right on.  i actually have everything i need to do a manual reset with the default settings.  i want to actually "discover" the current username/password if possible.  tonight's research shows that it doesn't look promising. 

i want to break into it for the experience, but if all else fails i can just do it the old fashioned way.   any pointers or is it a wasted effort because of the nature of a router?

this is the same idea but with a twist...i'm trying to access my own router (provided by my friendly service provider).  the installer was not kind enough to leave the username/password.  i have physical access so i can always do a reset, but i want to take a shot at getting it myself.  im scanning the web looking for tips.  how do i get to the password list/hash in order to crack it?  btw..so far i have learned i probably need telnet installed on my vista machine so that's happeing now 

bless you sir.

there it was, right out in the open too.  sorry i missed it.

one more question,  what is a "stickie"  and how does it help me navigate the forums?  i'm actually pretty new to this format.

Thanks for the welcome.

I have my first opinion question (if its posted elsewhere please point me there)

I am setting up my own little lab environment and would like some suggestions.  I have a brand new i7 with vista 64 and 6gb ram and an old p4 running xp pro with 3 gb ram.  i was planning to make the p4 box an ubuntu linux machine to test/play/break.  then i started thinking about VMs on my main machine.   

any thoughts on a "good" set up?  I basically want to start securing an environment and then try to break into it so i can learn how to secure it.

Hi gang,
I just stumbled across this site today. I'm pretty excited about it and wanted to say hi.  I discovered I have an almost consuming  desire to learn the ins and outs of hardening information systems so curious minds like my own can't have access to them.  They say knowledge is power....effective leverage of that knowledge is really the key in my opinion.

I'm  in the process of a BS in Info Systems security, and self-studying for a CCNA cert on the side.  I have dabbled with html and python.  I know just enough to break stuff really.


I want ask forgiveness, in advance, for: stupid post, already answered questions, and general ignorance.  The payoff is that one day I'll be one of you helping out some other new guy so you won't have to.

All advice and criticism is welcome if will improve my level of knowledge.