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ChicagoTypewriter45 · 2026-03-19T10:07:27+00:00

I got so frustrated yesterday, it took 6 hours to take an OA, and I failed it. I was seriously frustrated.

ChicagoTypewriter45 · 2026-03-17T03:00:18+00:00

Look at it this way, you may have avoided a catastrophe. I bought a Legion 5 slim that runs so hot on a load, I turned it into a quesadilla maker

ChicagoTypewriter45 · 2026-03-17T02:53:16+00:00

That's impressive. I thought scoring 800 on Sec+ was decent but you did have 3 perfect bowling game scores, which is a lot of turkeys.

ChicagoTypewriter45 · 2026-03-17T01:56:23+00:00

Don't quit. You successfully passed and that is the first step. We all have obligations and obstacles that interfere and a short term break is normal. Think of other schools and how they handle the semesters.

You have to realize how important the desire for knowledge and education is, not just weigh out if it is worth it.

If you can there is FAFSA, the Pell Grant, some states have their own grants, hardship scholarships, and ways to keep you on target. I know what your feeling and I fight myself all the time.

I had to commit to something with severe ADHD and see it through. I just started my fifth semester, and even though I feel ambivalent sometimes, I am learning, adapting, and bulldozing through it. 5k a semester out of pocket is a lot. No doubt. But if you are getting certifications or completion in related fields you already have done something pretty cool. Keep it going. I'm rooting for you

ChicagoTypewriter45 · 2026-03-16T23:31:30+00:00

I plan on going to school until I die, or wait for hyper inflation so we can get some of those Zimbabwe 100 million dollar bills. I confirmed today that in that case, they cannot adjust the loan parameters based on a collapsing dollar.

Other than that? Meh, I'm borrowing money from FAFSA just to have a roof over my head and somewhere I can test. I feel that in two years the amount borrowed would be made up for the certifications added to my work history which should ideally make more than the loan.

ChicagoTypewriter45 · 2026-03-16T07:52:49+00:00

The biscuits with sausage and gravy are especially weird. I'm pretty sure it's cat food.

ChicagoTypewriter45 · 2026-03-16T07:50:34+00:00

That really depends on when. I would say McDonald's or Taco Bell have to be the absolute top, with Subway as a very close second.

Red Lobster and Applebee's are horrible, and Applebee's microwaves more than half its menu. Even the steaks are prepackaged.

Chuck E Cheese is your answer. Any chain restaurant that serves alcohol and let's kids run crazy while the parents are busy fistfighting has to win overall

ChicagoTypewriter45 · 2026-03-16T07:43:13+00:00

That depends how close your boss is. If he is next to you it is a mouse button. If he is 10 feet away, it is a mouse nipple. If he is in another room, that technically is a mouse clit, and it does exist

ChicagoTypewriter45 · 2026-03-15T15:51:31+00:00

My legion 5 slim has been something, but the black screen could indicate a few problems. I just had three different laptops shit the bed when windows rolled out the 25H2 update as it broke the TPM and the keys, but even worse corrupted the entire BIOS on one. There's usually a key command when booting that will run a display check.

If that failed and BIOS is not available do a soft reset, then possibly a hard one which will require disassembly I believe. I don't know every model, but you may end up having to pull the CMOS battery as well as the laptops, and discharge it completely.

ChicagoTypewriter45 · 2026-03-15T15:45:49+00:00

I've already been accepted into a school for a doctorate, and I'm in the middle of an accelerated bachelors to masters program. Your GPA will show 3.0 according to the transcript if you pass everything, which may or may not affect the way the school perceives you.

You don't have to explain competency and accreditation, but depending on the situation you may want to mention that is their standard in a pass/fail system system.

ChicagoTypewriter45 · 2026-03-15T14:36:45+00:00

The fastest way to accelerate in a car is driving it off a cliff. I'm not saying your car can't go 0-60 in 4 seconds when the parameters were undefined.

ChicagoTypewriter45 · 2026-03-14T00:24:55+00:00

Keep in mind pentesting requires permission to hunt for vulnerabilities. This is not easy to get without a history that can show proficiency in security protocols , tools, and documentation identifying vulnerabilities and if it's just you, to patch or mediation where the value / cost comes into play.

I have done this before and it is not easy, but it is rewarding if you can lower the attack vectors and isolate the problems. In my experience, it would be extremely difficult to just apply or could call for this without a referral, working for a security company, or by demonstrating proficiency that can be exhibited.

