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14 Oct 2017When PR spam is actually amusing
I get spammed by PR firms all the time - quite likely a dozen or more emails from them in my business inbox every day. I think I get on their radar because certain articles I write happen to be related to what these spammers are trying to promote. Well, I recently got this spam message via email from a PR firm regarding an upcoming security conference. Looks interesting. But ...
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29 May 2015What you (really) need to know about esophageal manometry
Aside from my typical computer security-related blog posts I thought I’d branch out and share something completely unrelated in hopes it can benefit others. Recently, I had the opportunity to endure the most difficult thing I’ve ever experienced as a forty-something male: esophageal manometry. It’s performed on patients suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In short, the medical professional sticks one of these ~1/2" thick torture tubes up one of ...
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16 Aug 2012
You can’t buy security for $1, but some people will fall for it
I recently deposited a check at a giant monster mega bank that's continually trying to sell me new services and the teller asked: "Would you like to buy identity theft protection for just $1 today?"Wow, really...so you're saying my personal information will be safe and secure for a mere $1...!? Amazing...but no thanks. Sadly, many in management are like the average consumer: they just don't realize what it takes to ...
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16 Sep 2011
I love solid state drives but I’m no fan of OCZ
I tweeted about this the other day but though it deserved a longer post. If you do anything with IT/security tools such as vulnerability scanners, network analyzers and the like you HAVE to get a solid state drive.Hands down, installing solid state drives in my laptops has been the best computer upgrade I have ever made in 22 years of using computers. Better than doubling my RAM, better than upgrading ...
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09 Aug 2011
Steve Jobs’ ridiculous iTunes interface
I just spent 6.5 minutes cracking a family member's laptop password in order to demonstrate the dangers of not having whole disk encryption. I then went on to spend 20 minutes+ of my life trying to sync some new music to an iPod Touch with the unbelievably difficult iTunes interface.... After investing a lot of time (that I'll never get back, mind you) I still didn't get the music synced. ...
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16 Oct 2009
Email business continuity – this is funny…and ironic
As I reported a couple of days ago, my email security provider stopped working. Maybe they took a hiatus...a sabbatical...an extended vacation - and didn't tell me. Seriously, I did end up calling them a few times trying to work things out. I got what seemed to be a knowledgeable tech rep trying to help me. The problem was he never could. He said he'd call me back two different ...
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16 Sep 2009
Parental software, is this where we’re headed!?
Be careful which parental monitoring software you install on your kids' computers. Looks like some people think their content filtering software is a means to capture the text of IM chats for the purposes of marketing intelligence. Sickening.Good reason to use a network analyzer to see what's being sent out of your computers/networks! Get an executive or IT admin on one of these computers talking about sensitive subjects and its ...
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24 Jul 2009
How vendors tick people off
I just experienced a situation with a vendor that made me realize how they often lose the interest of the very people they need to be on their side.I'll spare the details to protect the guilty but if you're a vendor here are a few things you have to consider if you want to win over consultants, resellers, analysts, and potential customers with your cool product:Prepare beforehand and at least ...
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23 Jun 2009
Running a computer without malware protection?
I'm so glad other people are experiencing anti-malware bloat as well. It seems like I'm having to disable real-time anti-virus, etc. protection quite often to get certain things done. I'm sure Microsoft's forthcoming MSE will fix this. [not holding my breath...]...
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23 May 2009
MagicJack – Great concept, awful execution
You may have heard that AT&T is dropping its CallVantage VoIP service. I'm not too upset since their service has been mediocre and my enhancement requests have been ignored. As of late I've been searching for an alternative solution. I'd heard some good stuff about the MagicJack and thought I'd give it a try. It was a "free" trial so what did I have to lose?Apparently several hours of my ...
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Client Testimonials
“A business associate referred our company to Principle Logic when we were seeking a resource to perform vulnerability /penetration testing for our external and internal networks. We found Kevin Beaver to be professional, well informed, and easy to work with. His testing did not disrupt our networks, and his progress updates were timely.
His final report was very thorough and included security recommendations for our network environment. The executive leadership was so impressed with Kevin’s security expertise, they have extended their agreement to continue to perform periodic testing. We highly recommend Kevin Beaver and Principle Logic as a resource for network security testing.”
(IT managed services firm)
Kevin has written/co-written 12 books on information security including one of the best-sellers of all time:
