Im still studying working on my CCNA, I'm studying IP addressing and subnetting currently. its going well. I have decided to rewrite my business plan for Phuture Networks. I'm going to focus solely on IT Security.
I injured my knee, I have been out of work for about a week since I cant drive. Its my right knee. The one good thing I can say about it, it has given me time to think. I have been analyzing allot of code in C, PERL and Python. I want to be able to read the stuff like English.
I have almost completed my introduction to engineering class. I like it. It has made me more methodical and detail oriented.
My son is getting huge, I cant believe how fast kids grow. Its really amazing.
Orange County Computer Consultant
- Orange County Computer Security Consultant
- Orange County Computer Consultant helps small businesses with networking, installations and small business software.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Microsoft Vista and Pirates
Microsot has come up with a plan to thwart illegal software copies. The solution ? They will lock out anyone who does not register their OS within 30 days ! I wonder how long it is going to take for some skilled cracker to reverse engineer the code.
It will not actually lock you out just give you real limited functionallity. Which would suck. During the 30 days you will get popups. Lovely. Letting you know that you must register.
During this grace period warnings will be displayed and Vista will block access to the Windows Defender anti-spyware tool, ReadyBoost memory expansion feature and Aero advanced graphics option, Microsoft said.
Just run Linux. IMAO
It will not actually lock you out just give you real limited functionallity. Which would suck. During the 30 days you will get popups. Lovely. Letting you know that you must register.
During this grace period warnings will be displayed and Vista will block access to the Windows Defender anti-spyware tool, ReadyBoost memory expansion feature and Aero advanced graphics option, Microsoft said.
Just run Linux. IMAO
Day 1 Studying for CCNA
I have made up my mind to stay focused on obtaining my CCNA or Cisco Certified Network Associate, I have downloaded many study guides and plan to read one chapter daily, out of my CCNA book. When I pass the exam I will focus on security. I would like to become a expert with firewall technologies, configurations and setup.
The main subject for today is the OSI layer or open systems interconnect. This is a standard that allows vendors software/hardware to communicate. There are seven layers for the OSI model. They include: Application, Presentation, Session, Transport, Network, Data and Physical layers.
The Application layer provides network access to programs, it also does error recovery and flow control. It makes sure that communications can be established by checking resources. The following protocols can be found here. NCP, SMB, Telnet, SMTP, Appletalk and SMB.
The Presentation layer does protocol conversion and my favorite encryption and data compression. This layer uses protocols such as NCP, TDI and AFP.
The Session layer does just that it opens a session it does connection establishment, data transfer and cloese the connection. The protocol NetBios can be found on this layer.
The Transport layer put messages into smaller packages adn does error detection and correction. Some of the protocols here NetBeui, NWLink, IP, IPX, and TCP.
The Network Layer does routing, handles addressing, translates logical addresses to physical ones as well as traffic management. The protocols here are IP, IPX, NWLink and NetBeui.
The Data Link Layer packages bits into frames so they can be transported over the network layer. There is also the MAC sublayer that puts the MAC address into the frame header.
The Physical Layer would bethe actual cabling, connectors and electrical signals transmitted on the wire.
That is my quick synopsis of the OSI layer.
The main subject for today is the OSI layer or open systems interconnect. This is a standard that allows vendors software/hardware to communicate. There are seven layers for the OSI model. They include: Application, Presentation, Session, Transport, Network, Data and Physical layers.
The Application layer provides network access to programs, it also does error recovery and flow control. It makes sure that communications can be established by checking resources. The following protocols can be found here. NCP, SMB, Telnet, SMTP, Appletalk and SMB.
The Presentation layer does protocol conversion and my favorite encryption and data compression. This layer uses protocols such as NCP, TDI and AFP.
The Session layer does just that it opens a session it does connection establishment, data transfer and cloese the connection. The protocol NetBios can be found on this layer.
The Transport layer put messages into smaller packages adn does error detection and correction. Some of the protocols here NetBeui, NWLink, IP, IPX, and TCP.
The Network Layer does routing, handles addressing, translates logical addresses to physical ones as well as traffic management. The protocols here are IP, IPX, NWLink and NetBeui.
The Data Link Layer packages bits into frames so they can be transported over the network layer. There is also the MAC sublayer that puts the MAC address into the frame header.
The Physical Layer would bethe actual cabling, connectors and electrical signals transmitted on the wire.
That is my quick synopsis of the OSI layer.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Monday, September 25, 2006
Alexanders Doctor Visit
I took my son to the doctors today, he had to get four shots. I hated every second of it. He is only 4 months old. But its over for at least a couple months. My girlfriend went with me.
I made it into work late today, doctors note and all. I find my inbox is full of spam. We sell spam firewalls and but I guess the rules are not configured properly on our network. Today is a typical Monday, making cold call and not reaching anyone.
I'm currently enrolled in Engineering at a community college. It is ok. I can say it is making me think about things differently. It's like programming in the sense of breaking the complex problems into smaller chunks. I have always liked taking things apart as a kid. Now here is my chance to start building. Next semester, I will be taking more math and physics. I do not want to stop going to school. There are so many subjects that interest me. I'm a geek :)
I still want to take technical writing and drawing, CAD, CAM and more advanced electronics. I'm still undecided on my major. I'm thinking about information assurance or computer engineering.
