Perhaps no other type of marketing is more powerful than word of mouth. When your clients tell other potential clients about you, more information is passed than simply who you are. In fact, they are likely to tell of your dedication, your effectiveness and overall how beneficial their experience with you is.
This provides the potential client with a simple, straightforward and very promising impression of you.
Word of mouth can also be one of the most difficult types of marketing as well. With the wrong information, a past client can do harm to your business. Or, if you do not give 100 percent the best results to that person, word of mouth can be rather troublesome. For this reason, work to make sure that every client that leaves you is satisfied with the service and knows that you will handle any possible problem that arises. Then, even in a negative situation, chances are good that they will remember you as fair and honest, which translates into more positive word of mouth advertising for you.
Initiating Word Of Mouth Yourself
While the best type of word of mouth marketing is when it is done by your current clients, without any type of incentive to do so, this doesn't always happen in a world full of possibilities. Therefore, sometimes it is important to help to encourage it.
For example, many professionals offer their clients a discount or another incentive to tell their friends about them. If their friend comes in to do business with you, they end up getting some benefit whether it's something trivial or even a monetary incentive. The end result then, is that they are much more likely to talk about you and your business.
What type of incentive you offer is up to you, your budget and what would work in your line of business. But, it doesn't have to make you feel like you are giving away the bank. The goal is to encourage them to talk about their experience with you, which in turn will deliver rewards on your end and the new clients they refer. In these cases, you are actually encouraging and promoting word of mouth yourself.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Business Women - Is Business Networking With Other Women in Business One of Your Issues?
Business today as much as yesteryear is about relationships. With women business owners and women executives expanding their influence within the marketplace, meeting fellow women business owners just makes good business sense. Yet, where does one find them and more importantly know if it is a good fit?
Each community has a plethora of groups where the primary membership is women. There are national organizations such as: National Alliance of Business Owners, Business and Professional Women (BPW), E-Women Network; Women in Construction; just to name a few with local chapters.
Chambers or service organizations may have small business committees where women in business can meet other women in business. Couple these organizations with business after hours and other related business events such as seminars to workshops provide a rich environment for women in business wanting to connect with other women in business.
With plenty of opportunities, meeting other fellow female business owners won't happen if your marketing skills (networking) along with your self leadership skills are lacking. Many women in business due to their hectic schedules and demands may not be open to other women who they perceive lack professionalism.
If you are business networking, make sure that you always look and at as the very best professional person that you can be. Taking such actions may require attending some professional development such as improving your speaking through Toastmasters or working with an Executive Coach.
After meeting fellow female business colleagues, take some additional time to meet them over coffee and see where your energy connects. You may discover an unknown strategic partner who was looking for someone to help out with a prospective contract or sale.
Finally, when networking remember to bring value to the other person. Ask if there is anything that you can do to help this other woman in business? By focusing on the other woman truly demonstrates your values and genuine concern for helping other women business owners and executives.
Each community has a plethora of groups where the primary membership is women. There are national organizations such as: National Alliance of Business Owners, Business and Professional Women (BPW), E-Women Network; Women in Construction; just to name a few with local chapters.
Chambers or service organizations may have small business committees where women in business can meet other women in business. Couple these organizations with business after hours and other related business events such as seminars to workshops provide a rich environment for women in business wanting to connect with other women in business.
With plenty of opportunities, meeting other fellow female business owners won't happen if your marketing skills (networking) along with your self leadership skills are lacking. Many women in business due to their hectic schedules and demands may not be open to other women who they perceive lack professionalism.
If you are business networking, make sure that you always look and at as the very best professional person that you can be. Taking such actions may require attending some professional development such as improving your speaking through Toastmasters or working with an Executive Coach.
After meeting fellow female business colleagues, take some additional time to meet them over coffee and see where your energy connects. You may discover an unknown strategic partner who was looking for someone to help out with a prospective contract or sale.
Finally, when networking remember to bring value to the other person. Ask if there is anything that you can do to help this other woman in business? By focusing on the other woman truly demonstrates your values and genuine concern for helping other women business owners and executives.
Monday, November 26, 2007
How to Secure Your Network?
Network security is a method of preventing your computer network from the unauthorized user access, email spoofing, Trojan horses, denial of service, hacking, viruses, spyware and intruders etc. There are different securities mechanisms are being employed to protect the network. If a hacker gets control of your computer or network, he can send viruses or steal your company’s confidential data. Similarly if any computer in your network is infected with the viruses or spyware, all other computers will also be infected if no proper security system has been implemented. Securing a network is most important job description of the network administrators, security specialists, network engineers and IT managers. You can secure your computer network by the following security methods.
Network Security Tips
Use Virus Protection Software
Don’t open unknown email attachments
Use regular backup of your critical data
Make boot disk
Use Firewall program
Authenticate users
Implement Security Policy in your network
Keep an inventory of your software and hardware and make a list of all the devices.
SCAN TCP/UDP services
Don’t provide more rights to the system resources than necessary.
Perform the network security testing and find the holes and fix them.
Place your server at very safe place.
Prepare an Assistant Network Administrator and train him/her about all the security related matters so that he/she can control the network in your absence.
Monitor the user’s activities on the internet and block all the unwanted websites, web applications which have security risks.
If you have wireless network then the following methods are very helpful in securing your wireless network.
Wireless Network Security
SSID (Service Set Identifier) –
WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access)
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)
TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol)
MAC Addressing (Media Access Control)
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
Network Security Tips
Use Virus Protection Software
Don’t open unknown email attachments
Use regular backup of your critical data
Make boot disk
Use Firewall program
Authenticate users
Implement Security Policy in your network
Keep an inventory of your software and hardware and make a list of all the devices.
SCAN TCP/UDP services
Don’t provide more rights to the system resources than necessary.
Perform the network security testing and find the holes and fix them.
Place your server at very safe place.
Prepare an Assistant Network Administrator and train him/her about all the security related matters so that he/she can control the network in your absence.
Monitor the user’s activities on the internet and block all the unwanted websites, web applications which have security risks.
If you have wireless network then the following methods are very helpful in securing your wireless network.
Wireless Network Security
SSID (Service Set Identifier) –
WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access)
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)
TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol)
MAC Addressing (Media Access Control)
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
Current Internet Network Security Policies Are Nonsense!
Internet network security policies are flawed in strategy and implementation.
Gary suggests that the use of external consultants for the entire internet network security policy framework is not a great idea since the external consultants will find it difficult to grasp the intricacies and business drivers for the network security decisions.
Also, in terms of implementation, the internet network security policy should be disseminated to each and every employee of the company through seminars , handouts and quizzes rather than an innocuous email that no one reads.
The network security policy should capture the latest trends in the network security industry rather than playing catch up. One of the network security aspects that Internet network security policy makers should be worried about now is access to corporate data through a Blackberry or a mobile phone.
New ways of accessing internet cause internet security policy nightmares for CIOs. For example, most companies allow employees to access the corporate intranet mails thru Blackberrys. Also, some companies allow VPN access to the entire corporate intranet. All this is usually actually in violation of the existing corporate internet security policy which has to be rewritten.
Gary suggests that the use of external consultants for the entire internet network security policy framework is not a great idea since the external consultants will find it difficult to grasp the intricacies and business drivers for the network security decisions.
Also, in terms of implementation, the internet network security policy should be disseminated to each and every employee of the company through seminars , handouts and quizzes rather than an innocuous email that no one reads.
The network security policy should capture the latest trends in the network security industry rather than playing catch up. One of the network security aspects that Internet network security policy makers should be worried about now is access to corporate data through a Blackberry or a mobile phone.
New ways of accessing internet cause internet security policy nightmares for CIOs. For example, most companies allow employees to access the corporate intranet mails thru Blackberrys. Also, some companies allow VPN access to the entire corporate intranet. All this is usually actually in violation of the existing corporate internet security policy which has to be rewritten.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Developing Referral Relationships
Once you've received a referral, gathered information, and ranked the lead, it's time to pick up the phone. The following advice and scripts will help you at each step of the lead-conversion process.
