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                 Thanks to David K for permission to use this Photo.

Back in 2000, we were constantly told that the world was running out of IP addresses.  This was because IPV4, the IP standard we use for IP addresses only has so many mathematical combinations, thus there is a defined limit to the number of IP addresses that can be utilized.  Due to the wide spread use of IP in the world, a usage rate far beyond what the creators of IP ever visualized; the IT world was stressing out as to how to address the problem.  The solution was a new standard called IPV6 which introduced more bits into the addressing scheme.  In turn, millions of additional mathematical combinations were created, resulting in an equal number of additional IP addresses.   

Unfortunately, IPV6 is more complicated than its predecessor, requiring a degree of training for networking professionals.  We were told back then that IPV6 would be implemented by the middle of the decade and alleviate the crisis. 

Well guess what?  It’s 2008 and the world hasn’t run out of IP addresses which is why IPV6 is barely used in the industry today.  This is because of the wide popularity of NAT, Network Address Translation, which is used by most organizations that have a WAN presence.   

For those unfamiliar with NAT, Network Address Translation allows a single device, such as a router to act as an agent between the Internet (or “public network”) and a local (or “private”) network. This means that only a single, unique IP address is required to represent an entire group of computers.  This isn’t to say that IPV6 will wither on the vine.  As of right now, government offices are required to transition to IPV6 within the next couple of years and other organizations are planning such an implementation in the future, but IPV4 is and will continue to be alive and well for some time to come.

Brad Rudisail
Computer Network Technician-Network Security Instructor
Ashworth University

   Thanks to NASA, ESA-Hubble Collaboration for permission to use Photo. 

One of the security weaknesses experienced with laptops and other portable computer devices for many years is the simplicity in which their drives could be compromised if the device is stolen.  This was especially true before Windows XP and Windows 2000 when a thief could simply install a second operating system on the laptop, logon to the new operating system and gain admin rights to all the data on the drive. 

Windows XP and Windows 2000 introduced EFS, Encryption File System, which allowed users to encrypt files of their choosing.  Because the encryption was centered on an encryption key based upon the original operating system, an intruder couldn’t access that file simply by accessing it through another operating system.  However, this required the user to individually encrypt every file or folder in order to protect all of their data.  Needless to say, the majority of users failed to do this.   

Microsoft has introduced a new technology called BitLocker with Windows2008 and premium flavors of Windows Vista.  BitLocker encrypts the entire drive, including the Windows system files necessary for startup and logon, which could give an intruder the ability to discover passwords and logon information.  What’s more, BitLocker utilizes a feature called Integrity checking which analyzes the early boot components and helps to ensure that data decryption is performed only if those components appear unmolested and that the encrypted drive is located in the original computer.  This prevents thieves from stealing your hard drive and putting it into another computer to access the data. 

It will also make it much easier for organizations to recycle old computers as they will not have to worry about erasing data on machines being decommissioned as the drives will be inaccessible.  BitLocker is a great new addition to the Windows operating system and should be implemented by any organization or individual that works with sensitive data.

Brad Rudisail
Computer Network Technician-Network Security Instructor
Ashworth University

              Thanks to Jamie Hladky for permission to use this Photo. 

You have to learn how to crawl before you learn how to walk, but once you learn a foundation of IT skills in Ashworth University’s information technology programs and anchor yourself in the IT labor force, here are the ten hottest tech skill sets you should aim to learn in the next five years according to Tech Republic.

1. Voice over IP - sales of pure IP PBX systems for the first quarter of 2007 increased 76% over the first quarter of the previous year 
2. Unified Communications - the convergence of different communications technologies, such as e-mail, voicemail, text messaging, and fax 
3. Hybrid Networks – Networks are no longer all Windows or all Linux, they are a hodgepodge of different systems and IT pros need to learn more than one of them.   
4. Wireless Technologies – everything’s going wireless it seems.    
5. Remote User Support – with more employees working off-site today, help support personnel must provide remote support to anywhere. 
6. Mobile User Support – more and more organizations are providing blackberries and other smart portable devices for their employees that must be supported. 
7. Software-as-a-Service – or SaaS as it is referred to in technical articles.  With the popularity of Web 2.0, the trend is to now provide software applications over the Internet rather than installing them on each and every computer. 
8. Virtualization – With the dominance of VMWare and the soon to be released 2008 Virtual Application from Microsoft, virtualization is THE buzzword today along with its countless benefits. 
9. IPv6 – Although this standard has not grown in popularity as of yet, mostly because the wide usage of NAT has allowed us to not run out of IP addresses on the Internet as fast as predicted, this standard is going to come about within the next five years.
10. Security - A skill set that will probably always be in the top 10. 