I made it into work late today, doctors note and all. I find my inbox is full of spam. We sell spam firewalls and but I guess the rules are not configured properly on our network. Today is a typical Monday, making cold call and not reaching anyone.
I'm currently enrolled in Engineering at a community college. It is ok. I can say it is making me think about things differently. It's like programming in the sense of breaking the complex problems into smaller chunks. I have always liked taking things apart as a kid. Now here is my chance to start building. Next semester, I will be taking more math and physics. I do not want to stop going to school. There are so many subjects that interest me. I'm a geek :)
I still want to take technical writing and drawing, CAD, CAM and more advanced electronics. I'm still undecided on my major. I'm thinking about information assurance or computer engineering.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Stolen Laptops and Data
It seems like daily I hear about security breaches, laptops being stolen. All this personal information is being leaked. I dont understand why people dont use encryption ? I admit it seems daunting, but there are programs out that now that require you to click a button. Its that simple. But what standard do you encrypt with ? I personally like AES which stands for Advanced encryption standard. It is FIPS compliant another lovely acronym that stand for federal information processing which means the goverment uses it to secure unclassified data.
If you want to know the ins and outs of the algorithihm here is a paper published by NIST.
AES Text
After finishing the document, I feel like I need another Red bull.
It talks abouts ciphers, bits, plaintext and other goodies. A knowledge of C C++ or Unix is helpfull. There are alot of functions.
XOR is used in the algorithim to encrypt plaintext into ciphertext.
The cipherkey itself can have lengths of 128, 192 or 256 bits.
There is to much math for me, gives me a headache, although I can understand some of the code.
If you want to know the ins and outs of the algorithihm here is a paper published by NIST.
AES Text
After finishing the document, I feel like I need another Red bull.
It talks abouts ciphers, bits, plaintext and other goodies. A knowledge of C C++ or Unix is helpfull. There are alot of functions.
XOR is used in the algorithim to encrypt plaintext into ciphertext.
The cipherkey itself can have lengths of 128, 192 or 256 bits.
There is to much math for me, gives me a headache, although I can understand some of the code.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Microsoft Presentation
We had Microsoft come out to our office to show us Vista. It looks clen but the hardware requirements are going to require allot of people to upgrade. Thats good new to me but bad for consumers. Personally I love Linux. Vista looks allot like OS X. Apple's OS.
There are some new security feautures including a way to encrypt directories and filesystems. When I asked what encryption protocol would be used, I did not get an answer. That's marketing for you. I also read that Microsoft released 12 security alerts. 8 are critical. You can read about the here .
There are some new security feautures including a way to encrypt directories and filesystems. When I asked what encryption protocol would be used, I did not get an answer. That's marketing for you. I also read that Microsoft released 12 security alerts. 8 are critical. You can read about the here .
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Goals and Career
I currently work for a large IT company consulting enterprise accounts on hardware software needs. I'm working on obtaining my Associates degree and have decided that my major is going to be information assurance. (IT Security). I plan on studying for my CCNA and have a goal of obtaining it by January of 2007. After I complete my self-study. I will go after my CISSP. Currently I'm a MCP or Microsoft Certified Proffesional.
Here is a sample of the courses:
Here is a sample of the courses:
Bachelor of Science - 127-128 credits
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Final Project for Internet Technologies Class
My final project is about having a Internet presence. I already have this blog up, so I'm going to point a link here to my blog. This was my first online class and I enjoyed it. I will be taking critical thinking in August for my next online class.
I also have some articles that I have written that I would like to share with my classmates here is the link.
I also have a business website I made called Phuture Networks.
I have also beent thinking about doing some security podcast's. I keep up with numerous RSS feeds in my Firefox browser. I had a great time with this class and encourage my classmates to keep in touch. I can be emailed at phuturegenius@yahoo.com
I also have some articles that I have written that I would like to share with my classmates here is the link.
I also have a business website I made called Phuture Networks.
I have also beent thinking about doing some security podcast's. I keep up with numerous RSS feeds in my Firefox browser. I had a great time with this class and encourage my classmates to keep in touch. I can be emailed at phuturegenius@yahoo.com
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
A new Morning
It has been some time since my last post, things have been great. My son was born on May 5, he is awesome, most of my time now consists of working, and spending time with my family. Time management skills are in order here. There is so much going on in the IT industry. I like the fact that Apple has released a new Macbook. Its Intel Dual Core,and goes for $1099. I'm in the process of seeking for a new laptop. I have one, but could see myself owing 3. One for the windows platform, anohter for Apple Mac OS and well a third for Unix. Why ? Not only because Im a geek, but I write, try to code and just now getting into photos. I found my dads old 35mm. He is no longer around. So I like photography now. Some many gadgets to get, baby formula to buy. I feel like there is not enought time in the day. Not to mention blogging, soon podcasting. Well thats it today folks have a great one !!!!
