Zen and the Art of Knowledge or "Hack your Head" - was HackFest Series: Airodumpng

[Lisa Kachold]

Hack your Head

How to maintain optimal thought processing abilities in an inane liars world.

When working on systems, we often get into the zone, don't eat, don't stretch and don't maintain optimal glucose for thought processes.  We therefore get REALLY STUPID and don't notice it.  This can happen late at night, or at noon, but when it happens, we must acknowledge our own limitations.

If you have attacked a problem for 30 minutes using caution, and addressing resources, and cannot fix it, get up and walk around, go outside look at the sun. Be assured that some part of your higher functioning is still working on it in a creative way.  Poking a problem for 30 hours with the same information you were unable to think with initially, is not productive, it's stupid.  You might need to attempt to explain the problem to another (like we do on the PLUG list) in order to get clarity for instance.  We learn to package and organize abstractions to develop if/then/therefore logic via PLUG list discussions, and or questioning our initial assumptions.  There are a great many people who never learned systems analysis using documentation, Linux veterans did not have the luxury of Google (RHCE does not allow you to use anything but the system itself).  Others essentially do not think in language, but use higher functioning to solve problems.  All of us develop a higher functional way to solve problems, but sometimes that process fails and we must therefore use language or logical dissection to find our way out.  We all LOVE doing this, it's incredibly addicting, but it also has some mental health risks, that must be mitigated with lifestyle changes.  

Be sure to follow these daily cautionary steps to remain healthy:

1) Eat a good mix or protein, polyunsaturated fats and carbs on a regular schedule.
2) Sports drinks are just going to make you crash badly, however, adding B and C vitamins with a good breakfast, lunch and dinner will go a long way toward allowing you think effectively.  Caffiene does assist with some times of tunnel attention, but can also cause health issues.  The best and brightest don't drink coffee all day - that's for marketing people.    
3) When you are too tired or ill to work, you must acknowledge it.  Too many systems administrators just work and work and work, over and beyond what is healthy and make grave mistakes when tired.  
4) Build a healthy life away from computing to provide for emotional balance.  We get so far into the abstract analytical virtual realm and develop functional stunting, especially under the pressures of 24X7 Uptime.
5) Talk to others in a deep personal level; if you have noone to talk to, call your own voice mail or record yourself.  Einstein and thinkers of the last century all kept uber personal journals.  The mere act of talking about things or examining issues through grief and anger to laughter will assist development of free flowing heathy emotional states and that all important core of individuality and muscled critical thought.  
6) Do various balanced emotional and physical things that restore your individualism, such as walk/bike, laugh, and play games, hug, chase the opposite sex and dream or create, and listen to music.  Allowing children to swing and listen to music is known to stimulate intelligence.

The sheer number of IT professionals and college students taking SSRI neurotransmitter uptake inhibiters is astounding, and certainly not necessary.  Exercise has been shown to be more statistically effective over time than SSRIs.  Tobacco has been long used as an anti-anxiety medication, however, smoking does kill.  Anxiety from balancing unrealistic, unevolved demands from people who cannot understand you when you talk is best mitigated with laughter and zen detachment.

I am sure you all can relate to Number 10 on the top ways to Hack your Brain http://brainz.org/brain-hacks/

O'Reilly has some good books that are an amusing way to wait for your greater intelligence to find the best solution to another problem.

Mind Performance Hacks: Tips & Tools for Overclocking Your Brain (Hacks) by Ron Hale-EvansGoogle Hacks: 100 Industrial-Strength Tips & Tools by Tara CalishainOn Intelligence by Jeff HawkinsMind Wide Open: Your Brain and the Neuroscience of Everyday Life by Steven JohnsonGetting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen Firefox Hacks: Tips & Tools for Next-Generation Web Browsing (Hacks) by Nigel McFarlane Knoppix Hacks: 100 Industrial-Strength Tips and Tools by Kyle RankinHow the Mind Works by Steven Pinker This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession by Daniel J. Levitin

Obnosis | (503)754-4452
PLUG Linux Security Labs 2nd Saturday Each Month at Noon - 3PM

