Archive for October, 2008

By David Down

Is it really possible to run a free reverse cell phone lookup on the internet? Many of us have become disillusioned and frustrated in the past with websites which appear to offer free products or services online but in fact do not. Is this the case with cell phone lookups?

Firstly let us examine exactly what we mean by a phone number lookup. If you have in your possession a residential phone number but no idea who the number belongs to or what address it relates to you can use a “reverse lookup” service to find out those details. This can obviously be very useful in situations where you have lost contact with someone but still have a record of their phone number, or simply wish to verify who owns the number before mistakenly phoning the wrong number. There are many places you can perform such residential and business phone lookups online for free, including toll-free numbers.

However a problem arises when you need to run a reverse lookup on a cellular phone as the free directories do not contain any such numbers. Similarly they do not contain fax numbers as this information is only held by the carriers and telecommunications companies. Do these records exist, and are they free?

The good news is there are websites which claim to offer large numbers of cell phone numbers, but they are not free. These websites naturally have to pay for access to some of this information, and go to the considerable trouble of pulling all the various resources together in one place, and as a result you will be charged a small fee before you can access the lookup databases. However the fee is a one-off payment and with some websites you can run as many searches as you like once you have access, with others they offer a single lookup for a lower fee. The records they claim to offer include cell owner details, address history, carrier details, and the phone connection status. It is also worth noting that the databases offered by each company differ to some degree, but most include cell phones and often residential, business, toll-free, even pagers, and these websites say your searches are guaranteed legal and confidential.

In addition to reverse lookups there are also similar websites which offer access to information such as background checks and background reports, people finder databases, bankruptcies, liens, public records databases including births, deaths, marriages, divorces and adoptions, sex offender records, police records, and much more. These sites operate in the same way, offering access to specific types of information for a set fee, however it should be noted that you will not receive access to such information as part of your cell phone lookup site membership.

I have seen websites claiming to offer free cell lookups, but they always lead eventually to the paid sites in the end, even allowing people to search for free and then charging to view the results. It is the sad truth that the only place where you are likely to find detailed reverse cell records is within the legitimate paid directories. In conclusion, the answer is no, free cell phone lookups do not currently exist. However if you really want to access such records then I believe paying a small fee is a price worth paying.

For more information including a list of popular reverse cell phone lookup sites visit Cell-Phone-Pages.com. Cell Phone Pages also contains hundreds of cell phone and telecommunications articles and resources covering all aspects of cell phone safety, security, accessories and shopping.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Down
http://EzineArticles.com/?Free-Reverse-Cell-Phone-Lookup-Websites—Do-They-Exist?&id=638191


What is a VLAN?

by Roberto Bell

A Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) is a group of hosts that feature a like set of requirements and can communicate as though they were all connected via the same wires. However, unlike a traditional LAN, a VLAN is not necessarily all in the same place, and the hosts involved in the network can be located practically anywhere. All VLANs have the exact same attributes as a traditional physical local area network, though they can be configured via software instead of having to actually relocate the hosts.

Many VLANs are designed as replacements to the services that are traditionally provided by routers on physical LANs. VLANs are able to tackle issues like network management, security, and scalability with ease.

VLANs are known as Layer 2, or Data Link layer, constructs which transfer data between network nodes. Because they are Layer 2 constructs, they can interface with Layer 3 IP subnets with a one to one relationship.



How are VLANs designed?

The IEEE assigned IEEE 802.1Q as the protocol by which to configure virtual LANs. IEEE 802.1Q provides for a header with a 2-byte protocol identifier and another 2-byte tag control information. These are known as TPID and TCI, respectively. The TPID is fixed at 0×8100 while the TCI contains information pertaining to the user priority, canonical format indicator, and VLAN identifier.

What are the two types of VLAN memberships?

VLAN membership can be assigned in one of two ways. Static or Dynamic.

A Static VLAN is also known as a port based VLAN. These types of VLANs are created by assigning specific ports to a VLAN. As new devices enter into the VLAN network, the device assumes a specific port. If end users change ports but require access to the same VLAN, network administrators are required to assign new port to VLAN assignments for the new port.

A Dynamic VLAN is designed to be easily configured using software. The most common software for designing dynamic VLANs is CiscoWorks, a program developed by Cisco. A VLAN Management Policy Server (VMPS) must be set up first for a dynamic VLAN. This server will allow the VLAN to automatically switch ports whenever new devices connect to the VLAN. It uses information such as the device’s ports, unique usernames, and MAC addresses to determine whether or not to change ports to fit the needs of the incoming device.

