Beginner

[karlht]

Hi, I started my first semester at a local community college and will be transfering to a 4 yr. to get my Bachelors in CIS. I am new to computer security and how a computer works. I am literate, can function quite well, but I do not have any working knowledge of computers. What I'm wondering, is if anybody has any suggestions on books I could start reading to build a knowledge base. I have probably 2-3 semesters before I even get into any core classes, and I really want to feed this hunger I have for more information. I am a beginner so go easy on me. Thanks alot!

[EXreaction]

I am not sure what to recommend you do to start learning about computers. Information Security is a pretty advanced field and I am not sure if it would work out well to even try getting into that without quite a bit of experience in computers. The beginning classes may teach you what you need to get into it though, but I would talk to the instructors for those classes.

I think the best thing to start out with is to start messing around with different computers and operating systems and keep up to date with the latest tech news. It would also help out quite a bit if you looked around support forums and read what people say to do, specifically in the hardware parts of computers.

I would look for a cheap used pc from craigslist or something. One you can take apart and take a look at the parts. As for installing different operating systems the easiest is through a virtual machine. Virtual PC 2007 is free and from Microsoft: Download details: Virtual PC 2007

Mess around with installing and configuring windows systems and if possible, learn a bit about linux systems. Ubuntu is a good place to start for linux.

[karlht]

Yea, I'm trying to do that- as far as getting familiar with the computer and it's parts. Studynotes.net has some good info. that I found, and I've also started messing around with the laptop that I have. I've come to realize that security not the place to start, and that I have to get a knowledge of computers in general first.

[pullmyfoot]

Got a few good sites for ya in my bookmarks.

AnandTech: your source for hardware analysis and news
bit-tech.net | The UK's leading source for Hardware and Games reviews
The Tech Report - PC Hardware Explored
www.hardwarezone.com® :: Connecting IT To You
[H]ard|OCP - www.hardocp.com
TrustedReviews - The UKs premier source of Technology News and Reviews

And this last site is pure gold
Ars Technica

obviously relavent article from that site.

All eyes on cybersecurity at midpoint of federal review - Ars Technica

On the first three sites, the comments at the end of their articles from the forum members have quite a bit of useful information and opinions you can learn from too..

[EXreaction]

What kind of security were you looking into specifically?

You might be able to get into it right away, but usually those kinds of courses are setup for people who've already taken the other degrees for the security field they want to get into (like say, networking). 1 year is plenty of time to learn what you would need to know if you can spend the time on it. I'd figure at least an hour or two a day for checking news, reviews, and tech forums to learn most of what you'd need in a year.

[karlht]

Honestly, I'm not sure which (network)? I don't think that there was a seperate specialization in the course outline. I've been doing that lately- especially checking out this site, and others. It's just that I don't have much knowledge as far as computers and most of what is said in the forums on this site is way over my head. I've been trying to learn, and some it has come via the hard way on my laptop. By the way, do I have to own a copy of windows or some other OS for virtual PC. I downloaded it, and I don't have any licensed copy right now other than what is already on my laptop.

[karlht]

Thanks pullmyfoot, I will check that stuff out.

[EXreaction]

You can use copies of Windows XP and Vista from the IE compatibility virtual machines from here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

They can only be used for a month or two before having to redownload, but they are free.

[karlht]

Thanks, I'm downloading both Linux and Windows. Why do some people like Linux more than Windows. I had never heard of it untill I started coming onto sites like these.

[KarmaKiller]

Because in linux, you can literally build your own OS, with only features you like/want.
Of course that takes some serious knowledge/skill, but if your into stuff like that....