Jul

24

Fear. Uncertainty. Doubt. Hyped DNS Exploit reporting helping or hurting?

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That's interesting
Creative Commons License photo credit: kevindooley

Headline: Researchers unleash DNS attack code
Headline: Vulnerable to a DNS cache poisoning at home?
Headline: Attack Code Released for New DNS Attack

First off. This is a serious issue, make no doubt about it. But is the reporting hype surrounding this exploit appropriate? Here’s some quotes of that hype:

Yesterday’s exploit, explained Storms, lets an attacker poison a DNS server’s cache with a single malicious entry, but today’s attack code allows a hacker to poison large quantities of domains with one fell swoop. “This second exploit has the potential for a much larger impact,” said Storms, “and could result in potentially thousands of fake addresses inserted into a DNS server’s cache.

There is a risk on the horizon, according to experts that work
with and computer networks, and it is a sizable one.

A DNS Checklist would have sufficed.

  1. Become better informed about this issue. Here’s an overview of the exploit and what it means to you.
  2. Test your DNS service from your (Home & Work).
  3. If you fail the test, check with your Provider to ensure their DNS servers are going to be patched.
  4. Consider using OpenDNS if you aren’t convinced your is handling things correctly.
  5. Use a ‘phishing aware’ browser such as FireFox3.

That’s it. Peace-of-mind can return.

Or can it? What do you think? Have you tested your DNS? Post your thoughts or results in the comments below.

Jul

11

One year of OpenDNS

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Use OpenDNSYep, the that I use to replace my ISPs DNS has turned one. It’s been quite a year of growth, and I started using OpenDNS back in March, but for me, it’s been pretty smooth.

The coolest features that I use are shortcuts and spelling correction. If I type want to visit this blog from my OpenDNS managed systems, I simply type ‘blog’ in the browser address bar. If I mistype a website address, OpenDNS either makes an assumption (microsoft.cm == microsoft.com) or returns a page of near misses.

Earlier this year, OpenDNS added a few new services:

Blocking — Many of you asked for a way to block a single on your network. With OpenDNS, now you can. You might have complex firewalls and other gear but they don’t easily do the task of blocking myspace.com. We’re glad to offer this , and thousands of you have taken advantage of it. Oh yeah, it’s .

Adult Site Blocking — If there was one complaint we got about blocking it was that we didn’t offer a list of adult sites to block. Good - now we do. We teamed up with our friends at St. Bernard to provide an accurate and easy way to block adult sites on your network. Oh yeah, it’s too.

Well done OpenDNS, and Happy Birthday!

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Jul

3

Is the iPhone right for you?

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Walt Mossberg (Wall Street Journal tech guy) has a that may help:

 

Interesting item, but it’s still too pricey for me.

Jun

15

Why get an iPhone when your Windows Mobile can be just as swank?

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Lifehacker has this cool article showing you how to pimp your Win Mobile to be all iPhoney.

…you can customize your Mobile to emulate several of the ’s more interesting features, like the ’s home screen, flick-scroll contacts, and the fancy slide-to-unlock.

You’ll need an - available here, and some time to follow the directions.

If you’re on a platform, check out my earlier item on the iPhoney skin for your Palm & Treo.

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Jun

12

5 reasons I won’t get an iPhone

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  1. Cost. If the iPhone’s listed prices were converted to dollars, the would price out between $530 and $640 CAD. That’s way too much money for me to spend on a today. Yes it has other functionality, but I’ve got that covered; keep .
  2. Contract & add ons. In the US there’s a 2 year contract required. The base doesn’t (as far as I can tell) include a contract. I can’t see that being any different north of the border. Now consider the type of data access you’d need. The offers many very features that will quickly bite into your allocation. You have to add this. Basic for this puppy would be silly so you’d want to have the full data packages. Pricing on this ’seems’ (Rogers plan pricing is kinda all over the place) to start at $50.00/month. I’m a heavy user so my costs would be more. 
  3. I already have an . My Nano is perfect for music and podcasts. Why would I want to have my battery drained when I listen to ? How would this integrate into my existing systems?
  4. I already have a PDA I’m happy with. My Palm T|X. Same battery drain issue. As well, my PDA is awesome for doing what I need it to. I have all the bought and installed. It syncs nicely with work and home . To convert everything over would take Mucho $$$.
  5. New processes to learn. Integrating everything into one unit means I’d have to the way I do things. My system works now for me. To use the I would have to delete and install new for time , and calendar integration. I have no idea how well it’ll sync up with Outlook (at work) and what I’d use to sync with at home. I run PC’s and Ubuntu. Is there a Calendaring app that will work with the , available now?? I’d need new methods to grab my podcasts (I don’t use iTunes). How would that work?

Too many unanswered questions. So, the way I figure things. I’d likely end up paying over $1000 CAD to learn how to use a new gizmo, when my existing gizmos all do what I need currently.

An isn’t in my immediate future. Though, I guess if I really want the look of one, I could use an iPhoney :-)

Jun

11

Edmonton to be blessed by his Toddness!

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Heh, sorry, couldn’t resist. Todd Maffin is visiting my fair city and looking to hook up with some techies for his live, weekly, on-line TV show:

My live weekly -TV show, todbits.TV, is going on the road! This Friday, I’ll be broadcasting live from downtown at the Fairmont Hotel MacDonald.

And I’m inviting anyone in the tech with something to show to come down and join us and appear on on the broadcast.

Looks like he’s looking for tech-types with something to share:

I’d like to profile interesting being developed in . Consumer electronics¦ ¦ open-source stuff¦ gadgets¦ whatever!

Could be !

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Jun

11

iPhone super-detailed details leak

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The is due to launch on June 29th, and some folks are doing anything and everything to feed the hype. Looks like the Sales Training Workbook has leaked.

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Jun

5

How Canadians save money when buying books through Amazon.com

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If you’ve ever noticed the pricing on the back of a paperback available in , you’ll notice that there are two prices listed; US and .

With the current exchange rate (1.064 USD -> CAD) I thought I’d run a quick analysis on purchasing four from .ca and .com, and see which would be the best buy.

                    .CA   USD         .COM  USD
The DipHow Canadians save money when buying books through Amazon.com (image: )             $11.68      $12.39      $10.36      $10.36
WikinomicsHow Canadians save money when buying books through Amazon.com (image: )          $20.48      $21.72      $17.13      $17.13
Getting Things DoneHow Canadians save money when buying books through Amazon.com (image: ) $13.32      $14.12      $16.47      $16.47
Naked ConversationsHow Canadians save money when buying books through Amazon.com (image: ) $20.15      $21.37      $16.47      $16.47      Saving (USD)
Totals                          $69.59 		        $60.43      $9.16

As you can see, on those four items, you’d qualify for shipping, and save $ 9.16 in the process.

Now this method won’t work for everything, as some items .com sells are dutiable upon entry into .

And, of course, prices fluctuate frequently on these services, so your mileage may vary.

But this does stimulate some questions…why are booksellers still selling at the price as marked on the ? Don’t they realize they’ll lose by charging at this rate? Wouldn’t it make more sense for them to be competitive, or are the profit margins so slim that they have to use that price to cover their operating expenses?

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