OwnCloud Installation : Ubuntu 14.04 LTS

1.     OwnCloud is a suite of client-server software for creating file hosting services and using them. For those who have been traditionally hooked to the pirated copies of Windows Server Softwares or used to crashing regulars of MS Server 2008 or even 2012 and later,I would rate this suite much better w.r.t simplicity of installation,less of configuration issues and the best part being open-source with lots of options for the user.I got introduced to it via a friend Nagraj and have been percolating in my circle since.

2.     OwnCloud is functionally very similar to the widely used Dropbox, with the primary functional difference being that OwnCloud is free and open-source, and thereby allowing anyone to install and operate it without charge on a private server, with no limits on storage space (except for disk capacity or account quota) or the number of connected clients.This post will give a stepped screenshot for installing the same on a Ubuntu 14.04 LTS version machine.

3.    The installation ahead has been done in a Virtual environment(I used Virtual Box) with the following setup :

First Virtual Machine : Ubuntu 14.04 LTS 64 bit with 2 GB RAM.This machine will be installed with the Owncloud server part.

Second Virtual Machine : Windows 7/32 bit 2 GB .This machine will be used as the client part who will be able to access the own cloud via web interface.

Installation

Firstly , the ethernet settings that come default to a new machine in UBUNTU are seen below.We will configure this later during installation.

 As we see localhost which currently has been not configured,we see the following screen :

 So,the first step is to visit link at https://software.opensuse.org/download.html?project=isv:ownCloud:community&package=owncloud

 Look for the mention of xUbuntu 14.04 as below :

 Go to Terminal and type :

sudo sh -c "echo 'deb http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/isv:/ownCloud:/community/xUbuntu_14.04/ /' >> /etc/apt/sources.list.d/owncloud.list"

 sudo apt-get update

wget http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/isv:ownCloud:community/xUbuntu_14.04/Release.key

 sudo apt-key add - < Release.key

 sudo apt-get install owncloud

 ...as it fetches,the screen keeps showing you thousands of lines of terminal commands being executed as below :

 the screen prompts for a root user sql password as below :

 continues installation part...

 and finally the screen scroll gets over with the installation and is seen like this :

Check the local host and u get this screen showing the Apache2 Ubuntu default page.

 and then you type at the web address : localhost/owncloud and you get the screen as below :

 Click storage and database link below the login

 Enter the sql root user and password as set earlier and click Finish setup and you get the successful login interface of admin as below :

 Meanwhile lets configure the network settings as below in the Ubuntu machine :

 The windows client networking addresses are configured as below :

 The network addresses for the Ubuntu machine are configured as below :

 Now from the client web browser ,try and access the server by typing the IP address/owncloud and you will likely get the following screen.

To resolve the issue we need to add this IP address in the trusted domain in the config.php file as seen below.The location of this config.php file is at /var/www/owncloud/config

 and you refresh the windows browser and you ready to go....

For any clarifications whilst installation you are free to comment here...reply assured asap. :-)

HIT WICKET & OUT- Microsoft Genuine Patch crashes WINDOWS 7

1.     This is some news from the corridors of Microsoft.A genuine MS patch released for Windows 7.The patch in the dispute is "Microsoft Security Bulletin MS13-036"

2.  Redmond from Microsoft's Security Response blog blamed the glitch on conflicts with third-party software:

We are aware that some of our customers may be experiencing difficulties after applying security update 2823324, which we provided in security bulletin MS13-036 on Tuesday, April 9. We’ve determined that the update, when paired with certain third-party software, can cause system errors. As a precaution, we stopped pushing 2823324 as an update when we began investigating the error reports, and have since removed it from the download centre.

Contrary to some reports, the system errors do not result in any data loss nor affect all Windows customers. However, all customers should follow the guidance that we have provided in KB2839011 to uninstall security update 2823324 if it is already installed.

3.   That means Windows 7 users should uninstall the security patch Microsoft issued on Tuesday because some PCs failed to restart after applying the update.....:-).Microsoft has advised users of Win 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2* to roll-back the patch.

4.   More about the patch here.Thanks http://www.theregister.co.uk/security/

Testing ur Broad Band Speed : The ISP Promise

1.    As a customer you are promised so much from your ISP....and the most important thing an ISP promises a customer is fultu speed...they have various packages and plans to offer that revolve around offering various speeds.But how do u find out if the plan is actually provisioning the speed that u were promised.So there are ...in fact thousands of online tools to give and test your Internet broadband speed.One that I have been a regular follower is the speedtest.net available at http://www.speedtest.net/.