Brad Rudisail
Computer Network Technician/Network Security Instructor
Ashworth University

            Thanks to Donovan Mueller for permission to use this Photo. 

It’s standard practice that if you have an always-on Internet connection, then you should have a firewall, implemented in either hardware, such as a router, or in software.  But even if you are using a dial-up connection, you really need a software firewall to protect you from intrusions.  You would be surprised at the number of attempts to get into your PC a good software firewall will block on a PC using dial-up.  A firewall will also notify you of attempts to go out to an Internet website.  You can then allow or disallow the outbound traffic.  You would want legitimate programs such as Windows to access the company’s website for update purposes, but you’re safer to block any programs that you don’t recognize from doing so.  Be sure to check for correct spelling.  Say you have Symantec’s anti virus program on your PC and have set it up for automatic virus signature updates.  Your firewall will ask you whether you want to grant the program permission to go outbound.  But some malware could identify itself as Symantek.  Should you allow it to access the Internet, you could be in for an unpleasant surprise. 

Yes, it’s unfortunate that there are so many nasty things that can happen to your computer.  And thwarting such attempts can cost you time and money, but you really need to do this.  At minimum you need a firewall, an anti-virus program, and an anti-spyware utility.  You’ll also need to update the anti-virus and anti-spyware programs’ signature files at least once a week, as well as scanning with each at least once a week, more frequently if you are online daily.then you should have a firewall, implemented in either hardware, such as a router, or in software.  But even if you are using a dial-up connection, you really need a software firewall to protect you from intrusions.  You would be surprised at the number of attempts to get into your PC a good software firewall will block on a PC using dial-up.  A firewall will also notify you of attempts to go out to an Internet website.  You can then allow or disallow the outbound traffic.  You would want legitimate programs such as Windows to access the company’s website for update purposes, but you’re safer to block any programs that you don’t recognize from doing so.  Be sure to check for correct spelling. 

Say you have Symantec’s anti virus program on your PC and have set it up for automatic virus signature updates.  Your firewall will ask you whether you want to grant the program permission to go outbound.  But some malware could identify itself as Symantek.  Should you allow it to access the Internet, you could be in for an unpleasant surprise. 

Yes, it’s unfortunate that there are so many nasty things that can happen to your computer.  And thwarting such attempts can cost you time and money, but you really need to do this.  At minimum you need a firewall, an anti-virus program, and an anti-spyware utility.  You’ll also need to update the anti-virus and anti-spyware programs’ signature files at least once a week, as well as scanning with each at least once a week, more frequently if you are online daily.

Dave Ronan
Computer Training Instructor
Ashworth University

The threat of “cyber-terrorism” still strikes many as abstract, a symbolic fear first represented in seminal works such as William Gibson’s Neuromancer, followed by an explosion into pop-culture fantasy through the Wachowski Brothers’, “The Matrix.” While these dark visions of man’s accelerated move towards techno-slavery have certainly colored our perspectives, the reality of cyber-terrorism has existed since the 1950’s, when state secrets were first buried in dense programming language instead of manila folders labeled “top secret.”

Behind the curtain, the borderless battlefield is virtual and the threats are as imposing as those posed by nuclear weapons. After all, launch codes are just that—codes that are developed, stored, distributed, and controlled within cyberspace. The following podcast interview features Bruce Hoffman, a cyber-terrorism expert who outlines the precise nature and ominous implications posed by this threat. Mr. Hoffman also presents us with an in-depth report on how the U.S. government has redirected its’ counterterrorism strategies. Do you see a future where the Internet is under government control? Let’s think inside the box and brainstorm on the possibilities. Thanks.

Ryan Rode
Interactive Services Manager
Ashworth University

 
              Thanks to Miguel Lopes for permission to use this Photo.

The architecture of cyberspace is interconnected, timeless, and invisible from the inside-out.  On the Ashworth University Blog, we’re not afraid of the matrix and try to share perspectives from around the world, just a 0 1 code, on the technology issues that influence how this network will evolve in complexity, and most of us would like that evolution to be open rather than closed in principle.  Earlier this year, the nation of Estonia was involved in what by any measure must be considered one of the most large scale and sophisticated “cyber attacks” in history, an attack that operated on several levels simultaneously, resulting in the virtual collapse of this nation’s electronic infrastructure.  Instantly, the fundamental question, “who did this?” was buzzing with elements of fear and conspiracy.  Did Vladimir Putin and Russia conduct this operation in the shadow of political revenge?  Was the attack the work of loosely connected and politically marginalized hackers who were sending their own message to an establishment attempting to exert increased state control over the Internet, i.e. you’re more vulnerable than you think and we’re waiting for your next move.  The following video consists of an interview with information security expert, Dmitry Skylyarov, in which he shares his inside perspective on what occurred and the big picture implications of what is perhaps the most misunderstood yet powerful of political weapons; the large scale, well conceived, organized, and executed cyberattack.  This is a must watch interview.  Click on the image above to watch this video.  We look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Ryan Rode
Interactive Services Manager
Ashworth University School of Information Technology

                     Thanks to .res for permission to use this Photo. 

