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Problem solve

Get help with specific problems with your technologies, process and projects.

• How Kerberos, PKI and IPsec interoperate

  In this Ask the Expert Q&A, our identity and access management expert explains how these three unrelated systems interoperate to authenticate and manage digital certificates. Continue Reading

• How IPsec and SSL/TLS use symmetric and asymmetric encryption

  In this Ask the Expert Q&A, our identity and access management expert explains how IPsec and SSL/TLS use these two authentication methods to establish secure Web sessions. Continue Reading

• How to keep your data and database secure

  In this Ask the Expert Q&A, Michael Cobb discusses why having a Web-based application that resides on the same server as the database can be problematic, and, what you can do to keep your data safe. Continue Reading

• Developing an incident response plan

  In this Ask the Expert Q&A, Shon Harris provides resources you can use to devise an effective incident response plan. Continue Reading

• MD5 vs. RC4

  In this Ask the Expert Q&A our application security expert compares the MD5 encryption algorithm against its competitor RC4 and examines the security features of each. Continue Reading

• Educate users about security awareness

  User education is one of the hardest security layers for administrators to implement. This article by contributor Tony Bradley provides the top ten things users should know about information security.Continue Reading

• Using attack responses to improve intrusion detection

  IPSes must detect an attack as it comes into the network; however, IDSes have the advantage of identifying an intrusion based on incoming our outgoing network traffic.Continue Reading

• ISO/IEC 17799 vs. COBIT: How do they differ?

  Shon Harris looks at the origins of the ISO/IEC 17799 and COBIT security management standards, and discusses the differences between them.Continue Reading

• P2P availability, confidentiality and authentication vulnerabilities

  Learn tactics you can employ to reduce common P2P vulnerabilities.Continue Reading

• How to create a secure password system

  In this Ask the Expert Q&A, Joel Dubin examines the security risks associated with using a password system that includes employee identifiers.Continue Reading

• How to store and protect captured data on the back end of a biometric application

  In this Ask the Expert Q&A, our identity and access management guru discussses how to store and protect biometric data that is placed on database servers.Continue Reading

• Authentication Header vs. IKE

  In this Ask the Expert Q&A, Joel Dubin discusses how and when the Authentication Header encryption protocol is used.Continue Reading

• How to protect a LAN from unauthorized access

  In this Ask the Expert Q&A, web access control guru Joel Dubin outlines steps to take to protect a LAN.Continue Reading

• Block and reroute denial-of-service attacks

  Prevent denial-of-service and distributed denial-of-service attacks from taking down your network by blocking and rerouting DDoS and DoS traffic using honeypots, subnets and intrusion detection and prevention systems.Continue Reading

• Securing Web apps against authenticated users

  Improve Web site security by securing Web applications from authenticated users and avoiding client-side authentication.Continue Reading

• IPsec and SSL VPNs: Solving remote access problems

  Learn how to solve remote access problems in this Information Security Decisions presentation by security expert Joel Snyder.Continue Reading

• Avoiding Network Traffic Confusion with Consistent Firewall Rules

  Keep network traffic flowing by collaborating firewall rules and network access devices.Continue Reading

• How to secure session tokens

  Dos and don'ts for protecting session IDs for users of e-commerce Web sites.Continue Reading

• How to build a secure network from the ground up

  Receive peer advice on what steps are crucial when building a secure network from the ground up. Also learn what resources are available to guide you through this process.Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of reformatting a hard drive

  In this Ask the Expert Q&A, our platform security expert discusses the pros and cons of reformatting a hard drive after an attack.Continue Reading

• Patch deployment timeline

  In this Ask the Expert Q&A, our platform security expert discusses how long a mid- to large company should expect to wait before they are able to deploy a patch.Continue Reading

• The future of Telnet and FTP

  In this Ask the Expert Q&A, our application security expert discusses what he believes what will happen to the Telnet and FTP application layer protocols as the industry prepares for the future.Continue Reading

