grrlz

Sys Programming

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 16:03:50 -0400

The second module is more about sys programming, so you deal with file management (open a file, create a file, inspect the content of a directory, get infos about a file and so on) plus Threading a Forking.

Working on files, at least the basic operations I have seen, is quite easy.

I believe I will need some times to do the exercises about Threading and Forking, I would like to grasp the concepts as well as possible.

At the moment, I have done just the followin snippets:
1. IP Info tool: gets an IP and returns if is a valid IPv4 and to which class it belongs;
2. A simple program which returns a hierarchical trees of the files into a folder;
3. A program which asks to the user to put a filename.
If the file exists, it prints out creation date, size, path, and other simply infos.

I hope I will grasp all the other concepts well, there are really interesting exercise from now, But I would like to study a bit the concepts, as said, before going ahead.

Even if I do not have so much time, I hope I will handle it.

Module 1

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 22:46:14 -0400

I have just finished to see the video of the Module 1 of the SPSE class.

As I said in the previous post, the course I formed of 9 Module, and every module is formed of other topics, in a variable number.

Unfortunately, my daily agenda is often full due to my work and my college courses (at least at the moment, I might drop out again) so I did not have so much time to go deep but I have been able to watch all the videos.

First module is formed of 10 videos, one is an introduction of the course in general, and the other 9 are a nice overview of the following Python`s concepts:

Introduction and environment set up;
Variables, data types;
Sets, Dictionaries, Tuples;
Conditional Statements;
Functions;
Classess, objects;
Modules;
Packages;
Exception Handling.

As I said, I have been (as usual) quite busy, so I did not go deep and I have to admit I still did not code anything, but I can already give a small and partial feedback about the first module.

Vivek is a very good teacher, explains every topic in a really clear and concise way.

Anyway, this first module is just an introduction to who does not have any kind of experience in Python or in programming language in general.
I would say that for a guy who has not ever programming before, this introduction would be too “weak” for him, and If I were him I would go for something a bit more depth, at least for a couple of weeks.

In my case, some concepts were not new at all, I knew a bit of Python several years ago, and I have a scholastic experience of Java and C, so I am not totally new to programming.
But anyway, I think would be beneficial give a rapid look of those topics on my book, to stick`em in my head and then try to code something stupid.

I was thinking about a silly program which after an IP inserted from the user, will retrieve and print some basic informations like if is a valid address, the class to which belongs and the binary form.

Yeah, something really silly but which can let me use variables, methods, a couple of statements, exception handling and so on.

Hopefully I will have it done on Monday night, today and tomorrow I am going to be so busy that I won`t have probably time to do anything.

Host-Only Networking With VirtualBox

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 01:28:44 -0400

According to the title, I have found really really useful this blog, in order to set up a bridge network between my Macbook and the Ubuntu Server virtualized into Virtual Box.

http://christophermaier.name/blog/2010/09/01/host-only-networking-with-virtualbox

Now I have my Macbook and Ubuntu server set up, and I use ssh to connect.

I have already seen a couple of Video from Vivek`s class, quite interesting, even if are still the basics.
The guy explains all the concept in a really simple and clear way, and I hope all the course is gonna be like this.

SPSE Course Material!

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 08:57:00 -0400

Finally I have received the SPSE course material.

Be careful, I do not know the reason but Gmail marked it as spam, so I have noticed to have received it only after 3 hours and half.

Into the mail I`ve been provided with my username and first-access password, a link from where I am retrieving the video (+2.6GB of videos) and the link to the Student`s portal.

The portal is well organized, done with Moodle (an LMS, Learning Management System) and is formed of one topic per “argument”.

The course is formed of 52 topics, grouped into 9 modules.
Every module has the own Q&A section, where the student can post her questions and reply to the others ones.

I haven’t watched any video yet, and I won`t as long as I will be in the office, but I went through some slides, and the exercises and topics are really really interesting.

Tonight I will probably try to set up an Ubuntu server (on Virtual Box), enable SSH and try to create a bridge network with my Macbook Air, in order to start the exercise with the same environment used by the teacher.

Learning Python & Bash Pocket Reference

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 03:17:34 -0400

While I am still waiting for the delivery of my SPSE course material, this morning I have received 2 books I have bought from Amazon:

- Learning Python

And

- Bash Pocket Reference

I hope them will be useful besides the class, specially the first one.
Learning Python is currently at the 4th Edition, and covers Python 2.6 and Python 3.0.

The SPSE class will be using Python 2.7, but I have chosen to buy the book because I have read a lot of good reviews.

I am gonna give a look tonight already, I hope.

Keep track.

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:16:00 -0400

Hi there,

I have chosen to create this blog in order to keep track of my progress in order to fullfil the requirements I need to find a new job into the InfoSec field.

Currently I am working as Network Engineer (CCNA certificated), and I have a 1 year contract with my company.
My background before this job was 2 years and half of 2nd level support (Network, Windows OS, Printer, Office Suite, Lotus Notes, etc..).

Today I have chosen to enroll myself into the SPSE class (SecurityTube Python Scripting Expert), because I think it will help me a lot in learning Python applied directly to some security concepts.

According to them, I will receive new informations and the course material tomorrow.

Useful links: http://securitytube-training.com/certifications/securitytube-python-scripting-expert/