I'm Baaaack!

So after some thinking (scary, I know) I think I am going to expand on this blog a little.  I think what I am going to do is share my class stuff from at least Routing and Switching and the Wireless classes I am taking this semester.  I am also taking Java, but am probably not going to be doing much on that here, as its mostly stuff I don't really understand.  So, look for some changes, don't be alarmed when things are being shuffled around. 

LAST NEWS OF THE SEMESTER!!!!

YES!  It's TRUE!  Last class meeting of the semester, and this news is it!

VMware Source Code Stolen and Posted Online

Right now the company says that the impact should be minimal, since what was stolen is one file from....

..... 2003 or 2004.

The code was stolen from a Chinese company in March.

So, if you use VMware, review your security for your virtual environments.  That's all you can do for now since very little is known about what the real impact will be.

Security News 4/19

CISPA, if you have not heard, is the new PIPA and SOPA.  But you know its bad when the White House says something along the lines of "uh, this isn't the greatest idea".

White House raises concerns over CISPA bill

In a nutshell, this bill would allow ISPs to monitor you- and gather any information that they want to on you if they feel you are a threat. Not too outside the realm of how it works now, but there is NOTHING written in the bill that would keep them from accessing your private emails, chats and Facebook posts.  All they would have to say is "cybersecurity threat!!!!" and off they would go.

The idea behind the bill is sound, but I want my freaking private stuff kept private.  It's none of anyone's business if I want to send my husband a dirty email. >.<

Security News for 4/12

Yes, I know that I have not been keeping up with this very well.  As soon as I get all my papers written for other classes, I plan on going back and filling in the gaps.

Today's post, however, is for Thursday's class.  While searching for our weekly news article, I stumbled across this little gem:

Hotel's Free Wi-Fi Comes With Hidden Extras

Basically, this hotels' ISP is injecting code into every website you visit that is supposed to show whatever ad they want you to see- regardless of what's supposed to be there, and without the knowledge of both the user and the page creator.

Now, imagine if that particular coding got hacked.  Yeah.  That's some scary shit right there.

Chapter 7 Notes

Administering a Secure Network

Objectives

¨  List and describe the functions of common network protocols

¨  Explain how network administration principles can be applied

¨  Define the new types of network applications and how they can be secured

Common Network Protocols

¨  Protocols

¡  Rules of conduct and communication

¡  Essential for proper communication between network devices

¨  Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

¡  Most common protocol suite used for local area networks and the Internet

¨  IP

¡  Protocol that functions primarily at Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Network Layer (Layer 3)

¨  TCP

¡  Transport Layer (Layer 4) protocol

¡  Establishes connections and reliable data transport between devices

¨  TCP/IP uses a four layer architecture

¡  Network Interface, Internet, Transport, Application

More after the Break

Chapter 6

Network Security

Objectives

¨  List the different types of network security devices and explain how they can be used

¨  Define network address translation and network access control

¨  Explain how to enhance security through network design

Security Through Network Devices

¨  Not all applications designed, written with security in mind

¡  Network must provide protection

¨  Networks with weak security invite attackers

¨  Aspects of building a secure network

¡  Network devices

¡  Network technologies

¡  Design of the network itself

More after the break

Chapter 5 Notes

From here on out I am transcribing the power points that Jerry provides.  He's teaching directly off of them.

Host, Application, and Data Security

Objectives

¨  List the steps for securing a host computer

¨  Define application security

¨  Explain how to secure data using loss prevention

Securing the Host

¨  Three important elements to secure

¡  Host (network server or client)

¡  Applications

¡  Data

¨  Securing the host involves:

¡  Protecting the physical device

¡  Securing the operating system software

¡  Using security-based software applications

¡  Monitoring logs

More after the break