Making first-time contact
The first call is the hardest one. Until you make first contact you really don't know the quality of the lead. It could turn out to be a huge business opportunity - or nothing at all. You have to hope for the best. The referral lead could result in years of business and an important new referral alliance, or it could go into the trash 60 seconds after you make the call. As you initiate contact with a new referral, heed the upcoming advice. Know the two objectives of your first call or visit.
The primary objective of your first contact, like the objective of any other first sales call to a new prospect, is to book an appointment. The first appointment might take the form of an exploratory session aimed at determining the wants, needs, and desires of the lead, or it might be an appointment to conduct a buyer consultation or listing presentation.
The secondary objective of your first contact is to open the door, establish trust and respect, demonstrate your knowledge, and establish your position as a reliable resource.
In your first contact, you're not trying to make a sale; you're just trying to achieve a face-to-face meeting.
Use the name of your referral source to open doors
The best way to get beyond your prospect's defenses is to share the name of your referral source. By presenting the name of your mutual associate, you establish immediate rapport and credibility. In your opening statement, include a reference to your referral source using a script such as this:
"Hello, Mr. Smith, this is Dirk Zeller with Real Estate Champions. The reason for my call is that your name came up in a conversation yesterday with Bob Jones with the Acme Delivery Company."
Then continue by using a linking statement such as:
"He said you're neighbors," or "He said you used to work together,"
Or
"He said your sons play soccer on the same team."
"Well, Bob Jones is a very valuable client. Bob knows I primarily work with referrals; he suggested I give you a call. He thought it would be worth a few minutes of our mutual time to see if we should meet."
You could also use a variation like:
"Bob was pleased with the service I provided to him and his family. He thought you'd like to evaluate how I might be able to assist you in the future."
Converting referrals into clients or referral sources
Once you've established a solid opening connection, it's time to ask probing questions that help you determine the wants, needs, desires, and expectations of the lead. Depending on your findings, the lead might result in a qualified prospect that you convert into a client, or you might determine that while the lead isn't ready to buy or sell, or to commit to an exclusive agent relationship, the person is a valuable resource to be added to your referral database.
Personal visits and calls
Leads generated through referrals come with a higher client-conversion probability than leads received from ad calls, sign calls, or any other cold sources. Due to that fact, consider investing some additional time as you launch the relationship. Instead of, or in addition to a personal call, consider stopping by to personally meet your new leads in their home. Once they attach a face and voice to your name they'll find it more difficult to reject you or select someone else to represent their interests.
If a personal visit isn't possible, aim to enhance the sense of personal connection through an increased number and frequency of calls. It takes, on average, four to six calls for you to leave a lasting impression.
Written notes, e-mail messages and mailers
Between calls and personal visits, build a bridge with personal notes and e-mail messages. Written communications will never replace the personal touch of phone calls or face-to-face visits, but in between live contact they do a great job of keeping the connection alive.
Send market updates, testimonials, letters from other satisfied clients, information on your current listed properties, and news about key awards or recognition you've received.
Beyond that, treat leads as if they're already clients by adding them to your newsletter list and to insider mailings that share news from your office.
Making first-time contact
The first call is the hardest one. Until you make first contact you really don't know the quality of the lead. It could turn out to be a huge business opportunity - or nothing at all. You have to hope for the best. The referral lead could result in years of business and an important new referral alliance, or it could go into the trash 60 seconds after you make the call. As you initiate contact with a new referral, heed the upcoming advice. Know the two objectives of your first call or visit.
The primary objective of your first contact, like the objective of any other first sales call to a new prospect, is to book an appointment. The first appointment might take the form of an exploratory session aimed at determining the wants, needs, and desires of the lead, or it might be an appointment to conduct a buyer consultation or listing presentation.
The secondary objective of your first contact is to open the door, establish trust and respect, demonstrate your knowledge, and establish your position as a reliable resource.
In your first contact, you're not trying to make a sale; you're just trying to achieve a face-to-face meeting.
Use the name of your referral source to open doors
The best way to get beyond your prospect's defenses is to share the name of your referral source. By presenting the name of your mutual associate, you establish immediate rapport and credibility. In your opening statement, include a reference to your referral source using a script such as this:
"Hello, Mr. Smith, this is Dirk Zeller with Real Estate Champions. The reason for my call is that your name came up in a conversation yesterday with Bob Jones with the Acme Delivery Company."
Then continue by using a linking statement such as:
"He said you're neighbors," or "He said you used to work together,"
Or
"He said your sons play soccer on the same team."
"Well, Bob Jones is a very valuable client. Bob knows I primarily work with referrals; he suggested I give you a call. He thought it would be worth a few minutes of our mutual time to see if we should meet."
You could also use a variation like:
"Bob was pleased with the service I provided to him and his family. He thought you'd like to evaluate how I might be able to assist you in the future."
Converting referrals into clients or referral sources
Once you've established a solid opening connection, it's time to ask probing questions that help you determine the wants, needs, desires, and expectations of the lead. Depending on your findings, the lead might result in a qualified prospect that you convert into a client, or you might determine that while the lead isn't ready to buy or sell, or to commit to an exclusive agent relationship, the person is a valuable resource to be added to your referral database.
Personal visits and calls
Leads generated through referrals come with a higher client-conversion probability than leads received from ad calls, sign calls, or any other cold sources. Due to that fact, consider investing some additional time as you launch the relationship. Instead of, or in addition to a personal call, consider stopping by to personally meet your new leads in their home. Once they attach a face and voice to your name they'll find it more difficult to reject you or select someone else to represent their interests.
If a personal visit isn't possible, aim to enhance the sense of personal connection through an increased number and frequency of calls. It takes, on average, four to six calls for you to leave a lasting impression.
Written notes, e-mail messages and mailers
Between calls and personal visits, build a bridge with personal notes and e-mail messages. Written communications will never replace the personal touch of phone calls or face-to-face visits, but in between live contact they do a great job of keeping the connection alive.
Send market updates, testimonials, letters from other satisfied clients, information on your current listed properties, and news about key awards or recognition you've received.
Beyond that, treat leads as if they're already clients by adding them to your newsletter list and to insider mailings that share news from your office.
Beware of The Itis
Strange subject line don't you think?
If you do not know what the Itis is and how it can be devastating to your network marketing career then listen closely.
Let me start with a little background . . .
A few days back I was watching a TV show with my family. They were watching a show called Boondocks.
The show itself is an outgrowth of a comic strip. It's actually an adult oriented cartoon based around an African American family which highlights and pokes fun at the racial tensions here in America. Well, this particular episode was about how one of the main characters was given the opportunity to open his own soul food restaurant, called "The Itis", and what happened there after.
If you don't know what the "Itis" is, it is actually pretty funny, in fact I am laughing about the whole concept right now as I write this, it is that tired feeling you get after you eat a huge and unhealthy meal. If you've ever eaten lunch and wanted to take a nap 15 minutes after you finished eating you've fallen victim to the Itis. It stops you in your tracks and puts you to sleep. Well, in this show, that is exactly what food from this soul food restaurant did to anyone who ate it.
It stopped them in their tracks and put them straight to sleep. People were falling asleep at the table and I think one woman went into a comma. It was pretty funny to see this concept taken to that extreme, and naturally the show conluded with the restaurant being closed.
Well what does all this have to do with network marketing and your business?
Simple . . .
I see people fall victim to the Itis everyday in their network marketing efforts. Not the type of Itis I've described above, but a much more sinister and personally elusive form.
Here is how it happens . . .