Tom Paine writes for The Tech FAQ and is the author of articles such as VLAN, VLAN Hopping, and VLAN.

Article Source: Rhino Articles


By Ashish Dwivedi

SDHC (Secure Digital High-Capacity) are new Flash memory cards based on the SDA (Secure Digital Association) 2.00 specification. SDHC provides removable memory storage for compatible digital devices, including cameras, camcorders, PDAs, MP3 players and more.SDHC cards guarantee a minimum sustained data transfer speed, not a maximum speed. There are three available speeds – Class 2, Class 4 and Class 6.There is difference of Data Transfer Rate (DTR) between these classes.

Class 2 devices guaranty a minimum DTR of 2 MB/sec
Class 4 devices guaranty a minimum DTR of 4 MB/secClass 6 devices guaranty a minimum DTR of 6 MB/sec

The device class is specified on the device itself.

The previous versions of SDA specifications did not provide such common standards for sustained data transfer speeds to be shared by all manufacturers. The new speed classification allows users to select card performance based on the needs of particular applications, such as HD video, and other MPEG applications, rather than just a maximum speed rating.

SDHC Cards comes in different capacities ranging from 4 GB-32 GB. Please see the highest capacity supported by your device. SDHC logo on your device does not neccesarily means that your device will support all the capacities that are provided under SDHC cards. There is probabilty that your camera may support only 4 GB of capacity which is also SDHC. Please contact your device manufacturer or refer to your manual for further clarifications.

SDHC cards has the same physical size as SD cards but with higher capacities which cannot be used with SD host devices that do not comply with SDA Specifications Version 2.00.It makes sense,since the same size card with increased capacity would have a different circuit design all together. Also, there is a Sandisk Card Reader that can start supporting SDHC cards after a small firmware upgrade. But only few device versions of that particular model can be upgraded to support SDHC Cards.Host devices complying with SDA Version 2.00 can use both SD Memory Cards and the new SDHC Memory Cards.

Current SD cards complying with Version 1.01 and Version 1.10 use either the FAT16 file system, whereas Version 2.00 uses FAT32. This latest specification was established to support SDHC card applications with higher capacity needs.Remember, only if the approved SDHC logo appears on the card or package, the product is compliant with SDA 2.00 specifications.

I hope you enjoyed it.
Please feel free to leave your comments.

Thanks

http://usbguru.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ashish_Dwivedi
http://EzineArticles.com/?Introduction-to-New-Type-of-Memory-Cards—SDHC—Secure-Digital-High-Capacity&id=1538041


by Groshan Fabiola

One of the biggest security issues present in ASP and PHP is the SQL injection. The thing with ASP and PHP is that they have flaws that let web developers make unintentional mistakes in creating SQL queries, leading to vulnerabilities in security. These are easy to fix, but do require some tinkering and research.

Preventing SQL Injections

An effective way to prevent SQL injections is to validate all user inputs thoroughly, identifying meta-characters so you can filter them all out. You must place filters properly so they can remove anything that is not known good data. Utilizing account lockout policies can also help by safeguarding your system from brute-forcing.

Always remember that security validation must be done server-side and never through client-side authentication methods like JavaScript since it can be bypassed by simply turning off JavaScript in the internet browser.

As with numeric input like age, telephone number, credit card number, and so on, values should be processed through special functions to make sure that the entered value only has numbers in it, as well as spaces if necessary. It would do good to limit the number of characters allowed to what is necessary also just to be sure. Do the same with dates, integers, and floats to leave no holes, or just have them in drop-down boxes. If selected through a drop-down box you should still validate the input as a hacker could submit their own html to the server using a text/hidden field instead of a dropdown. Remember that just because your form only lists valid values in a drop-down or radio-group or tick-box, a hacker can still submit any value they want for that field. You should assume that all input fields (regardless of type) can be submitted to the server as if it’s any text value.

For string inputs, on the other hand, it may be necessary to have certain meta-characters allowed. For example, people would have names like O’Neil, so you need to set the apostrophe (single quote) as allowed. In such scenarios, the name should be accepted and perhaps replace the quote with two quotes before putting it into the database just to be safe. It would be helpful to limit the number of characters like with numerical values since an unlimited number of characters can be utilized by someone who is planning to initiate an SQL injection attack.

