Drops of Technology

hi..new title 1

2008-01-17T23:40:00.001+05:30

hiii

hello

Capture Messenger Chat

2007-08-11T22:35:00.000+05:30

One excellent utility that will help you keep track of what others are doing on your network without requiring any priviledges/software-installation on remote PC's
The software is available for all the messengers like Yahoo, ICQ, MSN, AIM.
Scroll below for download links .
Read the description for Yahoo. Others follow the same suit.

Yahoo Messenger Monitor Sniffer is handy network utility software designed to capture and observe Yahoo Messenger conversations on all computers in a network. It is able to record conversations automatically in real time. And export all intercepted messages to HTML files for later processing and analyzing. It is very easy to make it to work, and it will monitor all conversations in your Local Area network without the use of client software installed on the remote computer.

Key Features of Yahoo Messenger Monitor Sniffer

Capture and sniff Yahoo Messenger conversations from remote computer on the network.
Record or Yahoo Messenger chat conversations (include chat room).
Export all intercepted messages to HTML files.
Automatically send the chat logs to your e-mail for remote viewing.
Password and hot key protection.
Run in stealth mode.
Start capturing on the program startup.
User safe, easy, and powerful.

The same is also available for MSN , ICQ , AIQ
Download
Courtesy : immonitor.com

Make Windows run faster - 10 Easy to follow tips

2007-08-11T22:15:00.000+05:30

1: Turning off Unwanted Services:

Many of the unwanted services are turned on by default which in turn uses our resources. Turning off these sevices is always a better Idea.
Tips to block these services

2: Cleaning Temporary files:

Although you organize folders and files in a great way, it is recommended to clean areas like Recycle Bin, Temporary Internet Files, Old System restore data, Prefetch data etc.

Find wasted disk space by using the Disk Cleanup tool by following these steps:

1.	Open My Computer, right-click Local Disk, and then click Properties.
2.	On the General tab, click the Disk Cleanup button. Disk Cleanup will spend a few minutes examining your disk.
3.	The Disk Cleanup dialog box opens. As you can see in Figure , it found almost three gigs of space on my computer that it could free up! Figure 2: The Disk Cleanup tool.
4.	Select the desired check boxes in the Files to Delete list, and then click OK. Disk Cleanup will spend several minutes clearing space.
5.	If you have more than one hard disk, repeat this process for each hard disk listed in My Computer.

3: Remove Unwanted Programs:

Managing installed programs is very much important as users do not concentrate on it. Remove unused programs from Control panel regularly, including unused windows components like IIS, Fax, Phone dialer etc.
The first step is to remove these unnecessary programs. I install new programs all the time. Sometimes I'm thrilled with the new program and I continue to use it. Other times, it doesn't do what I hoped, and the program sits on my computer consuming resources and hurting performance.

Follow these steps to remove unneeded programs:

1.	Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2.	Click Add or Remove Programs.
3.	Scroll through the list and examine each program. Windows XP lists how often you use a program and what day you last started it. As shown in Figure , the Age of Mythology Trial is a good candidate for removal from my computer. Though I liked the game, I haven't used it recently and it's consuming a lot of disk space. You shouldn't remove anything labeled as an Update or Hotfix, however, because they improve the security of your computer. Figure : The Add or Remove Programs window.
4.	Click each program you no longer need, click the Remove button, and then follow the prompts to uninstall it.

You may have to restart your computer after removing a program. After your computer restarts, repeat the steps above to remove more programs.

4: Security

Viruses can wreak havoc on your computer. Detecting and cleaning viruses is an excellent way to improve your system's performance.
Compromising performance for security is like killing yourself for your safety. So try to use a light Anti-virus program which would not degrade the performance of the computer. Some of the good examples are AVAST, AVG and Kaspersky.
There are many antivirus programs to choose from
Top 7 Antivirus Programs for Windows.

5: Tweaks and Hacks

Whether its registry hack or a tweak, TWEAKXP has some good lists of Performance tweaks which will boost up and optimize your system.

6: Updating Programs and Drivers

Updating your Anti-virus with latest definitions including updated drivers and patches for windows will prevent security risks and key holes thus keeping you on the safer side.
Windows Update Site

7: Use NTFS file system

It is advisory to use NTFS file system which has various advantages compared to old FAT or FAT 32. NTFS provides increased security, compression including encryption. But if you are using multi-operating systems do not use this file system.

8: Disabling Error reporting

One of the annoying features in Windows XP is whenever an error is logged, it will ask you to send to Microsoft. You can turn of this feature by right clicking MY COMPUTER selecting Properties > Advanced Tab and click Error Reporting. Now Disable Error reporting unchecking it.

