Comments for mattfahrner.com http://mattfahrner.com Matt Fahrner's Blog Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:51:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on BankInfo Ramnit Article by Matt Fahrner http://mattfahrner.com/2012/01/11/bankinfo-ramnit-article/comment-page-1/#comment-10916 Matt Fahrner Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:51:01 +0000 http://mattfahrner.com/?p=206#comment-10916 Well put. Just to clarify - I'm absolutely not against two-factor authentication and I think the smart phone app is a great idea. I'm just dubious that are there would be enough market penetration (that is, that there are enough non-smartphone users to make this potentially a problem) and that even given a smartphone application that most users would be willing to deal with it. My experience with even a rather well informed user base, is there is a lot of resistance to anything that requires extra effort. Still, I would certainly like to see this route if possible. Thanks for the well informed response Brendon! Well put.

Just to clarify – I’m absolutely not against two-factor authentication and I think the smart phone app is a great idea. I’m just dubious that are there would be enough market penetration (that is, that there are enough non-smartphone users to make this potentially a problem) and that even given a smartphone application that most users would be willing to deal with it.

My experience with even a rather well informed user base, is there is a lot of resistance to anything that requires extra effort.

Still, I would certainly like to see this route if possible.

Thanks for the well informed response Brendon!

]]> Comment on BankInfo Ramnit Article by Brendon J. Wilson http://mattfahrner.com/2012/01/11/bankinfo-ramnit-article/comment-page-1/#comment-10890 Brendon J. Wilson Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:17:55 +0000 http://mattfahrner.com/?p=206#comment-10890 Creating a password that is both memorable and strong can be difficult, but is crucial for online security. And while you may not feel two-factor authentication is a viable option, I’d like to suggest users consider using it whenever it’s available. Many sites, businesses and financial institutions are making two-factor authentication available to users as either a requirement or an additional security option. As a Symantec employee, I’ve seen the evolution of two-factor authentication, and it’s become much easier to use and implement for users. Users can now use their mobile device as an authentication token. Unlike traditional two-factor authentication token solutions, approaches that enable re-use of existing mobile devices are faster and easier to deploy, and more cost-effective to maintain. And, unlike traditional hardware tokens, users are far less likely to forget their mobile device at home. Creating a password that is both memorable and strong can be difficult, but is crucial for online security. And while you may not feel two-factor authentication is a viable option, I’d like to suggest users consider using it whenever it’s available. Many sites, businesses and financial institutions are making two-factor authentication available to users as either a requirement or an additional security option. As a Symantec employee, I’ve seen the evolution of two-factor authentication, and it’s become much easier to use and implement for users. Users can now use their mobile device as an authentication token. Unlike traditional two-factor authentication token solutions, approaches that enable re-use of existing mobile devices are faster and easier to deploy, and more cost-effective to maintain. And, unlike traditional hardware tokens, users are far less likely to forget their mobile device at home.

]]> Comment on Disabling Firefox Resume From Crash by Matt Fahrner http://mattfahrner.com/2008/07/10/disabling-firefox-resume-from-crash/comment-page-1/#comment-4825 Matt Fahrner Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:43:04 +0000 http://mattfahrner.com/?p=43#comment-4825 Exactly. An even worse case is if say the reason you killed Firefox is because you hit an infected site. Now when you go to restart Firefox the next time what do you get? The infected site. Exactly.

An even worse case is if say the reason you killed Firefox is because you hit an infected site. Now when you go to restart Firefox the next time what do you get?

The infected site.

]]> Comment on Disabling Firefox Resume From Crash by Charles Hand http://mattfahrner.com/2008/07/10/disabling-firefox-resume-from-crash/comment-page-1/#comment-4824 Charles Hand Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:58:35 +0000 http://mattfahrner.com/?p=43#comment-4824 Indeed. 99.999% of the time if Firefox crashes itself, it is because of something that came from a web site. So it is not surprising that 99.999% of the time an automatic session resume just crashes Firefox again. Indeed. 99.999% of the time if Firefox crashes itself, it is because of something that came from a web site. So it is not surprising that 99.999% of the time an automatic session resume just crashes Firefox again.

]]> Comment on How to remove a VLAN from a port in CatOS… by Pat Cahill http://mattfahrner.com/2008/12/04/how-to-remove-a-vlan-from-a-port-in-catos/comment-page-1/#comment-4545 Pat Cahill Fri, 15 Jul 2011 22:14:16 +0000 http://mattfahrner.com/?p=63#comment-4545 HA!! I actually needed that. thanks. HA!! I actually needed that. thanks.

