IronWil Blog » Security

Proper Back-Ups

Iron Wil — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 14:50:26 +0000

3 – Copies of your data, Original plus 2 Back-Ups
2 – Forms of Media
1 – Off Site

Thanks Steve & Leo

ironwil

On Guard, Online

Iron Wil — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 15:31:57 +0000

Today while listening to Security Now! I learned about On Guard, Online, a website created to educate people about being on the web. You should check it out.

iron wil

A new Direction

Iron Wil — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 13:40:43 +0000

This last month I have been wondering what I should be doing with my career and what direction I should take. I have been struggling with going into management or pursuing a security cert direction [CISSP]. Part of my problem is that my company is not really into paying for Boot Camps or the week long training courses with the certification test at the end.

As I have been going through this process I started listening to Crush It! by Gary Vaynerchuk. In this book he focuses on pursuing what you love and doing that one thing. I took the initiative and started to write down the things that I love to do. One of those things is my religion which I dedicated to … the other is my job and hobby. Computers! So, I started to write about the things that I like about computers and what drives me and what things I really like about computers.

While these things were rolling around in my head; I remembered that my boss told me he didn’t want to lose me since I am his resident Apple expert … then it hit me, Apple Certifications. The group I am working for right now will create a need for more Apple hardware and those who know how to use and monitor and SysAdmin those machines.

Thanks Gary for getting me to think about what I am doing and where I need to move my career.

iron wil

Google says, “No Windows!”

Iron Wil — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 17:03:22 +0000

This week I noticed something quite interesting3 different articles [Google: We don't do Windows; Google to employees: 'Mac or Linux, but no more Windows'; and Mac OS X and Linux are no magic security bullet for Google] covering Google letting go or Windows machines because of the security vulnerabilities. The attack on Google via Internet Explorer that caused the loss of Google Code was announced last year. This year Google is moving their employees off of Windows boxes to Linux or Mac OS machines.

They even point out this is a security move for the company and they intend to cycle over 20,000 computers. That is a lot of hardware a whole lot of hardware!!! It is an interesting and impressive move.

I know that there are Windows users that are going to call this bogus and complain and Troll the blogs; but either way, Google has made a statement.

iron wil

My 2¢:
Go Google! Windows is becoming more secure and more reliable. Mac & Linux have been leading with certain features and a stronger security posture. Those computers [Windows] are a big target and hopefully, that target will shrink because the software is becoming more secure.

Macs get attacked!!!

Iron Wil — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:55:17 +0000

The real bottom line is people use what they need. They may use Linux/Mac/Windows it doesn’t really matter except to them. I actually have all 3 boxes working in my house. I use 3 operating systems and they all have a specific use; however, I use my Mac for 95% of what I do. A computer is the reflection of the owner like a car or bike or home; it is a tool that many people don’t know how to live without.

The following is a conversation that I had with some friends, I changed some things to protect the original speakers.

SC: Finally got my own laptop…and no it is NOT a Mac.

DCB: did you invent Windows 7 too?

EvC: Good. 90% of the people who own macs don’t need them.

LVT: Shame really.

BD: Macs are too expensive….

Wil: Macs are not to expensive & yes every Mac owner needs it. It isn’t the perfect computer yet; however, all the computer security guys I know prefer them over Windows hands down. Yet, cost for many is a driving factor & when I consult the first question I always ask is what is your budget & then what do you want it with do?

ErC: You will be eating those words in a year…

Wil: me? Nope, we have 2 & I am looking @ more.

LVT: I agree haven’t any problems with a mac in 20 years!!! They are fast and awesome!! I’m glad not to have to deal with regular computers anymore!! Yay me! LOL.

EvC: The only reason Macs have less “issues” is because they aren’t as mainstream. PCs are far more popular, thus hackers, viruses, etc. are geared towards them. There are two solutions to this if you want to save money AND learn a couple of useful things about computers (which can be useful in your life):

1. Learn how to properly secure your PC and how to properly clean it out when necessary.
2. Install Linux on it. It’s free, not mainstream, and destroys PC and Macs as far as customizing goes.

The only people who should be buying Macs are the graphic/music/video editing artists. The software that runs applications for them are specially designed for macs, and are thus better on macs. Everyone else who buys Macs are either way too misinformed, have a “liberal” way of thinking, are gay, or are just too intimidated by PCs for some reason.

GKC: Quit hating on Apple – Steve Jobs rocks my face!! You’re just jealous because you’re not as cool as us Mac folks ; )

ErC: When you say “gay” do you mean “homosexual” or “stupid”…

EvC: Macs are aesthetically pleasing I’ll admit… so yes, I meant gay, because most gay people like aesthetically pleasing things.

GKC: Oh and no Wil, he wasn’t talking about you – he was talking to SC …. ErC is a Mac lover like myself. And Macs are not too expensive…they are worth every penny. ErC and I had a Dell that crashed and burned within 8 months of buying it….I’ve had my Mac for over a year and not one issue and it still runs like the day we bought it. I can see why some people would prefer a PC….they are better for gamers.

LVT: LOL macs are Topline and for people with brains.

LVT: LOL I’ve never been intimidated by PC’s LOL that’s ignorance talking mister!! when I use a PC elsewhere they are exhaustively stupid!! It’s like running on asphalt without shoes when you have a wonderful perfect pair that would save your feet and joints from unnecessary pain and damage!!

EvC: I assure you, your 20 year old mac is not as fast as today’s current PCs. That’s just impossible from a technological standpoint. I’ll go to the Mac = overpriced tricycle example: http://208.116.9.205/10/content/10348/1.jpg

They are safe… you won’t fall, and if you don’t care to ever learn how to ride a “real bike,” they are just fine. … I don’t get how you can argue that they are not overpriced… b/c they most definitely are. Go to any site, store, and see for yourself. You can get the same thing on a PC WAY cheaper… and like I said Mac is ripping you one, because the only reason you don’t have problems is due to the fact that they aren’t mainstream. They are pretty much charging you up the rear for a “pretty looking” computer.

GKC: PC ripped off Mac’s OS with Windows…Bill Gates is a stinkin’ thief….and their current version looks a whole lot like the Leopard OS Mac has had for a while now. PCs are constantly changing to just keep up with Mac’s innovations….but we don’t have to buy all the software or upgrade to a new unit – we simply just install the updates. I understand EvC, you like to tear your computer apart and build your own unit…but I don’t. If I’m going to spend money on a computer, it better do what I want with minimal effort on my part – and that’s exactly what Mac provides…and yes, in a pretty package too.

Wil: wow EvC, you opened up one big can o’Mac-ness. I will agree that you can get “comparable” hardware. However, I agree with GKC that when you want a computer to just work … get a Mac. I have & do PC repair for others often, I recommend 4 applications to help protect their computer from infection.

But the real seller for me besides ease of use is sex appeal, they are very good looking computers, and cost. I would spend about the same or more on my PC over it’s life on components plus I then lost the time it took to put them in & upgrade all the software. OS costs are lower & so are many of the other basic software packages.

Do an actual price comparison for the hardware & software … there is a difference … oh yeah & they have the BEST customer service!!!

LVT: I have traded up every few years….I just meant that over the past 20 years I’ve never had problems…only traded up to the newer faster models.

LVT: I’ve had this argument with friends all the time!! It stops once they get one themselves and then apologize for their stupidity!! Hee hee this is fun!!

LVT: What’s even funnier is this whole conversation has yet to be seen by SC!

GKC: Lol!!! That’s what happened with ErC, he made fun of me for my love of Mac….and then he experienced the awesomeness of Mac for himself – now it is all things Apple in our house.

LVT: EXACTLY!!! =D

LVT: *high five* GKC.

EvC: I took a digital design class with macs. I’m not claiming they are bad computers… I just have no real reason to buy one, nor do I think a majority of owners have any real reason to own one. But I do recall that the mac lab at school (name removed) had terrible issues with connecting to the school network that they were never able to fix. About a fifth of the computers were unable to ever connect to the network that whole semester. Macs have their issues, too.

I can understand, though, wanting “minimal effort” when it comes to handling computers (hence the tricycle comparison). I’ll admit I’m the same way with some of the necessary things in life… for example, I suck at buying cars and getting car repairs. I know next to nothing about cars. In the end, don’t dis the PC/Linux folks. Macs aren’t any better in anyway when it comes to speed and even reliability (depending on how you define it). They are just a “safer” option for people who just want “minimal effort.”

EvC: And GKC, that happens EVERYWHERE in corporate America.

KB: Shoulda gone with a MAC

LVT: Sigh… I’ve been there done that!! Can’t ever prove anything until ya take the plunge!! You’ll never know until then….sorry….

SC: Wow! I am good at starting these long drawn out conversations.

First off. I don’t have any problem with Macs. In fact, I was the one who convinced AC to get one. I just can’t justify the extreme cost.
Second, EvC is absolutely correct about the security issues and the reason why there aren’t more viruses on Macs. They just aren’t as … popular especially in the business world.
Third, I have used the Mac OS and the Windows 7 OS and I have to say just after one day of using it…the Windows 7 OS is better. Plain and simple. Also there are some really silly things about Macs. An example would be that there is no way to easily force out a stuck DVD like you can with a PC. That is a simple design flaw.

As far as Microsoft ripping off the Mac OS, who cares! Bottom line is that I got a PC laptop for a THIRD of the cost of a Mac and it actually has a bigger screen and more hard drive space. I didn’t get a Dell I got an ASUS (the guys that started the netbook craze). I hope my friends will forgive my but this conversation was just to hilarious to not share.

ironwil

New TWiT NetCasts – 2009.12.28

Iron Wil — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 10:00:02 +0000

TWiT 226: The Sacred Straw Man

Hosts: Leo Laporte, John C. Dvorak, Lisa Bettany, and Andrew Warner

Guests: Adam Jones and Johnny Worthington

The inside story on the Crunch Pad, mandatory ISP filtering in Australia, and the 3D tech in Avatar…

IronWil Blog » Security

Proper Back-Ups

On Guard, Online

A new Direction

Google says, “No Windows!”

Macs get attacked!!!

New TWiT NetCasts – 2009.12.28

New TWiT NetCasts – 2009.12.21

New TWiT NetCasts – 2009.12.14

New TWiT NetCasts – 2009.12.07

New TWiT NetCasts – 2009.11.30