In The Weeds: InfoSec Round-Up September 20, 2017

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We are getting closer to living in a Phillip K. Dick story.

Holy Moly, it seems like I’ve done nothing this week but read about new vulnerabilities and hack attempts and general InfoSec mayhem. While many are at #DerbyCon this week, I’m over here in Twin Peaks just trying to keep up with what I need to learn and remembering what I’ve already learned. I can see why when I talk to #InfoSec professionals many of them feel overwhelmed or that they are drowning in the river of keeping up.

This week I’d like to start by publicly sending condolences to the entire world for losing this hero. I have a vague memory of when this happened. I was in High School. Yes, I’m that old. Whatever. But, it’s stories like this that make me think that maybe my hope in mankind to do the right thing even after they’ve fucked up is not misplaced.

If you’re trying hard to stay healthy and using a FitBit — Be Aware of its vulnerabilities. I’ll say it again, whenever you’re on the internet, using the web, using the cloud, all of that, there are going to be vulnerabilities. You can’t absolutely protect yourself, but know your risk, at minimum. Please.

If you’ve downloaded or updated the CCleaner application in the last month, um, you’ll have an incident response regarding malware on your network to get to…so, um, get to it.

Oh to have the time on my hands to find these kinds of open doors:  PyPI Python repository hit by typosquatting sneak attack

For those both fascinated and terrified by Artificial Intelligence:  Humanoid robots ‘breakthrough’ as engineers create synthetic muscle that can lift ONE THOUSAND times its own weight

And if that’s not disturbing enough, we are our own worst enemy:  Infosec weakest links: Negligent employees and poor password policies

As in weeks past, feel free to leave a comment here about any of those articles. Let’s learn from one another. Okay, have pity on the noob and let me learn from you.

Have another great week InfoSec geeks. See you next week.

In The Weeds: InfoSec Round-Up September 15, 2017

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Sorry this is late, but between the volume of InfoSec news this week and the sadness of our pooch dying…well, better late than never.

  1.  I really hate when a story, say like MR. ROBOT, becomes more true to life than fiction, but, yes, folks, “our democracy has been hacked.”Yet another trove of sensitive US voter records has leaked
  2. In that same vein, see screenshot…Equifax Hack: A timeline of events  (P.S. Don’t sign their little ‘help us help you protect yourself contract.’)
  3. I know I’m a noob and all, but I understand that everything has vulnerabilities, especially if it connects to the internet. Protect your devices folks. Know the dealio. For reals. Bluetooth Security Flaws Impacting ‘Billions of Devices’ Come With Some Serious Caveats
  4. Even the almighty Google has bad days: Google suffered a meltdown as Gmail, Maps and YouTube went down
  5. Lastly, I’d like to say that there’s a certain man in Redmond, Wash. that is very lucky that I’m an ethical individual and didn’t take advantage of a errant email. Otherwise I’d be rocking a brand new phone. So, heads up to Tmobile customers. Make sure that the store computer cache’s are cleared after your information is inputted. Otherwise, someone not as ethical could receive an email and change the delivery address and other account information. Like ALL the account information. It’s a one-off situation, but a vulnerability all the same. You’re welcome, sir. Enjoy that new Samsung Galaxy 8.

As in weeks past, feel free to leave a comment here about any of those articles. Let’s learn from one another. Okay, have pity on the noob and let me learn from you.

Have another great week InfoSec geeks. See you next week.

One Minute of Zen: The River Gathers Her Power

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Greetings:

We’ve been having way too many technical issues, so today’s one-minute is only :30 seconds. Regardless, we think you’ll find a moment of peace just diving into this clip. This is the Snoqualmie River near Tanner’s Landing — a space that will be featured in my next fiction book, the second in the Echo Falls series.

Enjoy.

Harvest Creations: Z’asagna – Not Your Mama’s Lasagna (Plus Low Carb)

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The zucchini are running! The zucchini are running! The zucchini are running!

Aren’t these noodles just delightful?

