HOW TO SECURE Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003, & even VISTA, + make it "fun to do"

May 15, 2008

INTRODUCTION:

(Afterwards, the actual steps to perform beyond CIS Tool suggestions (which will need you to use tools like secpol.msc, gpedit.msc, services.msc, regedit.exe, explorer.exe + more, yet, all native tools to your OS) will be listed for your reference, each in their own post reply, to avoid "clutter"):

Windows CAN be secured very well, but, you have to go thru some "GYRATIONS/EFFORT" to do it, but, it IS doable (but not to any 100% levels, because again - new holes/vulnerabilities appear in the OS & its libs + apps, but this gets you closer, if not as close as a body needs to be!).

THIS IS GEARED TO "stand-alone" systems online on the internet (However - it can be adapted for LAN/WAN office or home networked environs, BUT, pay attention to step #2's 'warnings' about pulling Client For Microsoft Networks, &/or File & printer sharing - most networks require/need this)

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BACKGROUND & INFORMATION + TOOLS YOU CAN USE TO HELP YOU SECURE YOUR SYSTEM:

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Here I am running Windows Server 2003 SP #2, fully current patched by MS update pages, here (I check it every 2nd Tuesday of the month of course, on "Patch Tuesday's"):

Microsoft Download Center: Windows Security & Updates

It is a personally 'security-hardened' model I have been working on for many years, using principals I learned & used since the NT 3.5x days onward to this version of the OS: As is now?

I score an 85.760 on the CIS Tool 1.x currently as of 10/10/2007!

[attach=full]161[/attach]

This is up from my past score here of 76.xxx on it (default score I had prior to this security hardening via CIS TOOL & its advisements & past the 84.735 I initially hardened it up to, & later 85.185 as well), & here is how to do it!

Currently, I can go NO higher than this score of 85.760 (of 100 total) on CIS Tool 1.x for Windows, pictured here (photo proof/pictures DO say, a 1,000 words (like this post, lol)) & even IF I could get past the few areas I know are wrong (the test errs, as it does on some areas in LINUX as well), I cannot get past 88% or so, period!

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HERE ARE LINUX SCORES FROM CIS TOOL (SuSE Enterprise Linux under VMWare):

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HARDENED LINUX:

[attach=full]162[/attach]

DEFAULT LINUX:

[attach=full]163[/attach]

(It appears that LINUX has FAR LESS TESTED, when compared to the SIZE of the Windows tets, & Linux CAN reach 90++ scores (but there is an error in CIS TOOL preventing myself from going to a higher than 85.760 score & I have submitted the data to CIS TOOL's authors on that account WITH PROOFS, and even if I could get the few areas I am scored down on still, it would not add to past 88% or so... bug, bigtime, do the math from my score & see))

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That is a DECENT ENOUGH score (especially considering the default score of VISTA even, is FAR BELOW THAT! Nice part is? The techniques noted here can LARGELY APPLY TO VISTA AS WELL, but afaik there is no CIS Tool version for VISTA (yet)! Still, read on...)

(For CIS Tool - There are Linux, Solaris, BSD variants, & other OS models ports (some only in .pdf security guide form though, not programmatically automated yet, like MacOS X) of this are available too by the way - not really "ports" strictly speaking, they require JAVA to run)

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DOWNLOAD URL FOR CIS TOOL (for multiple platforms), from "The Center for Internet Security" here:

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What are the benchmarks?

IMPORTANT: This tool IS invaluable in guiding you to a more secure OS, on any OS platform really!

It actually makes it "FUN", in a techie/geeky/nerdy (whatever) kind of way, in that you really find out WHAT it is you know, vs. the CIS Tool results, as far as securing a Windows NT-based system. E.G./I.E,-> I've been @ this field in a professional capacity since 1994, & it taught me a "trick-or-two", let's put it THAT way.

CIS Tool = Great stuff, that makes much of this easier (what I add ontop of it is in the next steps)!

APK

P.S.=> Now that the "introductory material" (tools to use, how/why, results possible, etc. et al) has been put down? Now, here we go to the actual "meat" of the subject in my next post(s).

