==================== This email newsletter comes to you free and is supported by the following advertisers, which offer products and services in which you might be interested. Please take a moment to visit these advertisers' Web sites and show your support for Security UPDATE. Quest Software http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B510:4FB69 Postini http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B502:4FB69 ==================== 1. In Focus: Changing Passwords En Masse 2. Security News and Features - Recent Security Vulnerabilities - Microsoft Restructures Security Solutions Competency - HP Boosts OpenView with Federated Identities - Sunbelt Shines New Light into Kerio Personal Firewall 3. Security Toolkit - Security Matters Blog - FAQ - Security Forum Featured Thread 4. New and Improved - Intrusion Detection for 100Mbps Networks ==================== ==== Sponsor: Quest Software ==== "Get to One" system with help from Quest Software Streamline processes and increase security with tips from our new white paper. For most organizations, heterogeneous enterprises are a fact of life, but they present significant management and security challenges. Fortunately, Quest Software's Vintela products can help. Through natively implementing standards on non-Windows systems, those systems can participate as "full citizens" in the world of Microsoft infrastructure and management technologies. Learn how with info from, "Get to One: Integrating Heterogeneous Systems for Security and Management." This paper explains how an integrated architecture can streamline processes, save money, reduce complexity, increase security and enable compliance for Windows, Unix, Linux, Java and Mac systems. "Get to One" solution for identity management, systems management and systems monitoring. Download the white paper today: http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B510:4FB69 ==================== ==== 1. In Focus: Changing Passwords En Masse by Mark Joseph Edwards, News Editor, mark at ntsecurity / net A few weeks ago, I wrote about tools you can use to test password strength and to recover unknown passwords. If you missed "Password Cracking Made Easy," you can read it on our Web site. http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B50C:4FB69 I want to follow up with a discussion of how to change passwords across all systems on your network. The most common instance of a password that you might want to change on any number of systems is the local Administrator account password. Changing this password regularly is probably a wise idea because doing so helps prevent unwanted access to systems. Some administrators don't care what the local Administrator account password is as long as nonadministrative employees don't know it. These admins prefer to generate a random password for each system. Other admins do want to know what the passwords are in case they need them for whatever reason. In either case, there are plenty of ways to change passwords across the board. If you have Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) you could use a simple, one-line installer program code such as Execute %SYS32%\net.exe user administrator <password> in which <password> is the actual password. Another solution is to use a script, probably written in Visual Basic (VB). Several sample scripts are available on the Internet. If you have relatively few systems and can readily create a list of those systems, you could try using the script posted at Spoogenet, at the first URL below. Or try the script posted at Sadikhov.com, at the second URL below. Or use Chwinpw (at the third URL below), a command- line tool from ITeF!x that can be integrated into a batch file or script. http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B50B:4FB69 http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B4FB:4FB69 http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B519:4FB69 If you have Active Directory (AD), you can use AD objects and a script to gain access to a list of all computers. Such a script can also be used to change the local Administrator password for all your computers. Check out the sample script posted at ScriptingAnswers.com, at the URL below. It's short, simple, and relatively easy to understand if you're familiar with VB or other programming languages. http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B4FD:4FB69 If you don't want to use a script and prefer a regular desktop application to do the work for you, there are probably a large number of choices, especially for enterprise networks. But if you manage a relatively small network and want a solution that doesn't carry an enterprise-class price, you could try Hyena from AMTSoftware International at the first URL below, which starts at $199. Or you might try DC PasswordChanger (DCPC), at the second URL below, which is free from Danish Company. http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B518:4FB69 http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B501:4FB69 If none of these solutions fit your needs, you can scour the Internet for something different. Try using your favorite search engine to look for phrases such as "change admin passwords," "change local admin passwords," "admin passwords" + "Active directory," and you'll find numerous discussions in which people have shared their insights. But before you do that, you might want to check the Windows IT Pro Magazine Web site to see what we've published about this topic. Use our search engine with the above phrases. The link below will take you directly to the search results for the phrase "change local administrator passwords." http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B51B:4FB69" ==================== ==== Sponsor: Postini ==== Protect and Manage Instant Messaging 85% of businesses use IM for business or personal use to improve communication and reduce email usage. In this free white paper learn how to protect your company and implement a managed IM security solution! http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B502:4FB69 ==================== ==== 2. Security News and Features ==== Recent Security Vulnerabilities If you subscribe to this newsletter, you also receive Security Alerts, which inform you about recently discovered security vulnerabilities. You can also find information about these discoveries at http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B506:4FB69 Microsoft Restructures Security Solutions Competency Microsoft made changes to its Microsoft Partner Program to include third-party validation of security credentials for Security Solutions Competency compliance. The company also added two new specializations to the program. http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B511:4FB69 HP Boosts OpenView with Federated Identities HP announced that it will buy Trustgenix, maker of identity federation solutions. Terms of the acquisition weren't announced, however HP said it will integrate Trustgenix federated identity solutions into its OpenView management software. http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B50E:4FB69 Sunbelt Shines New Light into Kerio Personal Firewall Kerio Personal Firewall was scheduled for mothballs on December 31. Then Sunbelt Software stepped in to buy the solution from Kerio Technologies. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year. http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B50D:4FB69 ==================== ==== Resources and Events ==== Web Seminar--Plan and Implement Highly Available Exchange Systems Register today: http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B504:4FB69 Web Seminar--Manage and Reduce Planned Downtime Register today: http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B505:4FB69 SOXCon 2005--December 7, 2005--12:00 to 5:00 p.m. EST THE FIRST AND ONLY Internet conference and vendor exhibition focused exclusively on the systems, processes, management methodologies, and best practices that comprise the Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance Management market. Register here and view the full day's agenda. Sign up today at http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B500:4FB69 Microsoft Exchange & Windows Connections 2006 April 9-12, 2006, Orlando, Florida. Microsoft and Windows IT Pro magazine team up to produce the essential conference for systems administrators and IT managers in Windows and Exchange technology. Register by January 9 and receive one FREE hotel night at the Walt Disney World Swan Resort. Call 800-438-6720 for details. http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B517:4FB69 Web Seminar--Get the Tools, Tips, and Training That You Need to Avoid a Messaging Meltdown When an Outage Strikes Register today at http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B503:4FB69 ==================== ==== Featured White Paper ==== Download a White Paper--You Could Win an iPod Nano Get your free copy today at http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B515:4FB69 ==================== ==== Hot Release ==== Filtering the Spectrum of Internet Threats: Defending Against Inappropriate Content, Spyware, IM, and P2P at the Perimeter Because of the proliferation of Web-based threats, you can no longer rely on basic firewalls as your sole network protection. Attackers continue to evolve clever methods for reaching victims, such as sending crafty Web links through Instant Messaging (IM) clients or email, or by simply linking to other Web sites that your employees might surf. This free white paper examines the threats of allowing unwanted or offensive content into your network and describes the technologies and methodologies to combat these types of threats. Get your free copy now! http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B4FF:4FB69 ==================== ==== 3. Security Toolkit ==== Security Matters Blog: Chain Reactions of Bad Advice by Mark Joseph Edwards, http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B514:4FB69 One person creates a script to help secure Windows. Another person thinks it's a replacement for personal firewalls. Then another person agrees with him and a chain reaction of very bad advice ensues. Read all about it in this blog article. http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B512:4FB69 FAQ by John Savill, http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B513:4FB69 Q: How can I check the health of my Group Policy Objects (GPOs) in Windows Server 2003? Find the answer at http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B50F:4FB69 Security Forum: Antivirus Solutions A forum participant runs a network that consists of the main site plus eight remote sites. All the remote locations connect to the main site via T1 circuits and route through the main site's network out to the Internet for Web and email. The company doesn't have an in-house email server. The forum participant wonders whether anyone can recommend an antivirus solution to protect the entire enterprise, which includes about 107 employees. Join the discussion at: http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B4FE:4FB69 ==================== ==== Announcements ==== (from Windows IT Pro and its partners) Want to Become a VIP Subscriber? Become a VIP subscriber and get continuous, inside access to ALL of the online resources published in Windows IT Pro, SQL Server Magazine, and the Exchange and Outlook Administrator, Windows Scripting Solutions, and Windows IT Security newsletters--that's more than 26,000 articles at your fingertips. You'll also get a valuable one-year print subscription to Windows IT Pro and two VIP CDs (CDs include the entire article database on CD, delivered twice per year). Don't miss out ... sign up now: http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B509:4FB69 Windows Scripting Solutions--Holiday Special The Windows Scripting Solutions newsletter is a "must have." Subscribe today and SAVE up to $30 off the regular price. You'll get 12 helpful issues loaded with expert-reviewed downloadable code and scripting techniques, as well as hundreds of tips on automating repetitive tasks. In addition, you'll get access to the entire online newsletter archive (more than 500 scripting articles), including the popular "Shell Scripting 101" series. This resource will help to save you time and money. Order now: http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B507:4FB69 ==================== ==== 4. New and Improved ==== by Renee Munshi, products@private Intrusion Detection for 100Mbps Networks Arxceo announced a new addition to its line of network security appliances, Ally ip100, which provides antireconnaissance and anomaly- and behavior-based attack detection and prevention for 100Mbps networks. It's designed for perimeter protection and enterprise 100BaseT segments, such as 802.11a/b/g wireless networks or T1/DS1 remote offices. Ally ip100 runs on embedded Linux 2.6.11 and provides a Web-based interface for administrative tasks. Pop-up alerts are provided via SNMP and a Windows-based client application. Ally ip100's retail price is $895. For more information, go to http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B51A:4FB69 Tell Us About a Hot Product and Get a T-Shirt! Have you used a product that changed your IT experience by saving you time or easing your daily burden? Tell us about the product, and we'll send you a T-shirt if we write about the product in a future Windows IT Pro What's Hot column. Send your product suggestions with information about how the product has helped you to whatshot@private Editor's note: Share Your Security Discoveries and Get $100 Share your security-related discoveries, comments, or problems and solutions in the Windows IT Security print newsletter's Reader to Reader column. Email your contributions (500 words or less) to r2rwinitsec@private If we print your submission, you'll get $100. We edit submissions for style, grammar, and length. ==================== ==== Contact Us ==== About the newsletter -- letters@private About technical questions -- http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B516:4FB69 About product news -- products@private About your subscription -- windowsitproupdate@private About sponsoring Security UPDATE -- salesopps@private ==================== This email newsletter is brought to you by Windows IT Security, the leading publication for IT professionals securing the Windows enterprise from external intruders and controlling access for internal users. Subscribe today. http://list.windowsitpro.com/t?ctl=1B50A:4FB69 View the Windows IT Pro privacy policy at http://www.windowsitpro.com/AboutUs/Index.cfm?action=privacy Windows IT Pro, a division of Penton Media, Inc. 221 East 29th Street, Loveland, CO 80538 Attention: Customer Service Department Copyright 2005, Penton Media, Inc. 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