That is probably only funny if you grew up where smelt fishing was a thing. Regardless, it’s zucchini season and we’re trying to use them up. Honestly, zucchini is one of my favorite vegetables and makes a great replacement for pasta or bread (zucchini pizza bites anyone?). That’s just what we’re doing here. But you can’t just switch out noodles for the zucchini and call it good. There is a little bit of prep.

You will need one piece of special equipment, either a spiralizer or a mandoline. Unless, of course, you’re super smooth with a knife and can make faux lasagna noodles with just a knife. I’m not that slick. I wore out my mandoline; but, what I created with my spiralizer was great and I actually enjoyed it more. But your call. There’s one extra ingredient if you use the spiralizer instead of a mandoline. But there’s one extra step if you use the mandoline. Again, your call.

Today, however, I’m going to only post the spiralizer recipe. If you want to know how to do it with the mandoline or knife, comment here and I’ll tell you. Otherwise, follow these steps.

You won’t even miss traditional pasta noodles.

Ingredients:

 

  • 1.5 lb Italian sausage (or use pork sausage and add Italian herbs or use tempeh or morningstar sausage crumbles)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1/2 large onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 oz can) crushed tomatoes (I had fresh from the garden so just chopped up until I had 2.5 cups worth)
  • 6 oz. of tomato paste (I love the organic stuff in the tube)
  • 4 tbsp chopped fresh basil (more if you like)
  • black pepper, to taste
  • 3 medium (8 ounces each) zucchini, sliced 1/8″ thick
  • 1 1/2 cups part-skim ricotta (or you can use full-fat cottage cheese)
  • 1/2 cup Parmigiano Reggiano
  • 1 large egg (I used a duck egg because that’s what I had on hand and how I roll)
  • 16 to 24 oz sliced Provolone cheese
  • 1 tblspn fresh chopped oregano
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
I use provolone instead of mozzarella. It’s a nicer flavor in my mind, especially if it’s smoked.

Directions:

 

  • In a medium sauce pan, brown meat. When cooked drain in colander to remove any fat.
  • Add olive oil to the pan and saute garlic and onions about 2 minutes. Return the meat to the pan, add tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt and pepper. Simmer on low for at least 30 to 40 minutes, covered. Do not add water, you want this sauce thick
  • Meanwhile, spiralize your zucchini on the largest setting your spiralizer has, lightly salt your z’asagna noodles and set aside for 10 minutes. Zucchini has a lot of water when cooked, salting it takes out a lot of moisture. If you’ve made eggplant Parmesan, it’s the same principle. After 10 minutes, blot excess moisture with a paper towel. Do not rinse the zucchini. Blot it. It takes a few minutes, but you have time. Your sauce is cooking.
  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • In a medium bowl mix ricotta a/o cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese and egg. Stir well. Add the parsley, reserving one tablespoon.
  • In a 9×12 casserole spread 1/2 cup of sauce on the bottom and layer the zucchini to cover. Spread 1/2 cup of the ricotta cheese mixture, then top with a think layer of provolone cheese (the cheese should not overlap, spread it out neatly) and repeat the process until all your ingredients are used up. The last layer top with remaining zucchini and sauce, and cover with foil and bake 30 minutes. Uncover the foil, then place the remaining slices of provolone cheese on top, and sprinkling with the last of the parsley. Bake 20 more minutes until you have bubbly, cheesy, vegetable goodness.
  • Let stand about 5 – 10 minutes before serving.

 

Time to eat!

 

 

 

Inkster Dispatch: Let Me Tell You About Crazy hits the streets

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Been awhile since an Inkster Dispatch reported in. But here we are. An essay Casz wrote about parenting a mentally ill child was published today on Hip Mama. It is very personal and was a piece that came right from her gut.

If you’re so inclined, take a look at LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT CRAZY and comment on the Hip Mama site, or here, you’re choice. But comments appreciated.

Also, if you’re so moved, feel free to donate to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in your local area. There’s not enough infrastructure, funding, or help for anyone struggling with mental illness.

Thanks and let’s keep the conversation going…