Also - IF you have more to add to this, OR critique of my points? Please - have @ it & let 'em rip (as we ALL can gain by for security & peace-of-mind online hopefully)

HOWEVER, please - hold off on the "English Grammar" critiques + "writing style" stuff (I did my best + refine it as I go & add more)

I would try to have made it shorter too, but it's complex material @ times, & definitely a lot of it (CIS Tool helps though)!

(So please, as to critiques - I only ask that you keep it computer security technically oriented, adding points I may have missed or supplementing those I suggest with alternates to things I Have).

Thanks, & enjoy! apk

May 16, 2008

SECURING SERVICES (ala MacOS X style, for its daemons, via privelege levels)

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APK 12 STEPS TO SECURE YOUR WINDOWS NT-BASED SYSTEM (2000/XP/SERVER 2003/VISTA):

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1.) HARDENING & SECURING SERVICES HOW-TO (longest one of the lot but, one well worth pursuing... read on):

Many services I do not need are either cut off OR secured in their logon entity to lower privilege entities (from default, near "ALL POWERFUL" SYSTEM, to lesser ones like NETWORK SERVICE or LOCAL SERVICE).

I went at ALL of the services in Windows Server 2003 (some will not be in XP for instance, & Windows 2000 has no NETWORK SERVICE or LOCAL SERVICE as far as I know, but not sure, you can always make a limited privelege user too for this on 2000 if needed)...

(The reason I mention this, is, this "technique" IS a superiority of MORE MODERN Windows NT-based OS over their ancestors (especially NT 3.x-4.0) & on par w/ how this makes your Win32 NT-based OS' like 2000 (with more work), XP, Server 2003 (VISTA too if needed), very much like how MacOS X treats its daemon processes via privelege levels, which uses the same general principals)

It works, & although many service packs for Windows OS' have changed their services (not all but many nowadays) to less than SYSTEM, my list covers those they may not have in recent service packs AND 3rd party services are listed too that you may be running possibly!

This is for SERVICES YOU ACTUALLY NEED TO RUN (many, you really don't - this has always astounded me, & MS can put out "home versions" more this way imo, for gamers especially (auto-service "lean tuned turbocharged" for performance/speed/less resources consumption)).

ON THAT NOTE (for performance AND security)? CUTTING OFF SERVICES YOU DO NOT NEED TO RUN IS POSSIBLY THE BEST METHOD OF SECURING THEM, AND GAINING SPEED - AGAIN, SIMPLY SINCE YOU ARE NOT WASTING I/O, MEMORY, or OTHER RESOURCES ON THEM, PERIOD, in doing this!

Please, if you don't do this already? Hey - do consider it, when possible! It works like NO TOMORROW...

Many guides online exist for this, & I authored one of the first "back in the day" for NTCompatible.com as "Article #1" back in 1997/1998 - 2002 (early model is in URL below, much detail on registry hacks too for speed & security in it, cited in 2002 @ NeoWin):

Neowin.net - APK "A to Z" Internet Speedup & Security Text!

The latest ones are even BETTER/MORE CURRENT, as there are ones that DO EXIST FOR VISTA ONLINE ALSO!

Anyhow - on the note of 3rd party services, & many native ones (for 2000/XP/Server 2003, but not fully on VISTA as I do not run it @ home or on the job)?

I did testing to see which services could be run/logged in as LOCAL SERVICE, or NETWORK SERVICE, rather than the default of LOCAL SYSTEM (which means Operating System entity level privileges - which CAN be "misused" by various spyware/malware/virus exploits.

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LOCAL SERVICE startable list (vs. LocalSystem Logon Default):

Acronis Scheduler 2 Service

Alerter (needs Workstation Service Running)

COM+ System Application

GHOST

Indexing Service

NVIDIA Display Driver Service

Office Source Engine

O&O Clever Cache

Remote Registry

Sandra Service

Sandra Data Service

SmartCard

Tcp/IP NetBIOS Helper

Telnet

UserProfile Hive Cleanup Service

Volume Shadowing Service

Windows UserMode Drivers

Windows Image Acquisition

WinHTTP Proxy AutoDiscovery Service

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NETWORK SERVICE startable list (vs. LocalSystem Logon Default):

ASP.NET State Service

Application Layer Gateway

Clipbook (needs Network DDE & Network DDE DSDM)