> Date: Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:20:08 +0000
> Subject: Re: HackFest Series: Airodumpng
> From: bmike1 at gmail.com
> To: plug-discuss at lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
> 
> sorry.... sometimes I just don't think!
> 
> On 3/20/09, Lisa Kachold <lisakachold at obnosis.com> wrote:
> >
> > Mike,
> >
> > You just admitted on an international board, that you are attempting to
> > steal the private property key of a neighbor.  Can't I tell you how clueless
> > you appear? Your technical skills are starting to get fairly good, so we
> > don't want you to be taken for a long timeout in jail?
> >
> > I, therefore will not help you to encroach your local neighbors WEP key.
> > Have you tried walking over and asking the neighbor?  That is generally the
> > best approach, other than going to a coffee shop or sitting outside a hotel
> > in the car running your notebook?
> >
> > There is a person attempting to use their accesspoint who you might be
> > affecting?  They work and pay for their equipment?  Are you intelligent or
> > are you another zombie of inanity born of lies?
> >
> > I can suggest the verification steps for the process (from your notes) in a
> > lab only format:
> >
> > 1) Verify that your wireless card IS on the list of those that can be placed
> > into promiscious mode via airodump (although if you get a BSSID, using
> > channel 3, it might appear you are happily promiscious)?
> >
> >>      airodump-ng -w capture -c 6 wifi0
> >> using channel (-c)
> >> -c 3 gets one BSSID variously flagging in contention with a second channel
> >> 3 (contending for channel)
> >> wait for it to appear again but a different MAC appears. <cntrl-c>
> >> So  I go on to the next step: I open  a new shell and type
> >>      aireplay-ng -0 10 -a <MAC> -c <I don't know my MAC>
> >
> > YOUR mac can be displayed via ifconfig
> >
> >> so I try without my MAC... to no avail! on to the next step
> >>      aireplay-ng -3 -b <MAC> -h
> >> I don't know what value  to put after the h.
> >> ARGHHHH.
> >
> > I can point you to a source for further information (for intellectual
> > purposes only):
> > http://securitytube.net/AirodumpNG-Basics-(Part-I)-video.aspx
> >
> > Again, I want to remind you that using BackTrack3/airodumpng and encroaching
> > via a BT3/4 wireless tool is illegal, unethical and can land you in jail
> > whereupon your only "technical tool" will be a very short dull penci
> >
> > I am happy to assist you to learn the ins and outs of technology, practical
> > lab testing, and personal as well as production internet security, but I
> > will not assist you to steal, or hack unethically.
> >
> > http://www.speedguide.net/read_articles.php?id=2724
> >
> > Also, I would like to warn you clearly that there are people just hanging
> > out waiting to hack you.  Airodumpng has a boundary condition error that
> > will cause a buffer overflow.  In highly congested areas (Universities or
> > security conventions) using Airodumpng will get YOU HACKED and PWN'd!
> > http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/23467
> >
> > If you are not hacking ethically to learn, you are simply a script kiddie, a
> > less evolved criminal and worse.  I will not write to you; you will join the
> > many people who are awarded free ads on the back page of 2600 magazine,
> > writing from jail for pen pals.
> >
> >
> > Obnosis | (503)754-4452
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > PLUG Linux Security Labs 2nd Saturday Each Month at Noon - 3PM
> >
> >> Date: Fri, 20 Mar 2009 06:26:40 +0000
> >> Subject: Re: rausb0 up
> >> From: bmike1 at gmail.com
> >> To: plug-discuss at lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
> >>
> >> youknow.... I am following the instructions given to the best of my
> >> ability/ (durn tool).
> >>      airodump-ng -w capture -c 6 wifi0
> >> and the return line gives the BSSID  PWR... etc... but there is
> >> nothing under them. So I think that maybe if the channel (-c) is
> >> changed thaaat will help. That does not help until I get to -c 3 but
> >> only one BSSID appearsafter 30 seconds.... and then disappears. So I
> >> wait for it to appear again but a different MAC appears. <cntrl-c>
> >> So  I go on to the next step: I open  a new shell and type
> >>      aireplay-ng -0 10 -a <MAC> -c <I don't know my MAC>
> >> so I try without my MAC... to no avail! on to the next step
> >>      aireplay-ng -3 -b <MAC> -h