9: Managing Startups

The next step in restoring your computer's performance is to identify any unnecessary programs that start automatically. Often, programs configure themselves to run in the background so that they appear to start quickly when needed. Some of these programs show an icon on your taskbar to let you know that they're running, while others are completely hidden. These autostart programs probably won't noticeably slow down your computer as it starts up, but they will steal away trace amounts of memory and processing time as your computer runs.

Windows XP comes with the System Configurationtool (Msconfig.exe), an excellent way to manage the startup process. To start it:

1.	Click Start, click Run, type Msconfig, and then press Enter.
2.	On the Startup tab, you'll see a list of all the programs and processes that are set to run when Windows XP loads.
3.	Speed up your overall start time by clearing the check box next to any item you think you don't need.
4.	Click Apply, and then restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

My favorite way to examine autostart programs is to use the Autoruns freeware tool from Sysinternals. Autoruns lists every program that will automatically start and allows you to quickly delete the link to the program. Many autostart entries are important parts of Windows XP, including Userinit.exe and Explorer.exe. So you should not simply delete everything that you don't recognize. Instead, you should look up each entry at Paul Collins' Startup Applications List to determine whether you want it to start automatically.

For example, Figure shows Autoruns revealing a file called nwiz.exe that is set to start automatically. I visited The Startup Applications List, typed in nwiz and discovered that it's used to set my desktop layout preferences. I'd like to keep this functionality, so I won't delete it.

The Autoruns freeware tool.

I also found a file named Wzqkpick.exe. After reading the description at The Startup Applications List, I decided I don't need to load that file automatically. I deleted the link using Autoruns by right-clicking it and then clicking Delete. This procedure works best for advanced users of Windows XP. If you aren't sure a program is unneeded—leave it!

The Startup Applications List may provide instructions for removing the startup program. If available, you should follow those instructions instead of deleting the link by using Autoruns.

Programs like Real Player, Yahoo! Messenger, Google Talk, Winamp etc can be removed unless you don’t need it there.

10: Defragmentation of Drives:

I hate newspaper articles that start on the front page but continue somewhere in the middle of the newspaper. I could get through the article much faster if it was printed on consecutive pages like a magazine article. Files on your computer can either be fragmented like a newspaper, or unfragmented like a magazine. Over time, more and more files become fragmented. When a file is fragmented, it takes longer for the computer to read it because it has to skip to different sections of the hard disk—just like it takes me a few seconds to find a page in the middle of a newspaper. The below figure compares how a computer reads unfragmented and fragmented files.

Figure : Fragmented and unfragmented files compared.

You need administrator privileges to defragment a drive or volume. Although fragmentation is complicated, it's easy to defragment your computer by following these steps:

1.	Open My Computer, right-click Local Disk, and then click Properties.
2.	On the Tools tab, click Defragment Now. The Disk Defragmenter opens.
3.	Click your first hard disk, and then click Defragment. As shown in Figure 4, Disk Defragmenter will work for at least several minutes, though it may take several hours. Figure 4: The Disk Defragmenter tool.
4.	If you have more than one hard disk, repeat this process for each hard disk listed starting at Step 3.

My laptop's files were not terribly fragmented, so defragmenting them didn't speed it up much. However, after defragmenting the hard drive on my desktop computer, Windows and other programs started about 20% faster!

Turn Off Unnecessary Windows XP Services

2007-08-11T22:07:00.000+05:30

Turning off unnecessary services in Windows XP can greatly reduce your exploit risk, while improving system performance. It's a good time to inject that often there are all sorts of "download optimizers" and other cute programs that vendors like to push on users. Most of the time, installing such things slows your computer down at best. It could subject you to potential security risks. The first rule is "If you don't know you need it, you probably don't."

Unnecessary services don't just subject you to security risk. They also slow down the operation of your computer. So, don't get lazy here and think you can just deal with the infections later. Go ahead and turn that junk off and recapture your system from these resource hogs. You get to services by going to Control Panel, Administrative Tools, then Services. You should see a long list of services, some running and some dormant. Use this checklist to help determine which services you can live without.

If you don't know how to find Windows Services in Windows XP, click on Start, Control Panel, Administrative Tools, and Services. Below is a simple step by step to finding and changing your services on Windows XP. Keep in mind that your view settings may make your's appear slightly different, but will be the same basic path.

Click on start, then click on Control Panel.

In Control Panel, click on Administrative Tools

In Administrative Tools, click on Services.

Choose the service you wish to modify.

Once you select the service you wish to modify, you have several buttons to turn the service off immediately, drop down choices to disable a service, make it autmatic, or make it manual.

Windows XP Pro (and Home); Stuff to turn off:

Each service is listed as it is in Microsoft's WIndows XP Professional. These should be similar in Microsoft's XP Home as well. Under each is the definition given in the Services Manager.

