Automate Network Diagram Software

URL:  http://www.netbraintech.com/network-diagram/

Note to self: Check this out.

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/jz2d

Who said IT Security has no sense of humor?

Amplify’d from nakedsecurity.sophos.com

Data security breach at the North Pole! Santa's Naughty/Nice list compromised

by SophosLabs on December 24, 2010 | Comments (4) Filed Under: Data loss, Featured, Privacy, SophosLabs Following attacks on Gawker, Walgreens and McDonalds, it seems hackers have set their eyes on a new target: Santa! Reports from the North Pole have confirmed that Santa's Naughty/Nice list has been compromised. The list is said to contain the name, stocking address and naughty/nice score (the child equivalent of a credit score) of every child on earth. Absent from the leaked data is the "What I want for Christmas" list which is said to be stored in a separate database. While St. Nick is not commenting on how the leak occurred, an insider elf mentioned a spear phishing campaign a few days ago promising milk and cookies after logging in to a suspicious site. In the meantime, Santa is asking children to reset the password on their stockings. Santa's workshop has also set up a hotline for children who get coal in their stockings on Christmas day due to any mix up. This attack and others are a reminder to all that sending spam will land you on the naughty list, even if you manage to get a copy of that list. Hat tip: Thanks to SophosLabs researcher Tareq Alkhatib for bringing this breaking news story to our attention. Read more at nakedsecurity.sophos.com

 

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/jeuz

How I’d Hack Your Weak Passwords

URL:  http://lifehacker.com/5505400/how-id-hack-your-weak-pas...

This is a rather well explained article on why your password is probably not good enough that also give some good advice on how to make easy to remember, yet secure passwords in order to protect yourself online.

See this Amp at http://lifehac.kr/hxNuDC

The IT Certifications that matter - From Dice.com

The end of the year is coming up fast for us to take advantage of the permanent ComptTIA certifications.

Amplify’d from career-resources.dice.com

The Certifications That Matter Most

Every once in a while, IT training gurus step back and compile a list of the certifications that seem to matter most at that particular moment. The latest list, via Infoworld, is out now, and you can use it as a planning tool if you want to direct your career in a new direction. The highlights:

Microsoft (MCSE, MCITP, MCTS) Few businesses get along without a hearty helping of Microsoft-powered equipment, and the company offers a raft of specialized training programs for those who service its products

CompTIA (A+, Network+, Security+, Linux+) The nonprofit Computing Technology Industry Association offers popular vendor-neutral certifications--a good option if you're seeking a consultant who has a mix of experience beyond a single brand. Among the certification options, the basic A+ [8] requires 400 hours of hands-on experience.

Cisco (CCNP, CCNA, CCiE) Among the most popular certifications in the industry, the basic Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) covers installing and managing medium-size networks. It requires a passing mark on a $250 exam, and certification lasts for three years.

Apple (ACSP, ACTC) A help-desk pro with Microsoft skills may not know how to manage Macs. For shops that rely on Apple products or use a mix of operating systems, Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP) and Apple Certified Technical Coordinator (ACTC) cover basic support skills as evidenced by passing marks on tests that cost $200 and $400, respectively.

International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (CISSP) If your company deals with proprietary information and has deep security needs, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification is known to be rigorous. People who qualify for it must have worked for at least five years in areas such as security architecture and design, and then must pass a $599 exam and pay an annual renewal fee.

Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) This advanced certification is reserved for IT security consultants and auditors with five years' experience. The test costs $415 or more. Tech consultants who earn this seal of approval enjoy a median annual salary of $87,000.

Project Management Professional (PMP) This well-respected certification is for people with some college education and at least three years of project management experience. The median salary for PMP-certified IT project managers is $89,000.

Be sure to check out the entire article, which digs into that age-old question: How much do certifications really matter in the real world? Read more at career-resources.dice.com

 

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/gfr1

Dice News - Feds Desperate to Hire Information Security Pros

http://career-resources.dice.com/articles/content/entry/feds_d...

There are a lot of programs out there to take advantage of if you are able, ready and willing.

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/gfq5

An excellent example as to why we need more computer education in public schools

We should be seeing more stories like this. Computer science in today's public schools is something that is severely under-rated. I would love to see electives such as python, xml, and the like following a required computer class in public schools.

Amplify’d from www.bbc.co.uk

Isabell's idea: Proving green girl geeks are cool

Rory Cellan-Jones | 15:13 UK time, Thursday, 30 September 2010

A 16-year-old who turned up at a hacking event a couple of months ago may just have achieved two great things. If Isabell Long's idea works, it could make a major contribution to getting Whitehall to cut its energy use.

