This is a new post to kick off a new beginning. I am totally fucking pissed off at myself at the moment because I have let my own mind get away from me. The wife thinks I’m very smart and intelligent but actually it’s just that I like learning many things and my mind runs fast enough to be able to work on many things.

Problem with that is most people that have their mind running that fast, start a lot of projects and never finish them. This is because their mind has taken control of their actions and coming up with new and exciting things is what it does. It’s not worried about finishing them though.

It is high time I take back control and start all over from the beginning. First thing is to finish all those projects that are not completed yet. At the same time I need to improve our current financial situation. My goal is actually to be the sole income provider for the wife and I, this so she will be able to do what she wants with the money she makes, which is more than likely shopping. She’s worked enough in her life and it’s time for her to enjoy life more without having to work if she doesn’t want to. I will be starting completely over in this arena too because there are some of my internet marketing students that are in the same situation and can’t get things started.

This is mainly because the internet marketing landscape has changed pretty much from what it was 2 years ago. So sense I started in this industry about 10 years ago, I think it’s time that I start from the beginning too. For those of you interested in following my progress and exactly how and what I do, head over to my coaching site at http://www.onlinemoneycoach.info that is were I will document everything so you can see what and how I get started. Yes this is a membership showing you exactly how I’m building my income empire. If you want to learn how to do it yourself that is completely up to you. There is NO GUARANTEE that your results will match mine obviously because you are not me. I am determined, persistant (when I need to be), and don’t give up in something I start. Eventually I’m going to finish it but I NEVER say I CAN’T do something.

So this is just my opening post in this Personal Development journey. If you’re interested in following along then you are welcome to bookmark this page. Hope you enjoy the writing and also the journey.

There will be a BIG PARTY planned on completion of all my goals I have setup so be sure you join my newsletter by clicking on link above and signing up.

Lonnie (CyberSorcerer) Gardner

Hello Everyone,

Well were all coming up on the last big holiday of the year, Christmas, and after that we should be all getting our New Years resolutions done and ready to start. Now I know how most resolution end up for us all, but you all have to really be determined this time to follow through and achieve your goals you set out on this year.

I have some resolutions of my own, but you’ll have to be a member of my Internet Marketing course to find out what they are, exactly, and if they come true. The new course opens January 1st, 2012 and all students will have to make a resolution and layout their plans for the new business. I will tell you all just some of my plans for the new year, as I work 16-18 hours a day from home because I love what I do and working for yourself provides such a feeling, you just have to experience for yourself.

First I have 3 membership sites opening next year, including the one mentioned above. Then I have my own internet marketing affiliate sites, plus the new ones I’ll be starting because of the internet marketing course. The course of a follow along for the students as I show them what exactly to do and how to do it. So yes, while to most, this looks like an advertisement, or spam post, it actually isn’t to those who follow me and my Internet Marketing radio show at Talk Marketing Now every Saturday at 3pm PST. That’s also a plug too, but hey I’m a marketer among other things. And pretty successful at it too, if I must say so.

Another resolution is to update my blog more often. This blog is where I provide all the updates to everything I do and am involved with. You can find my security research updates here, along with malware and internet marketing udpates too, such as this one.

So plenty of new things to come the next coming year. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I’ll see you all on the other side of 2012.

Lonnie (CyberSorcerer) Gardner

As a security researcher, I have to keep up with the latest software and operating systems. Although I must admit I’m slow to switch to a new operating system when it first come out. This is mainly because I want to see what everyone else is going to find wrong with it first before I start looking for vulnerabilities. I figure let all the other eager researchers get a start and then I can come along afterwards and find what is seriously messed up with the program. This leads to more money when I sell the exploit to iDefense or TrippingPoint.

Another reason for me to go with Windows 7 now is because of the 64-bit nature of programs and operating systems. This seems to be the destination, for the time being, and when reverse engineering it does lend itself to a different set of issues that can arise.

So this is just an update of what’s new with me and what to expect in the future. Judging from my server stats, I do have a lot of visitors who are running Windows 7 or 64-bit OS’s

So I’m kind of excited by what new challenges, features, etc that lie in store for us heading down the Windows 7 route. I’m sure you’ll still experience my bad mouthing Microsoft. I don’t think that will ever change.

So until next time, I’ll catch you all later.

As most of you know I spend a lot of time collecting software, plugins, scripts, etc from all the popular torrent and download sites out there on the internet. The purpose for this is to reverse engineer them to see what has been added to them from the virus writers, or other people out there looking to benefit from you downloading the software.

I research these downloads so much that I get to know pretty much which malware, or viruses, are being distributed on which P2P sites. When you do it as much as I do you begin the see many different patterns for distribution. But the bottom line is yes, you do end up getting a piece of software for FREE but is it really worth it? Some of the popular software releases, such as Photoshop and Flash, come with some real nasty viruses that are hard to remove.