Alerter
Notifies selected users and computers of administrative alerts. If the service is stopped, programs that use administrative alerts will not receive them. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Comment: I don't want my personal computer telling me anything, ever. Shut up and work! There's few things I find more annoying than a computer constantly wanting to interact with me while I'm using it to do work or entertain myself. A computer is a tool, not a friend or work companion. No Hal, I don't want to talk to you. Perhaps there's a software vendor that can give you a compelling reason why you need this service, but for most home and SOHO PC use it's just an unnecessary service taking up resources and providing risk. Unless you are running a product that requires this service, disable it.
Application Layer Gateway Service
Provides support for 3rd party protocol plug-ins for Internet Connection Sharing and the Internet Connection Firewall
Comment: Do you want to share your internet connection? That's an article waiting to be written. Let me be clear. Since you can buy a router for $50 or less, and Windows does an awful job routing, using a computer to gateway your other computers to the internet is just stupid. "What about firewalling and admission control?" Well, that's not going to be done through the built-in internet sharing tools. So, we''re not talking about that. If you use a personal computer to gateway your other computers to the internet (and calling it a server doesn't change the reality), you are wasting resources. Buy a $50 router, or a $1000 router for that matter. But, buy a discrete device that is designed to do the job. Use hardware based firewalling (OK, it's all based on software - but I mean a boxed solution, not software installed on a PC that's prone to lose autonomy). And, what about all those cute third-party firewalling tools that plug in to this thing? Man, give me a break. If it runs on top of your Windows installation, it's not a real firewall. Unless this is required by a product you think is necessary, disable it.
Automatic Updates
Enables the download and installation of critical Windows updates. If the service is disabled, the operating system can be manually updated.
Comment: There's only two options that may make sense with this service. You should either set it to disable or manual. I'd disable it. Automatic Updates is designed as a tool to aid Microsoft in controlling their product. Props to Microsoft for trying to protect their product from piracy. But, some updates have been known to cause problems. Use it when you need it, and disable it when you don't, unless you're too lazy to do updates on your own. Don't you wonder why all the computers in big, well managed networks don't run Automatic Updates? It's mostly because managers of big networks create their own update policies. If you more completely understand the thinking that goes into deciding whether or not to distribute an update, you could better administer your own PC. Either turn it on and assume the risk, or turn it off and regularly visit Mircosoft's update and news page (discussed more below).
Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Uses idle network bandwidth to transfer data.
Comment: This is one of those tools they require you turn on to enable Automatic Updates. Think about it. It connects your PC to the internet or network and works behind your back to do stuff you didn't explicitly tell it to do. It sounds like a great tool to help hackers collect data from your PC and slowly seep it back to their lair. Unless it's immediately required, disable it. It you use it and then go for some time with no need to use it, disable it. If you can't remember to keep your PC updated with the latest security fixes, you'll need it.
ClipBook
Enables ClipBook Viewer to store information and share it with remote computers. If the service is stopped, ClipBook Viewer will not be able to share information with remote computers. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Comment: So, you want to copy stuff to your clipbook and allow remote computers to access it? I don't. There may be a software vendor that requires this service to run. I've yet to find it useful. I suggest you disable it.
Computer Browser
Maintains an updated list of computers on the network and supplies this list to computers designated as browsers. If this service is stopped, this list will not be updated or maintained. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Comment: If you are on a network with other computers, and need to see them, this may be a useful tool. Otherwise, disable it.
Cryptographic Services
Provides three management services: Catalog Database Service, which confirms the signatures of Windows files; Protected Root Service, which adds and removes Trusted Root Certification Authority certificates from this computer; and Key Service, which helps enroll this computer for certificates. If this service is stopped, these management services will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Comment: It is very necessary if you are passing certificates for networking. Unless you are in a large corporate network where connections are managed through authentication, this is unnecessary; disable it.
Distributed Transaction Coordinator
Coordinates transactions that span multiple resource managers, such as databases, message queues, and file systems. If this service is stopped, these transactions will not occur. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Comment: Extremely few personal computers will require this service. If you use it, you may want to review the reasons it is being used. Unless you are accessing network filesystems and databases, disable it.
DNS Client
Resolves and caches Domain Name System (DNS) names for this computer. If this service is stopped, this computer will not be able to resolve DNS names and locate Active Directory domain controllers. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Comment: It's typically good to leave this on.
Error Reporting Service
Allows error reporting for services and applications running in non-standard environments.
Comment: Erorr reporting is very useful, if you know what to do with the errors or you are running software that adjusts based on error reporting. This is that annoying "feature" in Windows that constantly pops up wanting to ship information about your software failures to Redmond. People promise me it helps find problems and solutions. I've mostly seen problem reports that you could as easily search out yourself. If you're advanced enough to use this, you'll likely use a search engine just as well. Chances are, the best thing for you to do is disable it.
Help and Support
Enables Help and Support Center to run on this computer. If this service is stopped, Help and Support Center will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Comment: I don't find this service useful, other than sucking up resources. If you know how to use Google, I'd disable it.
Human Interface Device Access
Enables generic input access to Human Interface Devices (HID), which activates and maintains the use of predefined hot buttons on keyboards, remote controls, and other multimedia devices. If this service is stopped, hot buttons controlled by this service will no longer function. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Comment: Whether or not you should disable this service, depends on other services you need. If you don't know, turn it off and see if it breaks anything. It says that it deals with hotkeys, however all the system hotkeys that most of us enjoy aren't controlled by this service, they are built into the core OS. Control C, for example, to copy and Control V to past, do not stop working when you turn this service off. It seems this has more to do with specific hotkeys that a software vendor may want to insert into their installed program or internet product. Until you see a reason for it, I'd turn this one off. Personally, I consider relying on such services to be lazy programming. But, there may be good reason for using it if it's more efficient.
Indexing Service
