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Tuesday, January 10, 2012

NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY POLICY : DRAFT


1.    Finally we are working on a national cyber policy....infact late but ...IT'S NEVER TOO LATE....the thing that we have started on this is a good sign.The draft of the subject policy is available at www.mit.gov.in/sites/upload_files/dit/files/ncsp_060411.pdf and is in fact inviting comments in case u have any!!!

2.   The draft is a 21 page report.After going through the same I have given the following points at the desired email address available in the draft report.

PARA 3.3 (I) C
GOVERNMENT SECURED INTRANET :
Addition point :

“ In addition to the emphasis on creation of such kind of intranet, efforts at the design stage should be made to exclude all possible options of internet connectivity with this intranet to avoid any kind of imminent threats. This intranet may need internet for various updates etc ,but this should be a privilege access point and no node should be allowed a free access. Any attempts to connect the same may invite action as a threat to nation. The limited internet connectivity to this is required for the following purpose :

- It is the most common action by any user to browse the net. Once given a opportunity he/she is always eager to access emails and download malware or infected software or any third party application. This is the point where command and control centre of a Botnet can be established by a cyber criminal. To avoid such practices it would always be the endeavor of the designer and the super administrator to ensure physical separation of Intranet and Internet. This Intranet should also be subject to regular cyber /IT audits by govt recognized penetration testers and forensic experts to maintain a cyber secure working environment.

PARA 3.3(D) @ Page 12
OPEN STANDARDS

The strength and power of open standards and applications remains unexploited in our country. Other developed nations who have realized the potential of this standard are already contributing significantly to their positive growth in cyber space. This has largely been possible owing to the lack of exposure of such standards by the new generation who is only exposed to the windows environment. Policy should be in place to ensure growth of open standards at school level curriculum.

PARA 3.5.2
COMBATING HIGH TECH CRIME/CYBER CRIME

Though the cat and mouse race between the good and the bad cyber guy would remain on always,it is worth noting that cyber crime if not controlled at such a nascent stage of induction and growth, has the full potential to become a cyber threat.No single policy would be able to achieve a CYBER CRIME FREE CYBER SPACE.It remains the onus of the common man how he tackles the cime himself.It is here that the National Cyber Policy can contribute in the following manner :

- Cyber Huntsville is a collaborative cyber community with the aim of attracting and developing the brightest minds, attacking the most complex problems, and providing the best solutions of national and international significance. Cyber Huntsville is an integral part of the National Cyber Initiative. Similar establishments should be encouraged at India level. More info at http://www.hsvcity.com/cyber/

4.2.3
Thrust areas of R&D  : 

-  Thrust areas of R&D should majorly focus on inducing maximum SRS and QRs at the DESIGN STAGE. Because, if not done at this stage, whatever work follows is patch work that remains a cover up action.
- Analysis of data flow in a network
- Pentration testing
- Storage solutions with backup, archiving, recovery provisioning of entire data.

5.1.1
ENABLING PEOPLE

Promoting a comprehensive national awareness program to include organizing seminars, events, webinars, guest lecture’s in tie up with established societies like IETE,Institution of  Engineers, Computer Society of India etc

Besides,these points I would suggest to include ensuring information security by managing the flow of information to the citizens as well as on securing its physical information infrastructure.The policy should call for the following :

- Popularize e- government
- Optimize the cyber industry structure.
- Provide a rugged 24x7 nationwide cyber infrastructure.
- Promote innovation of cyber technologies.
- Build a cyber oriented national economy.
- Design way to advanced internet culture.

THE GOOD VIRUS : "CYBER WEAPON" BY FUJITSU,JAPAN


1.   Have u seen the epic movie SHOLAY.....where bad guys are hired to kill bad guys by the good people...its a must watch for those who have not seen this...on the same lines recently Japanese government has done some homework to counter cyber crime.....Outsourcing and working with Fujitsu to fight cyber crime with the help of developing a CYBER wEAPON VIRUS that automatically seeks out and destroys enemy viruses.Cyber Weapon almost acts like a human immune system tracking down and weeding out invading viruses. Systems like these are needed when facing the latest advanced threats.Few additional It is the culmination of a $2.3 million, three-year project to develop a virus and equipment to monitor and analyze attacks.  It is reported U.S and china have already put so-called cyber weapons into practical use.

2.   Tracing the source of cyber-attacks is notoriously difficult, mainly because attackers routinely hide behind botnets and anonymous proxies to launch attacks, such as denial of service assaults.Getting this right is a far from trivial process and the potential for collateral damage, even before hackers develop countermeasures, appears to be considerable. Few more points here about this good VIRUS :

- Currently, the virus is being tested in a “closed environment” to examine its applicable patterns. 

