[KLUG Members] how can I get around a port block to setup vpn?

[Adam Williams]

> > can't believe that a workplace would not allow any VPN connections 
> > through a corperate firewall.
> Corporate are all Winblows types and pretty dense at that ... we have

Windows types and "dense" kinda go hand in hand don't ya think?  Been my
experience.  I've showed more than one MCSE how to determine the version
of a DLL.  Sheeesh.

> had numerous worms get through because of the way that they set

Well, that isn't uncommon.  Those worms have totally disabled a couple
of our competitors in the past.  You could still order parts from us.  I
don't mind them at all.  KEEP 'EM COMIN' BOYS!

> things up.  I don't think that they would even know the question when
> put that way.  I may have to initiate a conversation with them....
> escpecially since with the stuff that they have turned off it is
> nearly impossible to be able to truely teach what I am suppose to
> teach... Their approach to security seems to be keep it totally open
> until there is a problem and then shut down some stuff in more of a
> shotgun approach .... 

That is the security policy almost everywhere I go.  One company we work
with has had their Exchange server (which is directly connected to the
internet, BTW) hacked *FOUR* times.  I mean hacked, as in opened, then
subsequently trashed.  Their solution - reinstall and restore the data.
Er? Maybe there is a real problem here?.... Nah.

> blocking some things and letting others through
> on a seemingly random basis...

Again, normal.

But approaching them like you think they are the ultimate all-wise Maia
of all things technological will probably have the best results.