Threat Management and Damage Control

You can clean up your code as thoroughly and as obsessively as you want, but you will still need assurance. The solution to this problem isn’t free, but is a good long-term investment, especially if your database has very sensitive data like bank account information, contact numbers, email addresses, physical addresses, and so on. In these cases, an SQL injection tool is required to help you with the process.

The best thing you can get is a trusty SQL injection scanner to detect any attacks whenever possible. These are enterprise-level applications available for companies to install onto their servers, so you don’t have to worry much about client-side implications other than making sure that customers can still enter data correctly.

If ever there really was an SQL injection attack, you will have to remove that filth. That is where an SQL injection removal program comes in. Usually available with the SQL injection scanner as a suite, it can be used for damage control so that you can still secure whatever precious data there may be while removing the threat from your system. This is definitely a must-have for emergencies, which makes it a worthwhile investment.

With your SQL injection tool in hand, you can increase security of your website’s database exponentially, thwarting any injection attempts from cracking through. Combining this with careful prevention, you can make sure that data is secure, no matter what. You cannot rely too much on your SQL injection scanner to tell you what’s wrong and your SQL injection removal software to take care of mishaps. Prevention is always better than cure.

For more resources about sql injection tool or even about sql injection removal please review this web page http://www.sqlinjectionscanner.com

Article Source: bb-articles.com


by Viswanath V

As the first point-of-contact for users of information technology services with problems the IT Help desk is service forms one of the crucial support system for a business enterprise. Multiplicity of business applications and their underlying technologies create significant strain on in-house IT support resources. In most cases it is difficult and expensive to manage and support applications demanding varying levels of technological sophistication

Our ITIL based processes and systems are offer a broad and user-centric approach, which seeks to provide a user with an informed single point of contact for all of their ICT requirements CSS IT help desk service seeks to facilitate the integration of business processes into the Service Management infrastructure. As the IT Response Center or IT Solutions Center

Availability and prompt delivery of service are the key differentiators in a help desk service scenario. Round-the-clock services without any drop in SLA’s or quality through our global delivery platform provides flexibility to our clients, and ensures that they receive high quality service, cost efficiency, localization and reduced risk.

The Multi-channel support services offered by CSS ensure “attention to detail” in several areas, starting right from the moment the support request is started till it is closed, which ultimately leads to rapid response and resolution of issues.

Cybernet-SlashSupport is a leading provider of technology support services for enterprises and technology service providers. As a diverse end-to-end IT solutions provider, CSS provides flexible, customized solutions tailor-made to meet specific requirements. Some of our IT help desk services include setting up and operating IT help desk 24×7 which acts as single point of contact for all users of enterprise. Our mature processes and highly skilled resources use multiple medium of service such as real-time voice, email, chat and remote login support to end users to provide the advantage of best in class support experience at reduced costs. Our wide-range of tools and processes assist in the notification of trends and situations to allow the IT department to maintain high levels of service to the user community to provide the advantage of best in class support experience at reduced costs.

CSS caters to various domains like application support , desktop/laptop support, remote access support, network support apart from multi-channel service desk and inbound/outbound support.

CSS IT help desk service offerings include call management, service request tracking, problem ticket, management/trouble ticketing, change request management, task assignments, notification and escalation , knowledge base development, SLA management, productivity application support, custom application support, messaging support, spam / virus management and support, mobile application support.

At CSS Corp, our processes and systems are exclusively tuned to support the client’s operations, with extensive simulation labs and resolution focused environment. Our Centers of Excellence (CoEs) are dedicated to provide superior support services required to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace. Our global delivery model provides flexibility, and ensures high quality service, cost savings, localization and reduced risk. We help enterprises drive software and IT process improvements by aligning their internal practices to industry best practices and frameworks such as CMM/CMMi, ITIL, RUP, ISO, SAS 70, COPC and BS 7799.

CSS supports and manages technology infrastructure platforms and applications for Fortune 2000 companies, and provides support solutions for products and applications from ISVs and consumer technology providers.

CSS supports and manages technology infrastructure platforms and applications for Fortune 2000 companies, and offers comprehensive IT help desk support solutions tailored to client needs.

Article Source: bb-articles.com