Archive for April, 2008
Linux and the Future of the Internet
Apr 29th
Currently a vast majority of the internet is filled with websites that have the sole intent to acquire capital. Quick, practically instant websites that are designed for this purpose are destined to fail primarily because they rely on duplicate content. New original content is necessary, because readers want to see new opinions and new ideas. Start from scratch, write your own material, which primarily entails determining the content that you wish to discuss. I like discussing fads occasionally; digg.com, and news outlets are great sources for temporary topics. Success will come from discussing topics that are timeframe independent. I will elaborate on this further by making a comparison to the relationship between Linux and Windows. Linux is the future of computer operating systems. I love discussing Linux for many reasons. Obviously is it fun to talk about Linux because it is a completely functional alternative to Microsoft Windows, but there are other long term implications. Free versus paid, open source versus closed source, and secure versus questionable integrity. The main reason Windows has questionable integrity is because hackers assume that 99% of computers are using Windows. They write viruses, malware, and other malicious software targeting the status quo. The first thing they look for is access to the computer via various ports. This is why on a Windows machine a firewall is of crucial importance. The first step in gaining access to a computer is having a means of entrance, which entails access to ports. A software firewall can be implemented, but nowadays eveyone has a router, and most if not all routers have built in firewalls. Although considering router firewall, there are still millions of internet users that don’t use routers, and are lacking a software firewall thus providing external access to ports on their computer. With access to a computers ports, attempts can be made to access various programs. This is a difficult tactic, and required pre-knowledge of programs running on a particular computer and the operation of those programs including potential software flaws (holes). In general the most effective method is convincing a computer operator to download an application, and then install it. With a background process running on a computer many malicious things are possible. The program can contact the deviant third party and notify them that control is available over a new computer. Once this happens the flood gates open. Every and any possible fraud, scam, spam, ect is destined to occur. There programs are typically called bots, and the third party deviants having control of many bots create bot nets. With use of Linux this situation is much more difficult to achieve. First and foremost there are countless Linux distributions therefore it is much more difficult for a deviant to determine the particular software running on your computer. In fact for this reason alone Linux is not the target of viruses nearly as much as compared to Windows. Also it is widely assumed that any person using Linux is aware of much of this information, and is more likely to be able to handle such a situation and produce a resolution. Linux is open source, therefore holes, when they are identified, are patched relatively quickly. Windows requires a hole to be identified and then reported to Microsoft. Then private programmers must resolve the situation in a closed source fashion. A “Windows Update” or a service pack is usually offered in such situations. The future of the internet is consistent with the same reason Linux is a good choice over Windows. The internet flourishes on open source, honest, original content. I equate make money online websites and other manipulations to the same reason Windows is the most used operating system in the world. It requires shortsightedness and the need for instant gratification to use Windows and build make money online websites. To elaborate WIndows is easy to use. It is pre-installed in most all computers sold. Make money online websites are basically templates that are posted on the internet instantly. Both are instant and require no choices or decisions. Just like choosing Linux over Windows, because of the benifits, a quality website involves a choice. A choice to understand what a quality website is, rather than a desire to acquire the results of what a quality website provides. A quality websites provides the same results are instant make money online websites. Although, the intent of a quality website is to provide new original information, with making money being secondary. Instant gratification is a futile endeavor, and most likely ends in failure. Quality results involve choices and effort. It first takes the choice to use Linux over Windows, and then it takes effort to learn the different nuances. Because learning is involved it takes a period of time to become fully acclimated to the new environment, which is far from instant gratification. The results are worth the effort, in that viruses, spyware, and other malware are effectively avoided. As for quality websites, it takes the choice to build original content, which takes effort to contemplate and write. The immediate result is the expression of new ideas, and the sharing of them with others. The main benefit of creating a website as such is that it will produce lasting results. Writing information that is long lasting, and not always regarding fads will provide useful information for years to come. It takes time to produce a quality website, but the results include great Google indexing (and other search engines) among quality feedback by comments. I find it quite rewarding to communicate with my readers via comments 
The choice is yours. Instant gratification, which most likely ends in failure, or put in the time and effort to create lasting results. I recommend choosing Linux for the benifits described above, but above all I recommend Linux because it involves learning. It involves stepping out of the status quo. Instant gratification is the status quo on the internet, which is substantially by the plague of make money online websites and other scams/frauds. The future of the internet is quality versus instant. I believe that in time failure to achieve instant gratification will result increased quality websites. Websites such as this provide lasting information in an attempt to spread the knowledge necessary to create a quality website. Think outside the box, do not necessarily follow the norm, and always push the threshold of the status quo. Start a blog today and write your thoughts and idea that are unique to you. Write your ideas on the internet and you will be surprised to find that they will be useful and potentially inspiring to other people. Always encourage progress, and suggest change rather than stagnation. Help people learn, and share with others what you learn. The time is now, and the soon you start the longer your project will have to mature and spread on the internet.
