Sunday, June 23, 2013

Why on earth would I use Microsoft Visio

This week I decided to write about a feature in Visio that I until recently was unaware of.  For those of you who don’t know Microsoft Visio allows users to create and map.  You can map a city, office, network, even a process or idea.  This is very useful.  Interestingly enough it also allows its users to show relationships graphically.  If any of you have ever needed to explain how authentication works on a network the picture will certainly inform the topic.  Here is an example.
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In addition to this functionality the product also allows you to diagram a website.  This is a new function I was unaware of until recently.  While documentation is an obvious need in security website diagrams are more directly related.  In order to use this functionality one must select a new Visio document, got to software and database, then select website. (http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/visio-help/generate-a-web-site-map-HP001209112.aspx).  Once that is complete simply follow the import dialogue.  You will put the URL you are looking for in place.  At that point you just hit OK and wait.  Here is an example.
I chose to use Altoro Mutual.  This is demo site setup by IBM.  Security professionals use it to test this type of tool.  http://www.testfire.net/default.aspx
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This tool allows the user to map the links and relationships in a website.  From my perspective it shows me hidden links as well as possibly forgotten pages.  This is something anyone who designs web pages should take full advantage of.  It also allows you to graphically illustrate website design.

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