Diary of a Network Geek

Here’s the answer to the “Evil Twin” problem.
Remember some weeks back I mentioned the whole deal with so called evil twin routers? Well, there’s a solution. At least, according to this article on the ITToolbox Knowlegebase, there is a fix for it. Or, rather, there is a theoretical fix for it. Two computer scientists have come up with something they call the ‘delayed password disclosure protocol’ which they claim will remove the environment that allowed the evil twin router exploit to even exist. They hope to have beta code before the end of Summer this year, but it may be quite some time before that beta code goes gold and hits the actual market. So, keep an eye out for it.
Or, if you’re a bit of a computer genius, come up with your own competeing solution first! It could mean a lot of money to whoever beats these two to the punch. You know, for a change, I’m glad that I don’t deal with routers and these kinds of headaches all day long. I just have projects with unclearly defined goals, at least in my mind. Easy peasy compared to routing security issues.

A new player heard from!
Well, interestingly enough, my Bloglines password was comprimised, too. But, I got that fixed and even managed to recover some of the deleted feeds and posts from those blogs that have also been deleted. Well, and I have hard-copy of all the good ones.

Well, I’ve already gotten one comprimised account squared away.
The other should follow shortly, though, it’s with a larger company so it may take a bit longer than I’d like. In any case, it wasn’t a big deal at all. Just a minor incovenience.

Well, it seems I’ve “upset” someone.
Apparently, an un-named someone at IP 68.106.38.39 is a little upset with me. Said person changed a couple of e-mail addresses and passwords last night. That same person seems to reside at hostname ip68-106-38-39.ph.ph.cox.net. Interestingly enough, this is the same IP address and hostname that changed the Yahoo account of another person who used to live in this house recently. Coincidence or pattern? Remember what I was writing about this very thing earlier in the week? Well, apparently, our would be malcontent doesn’t read very well, because they’ve left a very traceable trail. Does anyone know what areas are covered by Cox Cable? How many Western states do they handle? Ah, yes, logs are a wonderful thing.
Now, the question is, does it merit such things as, say, prosecution? I believe that said person, or persons, are now in violation of several laws. Having restricted my access to accounts at which I should be able to expect a reasonable amount of security and/or privacy. I don’t have the statutes in front of me, but, the last time I checked that was illegal. Now, I’ll get it straightened out, eventually, but that’s not the point. The point is, after being accused of hacking and breaking the law myself, someone has gone and done what I’ve been accused of doing. Ironic, isn’t it?
But, at least I have the joy of knowing that I’ve upset someone’s apple cart. It makes all the hassle of changing a couple of passwords back worth while. Suddenly, no matter what the weather is here in Houston, it’s a bright, sunny day for me! Have a fantabulous day!

Advice from your Uncle Jim:
"Man is the only kind of varmint that sets his own trap, baits it, and steps in it."
   --John Steinbeck