Indexes contents and properties of files on local and remote computers; provides rapid access to files through flexible querying language.
Comment: To date, nobody has shown me real system performance improvements with this technology. Keep in mind, I'm limited in this conversation to Windows. Indexing is very useful. Indexing databases is very useful. Indexing your computer isn't very useful at all. Typically, if you are on a network, you know where on a network to find your chosen data. If you are not on a network, there's no real performance enhancement to this service that justifies the complexity and resource use. Chances are good you should disable it.
IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service
Manages CD recording using Image Mastering Applications Programming Interface (IMAPI). If this service is stopped, this computer will be unable to record CDs. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Comment: Obviously, there may be some usefulness leaving this service as manual, if you have a CD burner installed. If you don't, disable it.
Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) / Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
Provides network address translation, addressing, name resolution and/or intrusion prevention services for a home or small office network.
Comment: This tool does a great job of complicating my internet connection and slowing down transactions. It's not likely this tool is sophisticated enough to make a major impact in your system's performance. You should disable it.
Messenger
Transmits net send and Alerter service messages between clients and servers. This service is not related to Windows Messenger. If this service is stopped, Alerter messages will not be transmitted. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Comment: Turn this thing off! It's a simple kit for anybody that can connect via any network to your computer to access your system and do things you don't want them to. Disable it.
Net Logon
Supports pass-through authentication of account logon events for computers in a domain.
Comment: Unless you need this to operate inside a domain, it's likely not necessary or useful. If you are using a home or SOHO PC and don't have a local domain based network, disable it.
NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing
Enables an authorized user to access this computer remotely by using NetMeeting over a corporate intranet. If this service is stopped, remote desktop sharing will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Comment: Do you really want a built in tool to share control of your desktop over your network connection? There are better tools for doing this kind of work, if needed. If someone you buy software from insists you let them use this tool to help you install it one time, then enable it and disable it immediately afterward. For typical use, you should disable it.
Remote Desktop Help Session Manager
Manages and controls Remote Assistance. If this service is stopped, Remote Assistance will be unavailable. Before stopping this service, see the Dependencies tab of the Properties dialog box.
Comment: Refer to NetMeeting. If you don't want to share control of your computer through your network, disable it.
Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator
Manages the RPC name service database.
Comment: There are some network programs and protocols that require this to be turned on. Chances are you could just turn it off and see if you break anything. If you are using a single PC in your home or SOHO, it's likely just a security risk. If you don't know you need it, disable it.
Remote Registry
Enables remote users to modify registry settings on this computer. If this service is stopped, the registry can be modified only by users on this computer. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Comment: Seems self-explanatory. You can enable this service to help remote people or programs change your registry. Great hacker tool if you can't secure it. Disable it.
System Restore Service
Performs system restore functions. To stop service, turn off System Restore from the System Restore tab in My Computer->Properties
Comment: This is almost useless if you ever have a problem with damaged drives, corrupted data, or malware. It uses a lot of resources and isn't useful for most people. You can turn it on before you install a big piece of software. This service allows you to backup to a previous system should you mess your's up with an installation of software or a modification to your system settings, usually registry damage. To improve system performance and take the minor risk of not being able to make your computer work like it did yesterday, disable it.
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Enables support for NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) service and NetBIOS name resolution.
Comment: Very few people use NetBIOS at home. This is the Windows built-in protocol for simple networking. You may need it. Otherwise, disable it.
Telephony
Provides Telephony API (TAPI) support for programs that control telephony devices and IP based voice connections on the local computer and, through the LAN, on servers that are also running the service.
Comment: If you use telephony, you probably use discrete devices or proprietary services that don't rely on this service. However, you do need this servive if you use a modem to connect to the ineternet. If you don't specifically need the Microsoft Telephony service, disable it. If you use a modem to connect to the internet, leave it enabled.
Telnet
Enables a remote user to log on to this computer and run programs, and supports various TCP/IP Telnet clients, including UNIX-based and Windows-based computers. If this service is stopped, remote user access to programs might be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Comment: There's just not a circumstance where I can imagine that turning this service on is a good idea. Unless you need to let people telnet into your computer and have a really good reason for doing so, disable it.
Terminal Services
Allows multiple users to be connected interactively to a machine as well as the display of desktops and applications to remote computers. The underpinning of Remote Desktop (including RD for Administrators), Fast User Switching, Remote Assistance, and Terminal Server.
Comment: As I've said above, there's better tools for remote desktop administration. The idea of Terminal Services is to allow remote desktop administration of a system, like the user was on the actual console. In almost all circumstances you should disable it.
Themes
Provides user experience theme management.
Comment: Themes are cute and bloated. Enabling themes is not a good way to increase performance, but you may think it's neat. If you aren't addicted to cute desktop eye candy, disable it.
Uninterruptible Power Supply
Manages an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) connected to the computer.
Comment: Unless you are using a UPS on your computer and it has the capability of managing the system, disable it.
Upload Manager
Manages synchronous and asynchronous file transfers between clients and servers on the network. If this service is stopped, synchronous and asynchronous file transfers between clients and servers on the network will not occur. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Comment: If you are not in a local network sharing data (files and/or services), disable it.
Windows Time
Maintains date and time synchronization on all clients and servers in the network. If this service is stopped, date and time synchronization will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Comment: Sometimes it works. Unless you are really needing your time to sync to something running a Windows time server, disable it.
Wireless Zero Configuration
Provides automatic configuration for the 802.11 adapters
Comment: Unless you use 802.11 devices, disable it.
Workstation
Creates and maintains client network connections to remote servers. If this service is stopped, these connections will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Comment: If you are not in a local network sharing data (files and/or services), disable it.