Yes, before you mention that there are free malware forums on the internet that will help remove these infections, I do understand your thinking in that I will just install the software and then head over to one of these forums and get the malware removed for free. That doesn’t work all the time though. Some forums will not help you if you have cracked software, or signs of it on your computer. Others will only help you once and then you’re on your own. Some of the worse cases people don’t get the viruses removed at all and have to wipe their harddrives and do a complete reinstall. Unless you have very important data on your computer and REALLY need it then you have to seek the services of someone like me that knows these infections inside and out and can recover your data.

Only problem with that is this type of service doesn’t come cheap and most people, or companies, can’t afford it or realize they REALLY need to put in some measures to prevent employees and such from accessing these sites and downloading illegal software because it’s too expensive and cuts into the company’s bottomline.

So moral of the story, next time you download a piece of illegal software and think it’s awesome because I’m going to get this for FREE, thinking about it again and ask yourself,  What else are you getting along with this software they the retail version doesn’t have? Because I can tell you one thing, you are going to get SOMETHING that you didn’t expect. It might be harmless and it might not but this software, by the time you get it on the P2P site, will have something added to it.

Please feel free to leave your comments on this subject and what you think?

As some of you might know, Microsoft has what it calls the “Ten Immutable Laws Of Security” which is at version 2.0 now I believe. I would like to give my thoughts on this as from reading their website it sounds like they’re putting all the blame of the computer owners instead of where it actually belongs, on the operating system developer.

I will agree on one thing that they state and that is; it isn’t possible for Microsoft – or any software vendor – to “fix” all the security holes; because, there will always be a way into a system. It’s just a matter of time until a hacker figures out a way. I’m making this post just because I believe Microsoft should acknowledge at lease some blame for their business approach to developing an operating system, and the incompetent way they handle security upgrades and fixes.

First let me list the 10 Immutable Laws of Security they claim:

• 1 – If a bad guy can persuade you to run his program on your computer, it’s not solely your computer anymore
• 2 – If a bad guy can alter the operating system on your computer, it’s not your computer anymore
• 3 – If a bad guy has unrestricted physical access to your computer, it’s not your computer anymore
• 4 – If you allow a bad guy to run active content in your website, it’s not your website any more
• 5 – Weak passwords trump strong security
• 6 – A computer is only as secure as the administrator is trustworthy
• 7 – Encrypted data is only as secure as its decryption key
• 8 – An out-of-date antimalware scanner is only marginally better than no scanner at all
• 9 – Absolute anonymity isn’t practically achievable, online or offline
• 10 – Technology is not a panacea

Ok, let me give my quick run down on my thoughts. As you’ll notice if you’ve read Microsoft’s TechNet Library on this it’s going to be a little different.

#1 – The problem for this actually lies on why does the bad guy have to persuade you to run his program on your computer in the first place? Because the operating system has a flaw in it that he’s programmed his software to exploit which will give him control of it. Is this YOUR fault? No, it’s the developer of the operating system, or software, that’s being exploited for not doing due dilligence in QA and beta testing to patch the holes in the first place.

#2 – This is a very short response because it builds on what I mentioned above. If the bad guy can alter the operating system, then why didn’t you figure out this loop hole in your QA and beta testing phase and fix it before finally release?

#3 – There’s really not much to say here if security is a big issue with you; because, if someone has that kind of physical access to your trusted data, laptop, or computer, then your simply an idiot? For those that don’t know me already, yes I’m very open with my opinions

#4 – Your control over your website is VERY limited unless you have a dedicated server or co-location. Most people that pay for hosting are on a shared plan which is cheap and affordable but does lack in the security department. This falls back on the old saying “You get what you pay for”.

#5 – This is true, but most of the popular algorithms on the market have already been cracked so cracking your password is only a matter of time anyway no matter how strong it is. If the hacker is determined to crack it his software will eventually.

#6 – Sorry for saying this, but it has been proven over many times, NO ONE is trustworthy; because, in this day an age everyone has a price and can be bought. There are multiple proven cases of administrators, with no prior criminal record, activity, or thought who turned bad because someone gave them the price they needed to break the rules and the law. Fact is that there’s a higher percentage of a security leak coming from inside the company than outside it.

#7 – Everyday, software license’s are being broken and this from some of the top protections companies in the industry. The problem lies with reverse engineering. Same problem with cracking passwords, given enough time any encryption can be broken. It’s a matter of the knowledge, skill level and patience of the reverser on how long it takes him to crack the encryption. But the truth is, if your encryption key is embedded into your software it’s going to be cracked.

#8 – Sadly enough, I have nothing to say about this law. It’s fully true; although there are issued with the scanners engine and algorithms but I’ll leave that for another post down the road.

#9 – Ok, looks like the wind in my sails are running down now, because, I have to agree with this one too. Nothing you do on the internet is private. Everyday you leave a trail on what your doing, viewing, downloading, filling out, etc, etc. It’s quit scary actually.

#10 – And I’m sure we can all agree that technology isn’t a cure for all out ills.

With all that said, software does provide us with a certain ability to achieve, and accomplish task that use to take tremendous amounts of time, in a short time span. This in turn gives up quick results, provides use with quick asnwers, and makes our lives a lot more manageable. But always remember a very simple, and sometimes fatal fact:

NOTHING IS FREE!