Software like this invariably uses a technique called TCP stack fingerprinting to determine whether your device is of the sort that requires the software installed. Basically, invalid or strange TCP packets are sent to you upon first appearance (or at DHCP time or something), and the response to each helps the security system to decide whether you're a Windows box, a Linux box, a handheld something, or a game console, because the stack on each of these systems responds a little differently to out-of-RFC TCP junk.
There are several pieces of software out there, most notably OSfuscate (http://www.irongeek.com/i.php?page=security/osfuscate-change-your-windows-os-tcp-ip-fingerprint-to-confuse-p0f-networkminer-ettercap-nmap-and-other-os-detection-tools) and sec_cloak (http://www.hacker-soft.net/Soft/Soft_2304.htm, but the link is quite broken), that reconfigure your Windows TCP stack via the registry to appear to these tools like something entirely different. After doing that, just tell your IT department that you need to get your other device on their network and most places will whitelist you. The most popular choice for what to emulate is a Sega Dreamcast; why that is the case is left as an excercise to the reader...
At most places, looking like something that can't run their spyware gets you online, but some places want to see the hardware (especially for game consoles), so if you're concerned, say the machine runs Linux sometimes and show it to them running Linux (off a LiveCD if you must) if they ask. Then use software to make your Windows look like Linux too, and the exception they'll have put in for "a Linux box with MAC xx:xx:xx:xx:xx" will cover both systems.
A fleet of icebergs ARE heading north from Antarctica.
Goodness, the Nazi's may have been evil, and they may have had terrible aim (as per the Stormtrooper Effect), but they weren't incompetent. "Fleet" is singular, thus a fleet of icebergs IS heading north. You wouldn't say that the same fleet 'are' heading north, would you?
Do what I did:
Take AP CS on your own. Then be sure to apply to Olin College. It's lots of fun, admission comes with a full-tuition scholarship for everyone, and we take innovative, world-class technology classes every day. Oh, and since there are only about 300 students, we don't really have X-inch plasma screens at our football stadium. Neither do we have a football stadium.
Shameless pitches aside, I'm afraid many American high schools like yours and mine simply won't offer worthwhile technology courses until it's too late - not just for you and me, but for lots of young/.ers. I remember feeling exactly as you did about sports vs. academics in HS, and worrying about the same thing coming into college. As so many previous posters have pointed out, although there's not much you or I can do in the short term about that sort of imbalance, it's not truly as harmful to the academic side of most schools as it may seem. Schools generally budget the athletic department separately, and those departments (especially in colleges) often pay for themselves with ticket sales and athletics-specific fundraising. Do what you can toward learning technology / computer science in HS (i.e. independent study, college courses, joint enrollment, etc.), but don't feel bad if you don't get away with much technology coursework under your belt; at the very least you'll be in good company when you get to college and start learning what you really want to learn. It may not be the best way to run a national educational institution, but (as always) the really bright folks don't depend on the educational experience as much as the sort of middle bracket on which America is losing so much ground to the rest of the world.
Good luck, and keep Olin in mind when college app time rolls around =).
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Software like this invariably uses a technique called TCP stack fingerprinting to determine whether your device is of the sort that requires the software installed. Basically, invalid or strange TCP packets are sent to you upon first appearance (or at DHCP time or something), and the response to each helps the security system to decide whether you're a Windows box, a Linux box, a handheld something, or a game console, because the stack on each of these systems responds a little differently to out-of-RFC TCP junk.
There are several pieces of software out there, most notably OSfuscate (http://www.irongeek.com/i.php?page=security/osfuscate-change-your-windows-os-tcp-ip-fingerprint-to-confuse-p0f-networkminer-ettercap-nmap-and-other-os-detection-tools) and sec_cloak (http://www.hacker-soft.net/Soft/Soft_2304.htm, but the link is quite broken), that reconfigure your Windows TCP stack via the registry to appear to these tools like something entirely different. After doing that, just tell your IT department that you need to get your other device on their network and most places will whitelist you. The most popular choice for what to emulate is a Sega Dreamcast; why that is the case is left as an excercise to the reader...
At most places, looking like something that can't run their spyware gets you online, but some places want to see the hardware (especially for game consoles), so if you're concerned, say the machine runs Linux sometimes and show it to them running Linux (off a LiveCD if you must) if they ask. Then use software to make your Windows look like Linux too, and the exception they'll have put in for "a Linux box with MAC xx:xx:xx:xx:xx" will cover both systems.
Well, at least we don't say "tard-speak."
Twice!
...I, for one, welcome our new Mooninite overlords.
A fleet of icebergs ARE heading north from Antarctica.
Goodness, the Nazi's may have been evil, and they may have had terrible aim (as per the Stormtrooper Effect), but they weren't incompetent.
"Fleet" is singular, thus a fleet of icebergs IS heading north. You wouldn't say that the same fleet 'are' heading north, would you?
Do what I did: Take AP CS on your own. Then be sure to apply to Olin College. It's lots of fun, admission comes with a full-tuition scholarship for everyone, and we take innovative, world-class technology classes every day. Oh, and since there are only about 300 students, we don't really have X-inch plasma screens at our football stadium. Neither do we have a football stadium.
/.ers. I remember feeling exactly as you did about sports vs. academics in HS, and worrying about the same thing coming into college. As so many previous posters have pointed out, although there's not much you or I can do in the short term about that sort of imbalance, it's not truly as harmful to the academic side of most schools as it may seem. Schools generally budget the athletic department separately, and those departments (especially in colleges) often pay for themselves with ticket sales and athletics-specific fundraising. Do what you can toward learning technology / computer science in HS (i.e. independent study, college courses, joint enrollment, etc.), but don't feel bad if you don't get away with much technology coursework under your belt; at the very least you'll be in good company when you get to college and start learning what you really want to learn. It may not be the best way to run a national educational institution, but (as always) the really bright folks don't depend on the educational experience as much as the sort of middle bracket on which America is losing so much ground to the rest of the world.
Shameless pitches aside, I'm afraid many American high schools like yours and mine simply won't offer worthwhile technology courses until it's too late - not just for you and me, but for lots of young
Good luck, and keep Olin in mind when college app time rolls around =).