Network Hacking

From: Vanguyver (vanguyver@hotmail.com)
Date: 02/20/03 

From: "Vanguyver" <vanguyver@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Feb 2003 09:59:58 -0800

I work for a small University. I was just informed that
one of the professors is teaching a class on hacking.
This professor is showing his students how to hack into a
Microsoft systems. He instructed his students to attempt
hacking to the Universities network. There grades are
based on how many administrative passwords they are able
to obtain. I am not that verse with hacking methods.
Are there any website, books or programs that I could get
to bring me up to speed very quickly? Also, are there
any immediate security features I should check? If any
of the students successfully hack into our network, all
employees and students SSN, grade, and other personal
information will be compromised.

Any Advise would be greatly appreciated.