My Blog

Prevent Browser Hijacking

2009-01-06T21:24:00.001-08:00

Dear All,
A guide on How to stop urself from Browser Hijacking for newbies !!!!
Browser HijackingHackers and Browser Hijacking is one area of the Net that affects everyone at some stage.In addition to having third party utilities such as SpyBot, Anti Virus scanners and firewalls installed there are some changes that can be made to Windows 2000/XP. Below are some details to make your system safer from hackers and hijackers.Some of these tips require editing of the Registry so it is wise to either backup the registry and/or create a Restore Point.1. Clearing the Page File at Shutdown:Windows 2000/XP paging file (Sometimes called the Swap File) can contain sensitive information such as plaintext passwords. Someone capable of accessing your system could scan that file and find its information. You can force windows to clear out this file.In the registry navigate to:- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\ Control\ Session Manager\ Memory Management Edit the DWORD ClearPageFileAtShutdown. Set it to 1.Note that when you do this, the system will take much longer to shut down: a system with a really big Page File.2. Disable the POSIX and OS/2 Subsystem:Windows 2000 and XP come with little-documented subsystems it at allow compatibility with UNIX and OS/2 systems These rues systems are enabled by default but so rarely used that they are best off bring disabled completely to prevent possible service hijackings.To disable these subsystems, open the registry and navigate to:-HKEY LOCAL MACHINE\ SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\ Control\ Session Manager\ SubSystems. Delete the subkeys Os2 and POSIX. Then reboot.3. Install Windows In a different directory:Windows usually installs itself in the WINDOWS directory. Many worms and other rogue programs assume this to be the case and attempt to exploit those folders files. To defeat this, install Windows to another directory when you're setting it up - you can specify the name of the directory during setup. Eg: WINDIR, WNDWS 4. Disable the Guest account:Windows XP comes with a Guest account that's used for limited access, but it's still possible to do some damage with it. Disable it completely if you are not using it. Under Control Panel, select User Accounts, click on Guest Account and then select Turn Off the Guest Account.5. Set the Hosts file to read-only to prevent name hijacking.The HOSTS file is a text file that all flavors of Windows use to hold certain network addresses that never change. When a network name and address is placed in HOSTS, the computer uses the address listed there for that network name rather than performing a lookup (which can take time). Experts edit this file to place their most commonly-visited sites into it, speeding things up considerably.Unfortunately hijackers and hackers also love to put their own information into it - redirecting people from their favorite sites to places they don't want to go. One of the most common entries in HOSTS is local host which is set 1770.0.1. This refers to the local machine and if this entry is damaged the computer can behave very unpredictably.To prevent HOSTS from being hijacked, set it to read-only. Go to the folder %Systemroot%system32driversetc, right-click on HOSTS, select Properties check the Read-Only box and click OK. If you want to add your own entries to HOSTS, you can unprotect it before doing so, but always remember to set it to read-only after you're done.6. Disallow changes to IE settings through IE:This is another anti hijacker tip. IE can be set so that any changes to its settings must be performed through the Internet icon in the Control Panel, rather than through IE's own interface. Some particularly unscrupulous programs or sites try to tamper with setting by accessing the Tools, Options menu in IE. You can disable this and still make changes to IE's settings through the Control Panel.Open the Registry and browse to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\ Policies\ Microsoft\ Internet Explorer\ Restrictions. Create or edit a new DWORD value named NoBrowserOptions and set it to 1 (this is a per-user setting). Some third-party programs such as Spybot Search And Destroy allow you to toggle this setting.7. Turn off unneeded Services:Windows 2000 and XP both come with many background services that don't need to he running most of the time: Alerter, Messenger, Server (If you're running a standalone machine with no file or printer shares), NetMeeting, Remote Desktop Sharing, Remote Desktop Help Session Manager (the last two if you're not using Remote Desktop or NetMeeting), Remote Registry, Routing and Remote Access (if you're not using Remote Access), SSDP Discovery Service, Telnet, and Universal Plug and Play Device Host.A good resource and instruction on which of these services can be disabled go to http://www.blkviper.com/WinXP/A good resource and instruction on which of these services can be disabled go to http://www.blkviper.com/WinXP/8. Disable simple File Shares:In Windows XP Professional, the Simple File Sharing mode is easily exploited, since it’s a little too easy to share out a file across your LAN (or the NET at large). To turn it off, go to My Computer, click Tools, Folder Option and the View tab, and uncheck Use Simple file sharing (Recommended). Click OK. When you do this you can access the Security tab in the Properties window for all folders; set permissions for folders; and take ownership of objects (but this is not in XP Home)_________________Been There ,Done That !!!!!! So Stay away

Sources : CT

Complete Pc Recovery Kit - (Free Download)

2009-01-05T22:52:00.000-08:00

Hi,

I was in a search for a complete Recovery tool kit for pc. and finally i got it all in one solution. that is Trinity Rescue Kit. this is an amazing linux base tool kit which has all tools which require for a Pc recovery.