• Protect your Web site against path traversal attacks

  How to protect your Web site against path traversal attacks.Continue Reading

• Auditing firewall activity

  This Firewall Architecture Tutorial tip shows how completing a firewall audit of activity can help in the management of valuable firewall data.Continue Reading

• How to choose a firewall

  Despite the development and evolution of security technologies, the firewall remains a vital component of any network architecture, and today's organizations have myriad options to choose from. This tip outlines five basic questions you should ask ...Continue Reading

• Placing systems in a firewall topology

  In this Firewall Architecture Tutorial tip, you will learn a firewall topology for placing firewall systems, such as bastion host, screened subnet and multi-homed firewalls.Continue Reading

• Firewall Architecture Tutorial

  In this Firewall Architecture Tutorial you will learn all aspects of firewall implementation such as how to choose the right type of firewall for your organization, how to choose a firewall topology and how to audit firewall activity.Continue Reading

• Choosing the right firewall topology: Bastion host, screened subnet or dual firewalls

  An overview of the three most common firewall topologies, including diagrams of a bastion host, screened subnet and dual firewall architectures.Continue Reading

• What is network snooping? Can it be used for good?

  What is network snooping? Can it be used for good?Continue Reading

• How to prevent the risks of client-side caching

  Problems of client-side caching and tips for developers on using secure cache-control directives.Continue Reading

• How to write an RFP

  The principles of Six Sigma can be applied to the process of writing a request for proposal.Continue Reading

• Sizing up e-mail appliances

  Information Security magazine tests four e-mail appliances designed to clear the way for safe messaging. Here's how they measured up.Continue Reading

• Hercules 4.0 Enterprise Vulnerability Management Suite

  Information Security magazine's contributing editor, James C. Foster , reviews Hercules 4.0 Enterprise Vulnerability Management Suite from Citadel Security Software.Continue Reading

• Hacking smart cards and biometric security systems

  In this Ask the Expert Q&A, our identity and access management guru explains how biometrics and smart cards can be fooled.Continue Reading

• SMTP policies help reduce the risk of unauthorized mail servers

  SMTP policies can help protect systems from rogue e-mail servers that clog the network with viruses, malware and spam.Continue Reading

• Using secure MIME (S/MIME) for securing email

  Secure MIME (S/MIME) and digital certificates offer channel professionals a low-cost way to improve their customers' email security. This tip explains how to implement S/MIME and digital certificates for email encryption.Continue Reading

• How hackers attack undetected

  Learn how hackers can attack a network and remain undetected.Continue Reading

• Port searching

  In this Ask the Expert Q&A our network security expert dicusses whether it is possible to search for a port while it is in use.Continue Reading

• Step-by-Step Guide: Best practices for security patch management

  This step-by-step guide offers best practices on how to deploy a security patch and provides the tools you will need to mitigate the risk of a compromised computer.Continue Reading

• Security patch testing and deployment phase

  Learn what conditions should be met in the security patch testing phase prior to deployment. Also learn how to deploy a security patch and what methods, tools to use to ensure a predicable rollout.Continue Reading

• Security patch validation and verification

  Learn about the verification and review phase of the security patch deployment cycle. Learn how these phases help ensure the organizations security patch management procedure is proactive.Continue Reading

• Web security benchmarks

  Learn how to increase your security posture and what resources are available to security admininstrators who want to quickly ramp up their posture of their protected systems.Continue Reading

• Security awareness training: How to educate employees about spyware

  Educated end users are a valuable defense in the fight against spyware. Learn how to conduct effective security awareness training and create spyware policies.Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of application firewalls

  In this Ask the Expert Q&A, our application security expert discusses the pros and cons of application firewalls. He also explains how they differ from packet filter and stateful inspection firewalls, and why they are not the preferred among some ...Continue Reading

• How to prevent drive corruption in the event of power failure

  In this Ask the Expert Q&A, learn how a PDA device stores data and programs. Also learn how Compact Flash cards and hard drives differ and what some are doing to prevent drive corruption in the event of power failure.Continue Reading

• Malware signature updates

  In this Ask the Expert Q&A our platform security expert discusses how the malware detection and virus detection processes differ. Also learn what some are doing to prevent spyware, rootkits, trojans and other types of malware from running on their ...Continue Reading

