This is part of The Pile, a partial archive of some open source mailing lists and newsgroups.
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2000 13:29:57 -0800 To: SVLUG <svlug@svlug.org> Subject: Re: [svlug] What is the requirement of setting up a mail server? From: Rick Moen <rick@linuxmafia.com> begin Jonathan Khoo quotation: > Pardon my ignorance. How do the bad guys scan for vulnerable hosts? I'd immodestly suggest the following article for background: http://www.linuxworld.com/linuxworld/lw-2000-08/lw-08-expo00-hacking_p.html > What exactly is meant by backdoors? An account for them to login?? No. A hidden way to get back in, if admins try to kick them off. For example, a concealed service, or something added to a legitimate service, that can be invoked to open up a remote root shell. > Also, what is MTA? Mail Transfer Agent. The category of software that carries out SMTP to move mail between hosts. As distinct from Mail User Agent or Mail Delivery Agent. > I have heard so much about vulnerable networks, question is how do I > detect the loopholes? That's one of the main problems, along with damage-reduction, defence in depth, identification of the attackers, recovery, possible countermeasure, security policies, etc. There's no pat and easy answer -- but you've just acquired a new hobby, if you want one. ;-> ===