Technology Updates

Now you know how to prevent ransomware, but what if you have already become the victim of a ransomware attack? In the event of a ransomware attack, it is important to know what to do. Here are some simple steps to follow to minimize damage. Isolate your computer If you experience a ransomware attack, the first thing to do is to disconnect from any networks and the internet. Disconnecting in this way, isolates your computer and minimizes the chance of the ransomware infection spreading to other computers. Never pay the ransom Do not pay any ransom demanded by the cybercriminals carrying out the ransomware attack. Like a real-life hostage situation, it is best not to negotiate with cybercriminals. Paying the ransom will not guarantee the return of your data — after all these individuals have already manipulated your trust. Caving in and paying also encourages this sort of crime. The more people that pay the ransoms, the more popular ransomware attacks become. Also find :

If you own a Western Digital hard drive, you may be familiar with the WD SmartWare software application. On a fundamental level, WD SmartWare acts as a data backup tool, allowing you to make copies of valuable information and restore access to it as needed. In an era where busy professionals may use multiple external drives and require immediate access to a trove of information, software such as WD SmartWare helps ensure that vital data remains safe and secure at all times. In the event that you are looking for a reliable backup tool to use in combination with your WD drive, you can master the inner workings of WD SmartWare relatively easily. What is WD SmartWare? WD SmartWare is designed to provide users with administrative controls over their external drives. Much like other software backup tools, WD SmartWare provides users with the ability to schedule automated backups at periodic intervals which will take place without requiring user input. This can be particularly valuable in

Telecommunication and network security is one of the most technical domains of the CISSP credential because it requires an understanding of network infrastructure, methods of communication, formats for transporting data, and measures taken to secure the network and transmission. The network is the vital link connecting information resources to users. Thus, this domain focuses on the design and architecture of the network and its components to prevent the disruption of data flow and intrusion. The key components of this domain are: Confidentiality Network security protocols Network authentication services Data encryption services Integrity Firewall services Communications security management Intrusion detection services [and intrusion prevention systems] Availability Fault tolerance for data availability (backups, redundant disk systems) Acceptable logins and operating process performance Reliable and interoperable security processes and network security m

Accounting information systems (AIS) simplify financial reporting for purposes of making well-informed decisions. They include all the components of the accounting process: people, procedures, data, software, devices and security. The software is on a device like a computer, and the security is incorporated in the software. People put together procedures and enter data into the accounting software. Types of AIS by Processing Mode Batch processing systems, online batch systems and online real-time systems are the three types of accounting information systems classified by mode of processing. In batch processing systems, you enter transactions when they occur and periodically process and integrate the transactions into the accounting record by running a batch process either daily or weekly. Online batch systems are the same as batch processing systems, except that you record transactions and process batches using online-based accounting software. When using an online real-time system

The LM hash is the old style hash used in Microsoft OS before NT 3.1. Then, NTLM was introduced and supports password length greater than 14. On Vista, 7, 8 and 10 LM hash is supported for backward compatibility but is disabled by default. The goal is too extract LM and/or NTLM hashes from the system, either live or dead. These hashes are stored in memory (RAM) and in flat files (registry hives). If LM hashes are enabled on your system (Win XP and lower), a hash dump will look like: Administrator:500:01FC5A6BE7BC6929AAD3B435B51404EE:0CB6948805F797BF2A82807973B89537::: If LM hashes are disabled on your system (Win Vista, 7, 8+), a hash dump will look like: Administrator:500:NO PASSWORD*********************:0CB6948805F797BF2A82807973B89537::: The first field is the username. The second field is the unique Security IDentifier for that username. The third field is the LM hash and the forth is the NTLM hash. More about :  lm hash cracker

CCM, located in Microsoft Windows' System32 folder, stands for Change and Configuration Management. It's a folder created to store temporary files for client installations as a part of the Systems Management Server (SMS) of Microsoft, which is responsible for deploying system-wide installations and updates. Background SMS was Microsoft's enterprise management software that tracks hardware and software inventories, deploys software applications and updates and manages any software changes in a network environment. By 2007, this has become System Center Configuration Manager, which essentially performs the same tasks as SMS. Process SMS or SCCM centralizes the process of software installation into one management application. When a new software or update needs to be deployed, it creates the CCM folder in all computers until the installation or update finishes. The CCM folder contains the Advance Client Installer (ccmsetup.exe), which is responsible for initiating the i