What is Trinity Rescue Kit ?

Trinity Rescue Kit or TRK is a free live Linux distribution that aims specifically at recovery and repair operations on Windows machines, but is equally usable for Linux recovery issues.
It is possible to boot TRK in three different ways:
-as a bootable CD which you can burn yourself from a downloadable isofile
-from a USB stick/disk (optionally also a fixed disk), installable from Windows or from the bootable TRK cd
-from network over PXE, which requires some modifications on your local network (version 3.2). Version 3.3 has the ability to act as a network bootserver itself, without any modifications to your local network.
TRK is a complete commandline based distribution, apart from a few tools like qtparted, links, partition image and midnight commander

Here 's a sumup of some of the most important features, new and old:
-easily reset windows passwords (backup and restore option in 3.3)
-4 different virusscan products integrated in a single uniform commandline with online update capability (5 in version 3.3)
-full ntfs write support thanks to ntfs-3g (all other drivers included as well)
-clone NTFS filesystems over the network
-wide range of hardware support (kernel 2.6.19.2 and recent kudzu hwdata)
-easy script to find all local filesystems
-self update capability to include and update all virusscanners
-full proxyserver support.
-run a samba fileserver (windows like filesharing)
-run a ssh server
-recovery and undeletion of files with utilities and procedures
-recovery of lost partitions
-evacuation of dying disks
-UTF-8 international character support.
-powerful multicast disk cloning utility for any filesystem
-2 rootkit detection uitilities (version 3.3).
-elaborated documentation (+manpages as of 3.3).
-elaborated documentation

Although version 3.3 is still beta, it is recommended you download this version, as most features which were included in version 3.2 are still running just fine (and are more up-to-date) and the new stuff is presumed to be running fine too.

You can download the same at : ftp://ftp.osuosl.org/pub/trk/trinity-rescue-kit.3.3-build-321.iso/

Sources :- Trinityhome.org

Timex Nail Watches

2008-08-19T21:16:00.000-07:00

The Timex Nail Watch: Get the Time on Your nails
Saturday, August 16, 2008
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We have seen many different types of futuristic watches with strange shapes and design but none so unique as this. Now lets welcome the Nail watch, that can be worn on the thumb. You may have never seen a watch that can be worn on the thumb but times are going to change thanks to Timex. Timex, in collaboration with Core77, held a global design competition called 2154: the future of time design. So what we are seeing here is the TX54 concept which was a runner up there.
Thanks to a translucent body, the design blends seamlessly with the nail while a selection of text color options and a glow feature activating on command make it supremely functional as well. Press the end of your thumbnail, and the watch will light up for you. A perfect blend of appearance, user interface, and technology, the nail watch passes most standards of modern design with flying colors thanks to its functional and minimalist appeal. The watch looks stylish and chic and has a touch of Geeky style as well. The downside of this watch is that it is disposable. So with so many stylish watched being available now, it will be hard for it to survive in the market. Though it is quite innovative with a minimalist design, but it won't last long on your finger.No details about the availability or the price of this watch has been released by Timex. But since it is tiny and disposable, I don't expect the price to be high.

Next-Generation Intel PC Chips to Carry Intel Core Name

2008-08-12T01:52:00.000-07:00

Hi,

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug. 11, 2008 – Intel Corporation announced today that desktop processors based on the company's upcoming new microarchitecture (codenamed "Nehalem") will be formally branded "Intel® Core™ processor." The first products in this new family of processors, including an "Extreme Edition" version, will carry an "i7" identifier and will be formally branded as "Intel® Core™ i7 processor." This is the first of several new identifiers to come as different products launch over the next year.
Products based on the new microarchitecture will deliver high performance and energy efficiency. This "best of both worlds" approach is expected to extend Intel's processor leadership in future mobile, desktop and server market segments.
"The Core name is and will be our flagship PC processor brand going forward," said Sean Maloney, Intel Corporation executive vice president and general manager, Sales and Marketing Group. "Expect Intel to focus even more marketing resources around that name and the Core i7 products starting now."
The Intel Core processor brand name has gained broad awareness, preference, and market momentum over the past several years. The Intel Core name remains the logical choice for Intel's latest family of processors. The Intel Core i7 processor brand logo will be available for high-performance desktop PCs with a separate black logo for Intel's highest-end "Extreme Edition." Intel will include processor model numbers to differentiate each chip.
Initial products based on this microarchitecture are expected to be in production in the fourth quarter of this year. These processors will feature Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology, also known as simultaneous multi-threading, and are capable of handling eight software "threads" on four processor cores.

Regards
Hariesh