8.04 Hardy Heron Obvious Fixes (WPA PSK and Broadcom Wireless Driver)
Apr 28th
For a long time I was annoyed by having to input my routers WPA PSK passcode each time I booted. At minimum I would have to unlock the keyring containing the passcode, even after checking the button to automatically unlock it upon login. These issues are resolved in the new release of Ubuntu. The new version has definitely provided many upgrades to increase stability, and further polish this awesome Linux distribution. Also regarding Broadcom wireless card support, ndiswrapper is no longer needed. The new B43 driver uses the well known fwcutter (firmware cutter) very effectively. The driver allows full speed data transmission that was typically only achievable using ndiswrapper. Now, right out of the box Ubuntu is fully compatible with Nvidia graphics cards, and basically all wireless cards. With each new release I see less reasons to stick with Windows 
SSH Brute Force Protection
Apr 17th
The first measure that should be taken is the deactivation of password authentication. By only accepting private keys connections that attempt password authentication will automatically fail thus rendering brute force password attacks useless. To disable password authentication set the following option in /etc/sshd_config: PasswordAuthentication no Use control-w to locate the phrase, uncomment the line by removing the ‘#’. You have to explicity set the option to ‘no’. Then create the private, and public keys with: ssh-keygen Follow the onscreen prompts, and set a reasonably secure password if you choose. You can leave the passcode out to enable passwordless ssh login. Then transfer the public key to the client machine using the ’scp’ command. For example: scp /home/user/ssh/id_rsa.pub 192.168.0.*:/ssh/authorized_keys2 You can also block offending ip addresses with Fail2Ban. For more information about this automated brute force prevention applications visit: http://www.bgevolution.com/blog/index.php/dos-and-brute-force-prevention-using-fail2ban/
Windows Who? Bloated – Complex – Ohh and You Have to Pay for it?
Apr 13th
Everyone is talking about Windows nowadays. Why use it? Since the dawn of the modern desktop computer Microsoft has dominated relentlessly. In more recent years Apple has emerged as a major competitor, with their niche being people who want simplicity! As Linux becomes increasingly user friendly, and easy to install the demise of Microsoft’s Windows is appearing closer and closer.
Its no secret that Windows Vista wasn’t the resounding success that Microsoft hoped for. While Microsoft managed to push decent sales, it failed to surpass Windows XP’s success and received a largely critical reception from the press. Microsoft is taking the situation seriously, and is pushing aggressively to replace Vista, with Windows 7 in 2010, hoping for better luck. (reference)
Apple is great, their software is great, their hardware is great, but you have to pay for it. Linux, especially Ubuntu is quickly becoming a major competitor in the computer world. Dell has rapidly adopted the operating system because of its stability, lack of viruses and spyware, and other benefits. The most important benefit is that its completely free. Why would Dell want to purchase licenses from Microsoft, and then have to charge the consumer? They can simply use Ubuntu, charge the consumer a little bit less, make the consumer more happy and still make their incredible profits. Linux the the future. It takes about 30 minutes to completely setup up a brand new webserver. Viruses, and spyware are basically not effective against all Linux distributions, so I ask the question again, why use Microsoft Windows?
Google Rules – Microsoft and Yahoo Try to Keep Up
Apr 13th
Google is at the top of the food chain. There is a huge list of competitors from all over the world, but none even come close to the widespread use of Goolgle Adwords,and Adsense. Yahoo has a marketing system of their own, and so does Microsoft, but the incentive to use these systems is not great. Google is synonymous with the web, and anyone who uses the internet knows who Google is. Therefore most people use Google for their internet searching. People who use Google see the paid search results on the right, and top of the screen and those who want to start a website will first think of Google for their marketing, and advertising needs.
While Microsoft and Yahoo! engage in their odd mating ritual, they are benefiting the very company that is driving them to seek partners. Internet advertisers can’t figure out what the two companies will look like in six months, so search leader Google is set to profit from the confusion. (reference)
The question is why choose a company that is barely competitive when you can choose a company (Google) that is guaranteed to be effective, and potentially profitable. For the foreseeable future Google will remain strong. It will take a long time for a major competitor to emerge. Google is creative, and bold with their web based software and their Adsense/Adwords programs continue to provide outstanding services to websites.