What's more, she could convince others that messing about with software and data is not a sad activity undertaken only by teenage boys who need to get out more, but is in fact really rather cool.

Isabell Long at Young Rewired State, 2010

She turned up at an event called Young Rewired State, where 15-to-18-year-old software developers - and yes, there are plenty of them - get the chance to work with government data to create something useful.

Isabell's idea reflected her green interests. She had spotted that various government departments were now publishing data about their own energy use, but it was spread over a number of different websites.

She decided to gather it all together in one place and create a Whitehall energy league table so that the public could see who really was making an effort.

Isabell told me:

"I started coding last year; I really love it and the whole community around it. I think there needs to be far more awareness in schools - they should teach coding at GCSE. It's not just for geeks and I hope to be a developer later on."

After a few weeks of toing and froing and general Whitehall head-scratching, it has now been put at the centre of David Cameron's energy challenge. You can see her idea, GovSpark, right here.

But will another Isabell turn up next year to prove that girl - and boy - geeks can help save public money? Only if someone scrapes together enough funding to make it happen. Read more at www.bbc.co.uk

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/blvy

Samsung Galaxy Tablet

If this come to be a real production tablet, I will have to get my hands on one. Even if it means going back to the days of the humongous phone, it would totally be worth it to me.

Amplify’d from www.youtube.com

[HD] Galaxy Tab Official Live Demo

This is the first official hands-on video that contains a demonstration of every key feature and benefit of the Samsung Galaxy Tab. It also contains information of the most frequently asked features from social networking sites. Most importantly, it highlights the value proposition of the Galaxy Tab: Advanced Media, Productivity and Communication, and On the Go. This video doesn't contain any graphic effects. Read more at www.youtube.com

 

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/b4a6

Reccomended: Free Cyberspace guide from Microsoft is actually a good read.

At least check out chapter 11 on social networking. The feel free to read more and learn about what you're really doing online.


From the guide:

"This book is designed for any teen who is
• In fear of drive-by downloads of nasty adware, spyware, and viruses
• Anxious about scareware and ransomware
• Trying to stay safe on social networking sites
• Concerned about online predators and identity thieves
• Scattering secrets to the wind in favorite hot spots
• Shopping online without protection
• Unsure of the risks about webcams and sexting
• Dealing with cyberbullies at home or in school
• Blogging alone and in the dark"

Amplify’d from lifehacker.com

Microsoft Releases Free Cyber-Security Ebook

Microsoft has released a free—and lengthy—ebook covering a wide range of security topics. Although intended for teenagers, the book offers a solid enough look at using the internet safely, and it's suitable for anyone looking for a primer on internet security.

It's difficult to write books for teenagers that don't fall into the "trying too hard to be cool" trap, but Microsoft has done an admirable job. The text is a comprehensive guide for teenagers (and new computer users) that covers everything from how to spot phishing tactics to setting up your browser to protect against browser-based exploits to dealing with cyber-stalking and bullying. It also provides interesting history and real world examples of the harm that can come from security vulnerabilities.

The 253 page book is a free download and Creative Common licensed. You can download the entire book at the link below or just the chapters you want to share with family members, students, or members of your organization. Have a favorite book or online resource for helping people get savvy about security and privacy? Let's hear about it in the comments. Read more at lifehacker.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/arzq

Mini Power strip with USB ports for charging your gadgets

Sure, it seems a little superfluous to use one of these when you have perfectly good, working USB ports on your laptop. But if you only need to charge your phone when you are out and about, why bother firing up the laptop when you can simply plug in and go. It makes for a great all-in-one charging location too for the devices you need to have ready to go all the time. Plug in the latpop, MP3 player, phone, and whatever else you may need and all using only 1 outlet.

That's where it fits me. It seems in my house that there are just never enough outlets where I need them. Instead, I have to have one item charging in the kitchen, one in the bedroom, one in the bathroom.

For a mere $11 this would totally be worth the investment.

Amplify’d from lifehacker.com

Belkin Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger, Only $11 at Amazon

For creating charging stations in any room, or getting in on the last plug in the coffee shop through sharing, it's hard to beat Belkin's small surge protector and USB charger. Right now it's just $11 at Amazon (technically listed at $25 through Belkin), and totally worth the price. We've previously featured it as stuff we like, it made an appearance in Adam's laptop bag show-and-tell, and I'm now too a proud owner. It's a little bigger than you might think, but worth the space to leave your cellphone chargers at home and never have to play musical plugs again. Plus, it now seems to come with a mini-USB cord included—always a nice bonus. [Amazon] Read more at lifehacker.com

 

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/arz1

Virtualize any program into a portable app with Cameyo

I will be doing some testing on this very soon and have high expectations. I hope I'm not let down.