> >> I don't know what value  to put after the h.
> >> ARGHHHH.
> >> I am trying to crack a neighbors password for my sister in law. I use
> >> sprint broadband but she can't always use my computer. I'm telling you
> >> this so I don't waste your time if you have a problem with that:D
> >>
> >> On 3/20/09, Lisa Kachold <lisakachold at obnosis.com> wrote:
> >> >
> >> > Mike Backtrack is a strange beast.
> >> >
> >> > Use the wireless tools in the system menu to start and stop and setup
> >> > the
> >> > wireless.
> >> >
> >> > Obnosis | (503)754-4452
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > PLUG Linux Security Labs 2nd Saturday Each Month at Noon - 3PM
> >> > Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:24:40 -0400
> >> > Subject: Re: rausb0 up
> >> > From: bmike1 at gmail.com
> >> > To: plug-discuss at lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
> >> >
> >> > stranger still! This time I went 'ifconfig wifi0 down' and it went down
> >> > but
> >> > 'wifi0 up' wouldn't turn it back on.
> >> >
> >> > I never learnwd how to verify the checksum. How is it done? I always
> >> > figured
> >> > that if it would load everything was good.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > On Wed, Mar 18, 2009 at 11:00 PM, Lisa Kachold <lisakachold at obnosis.com>
> >> > wrote:
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Often with Backtrack3 the iso download gets schnerbed.  So the BT3 disk
> >> > boots partially on one try and completely on the next.
> >> >
> >> > It's incredibly annoying, but with any ISO burn, if it doesn't work
> >> > consistently, toss the disk, verify the checksum, and rebui;rn!
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > These cards have been tested to work in BT3:
> >> > http://backtrack.offensive-security.com/index.php?title=HCL:Wireless
> >> >
> >> > Find your card and see the recommendations.
> >> >
> >> > # dmesg
> >> > # ifconfig -a
> >> >
> >> > You should see your card loaded, and you should see a device.
> >> >
> >> > #lspci
> >> >
> >> > Generally with BT3, your best bet is going to be using the Wireless
> >> > tools in
> >> > the menus, until you determine what is what.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Hey also, if you are on a shared wireless network check out the SMB4k -
> >> > be
> >> > careful not to get into trouble here.
> >> >
> >> > Ethical hackers learn they do not impact the systems they study, (unless
> >> > paid) and they DO NOT GO TO JAIL!
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > And USE THE SOURCE:
> >> > http://backtrack.offensive-security.com/index.php/Tools
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Obnosis | (503)754-4452
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > PLUG Linux Security Labs 2nd Saturday Each Month at Noon - 3PM
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:36:03 -0400
> >> > Subject: rausb0 up
> >> > From: bmike1 at gmail.com
> >> > To: PLUG-discuss at lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > it is strange. after I had downloaded backtrack3 and fired it up and the
> >> > distro automaGICALY FOUND THE WIRELESS CARD AND i HAD WEB-ACCESS. the
> >> > two
> >> > subsequnt times I loaded it I didn't have web-access and that left me
> >> > dum-founded. So I looked around and found that 'rausb0 up' is the comand
> >> > I
> >> > need to use but linux told me that that wasn't the device name. So
> >> > please
> >> > tell me, what is it that is assigned to an internal wireless card. How
> >> > should I find out if you can't tell me.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > You know.... I just looked at what I thought the device is called and
> >> > just
> >> > realived (DUHHHHH) it isn'r a USB device
> >> > --
> >> > :-)~MIKE~(-:
> >> >
> >> > Windows Live™ Contacts: Organize your contact list.  Check it out.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > ---------------------------------------------------
> >> >
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> >> >
> >> > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings:
> >> >
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> >> >
> >> >
> >> > --
> >> > :-)~MIKE~(-:
> >> >
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> >>
> >> --
> >> :-)~MIKE~(-:
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> 
> -- 
> :-)~MIKE~(-:
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