Microsoft Shadow Copy Provider

Executive Software Undelete

DNS Client

DHCP Client

Error Reporting

FileZilla Server

Machine Debug Manager

Merger

NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing Service

Network DDE

Network DDE DSDM

PDEngine (Raxco PerfectDisk)

Performance Logs & Alerts

RPC

Remote Desktop Help Session Manager Service

Remote Packet Capture Protocol v.0 (experimental MS service)

Resultant Set of Policies Provider

SAV Roam

Symantec LiveUpdate

Visual Studio 2005 Remote Debug

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PLEASE NOTE: Each service uses a BLANK password when reassigning their logon entity (when you change it from the default of LOCAL SYSTEM Account), because they use SID's as far as I know, not standard passwords.

WHEN YOU TEST THIS, AFTER RESETTING THE LOGON USER ENTITY EACH SERVICE USES: Just run your system awhile, & if say, Norton Antivirus refuses to update, or run right? You KNOW you set it wrong... say, if one you test that I do NOT list won't run as LOCAL SERVICE? Try NETWORK SERVICE instead... if that fails? YOU ARE STUCK USING LOCAL SYSTEM!

If you cannot operate properly while changing the security logon entity context of a service (should NOT happen w/ 3rd party services, & this article shows you which ones can be altered safely)?

Boot to "Safe Mode", & reset that service's logon entity back to LOCAL SYSTEM again & accept it cannot do this security technique is all... it DOES happen!

If that fails (shouldn't, but IF it does)? There are commands in the "Recovery Console" (installed from your Windows installation CD as a bootup option while in Windows using this commandline -> D:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons, where D is your CD-Rom driveletter (substitute in your dvd/cd driveletter for D of course)) of:

ListSvc (shows services & drivers states of stopped or started)

Enable (starts up a service &/or driver)

Disable (stops a server &/or driver)

Which can turn them back on if/when needed

(ON Virtual Disk Service being removed, specifically (because it used to be in this list)): This was done solely because, although it will run as LOCAL SERVICE, diskmgmt.msc will not be able to work! Even though the Logical Disk Manager service does not list VirtualDisk as a dependency, this occurs, so VirtualDisk service was pulled from BOTH the LOCAL SERVICE and NETWORK SERVICE lists here... apk)

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SECURING SERVICES @ THE ACL LEVEL VIA A SECURITY POLICY HOW-TO:

STEP #1: CONFIGURE A CUSTOM Microsoft Management Console for this!

Configuring yourself a "CUSTOM MMC.EXE (Microsoft Mgt. Console)" setup for security policy templates, here is how (these are NOT default Computer Mgt. tools, so you have to do this yourself, or run them by themselves, but this makes working w/ them convenient):

The next part's per BelArcGuy of BELARC ADVISOR's advice (pun intended):

Securing Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003 services HOW TO - techPowerUp! Forums

"Security Configuration and Analysis" is an MMC snap-in. To access the MMC, type in mmc to the Windows Run.. command to pop up the console. Then use it's File|Add/Remove Snap-in... command and click the Add button on the resulting dialog. Choose both "Security Configuration and Analysis" and "Security Templates", close that dialog, and OK. You'll end up with a management console that has both of those snap-ins enabled. The whole MMC mechanism is a bit weird, but does work"

(It's easy, & it works, & is necessary for the actual steps to do this, below)

Next, is the actual "meat" of what we need to do, per Microsoft, to set ACLs!

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STEP #2: HOW TO: Define Security Templates By Using the Security Templates Snap-In in Windows Server 2003

HOW TO: Define Security Templates By Using the Security Templates Snap-In in Windows Server 2003

Create and Define a New Security Template

(To define a new security template, follow these steps)

1. In the console tree, expand Security Templates

2. Right-click %SystemRoot%\Security\Templates, and then click New Template

3. In the Template name box, type a name for the new template.

(If you want, you can type a description in the Description box, and then click OK)

The new security template appears in the list of security templates. Note that the security settings for this template are not yet defined. When you expand the new security template in the console tree, expand each component of the template, and then double-click each security setting that is contained in that component, a status of Not Defined appears in the Computer Setting column.