Amplify’d from lifehacker.com

Cameyo Creates a Portable Version of Just About Any Program

Windows only: If you're a big fan of portable applications, but there isn't a portable version of your favorite app out there, free app Cameyo will create one for you.

Cameyo is extremely simple to use. Just start it up, let it take a snapshot of your PC (which can take a little while, even if you don't have a ton of stuff loaded onto it), and install your program of choice. After you're done, Cameyo will take another snapshot and package that application into a portable EXE that you can take with you anywhere and run it normally (but without it affecting the rest of the system).

The really cool thing, as you can see in the video above, is that you can install pretty much anything—even add-ons to other programs, and they'll be included in the package. This means you can bring your favorite browser pre-bundled with, say, Flash and Java, among other things. Hit the link to try it out.

Cameyo is a free download for Windows only. Read more at lifehacker.com

 

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/adqp

Useful advice via Yahoo

Amplify’d from gizmodo.com

HOW DO I TURN OFF CAPS LOCK?

A troubled computer user accidentally pressed the caps lock button and doesn't know how to turn it off. Naively, he seeks help from the internet. The internet tells him: you can't turn it off, it's irreversible. I love the internet. Charlie Baker, you are the funny Read more at gizmodo.com

 

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/adpa

Priority Inbox, a welcome addition to my GMail

GMail recently added a new feature to the standard mail account, "Priority Inbox". At first thought, I was dubious as to how well it would work, thinking it would get in the way more than it would help, but I was happily surprised. The prioritization process is apparently based off of their spam filtering algorithms, just kind of in reverse. Mail from your contacts, people who's email you actually read immediately, and those you send email to will show up in the Priority area of your inbox, while the other email you receive go to the standard inbox section.

It seems to be working very well for me. I recieve newsletters that I go over when I have spare time and other informational emails that are definitely not something I need to read right away. All of these tend to go to my normal inbox. Meanwhile, the important emails are usually ending up in the Priority Inbox. If an item ends up in the wrong section, just tag it as priority and the filter will put it in the correct section and "learn" what is important to you in your email.

As always, I went to check out what Gina Trapani thought about the new features:

Gmail Priority Inbox Puts Important Messages First | Smarterware: "Just completed my first email sweep with Gmail's new 'Priority Inbox' feature enabled, and it's a keeper. Over time, if this mechanism proves to be as good as Gmail's top-notch spam filtering, it could be the reason why you only check Gmail in the browser. (Well-played, GOOG.)"

I must say, I agree, well done Google.

So far, I like the phone addition in GMail

I've been trying out the new feature in GMail over the last couple days that allows you to make phone calls from your computer. I have been a big fan of Google Voice for quite a while now and use it as my primary point of contact. I only really have one problem, nobody ever calls me. It's kind of funny actually, but I never noticed it really until I sat down to write this out. The only people who actually call my Google Voice number are responding to applications I put with their companies, but I am getting off-track here.

I made a few calls and only one person said that there was any issue with the call quality, and he was on a cell phone, so it is quite possible that it was not on my end. The call quality is great on my side, and it's nice having all of my contacts easily found by name or phone number as I type them into the interface.

Overall, I am a happy customer right now. I have no plans to get rid of my other phones any time soon, but it's a great step in the right direction Google!

Make and Receive Phone Calls from Gmail

Make and Receive Phone Calls from Gmail: "Make and Receive Phone Calls from Gmail



Google has just announced that starting today, U.S. based Gmail users will now be able to place and receive phone calls directly from the Gmail interface. Calls placed to U.S. and Canadian-based numbers are free, and if you need to make international calls, the rates are extremely cheap. Check it out:"

Free Phonecall Integration on Its Way to Gmail?

Free Phonecall Integration on Its Way to Gmail?



Ahhh, I hope this is really on the way. I have seen leaks of a Google Voice desktop application online, but this looks like we are one step closer to being able to really make free phone calls from Google without jumping though hoops with other 3rd party tie-ins.

Evernote - One Note-taking app to rule them all

I first learned about Evernote from reading about it on Lifehacker. Since then, I have tried various note-taking applications, web sites, and methods. Evernote keeps me coming back with it's wide variety of uses and tools.