• Digital certificates and webmail

  In this Ask the expert Q&A, our application security expert analyzes whether or not you can use digital IDs and certificates with webmail. He also discusses how and where to secure these devices to ensure your e-mail system is secure.Continue Reading

• Encryption detection

  In the Ask the Expert Q&A, Michael Cobb, our application security expert discusses if it is possible to detect encryption. He also takes a closer look at steganography, explains what it is and how it is used to secure e-mail communications.Continue Reading

• Acceptable use policies will minimize email risks

  Learn why setting comprehensive email acceptable use policies can help minimize email risks and secure your email applications.Continue Reading

• Improper error handling

  This tip explains what improper error handling is, how it leads to a variety of application attacks, and what programmers can do to secure their Web applications.Continue Reading

• Risk management methodologies

  Expert advice regarding best practices for risk management methodologies. Also learn how vulnerability management and risk management tools differ and how they can help protect your environment.Continue Reading

• How security audits, vulnerability assessments and penetration tests differ

  Learn how security audits, vulnerability assessment and penetration tests differ, and how these tests help promote a more secure environment.Continue Reading

• Avoid the hazards of unvalidated Web application input

  Learn how unvalidate Web application input works and what programmers can do to secure their Web applications.Continue Reading

• Phishing: The business risks and strategies for mitigating them

  Understand the business risks posed by phishing attacks and strategies for mitigating them.Continue Reading

• Taking the CISSP exam without the required experience

  Learn about the Associate CISSP, a program offered by (ISC)2, that enables you to take the CISSP exam without the required experience.Continue Reading

• Documenting how to handle confidential criteria

  Shon Harris, security management expert, suggests ways to draft an internal procedure on how to handle confidential data. She discusses data classification polices, steps to develop and roll out a data classification program, and what your ...Continue Reading

• Designing an architecture for FTP file transfer

  Continue Reading

• How to configure an FTP server with SSL

  In this expert response, security expert Michael Cobb explains how to securely configure an FTP server with Secure Socket Layering (SSL).Continue Reading

• How to perform a bug sweep

  Learn why many corporations have started to perform bug sweeps or Technical Security Counter Measure (TSCM) operations, and five basic technologies used by TSCM operators.Continue Reading

• IIS vs. Apache: Which is the right security choice?

  From vulnerabilities to administrator and developer skills, this tip analyzes the risks and benefits to weigh when selecting the right Web server for your organization.Continue Reading

• Storing hashed, encrypted values in a database

  Expert advice on storing hashed and encrypted values in a database.Continue Reading

• Technical college vs. university

  Get peer advice on the pros and cons of attending a technical college vs. a university.Continue Reading

• What is the most difficult thing about being a security specialist?

  Our expert discusses some of the challenges involved with being a security professional.Continue Reading

• Testing a security patch

  Learn tool and techniques you can use to test a security patch prior to deployment.Continue Reading

• Using TLS encryption

  Learn how the TLS protocol can help add an extra layer of security to your e-mail infrastructure, and five steps to implementing TLS on your server.Continue Reading

• A five-point strategy for secure remote access

  Systems with remote access are not only more difficult to secure, they pose a greater risk to the network than systems that sit behind the corporate firewall. Here are best practices for securing remote access endpoints.Continue Reading

• How to detect and prevent keylogger attacks

  Learn five tactics for protecting your systems against keylogger attacks.Continue Reading

• How to limit false positives in IPSes

  Learn five tactics for reducing false positives in intrusion-prevention systems.Continue Reading

• How to reduce spim

  Learn three tips for reducing unsolicited instant messages.Continue Reading

• Get ready for IPv6: Five security issues to consider

  Learn about the potential hazards of migrating to IPv6 and how to ensure a smooth transition without jeopardizing your company's security.Continue Reading

• How to reduce risks with URL filtering

  Learn how to protect your network from threats by controlling the URLs that enter and leave it.Continue Reading