They will join a new business and after 15 minutes of really hard work promoting it by sending out a few emails and not getting any response they will start to say "It is not working". Then they will buy information product after information product looking for the golden key to success and after skimming through the information and putting in a good two hour solid effort to see if IT works they say "It is not
working. Then they go off and buy an new golden ticket to freedom and income. They find a new business or they find a new info product that promises them the world and they always meet with the same results. They put their brain to sleep after gorging on a meal of
easy promises of riches and enter into a comma like state of waiting for success to find them for an undetermined amount of time. When they wake up and see that making money online or in their network marketing efforts actually takes effort they aren't having it.
They look for another meal filled with easy promises of riches to put them back into their comma like state where they can relax as they dream of the success that is just going to happen around them. When they find it they gorge. They never really think to look at themselves as they grow fat and lethargic from all this consuming. They never realize that the reason that they are not getting anywhere is because they aren't really moving, except to the next so called easiest meal.
If you do not know what the Itis is and how it can be devastating to your network marketing career then listen closely.
Let me start with a little background . . .
A few days back I was watching a TV show with my family. They were watching a show called Boondocks.
The show itself is an outgrowth of a comic strip. It's actually an adult oriented cartoon based around an African American family which highlights and pokes fun at the racial tensions here in America. Well, this particular episode was about how one of the main characters was given the opportunity to open his own soul food restaurant, called "The Itis", and what happened there after.
If you don't know what the "Itis" is, it is actually pretty funny, in fact I am laughing about the whole concept right now as I write this, it is that tired feeling you get after you eat a huge and unhealthy meal. If you've ever eaten lunch and wanted to take a nap 15 minutes after you finished eating you've fallen victim to the Itis. It stops you in your tracks and puts you to sleep. Well, in this show, that is exactly what food from this soul food restaurant did to anyone who ate it.
It stopped them in their tracks and put them straight to sleep. People were falling asleep at the table and I think one woman went into a comma. It was pretty funny to see this concept taken to that extreme, and naturally the show conluded with the restaurant being closed.
Well what does all this have to do with network marketing and your business?
Simple . . .
I see people fall victim to the Itis everyday in their network marketing efforts. Not the type of Itis I've described above, but a much more sinister and personally elusive form.
Here is how it happens . . .
They will join a new business and after 15 minutes of really hard work promoting it by sending out a few emails and not getting any response they will start to say "It is not working". Then they will buy information product after information product looking for the golden key to success and after skimming through the information and putting in a good two hour solid effort to see if IT works they say "It is not
working. Then they go off and buy an new golden ticket to freedom and income. They find a new business or they find a new info product that promises them the world and they always meet with the same results. They put their brain to sleep after gorging on a meal of
easy promises of riches and enter into a comma like state of waiting for success to find them for an undetermined amount of time. When they wake up and see that making money online or in their network marketing efforts actually takes effort they aren't having it.
They look for another meal filled with easy promises of riches to put them back into their comma like state where they can relax as they dream of the success that is just going to happen around them. When they find it they gorge. They never really think to look at themselves as they grow fat and lethargic from all this consuming. They never realize that the reason that they are not getting anywhere is because they aren't really moving, except to the next so called easiest meal.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Networking for Jobs - Who Needs Networking?
Networking is one of the most important business and career development skills anyone can learn. Yet, even to a seasoned professional it can seem intimidating or positively scary some of the time.
I am sure that you will agree that the term "networking" is one of the most clichéd and misunderstood words in our vocabulary; the dictionary defines networking as "the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions." Strangely it doesn't define the rationale of networking.
If we view networking as the process of developing and maintaining quality relationships that are mutually advantageous, it won't take long to realize that networking is an important business and career development process. The continual building of relationships that can last a lifetime is what makes networking an essential part of our own development. This is why we do need to learn networking skills and keep our contacts in touch with us regularly.
Because, when we lose touch with someone, then call on them when we are in need, we create a negative networking situation and your contact no longer want s to talk to you. The person at the receiving end perceives the call as "he can't be bothered to keep in touch, till he wants something"
So, positive networking needs to become a way of life. As the old saying goes "It's not what you know but who you know." This is truer than ever in today's competitive world.
However, networking is not something that comes easily to everyone. You may be essentially a shy person, possibly feel you don't have the wherewithal, or as most of us are today, just plain busy. More than likely, you may feel you simply don't have the time to network. This is just an excuse!
Whenever you meet someone new, you have the opportunity to network and learn new things thus enriching your own existence. The truth then is: we really don't have time NOT to network.
Networking can be done any place, any time. As you learn about the other person you are networking with and how you can help them, they learn about you and how they can help you. This reciprocal effect is a direct result of you becoming interesting because you are showing interest. Help others connect to the people you know can help them, keep your promises and stay in touch.
You will frequently have opportunities to meet new people whom you can add to your list of contacts. Once you have established a connection, identify the people who can help you, stay connected, and keep your network growing. Identify the organizations and activities where people you want to know gather, get involved and become known.
Networking does not have to be difficult; in fact it can be quite fun, but bear in mind that you will need to continually work at it. Then, before you know it, you will have a strong network behind you whenever you need to call upon it.
I am sure that you will agree that the term "networking" is one of the most clichéd and misunderstood words in our vocabulary; the dictionary defines networking as "the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions." Strangely it doesn't define the rationale of networking.
If we view networking as the process of developing and maintaining quality relationships that are mutually advantageous, it won't take long to realize that networking is an important business and career development process. The continual building of relationships that can last a lifetime is what makes networking an essential part of our own development. This is why we do need to learn networking skills and keep our contacts in touch with us regularly.
Because, when we lose touch with someone, then call on them when we are in need, we create a negative networking situation and your contact no longer want s to talk to you. The person at the receiving end perceives the call as "he can't be bothered to keep in touch, till he wants something"
So, positive networking needs to become a way of life. As the old saying goes "It's not what you know but who you know." This is truer than ever in today's competitive world.
However, networking is not something that comes easily to everyone. You may be essentially a shy person, possibly feel you don't have the wherewithal, or as most of us are today, just plain busy. More than likely, you may feel you simply don't have the time to network. This is just an excuse!
Whenever you meet someone new, you have the opportunity to network and learn new things thus enriching your own existence. The truth then is: we really don't have time NOT to network.
Networking can be done any place, any time. As you learn about the other person you are networking with and how you can help them, they learn about you and how they can help you. This reciprocal effect is a direct result of you becoming interesting because you are showing interest. Help others connect to the people you know can help them, keep your promises and stay in touch.
You will frequently have opportunities to meet new people whom you can add to your list of contacts. Once you have established a connection, identify the people who can help you, stay connected, and keep your network growing. Identify the organizations and activities where people you want to know gather, get involved and become known.
Networking does not have to be difficult; in fact it can be quite fun, but bear in mind that you will need to continually work at it. Then, before you know it, you will have a strong network behind you whenever you need to call upon it.
Five Tips For Using MySpace
I remember the days when AOL was pretty much the only community in town. In fact, I remember when they billed you by usage time versus a flat monthly fee.
Today, there are many networking communities available. My favorite is MySpace. I have met more people and gained more business from MySpace than from any other networking community.
I'd like to share five tips on using MySpace:
If you are there to network, then make it easy for folks to network with you. Often I find folks who say I need their last name or email address to friend request them. Since they are currently a stranger, I don't have that information. Their profile tells me they want to meet others but their profile settings make that near impossible. Choose settings that allow others to communicate with you and friend request you.
Share information. Posting ads is not sharing information. I've actually deleted those who only advertise. I want to know YOU. I want to know who you are. Networking is about knowing one another and hopefully helping each other. If all you do is advertise, I am not going to send business your way. I do not want to send those I know to folks who only pitch products and services.
Join a few groups. MySpace has thousands and thousands of groups. Do a search and find a few groups that revolve around your interests. For example, I joined a scrapbooking group. I also joined a group talking about a t.v. show I enjoy. Finally, I joined a Starbucks group as I love Starbucks. Find groups that are YOU and join a few. You'll meet others that you already share something in common with.