If you turn off all the services suggested above and try to use Automatic Updates via WindowsUpdate.Microsoft.com, you will likely see a message something like this:

Windows Update cannot continue because a required service application is disabled. Windows Update requires the following services:

"Automatic Updates enables detection, downloading, and installation of critical updates for your computer.

Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) enables faster, restartable downloading of updates.

Event Log logs Windows Update events for troubleshooting. To ensure that these services are enabled:"

It's easy to just go back to Services, and turn these services on as you need them. An operating system shouldn't need daily updates to run. And, the more services you run, the more likely you are to need updates. See a circle here? Occasionally, a little laziness won't kill you. Though you could just go to Technet (Microsoft's only support for IT professionals) and get all your news and update files with descriptions of their efficacy and safety, you may occasionally just want to veg out and let Microsoft do the work for you. You should still read each update and decide for yourself whether it makes sense. Some of them are flat out bad news. But, turning up these services for a few minutes to run Automatic Updates may be a shortcut to periodic updates.

So, let's look at the services they want you to turn on.

Automatic Updates
Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Event Log

I haven't a clue why you need Background Intelligent Transfer Services to run so you can go to a website, download, and install service packs. But, you can turn it, and the others, on and then turn it back off when you are done. It's just three services.

If you turn off all the services suggested above and try to use Automatic Updates via WindowsUpdate.Microsoft.com, you will likely see a message something like this:

Windows Update cannot continue because a required service application is disabled. Windows Update requires the following services:
Automatic Updates enables detection, downloading, and installation of critical updates for your computer.
Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) enables faster, restartable downloading of updates.
Event Log logs Windows Update events for troubleshooting. To ensure that these services are enabled:

So, let's look at the services they want you to turn on.

Automatic Updates
Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Event Log

If you take a minimalist's point of view to running both software and services on your computer, it will perform faster and more safely than it will if you just randomly load anything anyone tells you to. To better secure your PC, stick to a mindset that if you don't absolutely need a service running right now, you should just turn it off.

For those of you that break stuff when you turn off services I suggest are unnecessary.

If you turn off all the stuff that blatantly doesn't have anything to do with the network, you should be fine. Then, turn off one thing at a time that you /think/ doesn't support your network connection. If you lose your connection, turn the service back on. Next, and this part is very important, make sure your network settings are accurate and set for "on" so you can reconnect. You should find out how your PC connects to your local network before you get started and document it. But, anything you turn off that breaks something needs to be carefully examined and documented (write it down somewhere).

