Learn how to protect your network with this guide to building complete and fully functional network security tools Although open source network security tools come in all shapes and sizes, a company will eventually discover that these tools are lacking in some area—whether it's additional functionality, a specific feature, or a narrower scope. Written by security expert Mike Schiffman, this comprehensive book will show you how to build your own network security tools that meet the needs of your company. To accomplish this, you'll first learn about the Network Security Tool Paradigm in addition to currently available components including libpcap, libnet, libnids, libsf, libdnet, and OpenSSL. Schiffman offers a detailed discussion of these components, helping you gain a better understanding of the native datatypes and exported functions. Next, you'll find several key techniques that are built from the components as well as easy-to-parse programming examples. The book then ties the model, code, and concepts together, explaining how you can use this information to craft intricate and robust security programs. Schiffman provides you with cost-effective, time-saving guidance on how to build customized network security tools using existing components. He explores: A multilayered model for describing network security tools The ins and outs of several specific security-related components How to combine these components into several useful network security techniques Four different classifications for network security tools: passive reconnaissance, active reconnaissance, attack and penetration, and defensive How to combine techniques to build customized network security tools The companion Web site contains all of the code from the book.

This concise, high-end guide shows experienced administrators how to customize and extend popular open source security tools such as Nikto, Ettercap, and Nessus. It also addresses port scanners, packet injectors, network sniffers, and web assessment tools.

Network security is not simply about building impenetrable walls—determined attackers will eventually overcome traditional defenses. The most effective computer security strategies integrate network security monitoring (NSM): the collection and analysis of data to help you detect and respond to intrusions. In The Practice of Network Security Monitoring, Mandiant CSO Richard Bejtlich shows you how to use NSM to add a robust layer of protection around your networks—no prior experience required. To help you avoid costly and inflexible solutions, he teaches you how to deploy, build, and run an NSM operation using open source software and vendor-neutral tools. You'll learn how to: –Determine where to deploy NSM platforms, and size them for the monitored networks –Deploy stand-alone or distributed NSM installations –Use command line and graphical packet analysis tools, and NSM consoles –Interpret network evidence from server-side and client-side intrusions –Integrate threat intelligence into NSM software to identify sophisticated adversaries There’s no foolproof way to keep attackers out of your network. But when they get in, you’ll be prepared. The Practice of Network Security Monitoring will show you how to build a security net to detect, contain, and control them. Attacks are inevitable, but losing sensitive data shouldn't be.

Traditional intrusion detection and logfile analysis are no longer enough to protect today’s complex networks. In this practical guide, security researcher Michael Collins shows you several techniques and tools for collecting and analyzing network traffic datasets. You’ll understand how your network is used, and what actions are necessary to protect and improve it. Divided into three sections, this book examines the process of collecting and organizing data, various tools for analysis, and several different analytic scenarios and techniques. It’s ideal for network administrators and operational security analysts familiar with scripting. Explore network, host, and service sensors for capturing security data Store data traffic with relational databases, graph databases, Redis, and Hadoop Use SiLK, the R language, and other tools for analysis and visualization Detect unusual phenomena through Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) Identify significant structures in networks with graph analysis Determine the traffic that’s crossing service ports in a network Examine traffic volume and behavior to spot DDoS and database raids Get a step-by-step process for network mapping and inventory

The Perfect Reference for the Multitasked SysAdminThis is the perfect guide if network security tools is not your specialty. It is the perfect introduction to managing an infrastructure with freely available, and powerful, Open Source tools. Learn how to test and audit your systems using products like Snort and Wireshark and some of the add-ons available for both. In addition, learn handy techniques for network troubleshooting and protecting the perimeter.* Take InventorySee how taking an inventory of the devices on your network must be repeated regularly to ensure that the inventory remains accurate.* Use NmapLearn how Nmap has more features and options than any other free scanner.* Implement FirewallsUse netfilter to perform firewall logic and see how SmoothWall can turn a PC into a dedicated firewall appliance that is completely configurable.* Perform Basic HardeningPut an IT security policy in place so that you have a concrete set of standards against which to measure. * Install and Configure Snort and WiresharkExplore the feature set of these powerful tools, as well as their pitfalls and other security considerations.* Explore Snort Add-OnsUse tools like Oinkmaster to automatically keep Snort signature files current.* Troubleshoot Network ProblemsSee how to reporting on bandwidth usage and other metrics and to use data collection methods like sniffing, NetFlow, and SNMP.* Learn Defensive Monitoring ConsiderationsSee how to define your wireless network boundaries, and monitor to know if they're being exceeded and watch for unauthorized traffic on your network. - Covers the top 10 most popular open source security tools including Snort, Nessus, Wireshark, Nmap, and Kismet - Follows Syngress' proven "How to Cheat" pedagogy providing readers with everything they need and nothing they don't

-Identifies how to secure local and Internet communications with a VPN.

This book describes open source tools commonly used in network administration. Open source tools are a popular choice for network administration because they are a good fit for many organizations. This volume brings together a collection of these tools in a single reference for the networkadministrator.