1. To define a System Services policy, follow these steps:

a. Expand System Services

b. In the right pane, double-click the service that you want to configure

c. Specify the options that you want, and then click OK.

DONE!

APK

P.S.=> Again, this is probably the MOST lengthy & hardest of the lot, so DO NOT LET IT DISCOURAGE YOU, the rest of this article is far simpler/shorter to do, & yields benefits that are as good as THIS long step, especially in combination with it (for security) & are much shorter/simpler to do... apk

May 16, 2008

Disable unneeded Network Clients &/or Network Protocols

IF you have a HOME LAN/network? You skip this/leave this alone!

(... & do not disable the SERVER service (it creates the hidden default C$ administrative share for example) in services.msc & keep 127.0.0.1 (the default lone entry it has) in your %windir%\system32\drivers\etc HOSTS file as well).

2.) Disable Microsoft "File & Print Sharing" as well as "Client for Microsoft Networks" in your LOCAL AREA CONNECTION (if you do not need them that is for say, running your home LAN)!

E.G.-> Here? I pull ANY Networking clients (Client for MS Networks/File & Printer Sharing)) &/or Protocols (QoS = just 1 example) in the Local Area Connection! You can either UNCHECK THEIR CHECKBOXES (if say, you do decide to bind this machine to a network of somekind one day, OR have to occasionally (with family/friends' PC's or LAN parties for example))... OR, wholesale uninstall them.

NOTE - sometimes, even TROJANS/SPYWARES/MALWARES HIDE HERE ALSO - the std. set is:

<ul>Client For Microsoft Networks (removable via uninstall OR uncheck of checkbox if you have no LAN connectivity needs}

<ul>File and Printer Sharing (removable via uninstall OR uncheck of checkbox if you have no LAN connectivity needs}

<ul>QoS (removable via uninstall OR uncheck of checkbox if you have no LAN connectivity needs}

<ul>Tcp/IP Internet Protocol (need it to get online AND for Active Directory Networks too)

(That is, unless its for an antivirus & their Layered Service Provider hacks, such as Trend Micro use here, or more "hidden ones" like NOD32 or NAV use - sometimes, they're OK! So... look up others you MAY see here & decide if you need them or not, or if programs you do use that are LEGITIMATE need the others I do not list that are not std. w/ Microsoft OS', as those are above)

So, other than Tcp/IP typically, it gets removed here if I have no LAN (via either uninstall OR uncheck).

(I also disable NetBIOS over Tcp/IP in the WINS section of Tcp/IP Properties ADVANCED button section also - see, if you don't have a HOME or WORK LAN you can & go faster + be potentially more secure also. Again, for my single machine setup currently here, I certainly don't need anything more than Tcp/IP running, as I am currently @ home on a stand-alone machine that is not dependent on Microsoft's File Sharing etc. on a LAN/WAN).

Stopping the SERVER service helps here as well (no shares possible, not even the default C$ administrative share, iirc)

Also regarding the HOSTS file (which I also mention in this article as it yields HUGE security and speed benefits, more than this does by far imo)?

IF you have a LAN/WAN you use (or not), you will have to have the mandatory entry of:

127.0.0.1 localhost

In the HOSTS file, more on it below (needed for networking with a LAN/WAN - you could technically, dispense with it otherwise, but, as you can see above? It has practical uses... even SpyBot utilizes it & that is one HELL of a program, for this purpose:SECURITY!).

APK

May 16, 2008

IP Security Policies Usage

3.) Use IP security policies (modded AnalogX one, very good for starters, you can edit & add/remove from it as needed) - Download url link is here for that:

IPSec and you... /// AnalogX

(Search "AnalogX Public Server IPSec Configuration v1.00 (29k zip file)" on that page & follow the directions on the page!)

NOTE: This can be 'troublesome' though, for folks that run filesharing clients though.

An alternative to this is using IP Ports Filtrations, in combination with a GOOD software firewall &/or NAT 'firewalling' (or true stateful inspection type) router. All of these work in combination w/ one another perfectly.