• Five essentials of a patch management solution

  Learn the key criteria you need to consider when purchasing a patch management solution to ensure it is effective.Continue Reading

• Demand good proposals: Tips for writing an RFP

  Learn five guidelines that will improve prospects for proposals that actually respond directly to your requirements.Continue Reading

• Limiting the risk and liability of federated identities

  You'll learn the legal issues involved in federated identity and how to best manage them.Continue Reading

• How to use SMTP relay service to keep spammers away from Exchange Server

  Learn how to use the IIS SMTP mail relay service to prevent spammers from directly interacting with your Microsoft Exchange Server.Continue Reading

• How to automatically update Snort rules

  Learn how Oinkmaster can help you automatically update your Snort rules.Continue Reading

• Popular VLAN attacks and how to avoid them

  Learn how to secure a VLAN from popular attacks such as the VLAN hopping attack.Continue Reading

• Hacking Windows: MSRPC vulnerabilities

  In this book excerpt, learn why attackers are drawn to MSRPC exploits when conducting IIS attacks, and the weaknesses in MSRPC that enterprises struggle to secure.Continue Reading

• Top five risks of Web-based e-mail

  Learn five specific Web-based e-mail risks and a design strategy for coping with themContinue Reading

• Layered access control: Six top defenses that work

  Six top strategies and best practices for building layered security in networks.Continue Reading

• Who's responsible for security? Everyone!

  Learn how to decentralize security responsibility in your organization.Continue Reading

• Finding an OS for Snort IDS sensors

  JP Vossen offers his advice on choosing an OS for Snort sensors.Continue Reading

• Where to place IDS network sensors

  JP Vossen explains where to place IDS sensors.Continue Reading

• How to determine network interface cards for IDS sensors

  In this tip, JP Vossen offers advice about choosing and configuring interfaces for an IDS sensor.Continue Reading

• Where to find Snort IDS rules

  In this tip, JP Vossen points out the four best places to find Snort rules.Continue Reading

• How to configure Snort variables

  Learn how to define Snort's configuration variables.Continue Reading

• Using IDS rules to test Snort

  Here are several methods for testing Snort over the wire to ensure it's working properly in your environment.Continue Reading

• How to handle network design with switches and segments

  Expert JP Vossen explains how to handle switches and segments in conjunction with network-based IDS.Continue Reading

• Modifying and writing custom Snort IDS rules

  Learn more about altering Snort rules.Continue Reading

• How to identify and monitor network ports after intrusion detection

  What should your next step be after finding an unfamiliar source or destination port on an IDS alert or firewall log? JP Vossen takes you through the process of port analysis.Continue Reading

• Adware, rootkits and worms: Translating malware speak

  Learn basic translations for common malware terms, including adware, rootkits and worms.Continue Reading

• How to decipher the Oinkcode for Snort's VRT rules

  Learn how Snort end users can register and download free Snort rules using Oinkcode.Continue Reading

• Segmenting a LAN to isolate malware

  The disadvantages of segmenting a LAN to isolate a worm or virus, and alternatives for keeping malware off a network.Continue Reading

• Ten steps to a successful business impact analysis

  What is a business impact analysis, what are the benefits of a BIA and how to conduct one.Continue Reading

• Beware of DNS blacklisting perils

  The pros and cons of using DNS blacklists for spam mitigation.Continue Reading

• How to remove a Trojan downloader

  In this thread from the ITKnowledge Exchange, get tips and learn how to remove a Trojan downloader, how they install themselves, how they spread and how to avoid infecting other machines on a network.Continue Reading

• Six essential security policies for outsourcing

  Kevin Beaver outlines six essential security policies for dealing with external service providers.Continue Reading

• Four ways to measure security success

  Improve your ability to assess the effectiveness of security programs using these four measures.Continue Reading

• How to set up DNS for Linux VPNs

  This tip explains how to set up DNS for Linux VPNs so you can access machines that are not available on the Internet at large.Continue Reading

• How to tell if you've been hacked: Signs of a compromised system

  In this final section in our hacker techniques and tactics series, you will learn how to determine if a hacker has breached your system.Continue Reading