Just because you turn a service back on, doesn't mean your broken software will magically start working again. For example, remember the issue of using a computer in your network to manage your connection? If that's how you connect, you'll have to reconfigure that connection to get online if you kill it by killing a service. Likely, Computer Browser will cause this kind of problem. Also, just enabling the service doesn't turn it on. You need to manually restart it, since the start, enable, stop, settings go into action on bootup. So, if you don't want to wait til your box reboots, you'll need to manually turn off the service if you want it disabled, and manually turn it on if you want to enable it (and see if that given service is your problem).

What about System Restore? Well, I don't like it. If I had a dollar for every time someone fouled up their PC, ran system restore, and were amazed that all wasn't suddenly happy sunshine, I'd have a really nice vacation home. I realize it makes life easier for newbies that randomly screw stuff up and can't be hassled with learning the things they use. But, for most cases, it's a great tool for virus and worms to avoid capture. You delete them, they have a backup switch to recapture control through the restore program. Many antivirus programs don't work properly when you have this feature enabled. You can leave it on if you're a fan. Perhaps it makes you feel good, like it would make everything right again if you had it around. But, it won't save you from a serious problem. Backups and safe computer practices will.

You need to learn enough about your PC to run a functional backup and restoration of your critical data. If you can't do this, you're just waiting to lose everything.

Don't be afraid to learn more about your PC. It's one thing to run through a checklist of stuff I suggest you don't need. But, it's not a guarantee that I address every concern for every user. With a few hours here and there of learning now, you'll save yourself a lot of frustration later. The things I learned about Windows five and six years ago still serve me today. The things I learned about networks running Unix systems serve me every day, no matter what operating system I may run.

3D Desktop for Windows XP

2007-08-11T21:28:00.000+05:30

Yes that's possible in windows XP now.
Ideal solution for people who are bored from the usual flat desktop.
This is the time to make your Windows XP the next Gen Solution.
Why invest in VISTA when such an excellent solution is available from 3DWonders ?

All IP Address Hacks Revealed

2007-08-06T02:19:00.000+05:30

IP Address hacks revealed

Find all the information you always wanted from an IP Address.

See the Steps below to find all IP related information
Following information can be obtained from an IP Address.

Finding Open Ports and services on IP Address
To find out who is logged on at the IP Address
To know which OS the IP address is running on
To see the traffic going between two points on a network?

To see the traffic going between two points on a network?

2007-08-06T01:57:00.000+05:30

Go back to Main menu

Now the real fun:

Have a switched network?
Want to find out the traffic going between any two points?

How can I see the traffic going between two points on a switched network?

First have a Unix machine, then
Get the dsniff and ngrep packages.

Download Dsniff (Installating Dsniff )
Download ngrep

Start up three terminals.

In the first terminal run :
arpspoof -t 1.1.1.1 2.2.2.2

In the second terminal run :
arpspoof -t 2.2.2.2 1.1.1.1

In the third terminal run :
ngrep host 1.1.1.1more
and watch the fun.

Go back to Main menu

To know which OS the IP address is running on

2007-08-06T01:39:00.000+05:30

Go back to Main menu

Hmmm..Ready for the next trick
Lets find out what is the OS name and version of the running IP Address

You can tell what OS a box is running in a few ways.
The easiest way to find this info is to use the "nmap" utility from
http://download.insecure.org/nmap/dist/nmap-4.20-setup.exe
(Windows Version)

For Other OS versions visit their site
insecure.org/nmap/download.html

Sample Output of nmap tool (On Unix)

bash# nmap -O tux.mydomains.com

Starting nmap V. 2.54BETA26 ( www.insecure.org/nmap/ )
Adding open port 22/tcp
Adding open port 1024/tcp
Adding open port 25/tcp
Adding open port 80/tcp
Adding open port 110/tcp
Adding open port 993/tcp
Adding open port 6002/tcp
Adding open port 5902/tcp
Adding open port 111/tcp
Adding open port 443/tcp
Adding open port 21/tcp
Adding open port 995/tcp
Adding open port 23/tcp
Adding open port 143/tcp
Adding open port 139/tcp
Adding open port 515/tcp

21/tcp open ftp
22/tcp open ssh
23/tcp open telnet
25/tcp open smtp
80/tcp open http
110/tcp open pop-3
111/tcp open sunrpc
139/tcp open netbios-ssn
143/tcp open imap2
443/tcp open https
515/tcp open printer
993/tcp open imaps
995/tcp open pop3s
1024/tcp open kdm
5902/tcp open vnc-2
6002/tcp open X11:2

Remote operating system guess: Linux Kernel 2.4.0 - 2.4.5 (X86)Uptime 9.033 days (since Fri Jan 25 14:55:20 2002)

Nmap run completed -- 1 IP address (1 host up) scanned in 2 seconds

Notice the part in red indicate the likely OS.

