 All
American's Support Our Troops. Anyone Saying Otherwise is Selling
Something You Would Not Normally Buy!! |
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by Brent Hammond |
Wow, what a game! I guess I need say no more than that. The game, of course, is WOW. World of Warcraft is amazing. Blizzard must have sold their soul to Satan in order to bring this game into being. It is gaming the way I used to dream of; A connected universe of gamers in real-time. They've worked through all of the impossibilities, like, how do you keep track of thousands of concurrent users when they can all interact and affect each others experience? And, how can the game perform well at all with so much information that needs to be shared real-time. And what about slower connections, network drops, etc. Will a small group of users dominate the game such that it will not be fun? Will it be so complicated that it isn't fun at all? Will it be affordable? On that last note I am both amazed at how inexpensive it is and dismayed at the fact that I'm spending a recurring monthly fee for a game. But then I paid for a phone line for a year that was never hooked up and twice I paid for a years of heath Clubbing that I rarely clubbed in. So I pay. The real negative aspect of the game is that it is so amazing and fun and endlessly challenging that it is very hard to stop playing. And then there is my guilt for first introducing the game to my son, and second allowing him to play too much. At times I cannot believe I allow him to indulge in this imaginary world. But then, my son knows what smelting is. Hah! It's an educational tool. Whether it is or isn't educational for children, I recommend this game highly. In fact, anyone that is even remotely into games, technology, gadgets, or computers absolutely must try the game. And then right after you try it you must learn to regulate your online time. Do not let the World of Warcraft become your only world. In order to fully understand the danger, see this years seasons (2006) premier of Southpark. They explain it very well. On a different note, it looks like World in Conflict might be a cool 2007 game. But then WOW has a sequel coming out in 2007... I wonder if I'll buy? Click down here and you will go to a place where you can get it too. See you online! (Online Alliance characters in the Dalaran realm are Trilox, Shadowtoot, Tussel, Tivo, Minihef, Torvalis, Niteclub, Bayyud, and Ripefog.) It's a World of Warcraft Christmas Special!!!
To access these pages, when prompted, use Zack's middle name for the username, and Nicole's middle name for the password and use all lowercase characters. Zack and Nicole 2003 Soccer Pictures (added 1/5/06)
More Recent Pictures (11-6-05).....
Computer and network security has been the cornerstone of my career for over ten years, and my own personal passion. The implementation of security controls is more than just the sound application of technology, but also requires a deep understanding of the principals of security and risk. Understanding what is at risk and the repercussions of applying security measures should always be the start of any security analysis or implementation. The benefit of doing so will prevent the improper sizing of security measures, protecting the wrong assets, and adding risk associated with security. When security measures are put into place, security control is delegated somewhere. Using commercial security packages puts your trust with the manufacturer, the administrator, and any maintenance staff. Most security packages have a back-door in which the manufacturer can reset the hardware. Some can even connect remotely with or without your knowledge. T1, Frame Relay, Fiber, Cable and DSL providers often have the ability to connect to leased or even owned hardware so they can view and change settings. Network administrators and maintenance staff often have even more power to view, change, monitor, and adjust security hardware and software. This delegated power typically includes the ability to monitor all email traffic, web traffic, or any other type of network service running on the lines even if it is against company policy (assuming a policy even exists). They can permit or restrict access in broad or specific ways and record information over time to be viewed elsewhere. Years worth of data can be accumulated, recorded, and archived for later analysis or viewing. It is likely that some of your email and web browsing from the last 10 years is recorded somewhere in the hands of someone, unprotected, just waiting to be analyzed or viewed. This power is often casually delegated to network administrators who might even be new employees or kids just out of college. Sometimes this power is delegated to contractors hired to administer equipment. Usually these contractors are not bound by any company policies since they are not employees. Typically is it the hiring company that signs a service contract without ever requiring the contractor to agree to protect privacy and company assets against casual viewing, offsite recording, or remote access. Abuse of this power is common however most of the misuse is a result of curiosity or just a momentary desire to demonstrate to themselves what could be done if so inclined. There are some though, that are so inclined. Information stolen by our security safe keepers can rarely be traced. Stolen information can be used for identity theft - who would