The components used to establish a local area network (LAN) have a variety of functions. The common unifying theme among them is that they facilitate communication between two or more computers. LAN components are configurable in a variety of ways, but a LAN always requires the same basic components. Network Cards At the most basic level, a network card is a component that allows the computer to communicate across a network. This component is frequently built into the motherboard of today's computers, but it can also be a separate card for use in a PCI slot, or part of an external unit that connects to the computer via a USB port. Network cards are further categorized according to whether they operate on wired or wireless networks. However, some cards do support both wireless and wired networking. Network Cables Network cables are the physical lines used to carry information between computers in a wired LAN. The cables are labeled by their category and are commonly referred

Eight may be a good number at the craps table in Las Vegas, but it is the worst number for a minimum password length. Seven is the best password length, but passphrases may be your best option. (See SecurityFocus.com for details on the weakness of the LanMan password hash.) Because of human nature, a policy that requires "password complexity" and a minimum password length of eight will result in the majority of users picking passwords that are exactly eight characters long. The complexity part -- usually a number or special character -- often ends up as the eighth character of the password. This complex eight-character password becomes two passwords: a seven-character, all-uppercase alphabetical password, and a one-character number or special-character password. When a computer stores the LanMan hash for this password, it first makes the characters uppercase, then chops the password into two, seven-byte halves: "SNOWMAN" and "!" (Note: The LanMan hash

 When building a local network, you probably use a mix of computers, including Windows PCs and Apple Macs. Though OS X and Windows are built quite differently, they can be networked through file sharing services built into each operating system. On Macs, you turn file sharing on in the System Preferences menu. Then, using a Windows computer, you can connect to those shared folders by using the local IP address of the Mac computer. Step 1 Turn on both the Mac and PC computers, and ensure that they are connected to the network. Step 2 Click the Apple icon, then "System Preferences" and then "Sharing" on your Mac. The Sharing window appears. Step 3 Select "File Sharing" from the services pane on the left-hand side of the window. Step 4 Write down your Mac's IP address. It is located under the "Windows Sharing: On" section of the file sharing window, denoted by "afp:\192.168.1.102" where "192.168.1.102" represents

Normally Windows 2000 and later authenticates users over the network using Kerberos but Windows will automatically fall back to the older, legacy NTLM authentication protocol whenever Kerberos fails including when: User is logging on with a local SAM account instead of a domain account The client and server are not in the same forest or not in forests connected by a cross-forest trust One of the computers is pre-Windows 2000 NTLM is a challenge/response protocol where in the authenticating server or domain controller issues a challenge which the client authenticates using the password hash as a key. NTLM has been repeatedly patched over the years to address security vulnerabilities. The oldest Windows systems can only send back the LM response originally developed in the 80s for LanManager. With NT Microsoft developed a stronger hash and response mechanism called NTLM but continued supporting LM. Vulnerabilities were found in NTLM prompting NTLMv2. For more information on NTLM se

Route reflectors are networking routing components specific to border gateway protocol, commonly known as BGP. Route reflectors are an alternative to the full-mesh requirement of internal BGP (IBGP), and act as a focal point for IBGP sessions. Because route reflectors can propagate IBGP routes to other IBGP peers, a full mesh of IBGP peers is not necessary. The concept of a route reflector is consistent across IP version 4 as well as 6, but the topology used here refers to IPv6. In the diagram below, the red dotted lines represent external BGP relationships, while the blue dashed lines reflect the internal neighborships within the AAS. The Role of Route Reflectors If R3 follows the rule and does not advertise the prefix to its internal neighbors, R4 and R5 will not learn it. The purpose of route reflectors is to fix that problem. To do so, the route reflector simply instructs R3 that, when it receives an advertisement from an IBGP neighbor (in this case, R2), it should break th