2.   A simple interface that takes less than a minute to get started and conclude with the result.I got the following result for my ISP...and that was as per the promise by ISP....so u can check urs too at the site : http://www.speedtest.net/

Security Design @ WebHosting

1.  At a time today when new websites are being hosted at quite a pace,proportional is the pace of hacking and defacing of these websites.Today you have a website maker in the market who may simply demand some Rs 500/ per page design and few more hundreds for hosting it...and we all are ready to do pay him....but at what price....is it simply the final handing over taking over of the password that closes the deal between you and the designer/hoster?....NO....I rate it equivalent to the toss....thereon the match begins.....just a matter of time depending on what all security parameters/variables/factors you took into consideration while designing it?

2.  Specially concerned with web sites who have E-Commerce and transactions or who deal with handling database of huge sizes which can be critical later on, if compromised any time.The following factors should be noted down and infact dealt with seriously to be kept on high priority while designing and final hosting :

- Password /Data Protection : You must have a sound password and methods to protect all the DATA in place.

- OS/Server hardening : You use a windows or a linux....rest assured you must always used a hardened OS/Server.

- OS Selection : Create and design on any OS...today you can launch it on web.A more vulnerable OS which has had a history of hacks and known exploits should be avoided.

- DDoS Protection : Shared hosting servers are vulnerable to attacks by hackers who carry out their work by uploading malware or otherwise malicious sites or code onto a server. These malware programs be introduced to a server through security vulnerabilities in a legitimate client’s site, and the malware is used for anything from stealing credit card data to launching a DDoS, or Distributed Denial of Service attack.So think before you fire up your site.

- Spam filters : No explanations

- Firewalls : Must...so many types in market : Decide like what you r going to select a HARDWARE FIREWALL or a SOFTWARE FIREWALL.The selection is of crucial significance in deciding the overall security rating!!!

- BACKUP : You must have a way to keep backing up all your data.Some ploicy should be designed of what happens if owing to some kind of reason you loose all ur data....mirror or offline backup!!!!anything...but keep in mind.

- SSL enabled server : MUST

- SFTP: Though FTP is not that bad....but when SFTP is there....y bank on a relatively lower secured protocol......

HIDEMYASS saves its own!!!

1.  The month of September 2011 went so full of embarassment for HMA(Hidemyass) that it would probably like October  to  follow  August  ( September  may just  vanish in the smoke....) All  its  claims  of  telling  being anonymous  and safe, maintaining privacy,being completely hidden etc etc hit a serious setback....the story goes like this...

 2.   The case pertains to Lulz Security aka LulzSec,a computer hacker group that claims responsibility for several high profile attacks including SONY,CIA etc.So in the month of September this year an alleged Lulzsec member who had carried out attacks on various organizations including Sony and the UK’s Serious Organised Crime Agency, had used this ‘anonymous’ VPN service supplied by HideMyAss.But his plan failed in the biggest way imaginable. HideMyAss (HMA) keeps all yourlogs and as a UK company when given a court order to cough up information, they did so. After matching timestamps to IP addresses, in the blink of an eye Luzlsec member ‘Recursion’ became 23-year-old Cody Kretsinger from Phoenix. The FBI got their man.....so whats the use.....!!!!

3.   But I feel that anything to do with some serious crime should always be contained....like this way...but what about you and me....our surfing habits will always be known....our info will always be under cloud....:-(

4.   This is what HMA had to say :

“Our VPN service and VPN services in general are not designed to be used to commit illegal activity,” said Hide My Ass. “It is very naive to think that by paying a subscription fee to a VPN service you are free to break the law without any consequences.”

5.  Thanks vpn-reviews.net and  Torrentfreak

PROXY SERVER : ARE THEY LEGAL TO BE USED IN INDIA?

1.   Few days back I was surfing  few sites via proxy server at HIDEMYASS. Just like a that,a thought came to mind that if the Indian Government on one hand is trying all ways out to monitor nefarious activities on net...and in the name of this monitoring they are monitoring u and me as well....what would they be able to do for those actual ones who use proxy servers?.....

2.   Though it is understood that not all proxy server sites are as safe as they claim...most of them have actually a life of not more then 4-5 days...they actually are born to steal and vanish...we call that 9 2 11....But sites like those have been existing for more than 4-5 years like hidemyass,proxy.org etc are actually doing the work they are supposed to do ie PRIVACY!!!

3.   If any of the readers have some idea or can guide to some link w.r.t legality issues of using proxy servers in India...i would be grateful....and lastly if anyone has some disagreements on the comment earlier that INDIAN GOVERMENT IS MONITORING YOU...just check the ANONYMITY CHECKER at https://xerobank.com/.