Another Simple Method

Telnetting to the host and observing the intro may give you some info:

C:> telnet 10.17.1.3
Red Hat Linux release 7.1 (Seawolf)
Kernel 2.4.2-2 on an i686
login:

If they only have port 80 open you can telnet to that port and hit enter twice and observe the headers:

bash# telnet orangutan.mydomains.com 80
Trying 192.168.28.32...
Connected to orangutan.mydomains.com.
Escape character is '^]'.

HTTP/1.1 400 Bad Request
Server: Microsoft-IIS/5.0
Date: Sun, 03 Feb 2002 20:51:47 GMT
Content-Type: text/html
Content-Length: 87

The parameter is incorrect.
Connection closed by foreign host.

This technique is know as "banner grabbing".

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To find out who is logged on at the IP Address

2007-08-06T01:32:00.000+05:30

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This trick is to find out who is logged on to the system , if you have the IP address of the system (box)
Just follow the Steps on Windows/Unix/Linux

How do I tell who is logged in to that box?

On Windows you can try:

Sample Output of nbtstat command

C:\>nbtstat -a somebox
Local Area Connection:
Node IpAddress: [192.168.22.68] Scope Id: []
NetBIOS Remote Machine Name Table
Name Type Status
---------------------------------------------
testbox2<00> UNIQUE Registered
MYADS <00> GROUP Registered
testbox2<03> UNIQUE Registered
MYADS <1e> GROUP Registered
JDOE 03> UNIQUE Registered

MAC Address = 00-04-76-39-A9-F9

Caution:But if Netbios over TCP/IP it turned off it won't work.
In that case you may have to use a WMI script, but you would have to be an Admin on the remote box.

On Unix:

Sample output of nmblookup command

bash-2.05# nmblookup -S somebox
querying testbox2 on 192.168.31.255
192.168.22.59 somebox <00>
Looking up status of 192.168.22.59
testbox2 <00> - M
MYADS <00> - M
testbox2 <03> - M
MYADS <1e> - M
JDOE <03> - M

The above will only work if the Windows box has Netbios over TCP/IP turned on.

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Finding Open Ports and services on IP Address

2007-08-06T00:57:00.000+05:30

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Have a IP address??
Want to know which services/programs are open on that IP Address
Interested in knowing the open ports on the IP address

1. How do I find out what ports are open/services are running on that IP address?

There are port scanners for Windows and Unix, "nmap" ( http://www.insecure.org/nmap/ and available on the Trinux boot disk) being my personal choice.

If you want to find out what ports are open on your local Windows box use the "netstat" command.

Windows:

Sample Output of netstat command
C:\>netstat

Active Connections

Proto Local Address Foreign Address State
TCP testbox1:1370 cser-fs01.mydomains.com:netbios-ssn ESTABLISHED
TCP testbox1:1469 ntemail1-tr.mydomains.state.com:1078 ESTABLISHED
TCP testbox1:1473 ntemail1-tr.mydomains.state.com:1091 ESTABLISHED
TCP testbox1:1495 ntemail1-tr.mydomains.state.com:1078 ESTABLISHED
TCP testbox1:1499 ntemail1-tr.mydomains.state.com:1091 ESTABLISHED
TCP testbox1:1631 tux.mydomains.com:telnet ESTABLISHED
TCP testbox1:1690 bl-uits-myadsdc01.myads.mydomain.com:microsoft-ds TIME_WA
IT
TCP testbox1:1692 cser-app1.mydomains.com:microsoft-ds ESTABLISHED
TCP testbox1:1694 bl-uits-myadsdc01.myads.mydomain.com:microsoft-ds TIME_WA
IT
TCP testbox1:1699 homepages1.mydomains.com:netbios-ssn TIME_WAIT

For more detailed information, like which binaries are opened on a port use a tool like Fport
Download fport

Sample Output of fport Utility

C:\>fport
FPort v2.0 - TCP/IP Process to Port Mapper

Pid Process Port Proto Path
1572 inetinfo -> 25 TCP C:\WINDOWS\System32\inetsrv\inetinfo.exe
1572 inetinfo -> 80 TCP C:\WINDOWS\System32\inetsrv\inetinfo.exe
1008 svchost -> 135 TCP C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
4 System -> 139 TCP
1572 inetinfo -> 443 TCP C:\WINDOWS\System32\inetsrv\inetinfo.exe
4 System -> 445 TCP
1108 svchost -> 1025 TCP C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
1572 inetinfo -> 1043 TCP C:\WINDOWS\System32\inetsrv\inetinfo.exe
776 winlogon -> 1056 TCP \??\C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
4 System -> 1135 TCP
2436 OUTLOOK -> 1162 TCP C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\OUTLOOK.EXE
4 System -> 1169 TCP
2436 OUTLOOK -> 1176 TCP C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\OUTLOOK.EXE
1232 firefox -> 1219 TCP C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
1232 firefox -> 1220 TCP C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
2436 OUTLOOK -> 1221 TCP C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\OUTLOOK.EXE
4 System -> 1390 TCP
4 System -> 1451 TCP
4 System -> 1456 TCP
1232 firefox -> 1602 TCP C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe

On Linux/Unix

Linux/Unix:
Use the "lsof -i" command:

Sample Output of lsof -i command
bash# lsof -i
COMMAND PID USER FD TYPE DEVICE SIZE NODE NAME
dhclient 467 root 4u IPv4 777 UDP *:bootpc
portmap 533 rpc 3u IPv4 898 UDP *:sunrpc
portmap 533 rpc 4u IPv4 901 TCP *:sunrpc (LISTEN)
rpc.statd 552 rpcuser 4u IPv4 972 UDP *:32768
rpc.statd 552 rpcuser 5u IPv4 939 UDP *:728
rpc.statd 552 rpcuser 6u IPv4 975 TCP *:32768 (LISTEN)
sshd 642 root 3u IPv4 1287 TCP *:ssh (LISTEN)
xinetd 657 root 5u IPv4 1313 TCP localhost.localdomain:32769 (LISTEN)
sendmail 682 root 4u IPv4 1377 TCP localhost.localdomain:smtp (LISTEN)
httpd 712 root 3u IPv4 1422 TCP *:http (LISTEN)
httpd 712 root 4u IPv4 1423 TCP *:https (LISTEN)
sshd 8498 root 4u IPv4 323188 TCP balrog.ius.com:ssh->winxpe:1644 (ESTABLISHED)
httpd 31094 apache 3u IPv4 1422 TCP *:http (LISTEN)
httpd 31094 apache 4u IPv4 1423 TCP *:https (LISTEN)
httpd 31095 apache 3u IPv4 1422 TCP *:http (LISTEN)
httpd 31095 apache 4u IPv4 1423 TCP *:https (LISTEN)
httpd 31096 apache 3u IPv4 1422 TCP *:http (LISTEN)
httpd 31096 apache 4u IPv4 1423 TCP *:https (LISTEN)
httpd 31097 apache 3u IPv4 1422 TCP *:http (LISTEN)
httpd 31097 apache 4u IPv4 1423 TCP *:https (LISTEN)
httpd 31098 apache 3u IPv4 1422 TCP *:http (LISTEN)
httpd 31098 apache 4u IPv4 1423 TCP *:https (LISTEN)
httpd 31099 apache 3u IPv4 1422 TCP *:http (LISTEN)
httpd 31099 apache 4u IPv4 1423 TCP *:https (LISTEN)
httpd 31100 apache 3u IPv4 1422 TCP *:http (LISTEN)
httpd 31100 apache 4u IPv4 1423 TCP *:https (LISTEN)
httpd 31101 apache 3u IPv4 1422 TCP *:http (LISTEN)
httpd 31101 apache 4u IPv4 1423 TCP *:https (LISTEN)
bash#

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Change the start button Text in one click

2007-08-06T00:37:00.000+05:30

Ever wondered how to change the name of Start Button
You must have gone through a lengthy tutorial to change it
Now a one click solution
No registry values , no high tech editing.

See the Screenshot:

Now see the result:

Download the utility Here:
Download

Credits

Capture Screenshots from your media Player

2007-08-04T19:10:00.000+05:30

Capture Screenshots directly from videos through your Media Player

1. Windows Media Player
2. Nero Show Time
3. VLC Media Player

1. Windows Media Player

2. Nero Show Time

3. VLC Media Player

Maximise your RAM performance

2007-08-04T17:34:00.000+05:30

Solution to run your programs faster?
Solution to make your applications run without hanging.

FreeRAM XP Pro frees and optimizes your computer's RAM (Random Access Memory). Oftentimes, other applications may hog or incorrectly use RAM, which decreases your computer's performance. FreeRAM XP Pro frees this RAM so your computer can run faster and more smoothly. The need to reboot is also less frequent.

How does it work? FreeRAM XP clears junk out of RAM and flushes less-often used items to the swap file. There they do not take up any RAM, and are reloaded from the swap file on a need-to-use basis.

FreeRAM XP Pro's unique AutoFree feature enables it to clear out no longer useful data from RAM without affecting RAM still used by programs and applications.

Try this free software from YourWare Solutions!
Download
Software Courtesy and rights :Yourware Solutions