Use the email and comment functions. Talk to others but more importantly when folks talk to you, answer them. I still communicate with folks I met the first day I began networking on MySpace. Just as I answer personal email in a timely manner, I also try to answer MySpace mail and comments in a timely manner.
Remember your words and photos will be seen by many. I sometimes shudder when I see someone who claims to want to gain business swearing up a storm and posting very non G rated photos. This is going to turn off potential business contacts. The bulletin feature is wonderful, but when the topic is a string of profanity I never even open it. When I was working on AOL, we had a rule of "if you wouldn't say it to your grandmother, don't say it here". I really believe this applies in a networking community also.
Today, there are many networking communities available. My favorite is MySpace. I have met more people and gained more business from MySpace than from any other networking community.
I'd like to share five tips on using MySpace:
If you are there to network, then make it easy for folks to network with you. Often I find folks who say I need their last name or email address to friend request them. Since they are currently a stranger, I don't have that information. Their profile tells me they want to meet others but their profile settings make that near impossible. Choose settings that allow others to communicate with you and friend request you.
Share information. Posting ads is not sharing information. I've actually deleted those who only advertise. I want to know YOU. I want to know who you are. Networking is about knowing one another and hopefully helping each other. If all you do is advertise, I am not going to send business your way. I do not want to send those I know to folks who only pitch products and services.
Join a few groups. MySpace has thousands and thousands of groups. Do a search and find a few groups that revolve around your interests. For example, I joined a scrapbooking group. I also joined a group talking about a t.v. show I enjoy. Finally, I joined a Starbucks group as I love Starbucks. Find groups that are YOU and join a few. You'll meet others that you already share something in common with.
Use the email and comment functions. Talk to others but more importantly when folks talk to you, answer them. I still communicate with folks I met the first day I began networking on MySpace. Just as I answer personal email in a timely manner, I also try to answer MySpace mail and comments in a timely manner.
Remember your words and photos will be seen by many. I sometimes shudder when I see someone who claims to want to gain business swearing up a storm and posting very non G rated photos. This is going to turn off potential business contacts. The bulletin feature is wonderful, but when the topic is a string of profanity I never even open it. When I was working on AOL, we had a rule of "if you wouldn't say it to your grandmother, don't say it here". I really believe this applies in a networking community also.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Finding Network Marketing Leads
Getting a network marketing lead is not an easy process and involves a lot of work. However you can achieve network marketing success by following a few simple but detailed instructions and using network marketing tools. Network marketing success involves not only getting a lead but also keeping the lead and developing a good business relationship that’s the key to network marketing success.
Network marketing success: what steps to take
If you want to achieve the network marketing success, especially while doing your network marketing online, you will need to use various network marketing tools. One of the network marketing tools that are available to you is the network marketing prospecting website. The network marketing prospecting website will allow you to find leads and clients and build your marketing campaign.A Network marketing prospecting website can also post the valuable information to your prospective clients. As you can see, the network marketing prospecting website is one of the key network marketing tools that will bring you network marketing success.
You should also study the network marketing tools that are being used by other networkers. This can also contribute to your network marketing success since you will be able to find valuable information. Go through the network marketing prospecting website of your competitor(s),research various network marketing tools that are available online, hold on to this valuable information and you are on your way to network marketing success.
There are things besides network marketing prospecting website and network marketing tools that can contribute you your network marketing success, but you should start with the network marketing prospecting website and network marketing tools and then move on to other marketing ideas.
Network marketing success: what steps to take
If you want to achieve the network marketing success, especially while doing your network marketing online, you will need to use various network marketing tools. One of the network marketing tools that are available to you is the network marketing prospecting website. The network marketing prospecting website will allow you to find leads and clients and build your marketing campaign.A Network marketing prospecting website can also post the valuable information to your prospective clients. As you can see, the network marketing prospecting website is one of the key network marketing tools that will bring you network marketing success.
You should also study the network marketing tools that are being used by other networkers. This can also contribute to your network marketing success since you will be able to find valuable information. Go through the network marketing prospecting website of your competitor(s),research various network marketing tools that are available online, hold on to this valuable information and you are on your way to network marketing success.
There are things besides network marketing prospecting website and network marketing tools that can contribute you your network marketing success, but you should start with the network marketing prospecting website and network marketing tools and then move on to other marketing ideas.
Network Firewalls
A simplified definition for a network firewall is that it is a tool that implements the traffic checking that has to be done (for security purposes) among two or more networks.
The network firewall has multiple missions; primarily, the firewall is in charge of monitoring, inspecting, and controlling inbound/outbound network traffic. The network firewall utilizes the user-defined preferences in order to determine whether to permit or deny communication with a specific network. Those user-defined preferences usually define the characteristics and the criteria by which the firewall determines whether to allow or discard the network traffic. Specifically, packets will be checked to examine their purposes. If the content represents hostile intrusion attempts, unauthorized attempts or patterns that match those of denial of service attacks, then the firewall will automatically block them.
Additionally, the firewall will check the IP address of the sender of the packets. Usually, the firewall can discard the packets without even examining them. If the IP address is unknown and if the firewall is configured accordingly, it will automatically block those packets.
Network firewalls are mostly used in order to isolate all computers that belong to a specific network from the rest of the networks. To be concrete, the network firewall might be needed in order to separate different sub-networks within a big network of a corporation. Furthermore, the network firewall can be used to separate a private network from the Internet.
As you can see, network firewalls are very important if you plan to separate your network from any others that you wish limited/controlled communication with. You can think of the firewall as if it were a family dog that only recognizes family and relatives or friends.
The network firewall has multiple missions; primarily, the firewall is in charge of monitoring, inspecting, and controlling inbound/outbound network traffic. The network firewall utilizes the user-defined preferences in order to determine whether to permit or deny communication with a specific network. Those user-defined preferences usually define the characteristics and the criteria by which the firewall determines whether to allow or discard the network traffic. Specifically, packets will be checked to examine their purposes. If the content represents hostile intrusion attempts, unauthorized attempts or patterns that match those of denial of service attacks, then the firewall will automatically block them.
Additionally, the firewall will check the IP address of the sender of the packets. Usually, the firewall can discard the packets without even examining them. If the IP address is unknown and if the firewall is configured accordingly, it will automatically block those packets.
Network firewalls are mostly used in order to isolate all computers that belong to a specific network from the rest of the networks. To be concrete, the network firewall might be needed in order to separate different sub-networks within a big network of a corporation. Furthermore, the network firewall can be used to separate a private network from the Internet.
As you can see, network firewalls are very important if you plan to separate your network from any others that you wish limited/controlled communication with. You can think of the firewall as if it were a family dog that only recognizes family and relatives or friends.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Protect Your Windows Network: From Perimeter to Data Book Review
Protect Your Windows Network: From Perimeter to Data
by Jesper M. Johansson and Steve Riley
Addison-Wesley Microsoft Technology Series (2005)
As the title should tell you, this is an unabashedly Windows-oriented book. It's no surprise, considering the authors are both employees of Microsoft. Jesper Johansson is the Senior Program Manager for Security Policy, and Steve Riley is the Senior Program Manager in the Security Business and Technology unit. Both authors are extremely knowledgeable, and participate in speaking engagements around the world on a regular basis.
Microsoft-centric view aside, I deal primarily with Windows-based networks, so I found this book to be extremely informative in my security continuing education. The authors attempt to cover a great deal of ground, so by necessity, some areas are covered in more depth than others. The areas covered are divided into 6 parts: "Introduction and Fundamentals," "Policies, Procedures, and User Awareness," "Physical and Perimeter Security: The First Line of Defense," Protecting Your Network Inside the Perimeter," "Protecting Hosts," and "Protecting Applications."
