I've found the best way to get going is through a few key books Hacking Linux Exposed (or Hacking Windows 2000 Exposed) from mcgraw hills or alot of their other titles. Oreilly.com has ton's of good books on security thats what i used to get started. And if you belong to a Macromedia User Group most are sponsored by Oreilly and you can get free books from them in exchange for a small writen review (mcgraw also has this kinda deal)....i started out as a Flash Designer so i know where you're coming from.
If you're serious about learning more about security join you're local linux user group they should be able to help you out alot. (Thats if you're interested more in linux security issues than windows) And this list will always help you with any questions you may have. Can't think of any good web sites right now but im dead tired so im sure someone else will be able to help you out with that. http://www.secureroot.com used to have a half way decent forum but its been a loooooong time since i've visited it so it could have gone down hill. Florian Hines X-Caliber Consulting -----Original Message----- From: Pat Meeks [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Sunday, July 21, 2002 3:30 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: List Lurker Would Like To Learn More About Security Basics I manage a web site and found this list and web site when I got hit by a spammer because I was using an old version of Matt Wright's FormMail. I received a "baptism by fire" and a short intro into something called "open relays". By poking around the net, I was able to learn enough to ask my hosting service (I'm on a shared hosting setup) to move my site to a secure server and for me to change the email program. The hosting service moaned at the request (as it is no big deal to be an open relay), but moved me anyway (at least I know it was a different IP, but I still have no idea how to check to see if the server is not an open relay). Security is an issue rarely discussed in web design newsgroups and I lack technical expertise. My eyes have been "watering over" trying to get a handle on the terminology used in many of the posts. I'm very interested in learning about security issues on shared hosting platforms and very interested in learning more about the really good thread that's been running concerning DSL and protecting home computers and small networks. Can you please point me to a site that helps newbies and non-techies learn security basics? The only sites I've found seem to be for network administrators and other professionals that already know the basics. For example, I'd like to be able to understand the terminology used in the DSL thread. Many thanks! Pat
