Saturday, December 17, 2011

Facebook Hacking Lands Juvenile in Jail

A California court has ruled it's a felony of identity theft to hack into someones Facebook account. It underscores the mere fact that it's illegal to hack into any account that is not yours. It's considered unlawfully obtaining personal identifiable information.

As the author points out, this crime happens everyday, but he feels it's an effort to set a precedent. I don't think it's gonna stop the avid hacker, but it may stop the novice from trying. Then again, look at Facebook and see all the stupid things people do and say. No, it won't stop them.

Read full article at Facebook Hacking Lands Juvenile in Jail | The Matte Pad






Regards
John Crawford

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Friday, November 18, 2011

Googler: Android antivirus software is scareware from 'charlatans'

I don't agree with the writer, his conclusions are shortsighted. While the Android OS is basically a core of Linux, it has it's own vulnerabilities. And yes there are viruses, malware, trojans, and lots of other bad things that are made solely for Linux.

I am told that Blackberry's have a firewall, the Android OS, or should I say the mobile devices it is installed on, does not have a firewall. Furthermore, Firewall apps will not function unless the device is "rooted". Rooting a phone will most certainly void any phone manufacture and wireless provider warranty. You need a firewall on your mobile device so you can block and control what apps can reach the outside world, and which cannot.

Since the device is one 24/7 for most of us, it's like leaving our computer on and the web browser running all the time. While a PC is targeted much more, we takes precautions to add anti-virus software, malware protection, and Windows has a firewall built-in. Our mobile devices are communicating in the background whether the app is running or not. That's why you still get email, Tweets, Facebook messages, app updates, etc, while the screen is off.

I will admit the device is impervious to many mainstream viruses and malware, but it has more vulnerabilities than I am comfortable with. In fact, the writer may just be against paying for the protection; I am. I think it's extortion money. In a perfect world, if you produced a product or software, you would be held responsible for it's vulnerabilities. But since we don't live in a perfect world, fortunately, there are many FREE anti-virus and malware apps available, not just for your mobile device, but for your PC.


Read the article at Googler: Android antivirus software is scareware from charlatans | Deep Tech - CNET News





Regards
John Crawford

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Sunday, November 6, 2011

The Road To CISSP: The Saga Continues

I never followed up on what happened after I received my "passing" email from ISC2. About 10 days after I wrote that blog entry, I received a second email from ISC2, stating there was an error in grading and that I only scored a 696! At first I thought it was a joke, or SPAM, or something not legitimate. But after venting quite profusely to ISC2, it turned out it was real, and I was not alone. Here's the email:

"During a quality assurance review, (ISC)2 discovered a technical error with your recent examination results. During this review, your examination was re-graded. We are sorry to inform you that the corrected results indicate you did not successfully pass the examination. Now that the problem has been identified and the data has been corrected, in order to maintain the integrity of our credentials, we will not be able to allow your passing grade to stand.
We are offering a full refund of the exam fee you previously paid OR the opportunity to retake the exam within 1 calendar year at no charge. Please call Customer Support to begin the reimbursement process receive or discuss registering for an upcoming exam at no cost.
If you have an endorsement on file, we will keep it on file until such time as you do retake and pass the examination. You will not be required to resend your paperwork.
Your updated examination results will arrive shortly in a separate email. We apologize for this error and any concern this has caused.

Sincerely,
(ISC)2"


OK, so a few days later I received emails from ISC2 with a link to the online seminar and an exam voucher number. I was not happy, but there was no way to fight it. SO I reeled in my UPDATED resumes and withdrew to other priorities of family and the job.

A few months ago, I set out to finally master this monster of an exam. I scheduled the last exam date available in my area for the year since the voucher was good until December 31st 2011. October 4th was the big day.

I used all the material I had available from the two previous seminars I'd attended, the Official (ISC)2 Guide to the CISSP CBK, and The CISSP and CAP Prep Guide (By Krutz and Vines). By the time exam day rolled around I was thoroughly sick of looking at this stuff, but I was ready this time.

The room was full, the culmination of a 2 week CISSP seminar that was held. There were mostly first time exam takers, all talking about how they stayed up all night cramming. I did not stay up the night before, in fact I was in bed at 9PM and asleep. Having been through this twice before I knew that losing sleep the night before a 6 hour exam is counter-productive.

So I got up in plenty of time to get to the exam site which was close to where I work. Got my coffee and my 5-hour energy, my water bottle, and a wrist watch. Since you're not allowed to have cell phones or other electronic gear that would have a clock, a wrist watch is VERY helpful in budgeting your time. The proctor only called out time at the 3 hour mark, 1 hour mark, and 5 minute mark.

The exam started just a few minutes after 9AM, and off we went. The rest is a blur, and not that I could talk about it anyhow. I finished at 2:30PM; I did not get out of my seat during the entire exam. Surprisingly, I did not feel the mental strain I had from the previous two attempts, the zombi-land feeling.

It's already been a week, so sometime in 1-5 weeks I'll know if I'm taking the new domain structured seminar next year or working on obtaining enough CPE's to remain a CISSP in good standing.

Please wish me luck!





Regards
John Crawford

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Saturday, November 5, 2011

Duqu Malware Exploit

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Hacker drone launches airborne cyber attacks

This is rather exiting since I know one of these guys.  Luckily these are good guys fighting for us.

Hacker drone launches airborne cyber attacks

Power companies prepare as solar storms set to hit Earth

This could be very bad in our electronic and communication dependent society.

Power companies prepare as solar storms set to hit Earth

Android could allow mobile ad or phishing pop-ups say researchers

This is a must read if you're one of those people that does everything on their phone. I like my Android, but secure banking is definately reserved for a laptop or desktop that is hardwired to a password protected router.  I won't even go to my bank through wifi wpa2 protected.

Android could allow mobile ad or phishing pop-ups say researchers

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Friday, May 13, 2011

How Can I Avoid Rebooting My Windows Computer All the Time?

How Can I Avoid Rebooting My Windows Computer All the Time?

Lifehacker, tips and downloads for getting things done

Senators Demand Public Companies Disclose Data Breaches

John Crawford (@yellowrs999) has shared a Tweet with you:

"compsec: Senators Demand Public Companies Disclose Data Breaches: The letter cites a 2009 study from insurance underwrite...

http://bit.ly/ko6p8t

http://twitter.com/compsec/status/69196711234510849

Saturday, April 16, 2011

US Plan for Internet Identity

Android App: Pulse

I found this great Android app 'Pulse' on AppBrain: http://www.appbrain.com/app/com.alphonso.pulse

Pulse is a news reader app that allows you to view up to 60 sources through one app.  No more need for multiple news apps and widgets to use precious resources.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Health Net's Security Breach

John Crawford (@yellowrs999) has shared a Tweet with you: "compsec: Health insurer slow to reveal security breach: Health Net's missing computer records are the third-largest medic...
Health Net's Missing Computer Records
--http://twitter.com/compsec/status/49269842943029248

What happens when computers stop shrinking?

A quaint history lesson about the personal computer


Read full article at What happens when computers stop shrinking?


Regards

John Crawford



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Thursday, March 17, 2011

Android Army

Apple and Android get drafted, soldier-centric Army apps coming soon - http://pulsene.ws/15uz9

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Xoom Teardown Shows Part Shared With iPhone, Easy 4G Upgrade

More on the Motorola Xoom and 4G capability. Seems the phone in its present state is not capable of 4G, but will need a component replaced to do 4G. That capability is planned to be available by May. But the big wait will be Verizon making 4G available where you are.


Read full article at Xoom teardown shows part shared with iPhone, easy 4G upgrade

Regards
John Crawford

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The Cartouche - Science Fiction Reviews


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Lost your phone? Remote install this app and locate it

Lost your phone? Remote install this app and locate it.

Read full article at Lost your phone? Remote install this app and locate it | Android Tips & Tricks: Best of all the How to Apps


Regards
John Crawford

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How Hackers Could Exploit Federal Government Shutdown

Xoom and the "Simple" 4G Upgrade: Not So Much

The experts are saying there is no 4G chip in the Xoom.  Also Verizon's 4G availability is limited at best, is this false advertising?

Xoom and the "Simple" 4G Upgrade: Not So Much | The Motley Fool

Hacker Writes Easy-to-Use Mac Trojan

Verizon Drops Data plan Requirement for Xoom

Verizon Drops Data plan Requirement for Xoom #androidnews

Facebook Writes Its Privacy Policy in a Language Humans Can Read

This is certainly something to stand up and cheer about. Since everyone these days has a Facebook account, and no doubt many have no earthly idea about internet security, this should do allot of good.


Read full article at Facebook Writes Its Privacy Policy in a Language Humans Can Read

Regards
John Crawford

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The Cartouche - Science Fiction Reviews


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Monday, January 31, 2011

From 1994, What Is An Internet?

It seems like so long ago, but do you remember life before the internet? This is a clip of the Today Show from 1994 when the internet was not well known. Few of us knew what they were talking about either.
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.6

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Verizon Announces 4G Markets

Verizon Announces 4G Markets. Unfortunately none are remotely close to the nations capital.

Phandroid article
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5