20. Infrared Motion Sensors: If you don’t have pets or a sleepwalker in your home, an infrared motion sensor can be a good solution.

Computer and Network Security

Protect your online activity, stored history and important computer data with these tips and tools.

21. Anti-Virus: Particularly if you’re a Windows user, an anti-virus system is vital for keeping your data safe and computer running smoothly.
22. Use a secure browser: Secure browsers like Firefox come with anti-malware and anti-phishing systems that protect your online activity.
23. Get a spam filter: A spam filter on your e-mail can remove some of the temptation or accidental opening of the worst junk mail.
24. Get a secure e-mail account: Make sure your e-mail provider scans attachments for viruses, and sign up for an encryption service if you need it.
25. Use firewalls: Firewalls are vital to computer security.
26. Password protect your wireless account: If you use wireless in your home, password protect the account so your neighbors can’t log on.
27. Use strong passwords: Learn how to create strong passwords, and don’t use the same one for every account.
28. Sign out: Sign out of online bank accounts and e-mail instead of just closing the window.
29. File encryption: Encrypt your important files so that even if someone does hack onto your computer, they won’t be able to read anything.
30. Use patches: Patches keep software programs and security systems on your computer strong and updated.
31. Understand your risk and the warning signs: By understanding the signs of a hacker or a weak system, you’ll be able to fix things more quickly.
32. Beware of rogue security software: Don’t download a security update just because you got an e-mail from someone who seems authoritative. Do a background check on any product before you install it.
33. Managing Cookies Site-by-Site: Limit the amount and type of websites that store your personal information by managing cookies site-by-site.
34. Disable hidden filename extensions: If your operating system will allow you to do so, disable hidden filename extensions for added security.
35. Install updates: Install the automatic updates you get from your computer and anti-virus system.
36. Back up your computer: Back up your data with USB drives, and other tools.

Out of Town Security

When you’re out of town or at work all day, your home is especially vulnerable. Follow these tips and consider arming your home with the following tools before you leave the house.

37. USB Security Camera: A security camera like this one is operated from your computer and will send you alerts whenever it detects motion.
38. Remote video surveillance: A monitoring system like this one will watch your property 24/7 even if you’re not there to check up on it.
39. FakeTV: This light mimics "the effects of scene changes, fades, swells, flicks, on-screen motion" and more from a TV, making it look like someone’s at home.
40. Mini timers: This tool turns four different lights on and off inside your home according to a preset clock.
41. Motion Activated Driveway Light: You can opt to turn on the alarm which will sound when the motion detector also turns on the lights.
42. Fake soiled underpants: If you still don’t feel safe leaving your valuables at home, stash your extra cash in these fake, smelly, soiled underpants in your laundry room.
43. Instant motion activated video: This video can be installed anywhere and can capture over 8,000 frames.
44. Web connected security systems: Access your security system remotely with tools that are web-based.
45. Security television simulator: Here is another security tool that simulates a television.
46. Acoustic sensors: If you aren’t leaving any pets at home while you go on vacation, use an acoustic sensor to pick up an noises that occur when you’re gone.

Everyday Tips

From talking to your kids to knowing where to keep your spare key, these tips from security professionals are a must for everyday security.

47. Lock your doors and windows: This is one of the most obvious tips, but an unlocked door or window can leave your house more vulnerable than any other slip-up.
48. Get an alarm: Any kind of alarm will work. Set it before you go to bed and whenever you leave the house.
49. Talk to your kids about home security: Never let them open the door for anyone they don’t know, and ask them to help you check the doors and windows each night.
50. Get a gate or fence: Put up a gate and a fence around your yard to protect you and your family from stray dogs and any unwanted visitors.
51. Install mirrors: Security mirrors let you see around corners so that you won’t be surprised by someone waiting at your door or down the driveway.
52. Get a safe: This fingerprint-activated safe will keep your most precious papers and belongings locked up even if someone does manage to break into your house.
53. Don’t leave a spare key under the mat or in your mailbox: Everyone knows this trick by now, so a burglar will look in those places first if he or she wants to get in.
54. Never open the door for someone you don’t know or aren’t expecting: If a worker has already scheduled an appointment, make sure he or she is wearing the appropriate uniform and has a name tag or some sort of proper identification.
55. Get a dog: Dogs are great for home security: even if they aren’t aggressive, their presence can make burglars uneasy.
56. Know your neighbors: If you and your neighbors talk regularly and can recognize your friends or other frequent visitors, they’ll be more likely to call the police if something seems wrong at your house.

Windows, Locks and Doors

Keep windows, locks and doors impenetrable with these tips and tools.

57. Window Security Bars: Bars are more old fashioned but still effective. Install bars that can be unlocked in case your family needs to get out in an emergency.
58. Magnetic detection: Magnetic detection devices pick up any breakage of an electric circuit or metallic tape when a window is broken or door is kicked in.
59. Garage door alert: This system alerts you when your garage door is open.
60. Change locks if your safety is compromised: If someone in your family has been mugged or lost their wallet and a key, change all of your locks.
61. Locks, Latches and Other Deterrents: This guide has plenty of advice and even an illustrated DIY to help you select and install the proper locks and latches.

