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In a peer-to-peer network, all computers share equivalent responsibility for processing data.
A peer-to-peer network differs from a client-server network where certain devices (server) have responsibility for providing data and other devices (clients) consume the data.
Refers to a popular model for computer networking that utilizes client and server devices, each designed for specific purposes.
‘Client’ devices typically are PCs with network software applications installed that request and receive information over the network. Mobile devices can also function as ‘clients’.
A ‘server’ device typically stores files and databases including more complex applications. Server devices often feature higher-powered central processors, more memory, and larger disk drives than client devices.
Network ‘clients’ make requests to a server by sending messages, and servers respond to their ‘clients’ by acting on each request and returning results. One server generally supports multiple clients. Multiple servers can be networked together in a pool.
Client-Server networks are popular in business environments, and can be used on the Internet (WAN) or on LANs.
Supplies networking capability to a group of computers in close proximity to one another, such as within an office building, school, or home. A LAN is useful for sharing resources like files, printers, games, or other applications.
A LAN often connects to other LANs, and to the internet or WAN.
Spans a large geographical area, such as a state/province, or country. WANS often connect multiple smaller networks (LANs) or metro area networks (MANs).
The world’s largest WAN is the Internet.
Sleep vs. ShutDown?The argument for shutdown: You’ll save energy, money, and the environment.
The argument for sleep: You’ll save energy, wear-and-tear on your computer, and time.
I run a relatively high-end computer (Computer-Geek, and all that).
Shutting down is relatively quick, but booting up is painfully slow. Keep in mind, this is what I refer to as a “true” boot-up time-the time from when I press the power button to when I’m at a usable desktop (where you can actually click on things and get a response).
The time it takes to go into sleep mode is comparable to shutting down my computer. However, the time it takes to wake my computer to be fully functional is almost instantaneous. Not to mention the convenience of waking my computer merely by tapping the keyboard, or moving the mouse.
As long as your system BIOS supports the S3 ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) mode, and most computers do, then leaving your computer in sleep mode is not running up your power bill. The S1 mode leaves the CPU and RAM powered up, the S3 mode powers the CPU and RAM down. You can check and change your BIOS sleep state, if you want your computer to draw less power.
My high-end computer uses approximately 120-130 watts just sitting at the desktop (not including the 2 monitors I run), and uses 1 watt when shut down (most computers still draw a very small amount of power, even when off, so they can turn on when you push the power button). In sleep mode, my computer draws 5 watts. That’s a difference of 4 watts of power, between shutdown and sleep. Not a huge difference.
Suppose your computer system is turned off 16 hours/day. The 4 watts difference works out to 1.92 killowatt-hours (kWh) per month. According to National Resources Canada in April 2014, the average residential electricity price in Canada (including taxes) was 13.272 cents/kWh. So keeping your computer in sleep mode would cost you 25.5 cents per month more than it would to shut your computer down. The average Canadian home uses 955.8kWh monthly, so 16 hours of sleep mode per day would be a 0.21% increase in monthly power use. Of course, some computers use a little more power in sleep mode, but it’s almost always under 10W.
You can find more information on how to change the function of your computer’s power button here. You probably don’t want hibernate mode, as this dumps the contents of your PC’s RAM to the hard disk and then powers off your PC, so you can resume right where you left off (with programs open, etc.). With the large amount of RAM in today’s systems, this process can be pretty slow.
Computers that are in sleep mode use minimal power to keep only essential components operating in low-power mode. The major remaining power consuming parts are the RAM, CPU and motherboard; all run in dramatically reduced power consumption states while in sleep mode. They both have just enough power to keep the OS stored in the RAM. The sleep state hardly uses the CPU and RAM, which causes them to produce next to no heat or part attrition. The motherboard is also powered just enough to check for any use of the keyboard, mouse, touch pad, or power button to wake the system from sleep mode.
In sleep mode, the computer turns off components like the graphics card, network adapter, hard drives, and optical drives. The parts are turned ‘off’ to a state similar to as if the computer was shut down. The sleep state also prevents the computer from being attacked by hackers and network-related malware, the same way a shut down computer does.
Turning on a computer from a ‘shut down’ state causes a substantially larger amount of wear-and-tear on the hardware, compared to re-booting a computer from a ‘sleep’ state. Waking a computer from ‘sleep’ uses less energy, in addition to being easier on the computer components. Waking a computer from hibernation wears the computer similar to turning on a computer from ‘shut down’.
Of course, computer usage has to weigh into the argument as well. If you use your computer several times per day, you can reduce wear-and-tear by using sleep mode instead of shutdown. However, if you use your computer only an hour or so every few days, it makes more sense to shut down your computer.
If your computer is set to automatically install software updates (as it should, as software updates keep your system safe & secure), most software updates occur overnight. If your computer is left in ‘sleep’ mode, your computer will receive the updates, and will automatically re-start and go back into sleep mode. However, if your computer is shutdown, when you turn on your computer, your computer will automatically install the updates at that time. You will then have to re-start your computer again. If the start of your day is time-restricted, this is something to keep in mind.
