OK, I'll join in for my first post to this site.

I will begin by stating that I'm a definite newbie. My current job deals with setting up "secure" OS installs, configuring firewalls, and general network tasks (routing, authentication, troubleshooting, etc.) I've been using Unix for a year now and no longer feel like an idiot, although I would say I've moved up to beginner plus.

After seeing tons of security bulletins, I've started digging into how these exploits are done. Most of what I see involves hackers writing their own code. So, I've figured that I need to start learning to program if I'm to understand further.

I have two questions:

1) What language should I study for maximum benefit. Currently, I have a very basic understanding of Perl and C++. While I can code some stuff, it seems to take me longer than "computer science" people I know. My code may work, but I don't always believe it is done the best way.

2) What should be my first program? What would be a good beginning task for a newbie?

B-Man