In part two, I showed you how to use the Local Security Policy GUI to block the bad guys. There were a lot of pretty pictures for those tha
t prefer the GUI. In this version, I’ll show you how to accomplish the same thing from the command line. This is my preferred method. It is much simpler to automate and explain.
By following the steps below, you will be able to create a new policy and manage the filter lists and actions. The goal here will be to put all these pieces together into a nice tidy package that is fully automated.
Continue reading »
In part two, I want to show how you can quickly setup an ipsec policy to block the bad hosts you identified in part one. While many methods can be used to block hosts, using the Local Security Policy (secpol.msc) and ipsec is a simple method which can be fully automated.
By following the steps below, you will be able to create a new policy and manage the filter lists and actions. In part three, I will explain how this can be done from the command line for all you CLI warriors. This tutorial should be accurate for: Windows XP, Vista, 7 and Server 2003, 2008, 2008R2 (possibly even 2000)
Continue reading »
I have been asked by several small businesses and individuals regarding services like those offered by Carbonite, Mozy and iDrive. I’ve always had a bad feeling about the idea. Recently though, I thought a little harder about the reasons why I could never store all my data online. Of course, online backup systems are infinitely more valuable than no backup solution at all. As some readers have pointed out, online backup services have saved a lot of butts. At the same time, there are some factors that make online backups less attractive to the “old fashioned way” of backing up data. There are three main factors that I feel give standard backups an upper hand.
- Storage is cheap.
- Your data is only as safe as your password.
- When stored online, your data is no longer yours.
While these factors are why I do not recommend online backups, I want to take a moment to discuss when online backups do make sense.
Continue reading »
