Microsoft Software Inventory Analyzer
Need to know where your company stands in its licensing agreement with Microsoft? This free utility can generate an inventory of core Microsoft products installed on your local machine, or on the machines throughout a network.  You can download MSIA by clicking here.

Microsoft Online Support Groups Thriving
Anecdotal evidence suggests that Microsoft has increased its official presence in its online discussion and support groups for IT administrators. While most users express satisfaction with the thriving community experience of Microsoft©s newsgroups, some believe the software giant could do more to improve its online support. Source: ENT Online

How to thwart a 'packet bounce' attack
The assault takes advantage of 'service ports,' a group of IP services identified by the numbers 1 through 1023, as opposed to 'client ports,' services numbering 1024 and up. Source: InfoWorld

Results, Not Resolutions
Bill Gates says he's determined to transform Microsoft into a company that produces software that is available, reliable, and secure. Here's a guide to judging Redmond's security progress. Source: SecurityFocus.com

Certification Bashing © Myths & Realities
As certified professionals, you certainly know the value credentials bring to your career. But programs do have their detractors. Here©s a guide to help you debunk the bashers. Source: Certification Magazine

Watching Your Back
Hacker exploits and DDoS attacks may grab headlines, but the biggest security threats may be inside your company's network: employees. They're the employees who, either out of carelessness or malice, leave digital assets open to exploitation. Source: eWeek

Using PC's to fight Anthrax
Home PC users can now join scientists, doctors, and tech companies in their efforts to develop a treatment for the anthrax toxin. The Anthrax Research Project is making available for download a screensaver that will exploit the power of idle computers to help find a cure. The program uses spare processing cycles on its host computer to perform pattern matching, trying to find a drug that will bond with the anthrax toxin. Results are automatically uploaded to a central project database and new data is downloaded. More information on the project and a link to download the screensaver are at www.intel.com/cure. Source: InformationWeek

"Sucks" sites to be doled out for free
Cyber-gripers, take heart. You and your ©ThisCompanySucks.com? Web site have a patron. Free speech lawyer Ed Harvilla is worried that too many ©sucks? domains have been taken away from owners and given to their target companies. So he and some silent partners have developed a system to dole out ©sucks? Web sites ? and he?s given them away for free. Source: MSNBC (Jan 23, 2002)

Honeypotting with VMWare
Honeypots are becoming more common as security professionals attempt to conduct more detailed research on current "state of the art" practices among attackers. Honeypots are also invaluable for learning about an attackers motivations, their habits and patterns of behavior. Unfortunately setting up a proper honeypot is a non-trivial task, and correctly configuring network sensors to capture all data, as well as the resulting forensics tasks can be rather daunting. The good news is that there are a number of tools and techniques that can make life much easier for some honeypot administrators.

Microsoft Moves to Pass/Fail Scoring System
Microsoft no longer gives test-takers an overall score on exams, opting instead for a simple pass/fail system. Anne Marie McSweeney, Microsoft©s director of certification skills and assessment, said in an interview with MCP Magazine editors, that the new grading method started in December 2001 and will include all future exams. Source: MCP Magazine

XP Moving Day: Easing the Pain
Replacing an old PC with a speedy new Windows XP system can make your computing life easier, but transferring all your data, settings, and applications can be a hassle. A bevy of programs (some of which are free) promise to help re-create your Windows 95/98/Me/2000 machine on your new computer.  Source: PCWorld

Combat resume and certification inflation
Resume inflation is rampant. A recent Certification Magazine article by Martin Bean suggests that only 2 to 5 percent of IT certifications are verified. Nothing is stopping a candidate, such as the one who will compete with you for your next job, from fraudulently listing an extra MCSE or CCNP on his or her resume Fortunately, you can help. Source: TechRepublic (free registration required)

New Film: Enemy at the Bill Gates
Nothing So Strange chronicles an imaginary assassination of the Microsoft chief. It's a tale of paranoia and police corruption, of conspiracy theorists and grassroots activism. And it comes with a brilliant and ingenious Internet component -- an entire Web universe of memorials to Bill Gates and conspiracy theorist sites. Source: Wired

Find the Cost of (Virus) Freedom
Nimda, Sir Cam, Code Red and friends caused more than 50,000 security incidents last year. But experts say the estimates of billions in clean-up costs are pure guesswork. Source: Wired

AVenging Angels
Having put 11 anti-virus products for Microsoft's Exchange through our grueling test bed you should find the one that most appeals to your organizational needs. This in the knowledge that it has passed some of the most stringent anti-virus testing around! Source: SC Magazine 

IRS' Case of the Missing Laptops
The federal agency without a sense of humor, the one that demands receipts for every little deduction, is at a loss to explain why it doesn't know where 2,300 of its computers are. Source: Wired

The Accidental MCSE
Are you an NT 4.0 MCSE who has passed most, but not all, of the seven required exams for your Windows 2000 MCSE? If so, you may have achieved your Win2K certification without even knowing it. Source: MCP Magazine

Windows XP Encrypting File System, Part 1: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
One of the most interesting developments in Windows XP is the change made to the Encrypting File System. EFS as implemented in Windows 2000 has been widely criticized. Some say it doesn't offer the features they wanted; others say it security is too easily sidestepped. XP's modifications seek to deal with these issues. Unfortunately, XP also introduces new potential vulnerabilities. Here's a catalog of the new features, the problems some of them introduce and what to do about it. Source: 8Wire

Virus Writers Here to 'Help'
Computer worms and viruses were let loose online in record numbers in 2001, costing billions. But some coders say they are performing "community service" by finding product flaws and teaching the less savvy about security. Source: Wired

Understanding the New Antivirus Issues in Internet Explorer v.6
What happens if you get stuck between dueling antivirus tools?It can happen, especially if you install an antivirus screening tool on a computer that is running Internet Explorer version 6. It includes an updated version of Outlook Express, OE v.6, that was designed to improve email security but, in fact, can cause some system problems. Source: 8Wire

Technobabble exposed
Does the hyperlinked language used to describe technology make your head spin? When technology buyers and sellers connect, an assortment of alphabet-jumbled entities result©ASPs, CRMs, ERPs?to compose the high-tech fraternity. We've gathered some common terms that vendors use to describe how their products can transport your company to technology nirvana. Our uncensored definitions will help restore some equilibrium. Source: Darwin

Your Old Computer Could Mean a Lot to a Kid in Need
Computers are wonderful creations. They can be the instrument for writing a great novel. Or they can be toys that let you play a game. For kids in school, they can be a way to research almost any topic, using the Web. Instead of throwing out your old PC's or cannibalizing them for parts, consider making a difference to a child.

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