Alarms

Here you can learn about the different types of alarms your home can use, from door alarms to perimeter protection to carbon monoxide detectors.

62. Perimeter Protection: Protect your entire yard with invisible beams that trigger an alarm when crossed.
63. Indoor Sirens: Ask for a 30-watt siren that can be heard outside the home, even if all the doors and windows are shut.
64. Carbon monoxide detector: Keep your family safe from the odorless poison with a carbon monoxide detector.
65. Alarm monitoring service: Get an alarm that connects you to a monitoring service, which can call 911 for you or cancel the alarm if it went off by accident.
66. Door alarms: These are some of the most common types of alarms, and they go off when opened.
67. Pool alarms: Keep your kids and trespassers safe from drowning with a pool alarm or sensor.
68. Alarm backup batteries: Always make sure your batteries are charged or new before going out of town.
69. Voice auto dialers: These add-ons will automatically call the phone numbers of your choice whenever an alarm goes off.

Basements, Shelters and Safe Houses

Seal off your basement and consider constructing a safe room or storm shelter if you feel especially vulnerable in your home.

70. Secure Steel Safe Room: This guide discusses the different types of safe rooms and how you can make them.
71. Preparing a Safe Room: FEMA lists instructions and tips for building a safe room.
72. Flood Sensor: The Flood Sensor notifies you when flood waters seep into your basement or when a water heater or washing machine starts to leak.
73. Hidden Doors: A safe room isn’t much good if a criminal can find it easily. Learn about hidden doors here.
74. Sliding Pocket Door: This type of door is supposed to be the "fastest possible entry time during [an] emergency."
75. Tornado Safe Room: Here you’ll learn about stocking and building a safe room that can withstand a tornado.
76. Safe Room or Panic Room: Learn about safe rooms and stocking panic rooms here.
77. Building a Safe Room: This guide explains why safe rooms are a good idea.

Home Maintenance

If your home is falling apart, it won’t be hard for a burglar to break in. Keep your home in solid shape with these DIY home maintenance tips and tools.

78. How to Evaluate Home Security Needs: Before you start, you’ll need to evaluate your home’s risk factors and security needs.
79. Garage door: Make sure your garage door can be opened and closed quickly. Also check the locks and keep track of automatic openers.
80. Check locks: Check your window and door locks to make sure they aren’t broken and can be opened easily in case of an emergency.
81. Basement: Make sure any entrances into your basement are just as secure as the rest of the house, even if they’re hidden.
82. Roof: Patch shingles and evaluate any cracks or weak spots in your roof.
83. Repair the fence: If your fence can be knocked down easily or was damaged in a storm, your house might seem like an easy target to an intruder.

Neighbors

Make a point to know your neighbors and ask them for help when you go out of town.

84. Ask a neighbor to pick up your newspapers when you’re out of town: A pile of newspapers on your driveway is the easiest way for a stranger to know you’re out of town.
85. Ask neighbors to take packages inside during the day: If you’re expecting an important or expensive package to be delivered while you’re at work, ask a neighbor who’s at home during the day to pick it up for you.
86. Save your neighbors’ phone numbers: Before you go on vacation, enter your neighbors’ phone numbers into your cell phone in case you need them to check up on your house while you’re gone.
87. Watch out for your neighbors: The more you watch out for your neighbors’ safety and security, the more likely they’ll do the same for you.

Articles and Guides

These articles and guides can teach you even more about home security.

88. Monitored Home Security Systems: When shopping around for a monitored home security system, review this checklist to make sure the alarm will work for all kinds of emergencies.
89. Home Security: Fake devices might do the job inexpensively: If you want to up the security just a little at your home but can’t afford any major systems, use dummy alarms and fake tools to deter burglars.
90. Security Alarm Systems: State Farm’s guide to security alarm systems answers questions about what your system should include and more.
91. Apartment Security: This guide helps those who live in apartments protect themselves against burglaries.
92. Burglary Prevention Advice: Get home security tips for your doors and locks, sliding-glass patio doors, and more.
93. Home Security Tips: Here you’ll learn how a spring-latch lock is vulnerable against experienced burglars and other helpful tips.
94. Home-Security Tips: The Discovery Channel’s tips cover alarms, locks, the yard, and even the garage.
95. Tips for Cleaning and Securing Your Website: If you have your own website, learn how to take care of it and keep your information and your customers’ data secure.
96. Should I Install a Home Security System?: Insurance.com helps homeowners decide whether or not they need to invest in a home security system.
97. It Takes a Thief Interactive: Find all the vulnerable hot spots around the house to learn more about home security.
98. Home Security Tips: Tips listed here include trim the hedges, make your mark, and lock up.
99. How to Install Burglar Alarms: Read this guide to learn about alarm installation before you attempt it yourself.
100. Benefits of Wireless Alarm Systems: Here you’ll learn why wireless alarm systems are great for saving money and time during your set up.