Blog Categories
5/19/08 10:50 PM

Top 10 Misunderstandings Regarding Information Security

sunAroundEarth
These ten misconceptions represent the ones I often find myself helping people at many levels, from executive to developer, to understand. Knowing them can help you achieve your security goals, and be a smarter user or customer of security products and services.

Read on to learn why these are indeed misconceptions, and why they ca
n be dangerous.
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Leopard is a Rotten Apple So Far

appleWorm
I finally decided to upgrade my MacBook Pro to Leopard, and really, I could not be more disappointed. If you showed me Leopard without telling me what it was, I would have guessed it was Microsoft's latest attempt at copying Aqua, or some really clever Gnome theme.

In short, Leopard is buggy, and the UI is the most un-Apple-like thing I have ever seen from Apple. I've burned enough hours fixing and working around dozens of issues, so I am not going to go the full 9 yards with screen captures and examples, but here is a sampling of my gripes:

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"Does Anything Eat Wasps?," New Scientist

Great edutainment - I even read parts of it to the kids!
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Praying Mantis Egg Laying

PICT0015
This summer, Eater's progeny kept my office window free from pests. Then one day, she did something amazing, and I was lucky enough to get a few shots of her. If you have never encountered a Mantis in person, then add it to your list of important experiences not to miss. Let me tell you a bit about our favorite Mantis family, and show you some amazing pictures.
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Christmas Musical Selections

The Holly & The Ivy, Jim Infantino, Jonatha Brooke - Snow Angels - Hear Music Holiday Collection
An absolutely beautiful version of one of my favorite Holiday songs. The entire album is a must-have for your collection. (( Preview ))

Jingle Bells, Esquivel - Merry Xmas From the Space-Age Bachelor Pad

This one was an instant hit in the office, and has become a true classic. If it does not make you smile, you're not human. (( Preview ))

Christmas Wrap, The Waitresses - The Best of the Waitresses
This one has become a modern Christmas classic, and tells a story many of us can appreciate. (( Preview ))

Sans Day Carol/Christ Child Lullabye, Grace Griffith - Snow Angels - Hear Music Holiday Collection

Another one from the Hear Music album that I really like. (( Preview ))

Snow Miser vs. Heat Miser, Dick Shawn, George S. Irving - The Year Without A Santa Claus
My favorite songs from the 1974 TV classic are the Snow Miser and Heat Miser bits. (( Preview ))
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Crayon Micro-art

closeup
Devin has always been good with crayons, and crayons have had a special place in our family for many years. But his latest work is absolute genius, and needs to be shared. Take a look at the inspiration and story behind the eight year old who can carve the alphabet on to the back of a crayon.

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Reversal Series: C/C++ goto

This month I thought I would start a feature whereby I point out a professional reversal. I pride myself on having found a way to be both stubborn and flexible at the same time. Obviously, I'm right almost all the time, but that part about being flexible means that I, albeit rarely :-), change my opinion or pattern based on good information or experience. Now, we're not talking Tony Flew suddenly believing on God here, but there are a few more minor reversals that may help developers, engineers, and scientists who are just starting their journey.

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Monthly Music Recommendations

Drink To Moving On, Grand National -Kicking The National Habit
One of the best new bands I have discovered recently - I recommend checking out his entire album. (( Preview ))

Summertime Cowboy, Husky Rescue - Country Falls
How I missed Husky Rescue until recently I can't fathom. I love the pop-folk genre, and this one is a winner for me. (( Preview ))

Kid On My Shoulders, White Rabbits - Fort Nightly
I am a sucker for this epic, changing, fast beat slow lyric could be multiple tracks kinda piece. This is another band for which I recommend checking out the entire album. (( Preview ))

New Shoes, Paolo Nutini - These Streets
This pop music is not the sort of thing I usually like, but I like the atmosphere of this one. (( Preview ))

Woman,Wolfmother - Wolfmother EP
I was hooked by that damned Guitar Hero commercial and now I can't remove this one from my brain. (( Preview ))

Battle Of The Mounds, Basil Pouledaris - Conan The Barbarian: Original Motion Picture
This moving piece has become an absolute classic. (( Preview ))

I Have The Password To Your Shell Account, Barcelona -Zero One Infinity
The lyrics to this one are so funny, and the underlying message and drama so true. (( Preview ))
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Browser Attack Using Javascript Timers

Split-second Timing
I discovered a dirty trick the other day, and I thought I would share it with the tech community to get some feedback on practical defenses. The trick essentially allows a crafty Webmaster to get some common data from you, such as name and email address, in a slightly devious way without your full consent.

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Hiding Your Email Address

teslaStamp
Because my email address appears on many papers, presentations, and Web sites, I get hundreds of SPAMs a day to my personal address. In the end I found that limiting the exposure of my email address reduced SPAM significantly, and I have some recommendations for anyone in experiencing similar difficulties who is looking to "hide" their email address from non-human observers.
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