An assault on a network that floods it with so many requests that regular traffic is either slowed or completely interrupted. Unlike a virus or worm, which can cause severe damage to databases, a denial of service attack interrupts network service for a long period of time.
A distributed Denial of Service attack can employ hundreds or even thousands of computers that have previously been infected. The computers act as “zombies” and work together to send out bogus messages, thereby creating huge volumes of phony traffic.
A network of a large number of private computers infected with malicious software. They are then controlled as a group, without the owners’ knowledge. They are usually used to generate spam, relay viruses, or flood a network or Web server with excessive requests to cause it to fail (see “Denial of Service Attack“).
The individual computers are compromised via a Trojan that often works by opening an Internet Relay Chat (IRC) channel that waits for commands from the person/organization in control of the botnet.
There is a thriving botnet business selling lists of compromised computers to hackers and spammers.
ALERT:
This was a highly sophisticated operation that managed to stay inside bank networks for a very long time…
UNDETECTED!
Antivirus developer Kaspersky’s publication on Feb. 16, 2015, revealed details on what is likely the biggest cyberheist ever.
The opened software files infected their workstations. Once the CyberCriminal had access, they roamed the internal network freely, until they tracked down administrators’ computers for video surveillance. They studied how the bank clerks worked, and were then able to mimic their activity and tell ATMs to dispense cash to a gang member at a pre-determined time, or transfer larger amounts to accounts located all over the world. In some cases, they inflated account balances before pocketing the extra funds through a fraudulent transaction. Because legitimate funds were still there, the account holder would not suspect a problem.
Kaspersky reports evidence of theft in the amount of $300 million. The NY Times reports thefts could add up to 3 times that amount, likely exceeding $1 billion.
Chris Doggett, from Kaspersky North America, told the NY Times, “This is likely the most sophisticated attack the world has seen to date in terms of the tactics and methods that cybercriminals have used to remain covert.”
The CyberGang, dubbed the “Carbanak CyberGang” by Kaspersky because of the malware they used, appears to be the first international CyberMafia: a group of CyberCriminals from Russia, Ukraine and other parts of Europe and China.
Kaspersky could not release the names of the banks because of nondisclosure agreements, but reports they were in Russia, Japan, Europe, The Netherlands, the US, and Canada. NY Times states that The White House and FBI have been briefed on Kaspersky’s findings. Interpol and Europol are coordinating the investigation.
Sanjay Virmani, director of Interpol Digital Crime Center said in a statement prepared by Kaspersky,
“These attacks again underline the fact that criminals will exploit any vulnerability in any system. It also highlights the fact that no sector can consider itself immune to attack and must constantly address their security procedures.”
Kevin Mitnick, KnowBe4’s Chief Hacking Officer tweeted,
“Even after 20 years, social engineering is still the easiest way into a target’s network and systems, and it’s still the hardest attack to prevent.”
Unlike phishing scams, which case broad, scatter-shot attacks, spear phishing hones in on a specific group or organization. The intent is to steal intellectual property, financial data, trade or military secrets and other confidential data.
An email arrives, apparently from a trustworthy source, but instead it leads the unknowing recipient to a bogus website full of malware. The malware infects that person’s computer. If that person is connected to a network, or server, the CyberCriminals that sent the email now have access to the server and/or network, and all it’s information and data it/they contain.
These emails often use clever tactics to get victims’ attention. For example, the FBI has warned of spear phishing scams where the emails appeared to be from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Many times, government-sponsored hackers and hacktivists are behind these attacks. CyberCriminals do the same with the intention to resell confidential data to governments and private companies. These CyberCriminals employ individually designed approaches and social engineering techniques to effectively personalize messages and websites. As a result, even high-ranking targets within organizations, can find themselves opening emails they thought were safe.
How To Stop It:
Traditional security often does not stop these attacks. They are so cleverly customized, and are becoming more and more difficult to detect.
One employee mistake can have serious consequenses for businesses, financial institutions, governments, and even non-profit organizations. With stolen data, CyberCriminals can reveal commercially sensitive information, manipulate stock prices, or commit various acts of espionage.
Although you should practice safe internet policies every day, this day is to bring focus to how important online safety is.
This checkup makes sure you are making the most of the 24/7 protection you receive from TbyD (if you’re on one of our Monthly Service Plans).
It takes just a couple minutes and, unlike other checkups, it won’t leave you feeling guilty about not flossing.
Here’s what it does:
If they detect suspicious activity in your account, they use your recovery info to get in touch and make sure no one but you gains access.
Reviewing this lets you validate the sign-ins are coming from you and not someone else who shouldn’t be using your credentials.
This step lets you monitor this list and remove apps and devices that don’t need access to your account any more.
After you’ve gone through the checkup successfully, you’ll see 3 green checkboxes (see left) that confirm you’re eligible for the free storage and, more importantly, that you’ve taken steps to enhance your online safety.
Google will be granting the storage automatically to everyone by around February 28, 2015, and they will send you an email when your adjustment is complete.
**Please note: Google Apps for Work and Google Apps for Education users are not eligible for the bonus storage, but should still consider taking the Security Checkup.