The book is filled with practical, common sense analysis of security, both with respect to genuinely securing systems, and avoiding practices of "Security Theater." Each chapter ends with a section entitled "What You Should Do Today," reinforcing the action items suggested throughout the chapter. The book also includes a CD containing a few helpful tools. These include a password generator, a HOSTS file that blocks known spyware sites, and a script to revoke SQL Server PUBLIC permissions.
The writing style is at times humorous, and very down-to-earth. This book is valuable both as a casual read, and a comprehensive reference for securing networks. I highly recommend it to anyone in the Information Security field, as well as anyone looking for a place to start educating themselves about network security.
by Jesper M. Johansson and Steve Riley
Addison-Wesley Microsoft Technology Series (2005)
As the title should tell you, this is an unabashedly Windows-oriented book. It's no surprise, considering the authors are both employees of Microsoft. Jesper Johansson is the Senior Program Manager for Security Policy, and Steve Riley is the Senior Program Manager in the Security Business and Technology unit. Both authors are extremely knowledgeable, and participate in speaking engagements around the world on a regular basis.
Microsoft-centric view aside, I deal primarily with Windows-based networks, so I found this book to be extremely informative in my security continuing education. The authors attempt to cover a great deal of ground, so by necessity, some areas are covered in more depth than others. The areas covered are divided into 6 parts: "Introduction and Fundamentals," "Policies, Procedures, and User Awareness," "Physical and Perimeter Security: The First Line of Defense," Protecting Your Network Inside the Perimeter," "Protecting Hosts," and "Protecting Applications."
The book is filled with practical, common sense analysis of security, both with respect to genuinely securing systems, and avoiding practices of "Security Theater." Each chapter ends with a section entitled "What You Should Do Today," reinforcing the action items suggested throughout the chapter. The book also includes a CD containing a few helpful tools. These include a password generator, a HOSTS file that blocks known spyware sites, and a script to revoke SQL Server PUBLIC permissions.
The writing style is at times humorous, and very down-to-earth. This book is valuable both as a casual read, and a comprehensive reference for securing networks. I highly recommend it to anyone in the Information Security field, as well as anyone looking for a place to start educating themselves about network security.
Current Internet Network Security Policies Are Nonsense!
Internet network security policies are flawed in strategy and implementation.
Gary suggests that the use of external consultants for the entire internet network security policy framework is not a great idea since the external consultants will find it difficult to grasp the intricacies and business drivers for the network security decisions.
Also, in terms of implementation, the internet network security policy should be disseminated to each and every employee of the company through seminars , handouts and quizzes rather than an innocuous email that no one reads.
The network security policy should capture the latest trends in the network security industry rather than playing catch up. One of the network security aspects that Internet network security policy makers should be worried about now is access to corporate data through a Blackberry or a mobile phone.
New ways of accessing internet cause internet security policy nightmares for CIOs. For example, most companies allow employees to access the corporate intranet mails thru Blackberrys. Also, some companies allow VPN access to the entire corporate intranet. All this is usually actually in violation of the existing corporate internet security policy which has to be rewritten.
In conclusion, internet network security policy implementors should focus on internal buy in among employees and proper dissemination to the entire IT work force,including contractors.This will ensure that the internet network security policy doesnt end up as a useless binder in your boss's cabin!
Gary suggests that the use of external consultants for the entire internet network security policy framework is not a great idea since the external consultants will find it difficult to grasp the intricacies and business drivers for the network security decisions.
Also, in terms of implementation, the internet network security policy should be disseminated to each and every employee of the company through seminars , handouts and quizzes rather than an innocuous email that no one reads.
The network security policy should capture the latest trends in the network security industry rather than playing catch up. One of the network security aspects that Internet network security policy makers should be worried about now is access to corporate data through a Blackberry or a mobile phone.
New ways of accessing internet cause internet security policy nightmares for CIOs. For example, most companies allow employees to access the corporate intranet mails thru Blackberrys. Also, some companies allow VPN access to the entire corporate intranet. All this is usually actually in violation of the existing corporate internet security policy which has to be rewritten.
In conclusion, internet network security policy implementors should focus on internal buy in among employees and proper dissemination to the entire IT work force,including contractors.This will ensure that the internet network security policy doesnt end up as a useless binder in your boss's cabin!
Monday, October 29, 2007
Computer Security Training
Computer security training is considered as one of the hottest programs for the new millennium. It is a major part of information technology that prepares students to protect computers and networks. Computers undergo constant attacks from various virus programs and instances of frauds that cause the loss of millions of dollars annually. Computer security training programs assist users to overcome these difficulties. Colleges and universities, technical schools and online programs are the main arenas that provide advanced computer security training.
As all other IT programs, computer security training programs also start with foundation classes. Fundamental programs offer students a comprehensive knowledge about the tools and techniques to manage risks, and to detect and prevent computer attacks. Some of the major concepts discussed are hackers, software piracy, viruses, identity theft, stalking and credit card fraud. Students learn the latest technologies for protecting systems such as securing the operating systems, audit techniques, identification and authentication, cryptography and other network security mechanisms. The security training also encompasses sessions in threat assessment, incident investigation, system security administration, risk management and online security testing. Those who look for a career in computer security technology development get advanced training in system security engineering, software design, development and testing, secure operating system design, and design and application of network security techniques.
A computer security professional has a good idea about the planning, co-ordination and implementation of security techniques to protect computers from illegal attacks. They are also trained in educating users on computer security, monitoring the network for security breaches, installing safety software and taking instant action against cyber attacks.
Online computer security training is a new trend that teaches the latest technologies to save computers from online attacks. Online certificate and degree programs are available. Recognized online training programs help to attain credentials in security training. These valuable skills are useful for marketing yourself to computer security firms.
As all other IT programs, computer security training programs also start with foundation classes. Fundamental programs offer students a comprehensive knowledge about the tools and techniques to manage risks, and to detect and prevent computer attacks. Some of the major concepts discussed are hackers, software piracy, viruses, identity theft, stalking and credit card fraud. Students learn the latest technologies for protecting systems such as securing the operating systems, audit techniques, identification and authentication, cryptography and other network security mechanisms. The security training also encompasses sessions in threat assessment, incident investigation, system security administration, risk management and online security testing. Those who look for a career in computer security technology development get advanced training in system security engineering, software design, development and testing, secure operating system design, and design and application of network security techniques.
A computer security professional has a good idea about the planning, co-ordination and implementation of security techniques to protect computers from illegal attacks. They are also trained in educating users on computer security, monitoring the network for security breaches, installing safety software and taking instant action against cyber attacks.
Online computer security training is a new trend that teaches the latest technologies to save computers from online attacks. Online certificate and degree programs are available. Recognized online training programs help to attain credentials in security training. These valuable skills are useful for marketing yourself to computer security firms.
Network Performance Management - The 6 Pillars Of Network Management System
Now that we are in the 21st century, most companies need to have some form of connectivity or another in order to have their business running well. In another word, network management can be the life line of these companies. Can you imagine Yahoo, Google, and Ebay going down for a few minutes? Millions of dollars could be lost during those few minutes. As such, the importance of network management in this type of companies cannot be underestimated.
In order to understand network management better, we have to look at the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) which looks at security management, fault management, configuration management, accounting management and performance management.
Security Management
Security Management looks at alerting the personnel when resources are accessed. An example would be emailing or calling the network personnel that a resource is down and needed his attention or sending messages when certain files is accessed.
Fault Management
Fault Management is to log, find, and alert the network personnel of problems that will effect the systems operations.
Configuration Management Configuration Management is to identify effects on network's operation after tracking the software plus the hardware on the network.
Accounting Management
This is to watch and determine the usage of information or resources for billing purposes. A typical company such as a mobile company or internet service provider would need these features in their business operations to bill their customer.
Performance Management
Monitoring, assessing, and adjusting the available bandwidth and network resource usage are tasks that are performed by network personnel as part of performance management system. This is to make the network run more efficiently.
In order to have a good network management system, the 6 pillars of network management need to be implemented by the network personnel in their companies.