Networking software powers the vast majority of today's corporations, businesses and other large organizations. The ability to efficiently organize content sharing, communication and security among a large group of users and devices can not only improve productivity but also help everyone involved reach their own potential within their workspace. When networks are being established, networking software is deployed to allow administrators to quickly customize or adjust elements of the larger framework as needed. A closer look at modern networking software shows how these programs function. If you are new to network software, it is important to distinguish between "network software" and a client-side "software application." Network software is primarily intended for administrator use, while software applications allow users working within the network to complete their necessary tasks. The two concepts, while sharing similar terminology, are unique. When netwo

When it comes to having a wireless network at your home or business, having wireless security is essential. Having good wireless security can make your wireless network less susceptible to hackers and can make connecting to the network difficult for those who you do not want to have access. Regardless of your wireless router, configuring wireless security on your router merely requires going to the correct section of the administration control panel. Step 1 Type your router's administration control panel address into Internet Explorer. For Linksys/Cisco routers, the address is 192.168.1.1. For D-Link and Netgear routers, the address is either 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. For other routers the address may be 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.2.1. If none of these work for you, consult your router's user manual. Step 2 Type in your user name and password for the administration control panel of your router, and click "OK." For Linksys/Cisco routers, the default u

Bunker Hill security camera systems come with four cameras, cables, power supplies and a digital video recorder, or DVR. Because they come with simple plug-and-play cables, you won't have to worry about installing complicated BNC connectors that come with other camera systems. The cables that come with Bunker Hill security cameras are relatively short -- usually 50 to 60 feet -- so you will want to measure the distance from the camera to the DVR and purchase additional cables if needed. Step 1 Choose the location for your DVR. If you will be routing the cables through the wall, keep in mind exterior walls are difficult to route cables through because most such walls have fire breaks installed inside them about midway up the wall. Cables cannot easily be run through fire breaks so it is better to select an interior wall for the location of the DVR. Also, you should choose a wall that gives you access through the attic or access through the basement. Step 2 Choose the location

Companies that face concerns about the electronic information they compile, analyze,and share to drive their business need comprehensive solutions for improving network security. With concerns about network security running at an all-time high, along with the limited number of IT personnel capable of addressing them, an increasing number of companies are realizing how outsourcing to managed service providers (MSPs) can strengthen their security posture, reduce hassles and save money. MSPs looking to cash in on these opportunities face their own challenges of how to provide premium offerings to the broadest markets and verticals without having to balance or customize offerings for each client’s unique service and compliance requirements. They also need a way to differentiate themselves from peers and competitors who are also trying to get a piece of this crowded and lucrative pie. find more :   lm security

Network security has become a very important topic these days, since the number of cyber attacks have increased greatly over the past few years. The global cyber crime costs are expected to rise to around $2.1 trillion by the year 2019, which just goes on to show how important it is for you to pay attention to network security. 1. Network Access Control (NAC) The Network Access Control or NAC controls which people can access your network and which ones can’t. It allows you to identify different users and devices, and find out if unauthorized personnel are trying to gain access to the network. You can therefore, enforce different security policies in order to block devices and control what can happen in your network. You can also set up behavioral analytic tools, which helps you identify abnormal behavior on your network, so that you get notified when someone is acting abnormally on your network.  2.    Application Security You can also take advantage of application security, w

More than a quarter of internet users ages 16 through 64 use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) according to a recent GlobalWebIndex survey. In addition to the professional use-case of connecting to a corporate network remotely, VPN has many other benefits. Many users leverage VPNs to access news and social media sites restricted by censorship or geographical restrictions. Others use VPNs to help them stay private on the Internet. However, VPNs aren’t the only means of masking your identity on the web. Proxy servers are another means to achieve some level of anonymity and some of the benefits of a VPN. This is where it gets tricky. Most people understand that hiding your IP address is generally good practice. That part is simple, but knowing the right tool for the job requires some background. Both VPNs and proxy servers mask your IP address by making it appear your connection is coming from somewhere else. However, that’s about all they have in common. Let’s cover the differences