Network Operating Systems

[Supernova9]

I've been assigned a project on network operating systems for school, and part of it is network security, I have most of the work, but there's one thing I'm wondering about and I can't find anything on google or stuff like that about it.

Do networks encrypt data being sent from client to server, i.e. normal transmissions? Is that possible/advantageous/pointless/too time-consuming?

Any comments would be welcomed

[MT]

do you mean network operating systems (like plan 9) or do you mean operating systems that can function on networks?

[Supernova9]

Originally posted by MT
do you mean network operating systems (like plan 9) or do you mean operating systems that can function on networks?

The operating systems that can function on networks, NT etc.

afaik they (window os's) all send their data out in plain text.

[mikay]

In a nutshell....

By default data goes across a network in plain text. This is bad, especially when entering passwords.

Using a hub every computer on your local network segment can see all traffic on the network. A switch restricts it so that only the source/destination (host or router) & the switch see your data.

Browsers can use something called SSL (Secure socket layer) which encrypts the data as it goes out of your computer.

There is a product called SSH (secure shell) that allows encrypted communication (using a number of protocols) across networks. You also have PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) which can be used to encrypt files & emails in a similar way.

The next level up is a VPN (Virtual Private Network) that can encrypt all data as it comes out of your computer and it will be decrypted at the destination, and vice versa. VPNs are actually more frequently used on routers than hosts though.

[Supernova9]

Thanks v. much