In order to understand network management better, we have to look at the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) which looks at security management, fault management, configuration management, accounting management and performance management.
Security Management
Security Management looks at alerting the personnel when resources are accessed. An example would be emailing or calling the network personnel that a resource is down and needed his attention or sending messages when certain files is accessed.
Fault Management
Fault Management is to log, find, and alert the network personnel of problems that will effect the systems operations.
Configuration Management Configuration Management is to identify effects on network's operation after tracking the software plus the hardware on the network.
Accounting Management
This is to watch and determine the usage of information or resources for billing purposes. A typical company such as a mobile company or internet service provider would need these features in their business operations to bill their customer.
Performance Management
Monitoring, assessing, and adjusting the available bandwidth and network resource usage are tasks that are performed by network personnel as part of performance management system. This is to make the network run more efficiently.
In order to have a good network management system, the 6 pillars of network management need to be implemented by the network personnel in their companies.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Your Guide to Cisco Certification Success
Network security is one of the most crucial parts of being an Information Technology expert. The network administrator should be capable of implementing and maintaining security solutions in a networking system. A network security professional is one who develops business solutions, and one who monitors, designs and implements network security from all levels. Among the wide array world-recognized technical certifications issued by Cisco Systems, Incorporated is the professional and expert level of security certification. First, there is Cisco Certified Security Professional or the CCSP. A CCSP certified individual has an advanced knowledge when it comes to the technology implemented and the Cisco products used to provide security solutions on networks from all levels.
To be a Cisco Certified Security Professional, an IT professional should first pass either the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), or the Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional (CCIP) certification examination. Next, there is the highest level of security certifications issued by Cisco which is the expert level. This is called the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert. For this expert level of certification issued by Cisco, an IT professional can take an examination for different fields of specialization such as routing and switching, security, service provider, voice technology and storage networking.
"The Cisco Security Examination"
To obtain a CCSP or a CCIE Security certification, an IT professional needs to undergo a written and a laboratory examination. The Security written exam is made up of multiple choice questions about security protocols, application protocols, general networking, security technologies, Cisco security applications, network security in general and general Cisco security information.
To have a CCSP certification, a candidate must pass a two-hour qualifying examination. The aforementioned topics are covered, which will mainly include networking concepts as well as equipment commands. Once the candidate passes the written Cisco Security exam, that is when the candidate will be eligible to take the lab exam. After the candidate has passed the two hour written qualifying exam, the next step is to undergo the CCIE security laboratory examination. The exam has an eight-hour duration and the main purpose is to test the candidate’s ability to get a secure network running at a particular time.
Prior to taking the Cisco security examination, either for the professional or the expert level, a candidate should undergo several security trainings. This includes the Cisco security training as well as the Cisco Secure SAFE Implementation. The Cisco Secure SAFE Implementation is laboratory intensive, which will help a candidate successfully pass the laboratory part of the Cisco Security examination. Be it an examination for the professional or expert level of the Cisco Security certification examination, a candidate needs enough preparation to pass the written and laboratory tests. This way, the IT professional will have sufficient knowledge about the specific Cisco security protocols and components, to protect the entire network.
MCSE Certification Tests
There are two main and compulsory courses available under the Microsoft certificate system engineer program.
The exams under MCSE on Microsoft 2000 are Exam 70-217, about Implementing and administering a Microsoft Windows 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure, exam 70-216, implementing and administering a Microsoft Windows 2000 network infrastructure, exam 70-219, designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 directory Services Infrastructure, exam 70-221, designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure, and exam 70-220 for designing Security for a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network.
The subjects offered under the exam 70-216 are implementing, administering of files and folders, advanced files and folders management, hardware configuration and optimization, events and backup, recovery and installation. Other subjects such as implementing an active directory installation, replication and DNS, installation and configuration, and security and optimization come under exam 70-217. Directory services infrastructure and security are part of exam-70-219. IP routing, security addressing and naming services come under exam-70-216. Exam 70-220 verifies the candidate's knowledge about security design, communication, network services, PKI and security solution.
Exams for MCSE on Microsoft server 2003 are, exam 70-270, on installing, configuring, and administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional, exam 70-2902 verifies the knowledge of managing and maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 environment, Exam 70-2912, for Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure, Exam 70-293 for Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure, Exam 70-294 for Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 active directory Infrastructure, exam 70-298 has subjects such as Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network, exam 70-299, Implementing and Administering Security in a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 network, exam 70-227 is on Installing, configuring, and administering Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000, Enterprise Edition, Exam 70-350, Implementing Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2004.
The exams under MCSE on Microsoft 2000 are Exam 70-217, about Implementing and administering a Microsoft Windows 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure, exam 70-216, implementing and administering a Microsoft Windows 2000 network infrastructure, exam 70-219, designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 directory Services Infrastructure, exam 70-221, designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure, and exam 70-220 for designing Security for a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network.
The subjects offered under the exam 70-216 are implementing, administering of files and folders, advanced files and folders management, hardware configuration and optimization, events and backup, recovery and installation. Other subjects such as implementing an active directory installation, replication and DNS, installation and configuration, and security and optimization come under exam 70-217. Directory services infrastructure and security are part of exam-70-219. IP routing, security addressing and naming services come under exam-70-216. Exam 70-220 verifies the candidate's knowledge about security design, communication, network services, PKI and security solution.
Exams for MCSE on Microsoft server 2003 are, exam 70-270, on installing, configuring, and administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional, exam 70-2902 verifies the knowledge of managing and maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 environment, Exam 70-2912, for Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure, Exam 70-293 for Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure, Exam 70-294 for Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 active directory Infrastructure, exam 70-298 has subjects such as Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network, exam 70-299, Implementing and Administering Security in a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 network, exam 70-227 is on Installing, configuring, and administering Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000, Enterprise Edition, Exam 70-350, Implementing Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2004.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
The Benefits of Internet Security on the Education Front
Online Courses Bring Advantages and Security Threats
A college education is mandatory in today’s job market. Because of this, many workers find themselves pursuing a higher education while they are employed. One way colleges are making access to education more convenient for workers is by offering a wide range of their curriculum via online courses. This growing trend brings with it all the advantages and disadvantages associated with Internet connectivity.
One of the main advantages to students is easy access to their coursework at all hours of the day and night. In fact, online classes can usually accommodate any work schedule. The ease of communication with the instructor is another reason online courses are so popular. Still another important advantage is that online courses can be accessed easily from any public commuter with an Internet connection, like those you might find at universities or in public libraries.
Colleges and universities support this trend toward online classes because they can attract more students and increase revenue without incurring the overhead associated with a classroom full of students.
However, as with any trend, there is a downside to this rapid increase in online education. Chief among the challenges institutions face is the need to defend against Internet-based threats. These threats are inherent in Web access and include instant messaging and peer-to-peer file sharing, spyware and phishing attacks, a wide-range of objectionable Web content and human nature itself.
MySpace.com
Examples of human corruption as a source of Internet-based threats are everywhere. The Internet is rife with everything from the criminality of hacking and phishing attacks to the irritation of surreptitious spyware agents. The most dangerous threat is from predators who often target young people, the very ones who are likely using computers at schools and libraries. In a recent scandal involving MySpace.com, a predator was tracking the movements of teenaged girls via their myspace.com postings. Predators on the Internet have been present since the beginning of Internet technology. They fish in chat rooms, message boards and e-mail. Even if the unsuspecting public is aware of the dangers posed by predators, the need for Internet security is essential in any strategy for defending against Web-based threats. This becomes even more critical when an educational site is vulnerable to attack.
Colleges provide their own websites, message boards, blogs and email addresses. When a phisher or hacker or a predator with hacking skills is able to breach the unsecured network of a college, it leaves more than just intellectual property open for perusal. And if external threats to the students and the network were not enough, a system administrator at a college also has to deal with the actions of the students as well.