Friday, April 28, 2006
The mischief makers BOTS
Bots can be automated to do just about anyhing, there really just scripts that are deisgned to do do network snooping. Here is the scenario, a new exploit is announced online, within minutes a cracker firs up his *nix box, code some PERL and bingo, this script is sent loose to probe networks looking for vulnerable PC's and delivering the result to a system in Finland.
First step is to keep your updates current, run a firewall, and dont use file sharing networks. I cannot stress this enough most malware comes thru those networkds even with Spyware running.
First step is to keep your updates current, run a firewall, and dont use file sharing networks. I cannot stress this enough most malware comes thru those networkds even with Spyware running.
Phishers and VOIP
Now it seems that Phishers are reocrding automated services with VOIP, just imaagine calling into Bank Of America, your call is routed over a VOIP network and someone is on the the line with a digital recorder. Man does that suck, Im sure they already nknow how to decoded DTMF codes to get your banking account number. My suggestion get PGPhone, its a product that will encrypt your Voip traffic. That way they can try to do cryptanalysis and by the time they crack (they wont) You will no longer even need a bank account.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Search Engine Marketing Job
Well things are changing for the better in my life, I got a new job placing ads in search engines thru Yahoo Search Marketing and Google Adwords.Its a cool company too. I cannot beleive how much money is in the industry, and all the new stuff I'm learning about. The biggest issue? Click Fraud. There is alot but not as much as people think.
I'm currently learning about Google's API's and plan on taking PHP next semester. Everything is going webbased. This is cool and scary at the same time. Most of the stuff on the net is vulnerable on the net there are exploits posted daily. How much stuff of mine do I really want on the web? Besided this and a couple of other blogs not much.
I'm currently learning about Google's API's and plan on taking PHP next semester. Everything is going webbased. This is cool and scary at the same time. Most of the stuff on the net is vulnerable on the net there are exploits posted daily. How much stuff of mine do I really want on the web? Besided this and a couple of other blogs not much.
What Linux Live CD's are good for security?
I use Whoppix alot, it is a great CD, with alot of good tools, categories include penetration testing, wireless testing, it has compilers being that is Linux, it has a ton of usefuill perl scirpts and a vulnerability DB.
You can find it here:
You can find it here:
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Apple and Dual Boot
This is great, but why not triple boot? I know its possible, what if I want to run Windows 2000 Mac OS X.. and BSD or any flavor of Linux? I like many operating systems for many different reasons. Im looking at VMware so I can run virtual machines to test code in a controlled enviroment. I want to analyze malware and peek beneath the hood to see what functions and system calls it might be trying to access.
Microsoft now offers a virtual server, for free :) I like free stuff Go open source. I have not tested it yet. Im curious to see how stable it is lol.
Microsoft now offers a virtual server, for free :) I like free stuff Go open source. I have not tested it yet. Im curious to see how stable it is lol.
Pay Per Click Management
I have created another blog for my day to day activities at a PPC management firm I work for check it outby clicking on the title Pay Per CLick Management.
DRM- Digital rights management
The word for the day is Digital Rights Management
Is it ok to burn and copy music or to use servies for Limewire? I know it's illegal. I cant think of someone nowadays that does not burn music, I personally notce everything that I read I can find online and it usually more up to date.
The copyright protection schemes will continue to be cracked. Is it of any use?
DRM is used on DVD's, product activation, and digital water marketing.
Is it ok to burn and copy music or to use servies for Limewire? I know it's illegal. I cant think of someone nowadays that does not burn music, I personally notce everything that I read I can find online and it usually more up to date.
The copyright protection schemes will continue to be cracked. Is it of any use?
DRM is used on DVD's, product activation, and digital water marketing.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Krav Maga
Today I woke up and went to my first Krav Maga class.It was fun and a great workout. They also played really cool music which was a plus. I have been blogging alot I have three blogs up currently and one website. I have decided to blog my classes online, not only for a learning experience, but to rehash my studies and to give back to the online community. My classes this semester are HTML and Ecommerce.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Southern California Linux Expo
Well SCALE is around the corner. Im excited, I think I'll drag my girlfriend along with me to introduce her to Linux. She uses MS Windows which I do as well at work and at home. I use Linux as well. I prefer Linux for the reason that so much good software is availiable and its free. I also have my choice of compliers ready at my disposal.
What is SCALE? Click on the link above to check it out.
This is my plan:
These are the talks I will be attending.
Day 1
A Look at the Current and Future Face of PHP
Lunch
Fighting Spam using Linux and Open Source Tools
phpWebSite Open Source CMS
Linux Network Security
Day 2
Performance Tuning Linux Applications With DTrace
So you want to be a consultant
Exhibiton
New Features in MySQL 5.0, 5.1, and beyond
What is SCALE? Click on the link above to check it out.
This is my plan:
These are the talks I will be attending.
Day 1
A Look at the Current and Future Face of PHP
Lunch
Fighting Spam using Linux and Open Source Tools
phpWebSite Open Source CMS
Linux Network Security
Day 2
Performance Tuning Linux Applications With DTrace
So you want to be a consultant
Exhibiton
New Features in MySQL 5.0, 5.1, and beyond