passwords Archives - The Silicon Underground David L. Farquhar, computer security professional, train hobbyist, and landlord Mon, 25 May 2020 16:55:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://i0.wp.com/dfarq.homeip.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/cropped-silicon-underground.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 passwords Archives - The Silicon Underground 32 32 16321610 Common security attacks and countermeasures https://dfarq.homeip.net/common-security-attacks-and-countermeasures/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=common-security-attacks-and-countermeasures Wed, 03 May 2017 11:00:33 +0000 https://dfarq.homeip.net/?p=12696 As a security professional, I talk to a lot of people about common security attacks and countermeasures. I’m not always certain the people I’m talking to know what these things mean. I am almost certain they aren’t willing to ask.

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]]> 12696 Dangers of public wifi — and how to stay safe https://dfarq.homeip.net/dangers-of-public-wifi/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dangers-of-public-wifi Mon, 20 Mar 2017 11:00:43 +0000 https://dfarq.homeip.net/?p=11275 When it comes to the dangers of public wifi, many people tend to take one of two extreme approaches. Some don’t give it a thought at all. Some refuse to use it at all. Neither approach is completely practical. So

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]]> 11275 What can I do to improve the security of my digital information? https://dfarq.homeip.net/what-can-i-do-to-improve-the-security-of-my-digital-information/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-can-i-do-to-improve-the-security-of-my-digital-information Sun, 12 Mar 2017 00:57:54 +0000 https://dfarq.homeip.net/?p=11246 On Monday, March 13 at approximately 10:30 AM CST, I will be appearing on KFUO Radio’sĀ Faith and Family program to discuss home computer security with host Andy Bates. One of the questions he’s planning to ask: “What can I do

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]]> 11246 Best wireless security mode https://dfarq.homeip.net/best-wireless-security-mode/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=best-wireless-security-mode Tue, 03 Jan 2017 12:00:11 +0000 https://dfarq.homeip.net/?p=10114 What is the best wireless security mode? There are only four choices, and only one worth using, WPA2. But there are some other settings you have to use in order to make WPA2 secure. The best wireless security mode is

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]]> 10114 Does HTTPS matter? Yes. Here’s why. https://dfarq.homeip.net/does-https-matter/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=does-https-matter https://dfarq.homeip.net/does-https-matter/#comments Tue, 20 Sep 2016 11:00:54 +0000 https://dfarq.homeip.net/?p=9676 “Does HTTPS matter?” a friend of a friend asked. “I heard it does. Is that still true?” Yes, yes, and yes. Here’s why. HTTP connections are unencrypted. HTTPS connections are encrypted. You can tell when you’re using HTTPS because the

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]]> https://dfarq.homeip.net/does-https-matter/feed/ 6 9676 How a dictionary attack works https://dfarq.homeip.net/dictionary-attack-works/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dictionary-attack-works https://dfarq.homeip.net/dictionary-attack-works/#comments Mon, 19 Sep 2016 11:00:03 +0000 https://dfarq.homeip.net/?p=9645 A dictionary attack is a common way to steal a password. Here’s how a dictionary attack works, in layperson’s terms. More importantly, here’s how to beat the attack. A dictionary attack is a much more efficient alternative to brute force

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]]> https://dfarq.homeip.net/dictionary-attack-works/feed/ 1 9645 Do I have enough CISSP work experience? https://dfarq.homeip.net/enough-experience-cissp/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=enough-experience-cissp Wed, 15 Jun 2016 11:00:15 +0000 https://dfarq.homeip.net/?p=8477 It seems like about once a month an aspiring coworker asks me how to get enough CISSP work experience. I think this shows a misunderstanding of the requirement, so I’m going to try to clear it up. You don’t have

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]]> 8477 Why to change forum passwords right now https://dfarq.homeip.net/why-to-change-forum-passwords-right-now/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-to-change-forum-passwords-right-now Thu, 18 Feb 2016 12:00:39 +0000 https://dfarq.homeip.net/?p=8296 If you regularly visit forums online, particularly forums powered by the forum software Vbulletin, you ought to change your forum passwords right now. The longer and more random you make them, the better. A number of recent vulnerabilities in Vbulletin

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]]> 8296 Password management advice from CSO Online https://dfarq.homeip.net/password-management-advice-from-cso-online/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=password-management-advice-from-cso-online Wed, 21 Oct 2015 11:00:03 +0000 https://dfarq.homeip.net/?p=7900 Over at CSO Online, there’s a nice war story about tracking down and resetting 300 passwords. I could pick nits at a few of his details, but that’s annoying and counterproductive. His overall advice is very good–manage your passwords, set

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]]> 7900 Vigilante router security https://dfarq.homeip.net/vigilante-router-security/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=vigilante-router-security Wed, 07 Oct 2015 11:00:53 +0000 https://dfarq.homeip.net/?p=7888 Last week, Symantec discovered a worm that infects routers and takes measures to make them more secure. For lack of anything else to call it, Symantec is calling it malware, and most of the security echo chamber is probably howling

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