The Hazards of Downloading
Computer access in the college library is very common even on the smallest of community college campuses. Students unaware of security threats can easily surf a number of questionable websites, downloading objectionable material and leaving a network vulnerable by visiting a chat room or opening an instant message with a skillful hacker on the other end.
Through any of these means an unprotected network can be at risk for backdoor programs, viruses and hackers. Defending against these threats is important for network security, student safety and the college’s reputation. An unsecured network is easy prey for an experienced hacker and the last thing a college can afford is to have a student’s personal information or worse, financial information compromised.
Reputation and Integrity
Colleges rely on their reputations and integrity to distinguish their institutions in a crowded field. Their reputation is comprised of many elements including student success rates and faculty expertise. The integrity of a college’s network security can directly impact student enrollment because any decline in a school’s good reputation can spread like wildfire. Schools with diminished reputations can see enrollment fall off as parents and students alike find other schools with better reputations.
This situation doesn’t just affect colleges, it also applies to local schools and school districts where networks, computers in classroom and wireless connections are becoming more common. Even more compelling, protecting young children is more critical for schools than even their reputations.
Utilizing proper filtering hardware and software can protect the integrity of the educational institution as well as their security and by extension, the security of the students. Filtering hardware can prevent students from accessing unsafe websites or questionable ones. It can prevent downloading of materials, backdoor programs and worms.
The Obvious Solution
With the use of filtering hardware, schools can protect ports into their network exploited by instant messaging programs and more. When it comes right down to it, educational institutions are negligent if they do not employ the right network security. With so many potential problems waiting to prey on the unsuspecting and unsecured network, filtering hardware is the obvious answer.
A college education is mandatory in today’s job market. Because of this, many workers find themselves pursuing a higher education while they are employed. One way colleges are making access to education more convenient for workers is by offering a wide range of their curriculum via online courses. This growing trend brings with it all the advantages and disadvantages associated with Internet connectivity.
One of the main advantages to students is easy access to their coursework at all hours of the day and night. In fact, online classes can usually accommodate any work schedule. The ease of communication with the instructor is another reason online courses are so popular. Still another important advantage is that online courses can be accessed easily from any public commuter with an Internet connection, like those you might find at universities or in public libraries.
Colleges and universities support this trend toward online classes because they can attract more students and increase revenue without incurring the overhead associated with a classroom full of students.
However, as with any trend, there is a downside to this rapid increase in online education. Chief among the challenges institutions face is the need to defend against Internet-based threats. These threats are inherent in Web access and include instant messaging and peer-to-peer file sharing, spyware and phishing attacks, a wide-range of objectionable Web content and human nature itself.
MySpace.com
Examples of human corruption as a source of Internet-based threats are everywhere. The Internet is rife with everything from the criminality of hacking and phishing attacks to the irritation of surreptitious spyware agents. The most dangerous threat is from predators who often target young people, the very ones who are likely using computers at schools and libraries. In a recent scandal involving MySpace.com, a predator was tracking the movements of teenaged girls via their myspace.com postings. Predators on the Internet have been present since the beginning of Internet technology. They fish in chat rooms, message boards and e-mail. Even if the unsuspecting public is aware of the dangers posed by predators, the need for Internet security is essential in any strategy for defending against Web-based threats. This becomes even more critical when an educational site is vulnerable to attack.
Colleges provide their own websites, message boards, blogs and email addresses. When a phisher or hacker or a predator with hacking skills is able to breach the unsecured network of a college, it leaves more than just intellectual property open for perusal. And if external threats to the students and the network were not enough, a system administrator at a college also has to deal with the actions of the students as well.
The Hazards of Downloading
Computer access in the college library is very common even on the smallest of community college campuses. Students unaware of security threats can easily surf a number of questionable websites, downloading objectionable material and leaving a network vulnerable by visiting a chat room or opening an instant message with a skillful hacker on the other end.
Through any of these means an unprotected network can be at risk for backdoor programs, viruses and hackers. Defending against these threats is important for network security, student safety and the college’s reputation. An unsecured network is easy prey for an experienced hacker and the last thing a college can afford is to have a student’s personal information or worse, financial information compromised.
Reputation and Integrity
Colleges rely on their reputations and integrity to distinguish their institutions in a crowded field. Their reputation is comprised of many elements including student success rates and faculty expertise. The integrity of a college’s network security can directly impact student enrollment because any decline in a school’s good reputation can spread like wildfire. Schools with diminished reputations can see enrollment fall off as parents and students alike find other schools with better reputations.
This situation doesn’t just affect colleges, it also applies to local schools and school districts where networks, computers in classroom and wireless connections are becoming more common. Even more compelling, protecting young children is more critical for schools than even their reputations.
Utilizing proper filtering hardware and software can protect the integrity of the educational institution as well as their security and by extension, the security of the students. Filtering hardware can prevent students from accessing unsafe websites or questionable ones. It can prevent downloading of materials, backdoor programs and worms.
The Obvious Solution
With the use of filtering hardware, schools can protect ports into their network exploited by instant messaging programs and more. When it comes right down to it, educational institutions are negligent if they do not employ the right network security. With so many potential problems waiting to prey on the unsuspecting and unsecured network, filtering hardware is the obvious answer.
Wireless Network Security: How to Use Kismet
Kismet is a wireless network detector / sniffer which can give you a vast amount of information about wireless networks. Wireless network security flaws are well documented but often very hard for the common person to understand. I will be showing you how to use kismet with out even having to install Linux, or compile kismet.
First you need to proceed to remote-exploit.org and download and burn their Auditor CD. (IF you don’t know how to burn an ISO image, go to Google). This version of Linux doesn’t install or modify your hard drive; it will boot from the CD and use a Ram Drive (On your Memory).
Auditor is not only a great tool for testing wireless network security with kismet but it also has many other computer security tools on it as well.
Client Window
Next, to start Kismet proceed to the Linux version of the start menu, and press Auditor. Now proceed to the wireless /scanning/kismet tools/kismet.
Once you click on Kismet it will ask you for a default location to place the Kismet log files for analyzing later, just press the desktop or temp file.
Now I will show you how to use Kismet. When kismet initially opens you will see a greenish box with numbers and network names (If any are near you) clicking away don’t be overwhelmed. (Also I can’t show you how to use kismet if you don’t have the correct wireless adapter, get an ORINICO Gold Classic Card off EBAY.) The Orninco gold classic card will be automaticly detected by auditor linux.
The Kismet columns will show the wireless networks SSID (Name), Type of device (Access point, gateway) Encryption or no Encryption, an IP range and number of packets. Kismet will pick up hidden networks with SSID broadcast Disabled also, Netstumbler will not.
Now Press H, to bring up the Help Menu. This will give the nuts and bolts on how to use kismet. If you tab down to the network you are auditing and press “C”, Kismet will show you all the computers that are using that wireless access point / gateway. This Kismet screen will show you the clients MAC address, Manufacture of Wireless Adapter, IP address range and traffic.
Kismet: Help Menue
Now to get out of that screen press “Q”. Tab Down on the Main Kismet Screen to another SSID and press “I”. This Kismet window will show detailed information about the wireless network. The Kismet detail screen will show the type of network (Infrastructrure / Adhoc), signal strength, channel, encryption type, and much more.
Kismet will also give you sound alerts when new wireless networks are discovered or security alerts or suspicious clients are in range. Suspicious clients would be people like you who are using Kismet or Networkstumbler. Unlike you these could be Wardrivers looking for venerable networks to hack into.
Kismet Alert Page
You can prevent War drivers from discovering your wireless network by performing a proper site survey which will help limit signal bleed off to unneeded areas. You should write down the suspicious MAC address and keep an eye on your access logs. If the War Drivers are really stupid just look out your window and look for cars with weird antennas.HA HA HA.
