Favorite Security Resources

Here’s an ever-changing list of some of my most frequented websites, blogs, twitter accounts, YouTube channels and Podcasts for Security information and news. If you have any recommendations, please let me know!

I use Feedly as my RSS reader.

Websites & Blogs:
Dark Reading: https://www.darkreading.com/
Bleeping Computer: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/
ThreatPost: https://threatpost.com/
Troy Hunt’s Blog: https://www.troyhunt.com/
The Hacker News: https://thehackernews.com/
Security Week: https://www.securityweek.com/
Schneier on Security Blog: https://www.schneier.com/
Naked Security: https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/
Malwarebytes Blog: https://blog.malwarebytes.com/
Krebs on Security Blog: https://krebsonsecurity.com/
We Live Security – Eset Blog: https://www.welivesecurity.com/
Security Boulevard: https://securityboulevard.com/

Good subreddit’s:
https://www.reddit.com/r/netsec/
https://www.reddit.com/r/cybersecurity/
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskNetsec/

Twitter Accounts:
https://twitter.com/NahamSec
https://twitter.com/gynvael
https://twitter.com/TinkerSec
https://twitter.com/bad_packets
https://twitter.com/LiveOverflow
https://twitter.com/campuscodi
https://twitter.com/binitamshah
https://twitter.com/tiraniddo
https://twitter.com/thegrugq
https://twitter.com/RobertMLee
https://twitter.com/briankrebs
https://twitter.com/jaysonstreet
https://twitter.com/hacks4pancakes
https://twitter.com/troyhunt
https://twitter.com/evacide
https://twitter.com/k8em0
https://twitter.com/MalwareTechBlog
https://twitter.com/HackingDave
and of course, Taylor Swift https://twitter.com/SwiftOnSecurity

YouTuber’s:
https://www.youtube.com/LiveOverflowCTF
https://www.youtube.com/RootOfTheNull
https://www.youtube.com/NetworkChuck
https://www.youtube.com/hackersploit

Podcasts:
Darknet Diaries
CISO Security Vendor Relationship Podcast
Cyber
Heavy Networking (networking)
IT Career Energizer (more general)
Threat Wire





Security+ Certification

Previous Experience: Very basic networking/security, SCCM engineer, Windows Administrator, 14 years of building computers

Study Time: ~2 weeks daily after work (I work full time) and weekends. Started seriously studying on 12/31. Took test on 1/12.

Materials Used:

Test Experience:

Since this was my first certification ever, I didn’t really know what to expect. I scheduled mine at a National Polytechnic Institute where they do a lot of medical training and testing of all sorts. I arrived at the testing center about 30min early (LA traffic is unpredicatable at times), and looked over my flashcards one last time. I went into the testing center about 10min early to sign in, fill out some documents and provide my 2 forms of identification (Drivers License and Passport). The receptionist then took my keys and passport (I was allowed to keep my DL, and I had left my phone in the car) and walked me into the test room. The test room is a small classroom size space with a closed door and about 30 computers. When I arrived the room was about 80% full of people sitting at the computers, typing away. I felt it was kinda odd having staggering test times, with people coming and going from the room throughout the process. The room was also very very loud from all the typing. I don’t know what type of tests they do in there, but some people were definitely writing essay’s. Thankfully, they provide earplugs. I didn’t put them in at first, but once the test started I quickly shoved them in my ears so I could think clearly. The computers themselves were definitely old and not in the greatest shape. They also provided a few pieces of laminated paper to write on and a sharpie.

As for the test, Comptia definitely loves their wordy, 5 sentence questions.. phew. Some questions I had to read multiple times just to figure out what they were asking. I did skip all of the performance based questions until the end. The first 10 multiple choice questions all seemed super tricky to me as well and halfway through the test I was convinced I was failing. After the multiple choice questions I went back to the PBQ’s (which were surprisingly easy). I reviewed other questions I was on the fence about until about 10sec left in the 90min test. After submitting it, they have you complete a quick survey on your study time, experience, gender, etc. Then they show you pass or fail and amazingly I passed. I then stared at the screen for a good 60sec in pure disbelief that I had done it. A great feeling and a great way to start 2019! Nice to see the hard work over the past 2 weeks paid off.

Passed with a score of 797/900. Not great but I’ll take it for only studying a limited amount!

I hope this helps some of you out there looking to take the Security+ certification. It’s a great one if you work in IT or just want it for the resume!

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