Author Archives: mea

Cisco plans virtual switch for Hyper-V in Windows Server 8

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Expanding the ability of Cisco networking tools to work with Hyper-V could help Microsoft make its case that its server virtualization software is a viable alternative to VMware. The analyst firm Gartner has praised the Hyper-V technology and said Microsoft has the advantage of providing management tools that are familiar to Windows administrations, but that it has struggled to convert large enterprise customers from VMware to Hyper-V.

via Cisco plans virtual switch for Hyper-V in Windows Server 8.

Researchers create stealth virtual machine that can run alongside insecure VMs

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A team of researchers have devised a way to create an isolated and trusted environment on virtualized servers. Called the “Strongly Isolated Computing Environment” (SICE), the approach makes it possible to run sensitive computing processes alongside less secure workloads on the same physical hardware.

via Researchers create stealth virtual machine that can run alongside insecure VMs.

SPINE

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SPINE is a webbased Content Management System, implemented in Perl and released under the GPL (GNU Public License). It requires a Unix flavoured webserver, a database (postgresql or mysql), a default Apache installation and mod_perl. It features mixed static/dynamic content, separated template and content administration, granular privileges, userfriendly URLs, plugins, … Check the features page.

via S P I N E – About – The backbone for your website.

OpenStack spun out from Rackspace control

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Hosting provider Rackspace, which currently owns the OpenStack trademark and copyrights, plans to transfer ownership of these resources to the not-for-profit foundation once it is operational.

Much like how the Linux Foundation provides a supporting structure for the largely independent development of the Linux kernel, so too will the OpenStack Foundation provide the support structure for the third-party development of OpenStack, the founders said.

via OpenStack spun out from Rackspace control – rackspace, OpenStack Foundation, internet, Infrastructure services, development platforms, cloud computing – Software – Techworld.

burning ISO files with Gnomebaker

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Once you have GnomeBaker open, go to the Tools menu at the top and select “Burn CD Image” (or “Burn DVD Image” as appropriate). It will then prompt you for the ISO file and recorder device to use, as well as at what speed, etc.

via burning ISO files with Gnomebaker – FedoraForum.org.

Duh.  It was right in front of me all along.  For some reason Brasero keeps returning errors on burning a simple .iso file.  It is consistent between reboots.  This might be due to some weirdness with the motherboard on medusa and how the kernel deals with the SATA interface.  I already noticed a problem with acpi messing with an ethernet PCI card on the only PCI slot on the motherboard.  Something is not right with this hardware setup.   The DVD player has also “gone offline” after trying to read error ridden Netflix DVDs.  Something is causing it to go offline and it is either the linux kernel or the hardware accepting commands from low level windows drivers.   This could also be a vm problem.

The bottom line: gnomebaker works and seems to work better.  Gnomebaker deserves a link in the Tools category.

Furnace — Haivision

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End-to-End IP Video. The Furnace™ IP video system provides a complete infrastructure for delivering secure video to every desktop and display within an organization. With the Furnace you can record any source, apply metadata, and deliver live or recorded content, or video on demand. The Furnace allows administrators granular control over the media within a facility and a harmonized experience for all users.

via Furnace — Haivision.

This is how Windows get infected with malware

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CSIS has over a period of almost three months actively collected real time data from various so-called exploit kits. An exploit kit is a commercial hacker toolbox that is actively exploited by computer criminals who take advantage of vulnerabilities in popular software. Up to 85 % of all virus infections occur as a result of drive-by attacks automated via commercial exploit kits.

The purpose of this study is to reveal precisely how Microsoft Windows machines are infected with malware and which browsers, versions of Windows and third party software that are at risk.

via This is how Windows get infected with malware.
I have never been a big fan of constantly chasing patches but this conclusion has me rethinking my thoughts on this…

The reason why patching are essential

The conclusion of this study is that as much as 99.8 % of all virus/malware infections caused by commercial exploit kits are a direct result of the lack of updating five specific software packages.

I think the main problem here is that all these PCs were directly connected to the Internet.  The simplest solution of using a hardware router and NAT should stop these kind of attacks from ever hitting the PC.   I’m still leery about constantly applying patches because sometimes the patches themselves are buggy and may introduce new vectors into your OS.  Software upgrade needs to be planned as a general policy for the entire PC or sets of PCs and not dictated to by a mere application or OS vendor.