think to suspect the company network administrator? It can be used to steal passwords, credit card numbers, get access to home phone and addresses (for the troubled-of-heart), or to just giggle as they gather (and spread) gossip gleaned from accessing private medical, salary, credit, and legal information. It has happened too that this information has been published somewhere on the Internet out of pure spite and maliciousness. Why aren't these people caught more often? Who is in charge of security anyway? Oops... Most everyone who has this delegated and concentrated powerful access to information is aware of it but won't discuss it. Can you image your newly hired network administrator saying, "By the way, I have access to enough information to assume your identity, max out your credit cards, cause you years of frustration and I'd never be caught. Just wanted you to know that." Most people don't know. The key to retaining control over your companies assets is by identifying them, considering your risks (including internal like your information security officer), and assign security measures where they make the most sense. Most likely you will not entrust all of your security power with a contractor, or a single employee, or even with a single executive. Risk analysis should not be done by the security administrator. Risk analysis must be done with the business stakeholders and a business analyst also familiar with security measures and controls. A good risk analyst will research a companies assets, interview the companies stakeholders, and will produce a risk analysis including a company security policy and a return on investment analysis of assets, risks, and security measures. Good security is a practical profession focusing on the most valuable assets. Paranoia, fear, and suspicion are tools used by those attempting to concentrate power to a select few. Doing so introduces a serious risk and is counter-intuitive to security. Avoid knee-jerk reactions and single-source security solutions. Effective security requires a commitment and investment in disciplined risk analysis. Much of what is being bought today under the label of security really should be labeled "security blanket". --Brent Hammond, Threat and Vulnerability Analyst (brent@embattlement.com) |
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Farscape did not hook me right away. The best TV shows never do. It was different enough so that I had to watch a few episodes before I actually noted the times it was on the Sci Fi channel. After that I tried not to miss it. Soon missing an episode meant silent disappointment. Finally I found myself cursing aloud if I fell asleep before it started and I hope no one heard what I yelled when I heard the Sci Fi channel canceled Farscape. Farscape had been picked up for the fourth and fifth seasons on Sci Fi, but after the fourth they announced that they pulled it. Idiots! I have seen many of the new TV shows Sci Fi is promoting and every time my home echoes with "Why's" and "What are they... thinking...", and "IDIOTS!" Please count my vote for bringing it back, or selling Sci Fi to a Production Company like MGM that has the marbles to create a Farscape full feature film followed by the return of the series. It won't fail - it can't. -- Brent Hammond Your Comments...... More Farscape... |
Update: Farscape is Coming Back in October!I have to hand it to all of the Farscape faithful, the fans that would not give in. The SciFi channel has finally realized the huge potential of Farscape and I'm sure the fan base helped them figure it out. Now every time the promotional commercials come on I can be heard chanting in my home. My kids are not sure whether to chant along or to conclude that I've lost my mind. I must admit this is not normal for me. I'm not normally a sci-fi groupie but there is something daring and clever about Farscape that I love. It's original, and the premise has more depth and richness than I've seen in anything recently. It feels as new and wonderful as the matrix did. Give it a chance. It is worth it! --BAH |
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National
Geographic Guide to Family Adventure Vacations : Wildlife
Encounters, Cultural Explorations and Learning Escapes in the Us
and Canada |
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2002
Romantic Ideas : Special Moments You Can Share With the One You
Love |
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Intercourses
: An Aphrodisiac Cookbook by Martha Hopkins, Randall Lockridge, Ben Fink (Photographer) |
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Game/CD/Book RecommendationsXbox Games!
Security
Zack's Pick of CD's
Family Books
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Editor Pocket Reference (O'Reilly Nutshell) |
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Running Linux
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Dns
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Desktop Reference |
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As/400 Security in a
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Windows NT Server Downloads |
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My PGP public key is available for download in asc format as well as in text format for cut and paste. For more information on PGP encryption for email and files, visit the PGP Home Page
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