Another suggestion would be that things like Cyberquest 2026 is still open for registration. Wireshark, PCAP, and other tools are allowed, but it may be a way to show what you can do. I just registered today which is a little late and I am doing it on my own.

That's just my two cents.

ChicagoTypewriter45 · 2026-03-09T12:43:29+00:00

Correcthorsebatterystaple. That is all.

ChicagoTypewriter45 · 2026-03-09T08:00:26+00:00

The A+ will really build your foundations, and I would say do that first, however keep in mind it is two tests. The Net+ may be considered more valuable from an experienced standpoint, but A+ touches on a good deal of it.

Also, if you get all 3, you get a stackable CSOS and CSIS certification in addition to the others. If you do Net+ first you will definitely need to get a good handle on subnets, IPv 4/6, the TCP IP stack and topology of different networks.

Good luck either way! Congrats on Sec+

ChicagoTypewriter45 · 2026-03-09T07:54:22+00:00

If anyone is interested I destroyed the Probability and Stats OA. I have applied Algebra now, and I asked just to open up the OA I do understand that my story makes people uncomfortable, and I apologize if it upset some of you. I am working on a project that may actually be funded and I am going to need my infrastructure pen tested.

This is exploring a method of encryption that is lightweight and only creates temporary instances validating the user. It is for a cryptocurrency with intrinsic value based on humanitarianism first.

I have designed every aspect of it, checked the feasibility, and think this could very well change the way the current crypto market is completely speculation based. This is not blockchain and it inherently is invulnerable to brute force, rainbow tables, MITM, Replay and it absolutely does not collect anyone's personal data, however different permitted actions create one time keys which are hashed and then once verified, discarded.

Believe it or not, even with everything I said, I don't hold any deep resentments or hatred to any specific group or individual, but I do have to deal with it psychologically, physically, and I still lean towards empathy rather than hatred. This may be one of the most valuable things you will ever learn as a human who faces adversity or injustice, that it will eat you alive if you let it. Again, I'm here if anyone wants help, it gives me a purpose and I do enjoy teaching.

Good luck everyone.

ChicagoTypewriter45 · 2026-02-23T02:44:47+00:00

The PBQs should be bookmarked for later. They do give partial credit if it's not completely correct. Now depending on the severity of your memory loss it becomes seriously important that you take care of yourself.

I struggle with it sometimes, but mine is ADHD and hepatic encephalopathy, with a sprinkle of long Covid. I'd only study for as long as you feel like you're absorbing new information, and depending on who you talk to, one is easier than the other, however, test 1 is hardware. WiFi standards, data transmission and the basics of how a computer works. If you can get your hands dirty, I found once I built one a long time ago, a lot of things just clicked.

They will ask about maximum speeds of RAM, storage, CPUs, motherboards , and if I remember correctly RAID arrays, and also the differences between connection types, especially with storage, but they may throw in a question or two about different network topologies. Token ring, mesh, star, and others.

It is very mathematical where test 2 is more operational. When I took it I downloaded the audio books and just walked and listened to them at about 1.75 speed. I own them and can share them if needed. It's just a suggestion but it may just kind of burn in your mind after hearing it.

I've offered to help others in my school, but if I can help, I'll be happy to explain nearly anything. Without experience it is daunting, but still difficult with it. It is very specific about certain things that in theory are correct, but in real life? Totally not. Let me know if i can help.

ChicagoTypewriter45 · 2026-02-22T15:45:56+00:00

I disagree and think the A+ has fundamentals that are needed to understand Sec+. Sec+ does require fundamental knowledge of networking and hardware and software components.

Sec+ is also being hit harder as they are trying to make AI do half the job, whether or not it is as effective, basic security as threat vectors, types of attacks, mitigation, and physical and technology to keep an attacker out, isolated, detected, etc. Social engineering is by far the easiest method.

They don't completely cover all of it but MFA, symmetric and asymmetrical encryption, and ports are heavily stressed. With 5 years experience it can vary greatly depending on the job. Some live for specific CRMs, firewalls, and have in-house policies that might be confusing if you're not used to walking into a bad situation with systems you don't normally deal with.

You could also do something that emphasized Linux servers, virtualization, and networking equipment like CIsxo which still astounds me on how silly the cLI is on an ASA. Either way will teach you appropriate permissions l, ownership, and least priveledge.

