Ubuntu

I have mentioned my desire to set up my own web server a number of times in the past, now I am going to make good on my plans and actually do something about it. The web server will be a cheap build that I created from some budget parts.

The specifications are as follows:

• MicroATX motherboard
• Intel P4 3.0 GHz Processor
• 1GB of DDR2 800
• 40GB HDD
• DVD-Multi drive

It is a lightweight system, but it should have all the grunt that it needs to handle Ubuntu and the applications that I need for the task. This is going to be more of a communications device than a computer. The objectives that it needs to accomplish are the following:

• Host a website using Apache.
• Run a POP mail server
  
• Run Skype and other messenging clients
• Run custom-built XML parsing software
  
• Be remotely accessible
• Have a low energy footprint

P4 chips are not exactly energy-efficient, but they are cheap and by opting for onboard graphics as opposed to a discreet card it keeps the footprint down a little. If it all works out, I will likely be doing a rebuild with some more robust components. Fingers crossed, because as soon as my monitor is repaired, I am going to be devoting my weekends to getting this thing working.

Note: Picture is for conceptual purposes only. This is not the PC from the competition, nor is it a PC actually running Ubuntu. Credit: Wired

Pwn2Own is a great opportunity to line up the latest browser incarnations against some of the world's more competent hackers and see how they perform. This year, there were some unsettling results for Mac owners. While Leopard stood up to all of the Day One challenges, on Day Two, with an easing of the restrictions, browsers were open to attack.

A MacBook Pro with a fully patched Leopard went down in Day Two. It was the first machine to fall and dropped due to a browser vulnerability within Safari. Charlie Miller took the MacBook Pro with an exploit that took a mere two minutes to implement.

While the specifics of the Safari exploit are unknown, we do know from it involved a link which opened a port which allowed Miller telnet access. Miller took the $10,000 prize and the machine. Vista took a little longer, it fell on the fourth hour of Day 2.

Shane MaCaulay, who was part of last year's Mac takedown, had the honor. He was hampered by the release of SP1, which he had not prepared for. Four hours later and a workaround gave him control of the Fujitsu U810 laptop through a previously undisclosed Flash vulnerability.

Most notable is the fact that after three days, Ubuntu was left standing. Day Three really opened up the restrictions allowing access through third party applications, regardless of this fact; no one was able to takedown Ubuntu. Is Ubuntu invulnerable? Hardly, I think this has more to do with OSX and Vista being bigger trophies. According to MacAuley, with a few hours tweaking his exploit would work on Linux and OSX.

I have a ton of free time coming up and assuming that I do not have too much on, I will be endeavoring to set up my own Ubuntu web server.  I have a fair idea about how to accomplish this, the only trouble that I foresee myself as having involves configuring my router to allow the connection.  I know how to configure a router; what I don't know is how to configure a router in Japanese.  If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions on this matter, I would love to hear them.