Kismet is more than just a tool to discover wireless networks; it can be used in conjunction with other tools to crack WEP/WPA. Many websites will claim that WEP can be cracked in less that five minutes. This is only half the truth because it could take many hours,days,months to gather enough packets to crack. Good luck and have fun learning the more advanced applications of kismet.
First you need to proceed to remote-exploit.org and download and burn their Auditor CD. (IF you don’t know how to burn an ISO image, go to Google). This version of Linux doesn’t install or modify your hard drive; it will boot from the CD and use a Ram Drive (On your Memory).
Auditor is not only a great tool for testing wireless network security with kismet but it also has many other computer security tools on it as well.
Client Window
Next, to start Kismet proceed to the Linux version of the start menu, and press Auditor. Now proceed to the wireless /scanning/kismet tools/kismet.
Once you click on Kismet it will ask you for a default location to place the Kismet log files for analyzing later, just press the desktop or temp file.
Now I will show you how to use Kismet. When kismet initially opens you will see a greenish box with numbers and network names (If any are near you) clicking away don’t be overwhelmed. (Also I can’t show you how to use kismet if you don’t have the correct wireless adapter, get an ORINICO Gold Classic Card off EBAY.) The Orninco gold classic card will be automaticly detected by auditor linux.
The Kismet columns will show the wireless networks SSID (Name), Type of device (Access point, gateway) Encryption or no Encryption, an IP range and number of packets. Kismet will pick up hidden networks with SSID broadcast Disabled also, Netstumbler will not.
Now Press H, to bring up the Help Menu. This will give the nuts and bolts on how to use kismet. If you tab down to the network you are auditing and press “C”, Kismet will show you all the computers that are using that wireless access point / gateway. This Kismet screen will show you the clients MAC address, Manufacture of Wireless Adapter, IP address range and traffic.
Kismet: Help Menue
Now to get out of that screen press “Q”. Tab Down on the Main Kismet Screen to another SSID and press “I”. This Kismet window will show detailed information about the wireless network. The Kismet detail screen will show the type of network (Infrastructrure / Adhoc), signal strength, channel, encryption type, and much more.
Kismet will also give you sound alerts when new wireless networks are discovered or security alerts or suspicious clients are in range. Suspicious clients would be people like you who are using Kismet or Networkstumbler. Unlike you these could be Wardrivers looking for venerable networks to hack into.
Kismet Alert Page
You can prevent War drivers from discovering your wireless network by performing a proper site survey which will help limit signal bleed off to unneeded areas. You should write down the suspicious MAC address and keep an eye on your access logs. If the War Drivers are really stupid just look out your window and look for cars with weird antennas.HA HA HA.
Kismet is more than just a tool to discover wireless networks; it can be used in conjunction with other tools to crack WEP/WPA. Many websites will claim that WEP can be cracked in less that five minutes. This is only half the truth because it could take many hours,days,months to gather enough packets to crack. Good luck and have fun learning the more advanced applications of kismet.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Wireless Security Workshop
To the information security professional wireless networking may be thought of as a four letter word to be avoided at all costs. Regardless of the security implication wireless networking can provide cost efficiency, and because of that wireless technologies are here to stay. While many in the profession believe that wireless networks can be easily compromised, this class will show how the appropriate wireless architecture with the proper security controls can make your wireless network as secure as any other remote access point into your network.
In this three day, wireless security workshop, we will examine the cutting edge of wireless technologies. The purpose of the course is to give you a full understanding of what wireless (802.11) networks are, how they work, how people find them and exploit them, and how they can be secured. This hands-on course is based on real world examples, solutions, and deployments. In this course we will actually set up and use wireless networks, determine the tools to uncover wireless networks, and also look at how to defeat the attempts to secure wireless networks.
Course Completion
Upon the completion of our CISM course, students will have:
Constructed a wireless network architecture
Install and configure 802.1x authentication using Microsoft Windows IAS and Server 2000
Install a wireless access point
Distinguish between 802.11x standards
Defeat Wired Equivalent Privacy
Key Take Aways:
An understanding of wireless networks
A CD of common tools and documentation
An ability to search the internet for updates and more information on wireless networks
Detail of Course Content The following topics will be covered:
Wireless History
Radio Frequency (RF) Fundamentals
WLAN Infrastructure
802.11 Network Architecture
802.1X Authentication
Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP)/(LEAP)/(PEAP)
Detection Platforms
WLAN Discovery Tools
Kismet
Wireless Sniffers
Conventional Detection
Antennas
Exploiting WLANs
Securing WLANs
Other Wireless Options
Legal Issues including GLBA and ISO-17799
Future
Resources
In this three day, wireless security workshop, we will examine the cutting edge of wireless technologies. The purpose of the course is to give you a full understanding of what wireless (802.11) networks are, how they work, how people find them and exploit them, and how they can be secured. This hands-on course is based on real world examples, solutions, and deployments. In this course we will actually set up and use wireless networks, determine the tools to uncover wireless networks, and also look at how to defeat the attempts to secure wireless networks.
Course Completion
Upon the completion of our CISM course, students will have:
Constructed a wireless network architecture
Install and configure 802.1x authentication using Microsoft Windows IAS and Server 2000
Install a wireless access point
Distinguish between 802.11x standards
Defeat Wired Equivalent Privacy
Key Take Aways:
An understanding of wireless networks
A CD of common tools and documentation
An ability to search the internet for updates and more information on wireless networks
Detail of Course Content The following topics will be covered:
Wireless History
Radio Frequency (RF) Fundamentals
WLAN Infrastructure
802.11 Network Architecture
802.1X Authentication
Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP)/(LEAP)/(PEAP)
Detection Platforms
WLAN Discovery Tools
Kismet
Wireless Sniffers
Conventional Detection
Antennas
Exploiting WLANs
Securing WLANs
Other Wireless Options
Legal Issues including GLBA and ISO-17799
Future
Resources
Network Security - All About Firewalls
The Importance of Firewalls to Network Security
Most networks should have a firewall in place before they are up and running. A firewall is the most common form of network security employed by companies large and small. If you own a personal computer your anti-virus software company may at one time or another have offered you firewall protection.
A firewall on a home network is just as important as one on a corporate network. Why? Most smaller networks have as many security issues that larger corporate networks have. A firewall helps protect a network against potential data loss, corruption and hackers.
What Is A Firewall
A firewall is nothing more than a fancy term used to describe a blockade that prevents outside forces from accessing your network. It is called a firewall because it prevent information or data loss from one place to another. Typically a firewall is some program or hardware that you have to install in your computer that helps filter information coming from the Web to your computer network. A firewall provides a series of filters that screens information allowing only safe information to pass through to your network.
In a large company, multiple computers are often linked using network cards. Companies usually provide multiple connections to the Internet. In order to protect all of these computers a firewall is necessary so that only certain people can access corporate computers through the Web (those that are authorized to do so). While a firewall is not foolproof it basically does a good job of protecting computers from Internet threats at their connection points.
Most networks should have a firewall in place before they are up and running. A firewall is the most common form of network security employed by companies large and small. If you own a personal computer your anti-virus software company may at one time or another have offered you firewall protection.
A firewall on a home network is just as important as one on a corporate network. Why? Most smaller networks have as many security issues that larger corporate networks have. A firewall helps protect a network against potential data loss, corruption and hackers.
What Is A Firewall
A firewall is nothing more than a fancy term used to describe a blockade that prevents outside forces from accessing your network. It is called a firewall because it prevent information or data loss from one place to another. Typically a firewall is some program or hardware that you have to install in your computer that helps filter information coming from the Web to your computer network. A firewall provides a series of filters that screens information allowing only safe information to pass through to your network.
In a large company, multiple computers are often linked using network cards. Companies usually provide multiple connections to the Internet. In order to protect all of these computers a firewall is necessary so that only certain people can access corporate computers through the Web (those that are authorized to do so). While a firewall is not foolproof it basically does a good job of protecting computers from Internet threats at their connection points.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
