1. Discuss common forms of attack on Microsoft systems using the Internet, and/or your job as reference for full credit
2. Read the week 1 article on installation and deployment of Windows Server 2012 and list 5 concerns that could result in vulnerabilities during installation.
3. Discuss three basic network components and how they are used today.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Common Forms of Attack on Microsoft Systems Using the Internet
As a cybersecurity professional with experience in safeguarding Microsoft systems, I have encountered various forms of attacks targeting these systems over the years. Some common types of attacks on Microsoft systems using the Internet include:
1. Malware Infections: Malicious software, such as viruses, worms, and ransomware, can exploit vulnerabilities in Microsoft operating systems to gain unauthorized access, steal data, or disrupt system operations. Phishing emails and malicious websites are common vectors for delivering malware to unsuspecting users.
2. Brute Force Attacks: Attackers may attempt to gain access to Microsoft systems by systematically trying different username and password combinations until the correct credentials are discovered. Weak or default passwords make systems more susceptible to brute force attacks.
3. Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks: DoS attacks target Microsoft servers and services by overwhelming them with a high volume of traffic, rendering them inaccessible to legitimate users. This can disrupt business operations and cause downtime for critical services.
4. SQL Injection: SQL injection attacks target Microsoft SQL Server databases by inserting malicious SQL code into input fields on web applications. If not properly sanitized, these attacks can manipulate databases, steal sensitive information, or compromise the integrity of data.
5. Zero-Day Exploits: Zero-day vulnerabilities in Microsoft software, for which no patch or fix is available, pose a significant threat to organizations. Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to launch targeted attacks before security updates are released, making it challenging to defend against such threats.
By implementing robust security measures, such as regular software updates, strong authentication mechanisms, network segmentation, and intrusion detection systems, organizations can mitigate the risks posed by these common forms of attacks on Microsoft systems using the Internet.
Five Concerns Resulting in Vulnerabilities During Windows Server 2012 Installation
1. Default Configuration Settings: Failure to review and customize default configuration settings during Windows Server 2012 installation can lead to security vulnerabilities. Default settings may expose unnecessary services or open ports that could be exploited by attackers.
2. Weak Account Passwords: During installation, administrators may set weak or easily guessable passwords for user accounts with administrative privileges. Weak passwords create opportunities for unauthorized access and compromise of the server.
3. Incomplete Patching: Installing Windows Server 2012 without applying the latest security updates and patches leaves the system vulnerable to known exploits and vulnerabilities. Delayed patching increases the likelihood of exploitation by threat actors.
4. Inadequate Firewall Configuration: Misconfiguring the Windows Firewall during installation can result in inadequate network protection. Incorrect firewall rules or overly permissive settings may allow unauthorized access to critical services and data.
5. Lack of Secure Remote Access: Failing to secure remote access protocols, such as Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) or Virtual Private Network (VPN), during Windows Server 2012 installation can expose the server to remote attacks. Weak encryption, improper authentication mechanisms, or unsecure remote desktop configurations pose significant risks.
Addressing these concerns during the installation and deployment phase of Windows Server 2012 is crucial to mitigating vulnerabilities and enhancing the overall security posture of the server environment.
Basic Network Components and Their Modern Applications
1. Router: Routers are essential network components that facilitate the transfer of data between different networks. Today, routers not only provide network connectivity but also offer advanced features such as firewall protection, Quality of Service (QoS) management, Virtual Private Network (VPN) support, and traffic shaping capabilities.
2. Switch: Switches are used to connect multiple devices within a local area network (LAN) and enable communication between them. Modern switches incorporate features like VLAN support, Power over Ethernet (PoE) for powering devices like IP cameras and VoIP phones, and Quality of Service (QoS) prioritization for optimized data traffic handling.
3. Firewall: Firewalls act as a protective barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks, controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. In contemporary networks, next-generation firewalls integrate intrusion prevention systems (IPS), application control, deep packet inspection, and threat intelligence to combat sophisticated cyber threats.
These basic network components play a crucial role in modern network infrastructures by ensuring secure and efficient data transmission, optimizing network performance, and enhancing overall network security against evolving cyber threats.
