Network Stumbler

Joe and I were given the coordinates of 2ND South at the corner end of the Gateway mall. We had to keep disabling and enabling our wireless card to get it working. The laptop we used had a wireless card and it was not working so well, so our results were just a few compared to other classmate who also had the Gateway. Our Network Stumbler found 15 wireless networks in range. There were 5 open and unsecured.

Joe and I thought it was very interesting that we found 5 out of 15 businesses with no security on their wireless routers. A lot of these business must be connected to computers that have important customer information, like Social Security numbers and card numbers. They are not worried about whether there company information is exposed and there making hackers jobs 100 times easier.

I was also wondering how McDonald's offers Wi-fi and has not been hacked yet. Unless they have very strong security in there system. It’s rather obvious that in places of business, they should protect there important information with lots of security. The more information a business has to secure, the more they have to pay attention to their information and technical security. More business need to be aware of their security levels and make it one of their top priorities.

Essentials of Business Writing, 8th edition, Guffey

My Dream Job

Pondering blog week 3 Biometrics

Week 3 Pondering blog

Security systems: Biometrics

This week in class we spoke of many security systems that can prevent data from being lost or stolen. In Friday’s class a student gave a presentation on biometrics and what were the advantages and disadvantages of using it. The most common biometric device is a fingerprint scanner.

Biometrics: Is the science and technology of measuring and analyzing biological data. In information technology, biometrics refers to technologies that measure and analyze human body characteristics, such as:
· Fingerprints
· Eye retinas
· Irises
· Voice patterns
· Facial patterns
· Hand measurements
All of these are used for authentication purposes. A password is pretty easy to get and can be stolen by social engineering. Us as people make it easy for the hackers or crackers to get our information and passwords. For example: when I worked at a restaurant my manager use to have her username and password on a sticky note posted on her computer. How dumb is that?

What are the advantages of the Biometric security system?
No one has the same fingerprints so it would be hard for someone to steal your information that way. You personally would have to be there to prove that you are the person you say you are. Also every ones retina of the eye is very different; there are no two retinas that are the same. It is an easier and better option for those who can’t seem to remember there passwords.

What are the disadvantages of a biometric security system?
Although the cost of biometric devices have dropped to $100 in the past few years for a basic fingerprint scanner, the software programs and related databases, which are responsible for the processing and decisions regarding the scan, are still very expensive ( p.80 Security + Guide to Network Security, Mark Ciampa). Also, it is possible to steal someone’s fingerprints by copying their fingerprints from a glass or u can also record someone’s voice and then play it for the system to gain access. With age voices change and when you are sick your voice changes. So because of this experts advise us to use it with a password and other security for now.

Every company now in days are putting up a good security system to make sure their extremely valuable information is not stolen or tampered with. I think that it is great that we as students can learn the many different security systems and use them to our advantages. Not only can we use the information now, but also in the future when we start working as IT specialists or anywhere else.

The Learning model here at LDSBC is a great way to help students become better people and put our principles into everyday use. It is based on the Scripture principles and values to guide us as students. The Learning Model consist of four steps which are:

1. Prepare
2. Teach one Another
3. Ponder
4. Prove

These principles are great because they help us interact and get to know one another. It helps us to be more organized and be prepared before we get to class. Applying this to my life not only helps me become a better student, but also an organized and prepared student.

First blog

I really enjoy this class!