My Class Was Fun and Great, Thanks Class

In West Virginia last week, I gave a class, ‘How to Blog & Why You Should‘.

It was in conjunction with West Virginia State University Economic Development Centre, and DigiSo – WV’s first co-working digital studio, and media centre.  Which is really nice, I blogged it here.

I’m an Anchor at the latter:

I equipped them with press badges and a media room,
then showed them how to document, live tweet/SM,
and then publish & promote, a conference and/or event.

They were a lot of fun, and motivated.

Below, we’re putting together the blog post. It’s published here on KeriBlog.  They each covered a different aspect of the conference.  Great work, guys!

I flew them through WordPress, Picasa, Twitter, Instagram, etc.

Here’s some much nicer, professional photos from K.D. Lett.

 

Geeks in Charleston, West Virginia at Hack3rCon 2012

Hack3rCon 2012 – October 20-21st in Charleston, West Virginia

Hack3rCon comes to Charleston, West Virginia, an event not to be missed if you’d like to learn about internet security. Keynote speaker Larry Pesce talks about hacking, survival tips, learn about next generation web reconnaissance, hardware hacking tools, spear phishing and more.

On site workshops offer how to build a Glitch Keylogger, how to pick a lock, and an advanced phishing tactic workshops.

In the hardware hacking village, there are key impression contests, finding the MacGyver in you, and a special viewing of REBOOT. Also on hand is an vendor exhibition hall, to view to new and exciting technology gadgets.

(reported by Joe Oliver)

Key impressioning is probably the first lesson for a freshman hacker.  Those who are not even computer people, can experience hacking by these great game.  People who are doing this said it’s very fun.  They call it computer-less hacking, and to do this, all they need is some hardware equipment that anyone can buy from Lowe’s.

(reported by MD Rahman)

(photo credit Kate Long)

Martin Bos, a founding member of the information security event, speaks on email spear phishing attacks and security in the private sector. He said opening a simple email can compromise an organization, and potentially expose it to a complete breakdown of  their internet security.

“Once an attack is successful, hackers can harvest passwords and even set themselves up as administrators,” Bos said. To combat this, he and colleagues at Accuvant Labs conduct simulated attack tests where risk is accessed and steps to increased security are recommended. The cost for this service may be as little as $10K for small companies, or as much at $.5 million for large corporations.

(reported by Marta Tankersley)

‘Hackers for Charity’ is a not-for-profit organization, whose aim is to provide IT training to deprived communities around the world.  They are currently undertaking project in Africa, especially Uganda.  They accept donations from individuals and organizations.  Donations can be made through their website, HackersForCharity.org 

(reported by Kweku Agyiri)

The Hackercon conference is organized by 304Geeks, an online community of about 200 West Virginians (area code 304). Charlestonian Rob Dixon, security analyst for Colorado-based Acccuvant, set up 304Geeks about five years ago to help West Virginia security consultants find each other.

Few West Virginia companies hire security consultants outside federal agencies, Dixon said. Accuvant is one of the world’s largest private information security firms, so “I live in a place I love, and go anywhere to work,” he said. A few West Virginia companies recently hired Accuvant to simulate computer attacks, but “no way are we going to tell you who.”

(reported by Kate Long)

Hack3rCon continues until Sunday evening.  It’s a friendly environment if you’re interested in getting into the information security industry, one with an almost 100% employment rate, this opportunity should not be missed.

 

 

 

My Class 'How to Blog & Why You Should'

(visit the DigiSo.org information page)

As part of my involvement with DigiSo – West Virginia’s first co-working digital space, I’m holding a workshop tomorrow.

“How to Cover an Event Online, and Why You Should”

Being good at this can help you get a job in new media journalism.

I’m from Toronto, Canada, my country’s largest tech and new media city, and I’d argue, one of the most social media savvy cities in North America.  Like I said during my Ignite presentation here a few months back, “I’m not trying to be a jerk, but I’m a few years ahead you of guys”.

It’s all trickling down to you here, the new online way, and I’d like to show you how to turn that into a paying job.  It can be done, it takes time and hard work, and it’s ridiculously fun.

We’re going to cover Hack3rCon, the state’s premiere online security conference.  But really, you can use the skills you’ll learn at any event.  I’ll show you how to cover an event, from start to finish, share my tricks, and mistakes.

I’ve set up a press room for us. When you arrive at the Ramada Inn in downtown Charleston, find the Clendenin Room.

Itinerary

11am – 12pm – Meet in press room, establish your plan of attack

12pm – 2pm – Field work – out to the conference floor, documenting, interivewing, gathering content for your story. Also, you’ll be live covering the event via Twitter / Foursquare / Viddy / etc.

2pm – 3pm – Return to press room, publish your story, and market your work

What You’ll Need to Bring

– laptop

– camera

– phone

– pen & paper

– your blog (if you have one)

– if you don’t yet have a Twitter account, set one up

– familiarize yourself with the event – here’s the website, the Twitter account @Hack3rCon, and the hashtag – #Hack3rCon

Why Am I Doing This?

There’s 3 answers:

1 – Many, many people over the years have taken the time to answer my questions, over coffee or the phone, and helped me navigate and get to where I am today.  There’s no way I’d be where I am today without them.  Now it’s my turn.

2 – This is fun for me.  I saved these tweets from May:

Back home, it’s different than it used to be.  It’s not as new and shiny, it lost some luster, that’s the way things go, right?  But you guys are just gearing up and taking off, so I get to re-live it all once again!

3 – I like you West Virginians.  You remind me of my country’s Newfoundlanders.  That’s maybe the biggest compliment a Canadian could give you ;)

Any question, send me an email, and looking forward to meeting you guys tomorrow.

Keri