The Evernote web-clipper is extremely useful. I have used both the Firefox and Chrome add-ons as well as bookmarklets, and they work beautifully. You simply highlight the items you need to take note of for future reference, click on the add-on or bookmarklet, add a title and maybe a comment or two and voila, that's it. A fully searchable, taggable, linked note is in your notebook. Evernote can even use OCR to scan uploaded pictures and PDFs to allow any text contained therein to be found in searches.

The desktop application also works wonderfully, allowing you to use hot-keys to control your note-taking is a very useful feature that I use quite often. Because my Evernote account has everything stored on the web, all of my instances of the service remain in sync. If I wanted to take a note while on a smart-phone, I would be able to retrieve and interact with it from my desktop application or on the website almost immediately.

Some common uses for my Evernote account:Shopping Online

• Class Notes
• Research (work and school)
• Grocery lists
• Birthday ideas

The possibilities are endless. Check out Evernote today and take it for a test drive. Evernote is a free service with mobile apps for IPhone and Andriod.

Evernote

For other information check out the various posts on Lifehacker.com regarding Evernote HERE.

Windows Intune Beta

Windows Intune Beta: "

Microsoft has just announced the availability of Windows Intune Beta as part of Microsoft Online Services. Windows Intune is a cloud based PC management service for businesses and organizations. Microsoft calls it a “comprehensive solution that includes PC management, malware protection, Windows upgrades, and more”.

The Windows Intune cloud service gives IT professionals and system administrators the tools at hand to manage and secure PCs through a web-based console, which essentially means that it is possible to manage the PCs from any computer with Internet connection.

In order to use the service, you just need an Internet connection and the Windows Intune client installed on each PC you wish to manage. Windows Intune can be used by inhouse IT professionals to manage the PCs at their organization or by solution providers to manage the PCs of multiple businesses.

windows intune

Windows Intune offers the following feature set:

• Manage updates: Centrally manage the deployment of Microsoft updates and service packs to all PCs.
• Protect PCs from malware: Help protect your PCs from the latest threats with malware protection built on the Microsoft Malware Protection Engine that you can manage through the Web-based console.
• Proactively monitor PCs: Receive alerts on updates and threats so that you can proactively identify and resolve problems with your PCs—before they impact end users and your business.
• Provide remote assistance: Resolve PC issues, regardless of where you or your users are located, with remote assistance.
• Track hardware and software inventory: Track hardware and software assets used in your business to efficiently manage your assets, licenses, and compliance.
• Set security policies: Centrally manage update, firewall, and malware

Windows Intune is currently offered as a limited beta, the first 10000 users who signup for the beta may participate.

Windows Intune

Windows Intune requirements:

• Windows 7 Enterprise, Ultimate and Professional
• Windows Vista Enterprise, Ultimate, and Business
• Windows XP Professional Service Pack (SP) 2 or SP 3 (recommended)
• The Windows Intune client software has no additional hardware requirements for Windows 7 or Windows Vista-based computers. However, to install the client software on Windows XP-based computers you will need a CPU clock speed of 500 MHz or greater and at least 256 MB of RAM.
• To access the Windows Intune Web console, administrators will need access to a Web browser that supports Silverlight 3.0, such as Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher.
• The Windows Intune cloud service beta may be used on up to 25 seats. In order to ensure we collect quality feedback, please deploy the service on at least five PCs.

Windows Intune seems to lack several features at this point in time that are essential for system administrators and It Pros, including

• No Windows Server support
• No OS or software deployment
• No scripting support

Head over to the official website to try the beta right now.

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© Martin for gHacks Technology News, 2010. | Permalink | Add to del.icio.us, digg, facebook, reddit, twitter
Post tags: intune, intune beta, microsoft online services, pc management, windows intune

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Snow vs ITT

Yeah, ITT is still having classes this afternoon. I hope that I can get out of my driveway!

YouTube - WUW / sixthsense - a wearable gestural interface

YouTube - WUW / sixthsense - a wearable gestural interface

This is awesome, imagine a wearable computer that you can interact with in real time, anywhere. It sees what you see and can provide information you can use about what you see.

Researchers: Facebook vulnerable to clickjacking | InSecurity Complex - CNET News

Facebook users beware. In a recent change to security you no longer have to approve all apps being added to your account!

See the full story below

Researchers: Facebook vulnerable to clickjacking | InSecurity Complex - CNET News