- The project is actually outsourced to Fujitsu Ltd. 

- It is capable to disable the incoming attack and record forensics data.

3.   It would actaully be interesting to know how would this be able to trace the source of cyber-attacks as claimed at times like today when the botnets and anonymous proxies are getting better and stronger by the day.

Monday, January 02, 2012

Malware in the name of Kim Jong-il death : BEWARE!!!


1.   A "malicious spam mail" in the name of the dead North Korean leader Kim Jong is doing the rounds of the webosphsere and biting anyone whoever clicks it.The malicious spam carries a fake name as "brief_introduction_of_kim_jong_Ill_pdf.pdf". The subject file exploits vulnerabilities in Adobe reader and leads to remote code execution in the victim PC.

2.   The emails contain a simple line of text announcing the death, likely copied and pasted from the CNN website, and carries an attachment named brief_introduction_of_kim-jong-il.pdf.pdf.Once downloaded and executed, the malicious file opens a non-malicious PDF file containing a picture and information about the deceased man in order to hide its true activity on the victims' computer.In other variants of the same theme, the attached file is named Kim_Jong_il_s_death_affects_N._Korea_s_nuclear_programs.doc and, once opened, it drops backdoor-opening malware into the system, which then connects to a remote Command & Control server for further instructions.After this much code execution...its JAI HIND.....


3.  So don't open this one from ur PC if u have read this much.....

Sunday, January 01, 2012

Saturday, December 31, 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR WISHES 2012

WISHING EVERY ONE READING ACROSS "MELIORATE" A VERY VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012......

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

Friday, December 30, 2011

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/.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

CAN WE EVER BE SAFE ONLINE?

1.    It is indeed difficult to surf anonymously if u r a normal user....u put on a monkey cap "DISCONNECT" or wear a long coat or do anything u cant remain hidden....the spy ,if he is after you, will come to know who u r?where r u from?....what r u doing ?etc etc....

2.   Recently came across this https://xerobank.com/......and just clicked to know more of what it had to offer....it gave me a sneak preview of what others may know...my IP ADDRESS...MY LOCATION(ok that normal)...but then also told me that "DATA INTERCEPTION DETECTED"....BY THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT...now this was only a sneak peak....to know more visit the site at https://xerobank.com/

Sunday, December 25, 2011

STORE UPTO 50 GB FOR FREE : @ ADrive

1.   Last week at Tech Conclave Delhi meet,one guest speaker was speaking about cloud storage ...how it will slowly become a definite requirement in coming days soon...which we may not think it will as on date...he gave one fine example....BANK...100 years back could any one have thought of lending money for storage to some company....it was securely felt to be safe in self custody...see the state today....times have changed and so has the scenario....today companies like Microsoft,ADrive ETC are offering amazing storage space in cloud for free...that too for free...off course it may just act as a initial bait....some good links of these free storage offers are as follows :







2.   Off all these ADrive offers the largest free storage for free...thats a huge 50 GB....good to start with....so start burning your modem's midnite oil....i have already started........ADrive offers the following features which are as on date unbeatable :

  •  FREE 50GB Online Storage
  •  Cloud Storage
  •  Upload & Store Files
  •  Access Files Anywhere
  •  Share Files
  •  Edit Documents Online
  •  File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
  •  ADrive Desktop

Friday, December 16, 2011

TOOLS & SITES OFFERING EFFECTIVE PASSWORD CRACKING


Below is a list of sites that offer tools and ways to crack passwords.The idea behind posting all these sites at one place is not to attract and promote users to try password cracking.The idea is to always remember ways and means to create and promote stronger passwords which can not be cracked.All these sites do have limitations to crack the stronger passwords and related info...



Ophcrack is a free Windows password cracker based on rainbow tables. It is a very efficient implementation of rainbow tables done by the inventors of the method. It comes with a Graphical User Interface and runs on multiple platforms.










Brutus is one of the fastest, most flexible remote password crackers you can get your hands on - it's also free. It is available for Windows 9x, NT and 2000, there is no UN*X version available although it is a possibility at some point in the future. Brutus was first made publicly available in October 1998 and since that time there have been at least 70,000 downloads and over 175,000 visitors to this page. Development continues so new releases will be available in the near future. Brutus was written originally to help me check routers etc. for default and common passwords


The source of independent information about cryptosystem weakness and password recovery.

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