The annual IT Salary and Skills Report conducted by Global Knowledge and Tech Republic was released this week for 2008.  Here are some of the points of interest from the study:

• The average salary in the IT industry was $73,963, up 3.25% from 2007.  80% of workers reported an increase of pay for 2008.   
• The average salary for those with a college degree was $76,446.  Those with a certificate or degree from a technical college had an average salary of $65,712.
• Those 25 and younger with 2 years of experience or less make $39,883 on average.  This same age group made $46,303 with 3 to 4 years of experience.
• The average IT worker is 43 years old and has been in IT for 14.3 years.
• 59% have a college degree
• 78.7% report that they are very or mostly satisfied with their career choice
• IT is the third highest paying industry field
• 42% plan on obtaining an IT Certification within the next year.
• 34.4% hold a Microsoft Certification of some type
• The highest paying IT Certification is the Project Management Professional (PMI) at $101,695.  The lowest paying IT Certification is Comptia A+ at $41,726.
• On average, those with a Cisco CCNA make $64,260.  Microsoft MCSEs make $71,980.
• Help Desk Support professionals make an average of $48,773.
• Admin Support personal make an average of 51,819
• Network Administrators make an average of $56,277
• Web/Internet Professionals make an average of $62,658

Brad Rudisail
Computer Network Technician/Network Security Instructor
Ashworth University

 
                              Image courtesy of 80stees.

In a surprise announcement, Microsoft vowed to increase the openness of its key products!

Yes this is still February, April 1st is several weeks away yet!

So what did Microsoft say in this release? Well,

Specifically, Microsoft is implementing four new interoperability principles and corresponding actions across its high-volume business products: (1) ensuring open connections; (2) promoting data portability; (3) enhancing support for industry standards; and (4) fostering more open engagement with customers and the industry, including open source communities

Several times in the last few years I have advocated for Microsoft to Open Source Windows and Internet Explorer and while this announcement doesn’t go that far, it does seem to be a step in the right direction.

According to Microsoft’s CEO-in-waiting and current Chief Software Architect, Ray Ozzie

“Customers need all their vendors, including and especially Microsoft, to deliver software and services that are flexible enough such that any developer can use their open interfaces and data to effectively integrate applications or to compose entirely new solutions,” said Ozzie. “By increasing the openness of our products, we will provide developers additional opportunity to innovate and deliver value for customers.”

The Microsoft products this refers to are Windows Vista (including the .NET Framework), Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008, Office 2007, Exchange Server 2007, and Office SharePoint Server 2007, and future versions of all these products. (more…)

               Thanks to radiorover for permission to use this Photo.

The following interview with Robert Moore illustrates the apathy that is still amazingly apparent in the IT industry today despite the strong awareness of IT vulnerabilities and the importance of tightening security for all organizations and even home users.  It also shows how easy it is for even computer novices to break into network devices.   

A quick Google search for sites showing the default passwords for just about any computer or network device sold on the market in the past decade can be easily found.  Many of these sites are not developed for malicious purposes.  The fact is that network devices are constantly resold and recycled.  This requires that the device be reset to its default configuration to erase the settings made by the original owner.  In order for the new owner to configure the device, he or she must know the default password credentials in order to access the device.  Because the original device documentation is often missing, these default password sites are vital. 

These sites make it even more important to immediately change the password for any newly purchased network device.  Recently, I heard a high school student inform me that he regularly accesses his neighbor’s wireless router by using the default logon for the device.  By doing this, the student can use his neighbor’s DSL connection for free.

Brad Rudisail
Computer Network Technician-Network Security Instructor
Ashworth University

                   Thanks to Joi for permission to use this Photo.

Wikipedia has had a dramatic impact on the way people collaborate to create, search, update, and catalogue information.  Millions of people visit this site and “wiki” every day.  I recently read the bestselling book, “Wikinomics”, where the collaborative networking principles that built this new information platform are endorsed as complimentary to more open business models of the future.  As you can see, there are lessons we can learn as entrepreneurs from the Wikipedia success story, but how can we apply these lessons in our own small business ventures.  In this video, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales shares his insights into the somewhat miraculous rise of the Wiki empire. Wales emphasizes how important the collaborative development process was and continues to be for his company.  I hope this video inspires you to dream big!

P.S. Be sure to check out Ashworth’s wikipedia page when you get a chance! 

Penny J. Waddell
Online Business Management Instructor
Ashworth University