So the downtime has been due to being out on vacation, blackhat usa 2008, and just "chillin'"

I'll start back into this regularly soon.

So, in the traditional husband-wife relation the is the list of melons...ok so it's really only one fruit: the honey-do! "Honey, do this. Honey do that."

I actually like the honey-do list because it gives me a list of projects that will make my wife happy when I do them (and usually make her life a little bit easier), and I then also have a checklist of things to get done. Having a list is better than having to create the list myself and forgetting something. So, in a sense it pleases my laziness to have a list of things to do...yep I'm a walking oxymoron (or maybe just a moron with oxygen).

Happy Independence Day!

So, I've been thinking quite a bit about what it means to live in a free country. I've also been thinking about the responsibilities that come with that freedom. It has been said that freedom isn't free, or at least id doesn't come free. I lean toward the former, namely that freedom is never free. But I think the more accurate portrayal is that with freedom comes a responsibility to use it correctly. So what is that responsibility?

So I've been giving quite a bit of thought to the purpose of maintaining and adding to this blog. Perhaps I should take a step back and ask the questions: Why do I own this domain? Why do I have this website? Why do I have this blog?

In short, the answer to all three is the same: I don't really know, but its something I want to do.

I'll post some more introductory topics to the two or three topics that I want to focus on for this blog over this holiday weekend (4th of July!)

So while I was running this morning, I was thinking about what it means to exercise. Here's the definition I thought of this morning while running: Exercise is when you set a goal higher than you can achieve and work until you get it!

In the physical exercise world this makes sense, however when you start to apply it to other areas (like technology, mental strength, security, etc) it takes on some new meanings.

So I was just thinking, what good am I doing? I mean I work hard at my job, I work hard at taking care of my family (i.e. spending quality time with them, helping around the house, etc). But am I having any impact on the world?

I think so, but just not in famous, infamous, or noticeable ways. We all impact the world around us, the question really is "What is that impact?"

So several of you have asked me about LifeLock and other identity theft protection services. I personally don’t use their (or any) service and don’t think it’s a very good idea, as there’s a TON of fear-based marketing in that industry.

As a security guy (I’m not willing to call myself a security professional just quite yet), I would recommend reading these articles about identity theft protection companies (the first one is probably the best):

• Never Pay Someone to Protect Your Identity
• The Pros and Cons of Lifelock
• Heading Off New Account Fraud

In short, they’re not really worth the price they charge and you can do what they do yourself for free, but if you don’t want to do that work, then sure they can help certain types of identity fraud.

Just my opinion,
David

"Why are there more people than chickens?"

"Why don't bears go to church?"

I love my kids!