FTP is one of the oldest network protocols still in use. In its first iteration, it was created in 1971 as a way to quickly move files between computers and has been in continuous use ever since. It’s particularly common on the web, where it is responsible for moving files and data.

Unfortunately, while common, it is also insecure. FTP transmits user credentials, file contents, and other data in the clear. For that reason, anyone with a packet sniffer and a bit of patience is free to take a look at it.

This video looks at the security of FTP traffic. It covers:

• How to set up an FTP server on Windows Server 2008 and configure a simple site
• The use of a packet sniffer (Wireshark) on Ubuntu to monitor network traffic

You can watch the video here.

Tags: Security,Ubuntu,Windows Server 2008
Categories: Computer
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As difficult as it can be to secure individual computers, making sure that a network is secure is even more challenging. This because, instead of working with a single machine, you have an entire network of devices to worry about. It’s a classic case of, “if the security of one is threatened, we’re all threatened.”

Luckily, there are several tools that can be used to “harden” individual computers, thereby making the network as a whole more secure. This series of videos will explore a few of those, including the Windows Server Security Configuration Wizard, the Role of Security Templates, and some of the Linux/Unix Security best practices.

This first video kicks things off by looking at the Windows Server 2008 Security Configuration Wizard and shows you how to configure a simple firewall setting.

You can watch the video by going here.

Tags: Networking,Security,Windows 7,Windows Server 2008
Categories: Computer
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One of the nasty secrets of the computer world is that even when you delete a file, it isn’t really gone. Instead, the computer marks the space as available will overwrite it at some time in the future. But all of the data is still there, ready for anyone to look at it, provided they know how.

When it comes time to dispose of an old computer, this can be a major problem – especially if the computer held sensitive data like patient records, personnel reports or financial information. Short of smashing the hard drive with a hammer, the best way to destroy the information is by overwriting the entire hard drive several times with unreadable gibberish; a process known as scrubbing.

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Tags: Privacy,Security
Categories: Computer
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