SEC520

Quick Links
Weekly Schedule Course Outline [Security Resources] [Security Community]
Assignments
[Assignment 1] [Assignment 2]

Welcome to SEC520 - Internet Security

What This Course is About

This subject explores issues surrounding web site construction, operation, and maintenance from a security point of view. Students will learn how to:

• Identify attack types from both internal and external sources.

• Build secure servers ("hardened" servers).

Major topics will include document encryption, server protection, and defense strategies.

Demonstration web servers for both Windows and Unix/Linux will be investigated during this one semester course.

Course Resources

• SEC520 Weekly Schedule (Course Notes / Labs)
• Course Outline
• Course Policies
• School of Computer Studies Homepage
• [Security Resources]
• [Security Community]

Supplies Checklist (Required for Second Class)

1. Bootable Backtrack CD

Storage Media	Download and Burning Options	Graphics
BackTrack Live CD (Used for "hardening" existing servers) Fedora Installation CD (Demo Linux server for practicing "hardening") Windows 2003 Server CD (Demo Linux server for practicing "hardening")	BackTrack Live CD: Burn BackTrack from Freedom Toaster (in the Open Lab) (click for details) Download and Burn BackTrack in TEL Open Lab (click for full instructions) Download and Burn BackTrack at Home (click for details) Fedora Live CD: Burn Fedora CD from Freedom Toaster (in the Open Lab) (click for details) Download and Burn Fedora CD in TEL Open Lab (click for full instructions) Download and Burn Fedora CD at Home (click for details) Windows 2003 Server CD: Burn Windows 2003 Server CD from Freedom Toaster (in the Open Lab) (click for details) Download and Burn Windows 2003 Server CD in TEL Open Lab (click for full instructions) Download and Burn Windows 2003 Server CD at Home (click for details)	Blank Writable CDs Available at the Bookstore or other retail stores	Freedom Toaster in TEL Open Lab (Convenient, but machine has problems with some types of DVDs)

2. Additional Hardware

Item	Item Details	Graphic
SATA Hard Disk in Removable Drive Tray	Hard Disk Size: at least 160GB. Please buy the tray from ACS or the bookstore as not all trays are compatible. Mechanical shock from dropping a hard drive causes drive failure for several students each semester. If you use a mechanical hard drive, be careful not to drop it, and transport it in a padded container (e.g., a neoprene netbook sleeve, available from some dollar stores). Hard drives are currently expensive due to flooding in Thailand. Solid state disks (SSDs) are becoming competitive in price, are faster, and are less susceptible to shock, so you may want to look for a deal on an SSD instead of a hard drive -- but check to ensure that your SSD will fit properly into your drive tray. Please tighten the drive screws securely to prevent the tray from jamming in the holder, or leave the screws off.	Hard Disk in Disk Tray At least 160 GB (available at the Bookstore)

3. Study Aids

Item	Item Details	Graphic
Lab Log-Book	Download and Print: [SEC520 Lab log book (PDF)]. Please note that you can use your log book during quizzes, written tests, practical tests and the final exam. It's also the record that you have completed the labs, so don't lose it!	Lab Log-Book Used for marking labs and for an evaluation aid

Important Information

You are Playing With Fire! "A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing". You MUST carefully read and follow instructions in your SEC520 labs as well as heeding warning from your SEC520 instructor. Failing to use caution when learning in this environment can cause damage to computer systems and cause your computer account(s) to be taken away. Students will be required to "sign waivers" to promise to follow these rules carefully, and only perform certain operations in the computer lab indicated at the college. Bring all of these supplies to each class. Even after installation, the Live CD, Installation DVD, and flash drive may be required. Place your Full Name and Contact Information on the hard disk tray cover and directly on the disk drive. Use an adhesive label and permanent marker, or a white marker on the black cover. Always "double-check" that you have removabled your hard disk tray prior to exiting the lab room. You may have your hard drive tray stolen which will result in lost work! Do not share your SEC520 disk drive with another course. The work you do in this course will render your other work inaccessible and may erase it. Earlier labs become the foundation for later labs. Seemingly "small errors", or "skipping instructions" in earlier labs can have negative consequences when performing other dependent labs. Make backups when requested at the end of labs for "restoration points" in case something goes wrong while performing a lab. Always shut down your system under software control, rather than using the reset or power buttons. You can shutdown using the GUI or with the poweroff, reboot, init, or shutdown commands. Shut down your virtual machines before shutting down your main system.

Course Faculty

During the Fall 2012 semester, OPS235 is taught by: Wiki Participation You can edit these pages! Please feel free to fix typos or add links to additional resources. Please use this capability responsibly.