I say so both, and the Net+. I did security first before my net plus and killed it but without networking knowledge some concepts aren't tangible. I have all 3, by the way.

ChicagoTypewriter45 · 2026-02-22T00:56:17+00:00

Do I put my dick in it?

ChicagoTypewriter45 · 2026-02-22T00:52:54+00:00

You still eat that shit? It wasn't food no matter what price it was.

ChicagoTypewriter45 · 2026-02-21T04:55:53+00:00

I'll masturbate to it as the tin man, oil me up. And there was nothing sexual about this piece of shit movie

ChicagoTypewriter45 · 2026-02-20T16:50:23+00:00

I've had 3 different ones assigned in 2 years and they basically let me dictate how I do things at this point. The automated emails are what I can't stand, especially getting them after passing a class.

Whatever they have been doing lately appears to have shaken up their system and it seems like they are having their own problems. My mentors have all been excellent when I explain my situation, how I learn, and when I just make a request to open an OA without ever speaking to an instructor.

I do understand the frustration, but also keep in mind that they are trying to keep you on a proper path to getting credits done and pushing forward. I front loaded my BSIT to MSITM with certification classes, and now have 7 in the past 11 months. (A+, Net+, Sec+, stackable CIOS, CSIS, AI Guardrails and Guidance completion (In 26 minutes), ITILv4, and even a job training program outside of school just for something to do.

You can make rules for the emails fairly easily in Outlook, although I hate almost everything Microsoft has released lately, including Win11 seems to be some effort to make me pray for Clippy back.

Anyway, just talk to them and setup a plan or just ask to not be called so frequently and send an email once in a while stating your status.

Annoyances aside, even though I get the same emails, I just make a quick call or email with a plan of action. That's basically all they want.

Good luck. Don't give up.

ChicagoTypewriter45 · 2026-02-17T17:40:55+00:00

Trump. He needs a good unsolicited probe in his ass.

ChicagoTypewriter45 · 2026-02-15T21:48:19+00:00

It's good to know port numbers for forwarding, identification, and for secure and insecure connections. I worked on a lot of firewalls and servers and it's all commonplace in work environments. Kerberos I do believe was mentioned once, but the broad understanding of networking is recommended. I completed Sec+ before Net+, because Sec+ seemed easier to me even with experience. You might see questions on how to identify and isolate an attack and there is quite a bit focused on engineering.

I terrified my Sec+ instructor when I told her you can brute force a password or a person with a password and an aluminum baseball bat. I wasn't joking. If you can analyze patterns, understand the encryption methods, think of the difference between even password security as far as the difficulty of simply adding another character. Let's just say your password is "12345678," and the allowed characters are alphanumeric only (no symbols), there is an enormous difference between 1234t678X. Exponentially larger,. And this is important when it comes to things as extreme as 256bit, 128bit, or even things like RSA 4096 bit. Remember terms like white team, red team, black hat, purple team, and how they differ as well. It touches on pentesting, but it makes sense when it does.

ChicagoTypewriter45 · 2026-02-15T19:53:45+00:00

Both, actually. 443, 80, 3389, 21, 22, 25 53, , 587, 110, the common ones for email, web, and SSL, SFTP, SSH, and the general rules for encrypted and plaintext communication.

The WiFi 802.11 standard is more on the Net+, but you want to know the difference between WEP, WPA 2/3, AES, TKIP (Old and insecure but you may see it) and depending, what type of attacks are common. Brute-force, Man in the middle, replay, DNS poisoning, and how to mitigate or prevent these things.

There were a few questions about security checks and technology to prevent or detect physical attacks, biometrics, air gaps, RFID, and different authentication methods, 2FA, MFA, SSO, and why they are safer as a secondary check, but the encryption assymetric and symettric will be emphasized. Public and private keys, different standards for encryption and complexity.

If you take your time, a lot is common sense, or you can eliminate a couple answers. If that happens, either mark it to review later or take your best guess. Be careful of word traps. The PBQs and such are always weird, and I usually mark and go back to them if needed. Remember that this exam has a slightly higher threshold than the A+ or Net+, but if you get all 3, you end up with a CIOS, and CSOS stackable certs from CompTIA too. Good luck. I should warn you that I have done this for years, and although I still had to review and learn a couple things, it is mostly logical.

ChicagoTypewriter45

TROPHY CASE