]]> Comment on Adding ringtones to Android by MilesRingtones http://mattfahrner.com/2011/04/02/adding-ringtones-to-android/comment-page-1/#comment-3752 MilesRingtones Mon, 06 Jun 2011 09:54:39 +0000 http://mattfahrner.com/?p=198#comment-3752 Matt it works for my Android and few our community members one of them found your guide and shared it with us, thanks to you. Miles Matt it works for my Android and few our community members one of them found your guide and shared it with us, thanks to you.

Miles

]]> Comment on My Resume by Christina Taylor http://mattfahrner.com/2008/05/21/my-resume/comment-page-1/#comment-1576 Christina Taylor Sat, 15 Jan 2011 20:43:50 +0000 http://mattfahrner.com/?p=11#comment-1576 Hi Matt, Thanks for taking the time to respond. I do appreciate your words of wisdom and have, for many months, already implemented some of those suggestions. I have an extensive network built, both real and virtual, and get practice every day. I also have enrolled in additional boot camps for hands-on experience with other Microsoft Server products. I am one test away from being MCITP-Enterprise Administrator certified, but, without the real-world experience, still not "qualified" to work. I would put what I know against any Computer Science major any day of the week. I'm 41 and in my many, many (too many) years as an on-air dj I don't think I've ever had the kahoonas to say, "I want your job". LOL (Even though I may have thought it in the back of my mind a couple of times). Good advice none the less. Thanks again for your help :) Christina Taylor networkmyworld@gmail.com Hi Matt,

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I do appreciate your words of wisdom and have, for many months, already implemented some of those suggestions. I have an extensive network built, both real and virtual, and get practice every day. I also have enrolled in additional boot camps for hands-on experience with other Microsoft Server products. I am one test away from being MCITP-Enterprise Administrator certified, but, without the real-world experience, still not “qualified” to work. I would put what I know against any Computer Science major any day of the week.

I’m 41 and in my many, many (too many) years as an on-air dj I don’t think I’ve ever had the kahoonas to say, “I want your job”. LOL (Even though I may have thought it in the back of my mind a couple of times). Good advice none the less.

Thanks again for your help :)
Christina Taylor
networkmyworld@gmail.com

]]> Comment on My Resume by Matt Fahrner http://mattfahrner.com/2008/05/21/my-resume/comment-page-1/#comment-1569 Matt Fahrner Sat, 15 Jan 2011 16:11:18 +0000 http://mattfahrner.com/?p=11#comment-1569 That's a tough question - I think what you describe already is pretty good (and smart) start. In general you want to network and even failed interviews are a good way to do it (often you'll be told, "We can't use you but XYZ might be able to." If you're courteous and professional, often you can generate a rapport with your interviewer, which may aid in your networking later (not to mention help create friends in the industry). If you're serious about security, then I would certainly consider getting a CISSP or GSE certification. Neither of these certifications from a testing standpoint require actual experience (ie: the books are more than adequate), though the CISSP does require having worked in the industry before being able to get the certification. Generally speaking if you can't move up from the inside, a certifications are your best option. Often it's worth taking a related job in an organization that allows you some flexibility and has positions that could open up in what you're interested in. Literally saying you'd like to work to "X" position during the interview is both acceptable and reasonable (except of course saying, "I want your job!" ;-) Another thing I can recommend is building your own home network and systems base. Though not free, if you buy components off of eBay you can put together a fairly advanced lab relatively inexpensively. Those components and their configuration can translate to points on your resume (to note - make sure you <b>really</b> know the subject before putting it on your resume. Having made many interviews, we can sniff out the applicant who's spent 10 minutes versus someone who's really thought it out). One way to <b>really</b> know your stuff is to configure your "infrastructure" to the same level of quality as a business. That is, fully fleshing out your firewall, creating an internal authentication methods, making sure you understand your switches, routers, and access point settings (even the obtuse ones), and securing all of them. All that said, as you note, it's tough getting in on ground floor. I wish I had a great answer. I hope this helps a little. That’s a tough question – I think what you describe already is pretty good (and smart) start. In general you want to network and even failed interviews are a good way to do it (often you’ll be told, “We can’t use you but XYZ might be able to.” If you’re courteous and professional, often you can generate a rapport with your interviewer, which may aid in your networking later (not to mention help create friends in the industry).

If you’re serious about security, then I would certainly consider getting a CISSP or GSE certification. Neither of these certifications from a testing standpoint require actual experience (ie: the books are more than adequate), though the CISSP does require having worked in the industry before being able to get the certification.

Generally speaking if you can’t move up from the inside, a certifications are your best option. Often it’s worth taking a related job in an organization that allows you some flexibility and has positions that could open up in what you’re interested in. Literally saying you’d like to work to “X” position during the interview is both acceptable and reasonable (except of course saying, “I want your job!” ;-)

Another thing I can recommend is building your own home network and systems base. Though not free, if you buy components off of eBay you can put together a fairly advanced lab relatively inexpensively. Those components and their configuration can translate to points on your resume (to note – make sure you really know the subject before putting it on your resume. Having made many interviews, we can sniff out the applicant who’s spent 10 minutes versus someone who’s really thought it out). One way to really know your stuff is to configure your “infrastructure” to the same level of quality as a business. That is, fully fleshing out your firewall, creating an internal authentication methods, making sure you understand your switches, routers, and access point settings (even the obtuse ones), and securing all of them.

All that said, as you note, it’s tough getting in on ground floor. I wish I had a great answer. I hope this helps a little.

]]> Comment on 1 Reason Why Microsoft Bing Is Gaining on Google by Matt Fahrner http://mattfahrner.com/2010/03/12/1-reason-why-microsoft-bing-is-gaining-on-google/comment-page-1/#comment-1452 Matt Fahrner Sat, 08 Jan 2011 14:27:29 +0000 http://mattfahrner.com/?p=132#comment-1452 Clive, with all due respect my resume is on this site to see - I do not work for Google, though I would happily do so. I would also happily work for Microsoft, though I might disagree with some of what I see as their anti-competitive tactics (to be fair, at this point undoubtedly Google is also doing anti-competitive tactics as well). Certainly I could ask in reverse - "Are you working for Microsoft?", but that, like your comment, would only serve to be a distraction from the argument. I still stand by what I said, though it makes sense that others like yourself might disagree. Fine - each is entitled to their opinion even if they might be wrong (and I include myself in that possibility). On the other hand, that doesn't make the entire blog "rubbish", when I should point out for the most part it is not commentary but factual information for the IT industry, including pointers on how to use Microsoft products. In short, I'm perfectly happy to address any real arguments as to why I am wrong, but could do without the ad hominem attacks. Clive, with all due respect my resume is on this site to see – I do not work for Google, though I would happily do so. I would also happily work for Microsoft, though I might disagree with some of what I see as their anti-competitive tactics (to be fair, at this point undoubtedly Google is also doing anti-competitive tactics as well). Certainly I could ask in reverse – “Are you working for Microsoft?”, but that, like your comment, would only serve to be a distraction from the argument.

I still stand by what I said, though it makes sense that others like yourself might disagree. Fine – each is entitled to their opinion even if they might be wrong (and I include myself in that possibility).

On the other hand, that doesn’t make the entire blog “rubbish”, when I should point out for the most part it is not commentary but factual information for the IT industry, including pointers on how to use Microsoft products.

In short, I’m perfectly happy to address any real arguments as to why I am wrong, but could do without the ad hominem attacks.

]]> Comment on 1 Reason Why Microsoft Bing Is Gaining on Google by clivelamb http://mattfahrner.com/2010/03/12/1-reason-why-microsoft-bing-is-gaining-on-google/comment-page-1/#comment-1451 clivelamb Sat, 08 Jan 2011 12:00:37 +0000 http://mattfahrner.com/?p=132#comment-1451 A "fluff" piece I think not! THe writer of this blog is probably a Google employee! The fact remains that Bing is gaining ground in both quality and popularity. Besides some of Google's best talent has left the company for many reasons, one is that is sucks working for the assholes in charge. Google had it's flash in the pan for much of the 00' decade. Now with newer and powerfulcompanies in the business like Facebook and Twitter (who are getting into the search engine business)- and they are partnering with Microsoft, not Google! Google is not even in a in the upper leagues with Microsoft! Microsoft will once again prevail! What rubbish on this blog! A “fluff” piece I think not!

THe writer of this blog is probably a Google employee! The fact remains that Bing is gaining ground in both quality and popularity. Besides some of Google’s best talent has left the company for many reasons, one is that is sucks working for the assholes in charge. Google had it’s flash in the pan for much of the 00′ decade. Now with newer and powerfulcompanies in the business like Facebook and Twitter (who are getting into the search engine business)- and they are partnering with Microsoft, not Google!

Google is not even in a in the upper leagues with Microsoft! Microsoft will once again prevail!

What rubbish on this blog!

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