(HOWEVER - Should you choose to use it, and do filesharing programs? No problem really, because you can turn them on/off @ will using secpol.msc & the IP stack in Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/VISTA is of "plug-N-play" design largely, & will allow it & when done? TURN THEM ON, AGAIN! These work WITH software & hardware router firewalls, IP port filtering, and security IP policies, simultaneosly/concurrently, for "layered security", no hassles!).

APK

May 16, 2008

Port Filtering (HOW TO & WHY)

4.) Another thing I do for securing a Windows NT-based OS: IP Port Filtrations (like ip security policies (per AnalogX above), it is often called the "poor man's firewall" & works perfectly with both IPSecurity policies, hardware AND software firewalls, all in combination/simultaneously running)!

DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO IMPLEMENT THEM (very easy):

Start Menu -> Connect To Item (on the right hand side) -> Local Area Connection (whatever you called it, this is the default, iirc) open it via double click OR, right-click popup menu PROPERTIES item -> Properties button on left-hand side bottom, press/click it -> NEXT SCREEN (Local Area Connection PROPERTIES) -> "This connection uses the followng items" (go down the list, to Tcp/IP & select it & /click the PROPERTIES button there) -> Press/Click the Advanced Button @ the bottom Right-Hand Side (shows Advanced Tcp/IP Settings screen) -> OPTIONS tab, use it & Tcp IP Filtering is in the list, highlite/select it -> Beneath the Optional Settings, press/click the PROPERTIES button on the lower right-hand side -> Check the "Enable Tcp/IP Filtering (on all adapters)" selection -> In the far right, IP PROTOCOLS section, add ports 6 (tcp) & 17 (udp) -> In the far left "tcp ports" list - check off the radio button above the list titled "PERMIT ONLY", & then add ports you want to have open (all others will be filtered out, & for example, I leave port 80,8080, & 443 here open, only on my standalone, non-networked home machine (for a HOME or WORK LAN, you may need to open up ports 135/137/139/445 for a Windows based network for file & print sharing PLUS enable NetBIOS over Tcp/IP in your network connection properties & ENABLE Client for Microsoft Networks & File and Print sharing too) - you may need more if you run mail servers, & what-have-you (this varies by application)) -> I leave the UDP section "PERMIT ALL" because of ephemeral/short-lived ports usage that Windows does (I have never successfully filtered this properly but it doesn't matter as much imo, because udp does not do 'callback' as tcp does, & that is why tcp can be DDOS'd/DOS'd imo - it only sends out info., but never demands verification of delivery (faster, but less reliable)) -> DONE!

You may need a reboot & it will signal if it needs it or not (probably will, even in VISTA):

I say this, because although IP Security Policies work with the "Plug-N-Play" design of modern Windows NT-based OS' (ipsec.sys) & do NOT require a reboot to activate/deactivate them in Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/VISTA? This is working @ a diff. level & diff. driver iirc (tcpip.sys) & level of the telecommunications stacks in this OS family & WILL require a reboot to take effect (for a more detailed read of this, see here):

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The Cable Guy - June 2005

(In THAT url above? Trust me - Enjoy the read, it is VERY informative: That article shows you how TcpIP.sys, ipnat.sys, ipsec.sys, & ipfiltdrv.sys interact, PLUS how you can use them to your advantage in security!)

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Also, these URL's will be helpful as well, bigtime (for understanding (e.g. - knowing which IP ports you need to leave open & why (or, why not)):

IANA PROTOCOL NUMBERS LIST:

http://www.isi.edu/in-notes/iana/assignmen...rotocol-numbers

IANA PORTS LIST (well-known, registered, & dynamic/private ports):

http://www.isi.edu/in-notes/iana/assignments/port-numbers

APK

May 16, 2008

CUSTOM HOSTS FILE USAGE (for speed, AND SECURITY)

5.) The use of a CUSTOM ADBANNER BLOCKING HOSTS FILE (my personal one houses, as of this date, 90,000 known adbanner servers, OR sites known to bear malicious code & exploits (per GOOGLE mostly, from stopbadware.org))

Custom HOSTS files work in combination with Opera adbanner blocks & the usage of .PAC filering files + cascading style sheets for this purpose.

(As well as speeding up access to sites I often access - doing this, acting as my own "DNS Server" more or less, is orders of magnitude faster than calling out to my ISP/BSP DNS servers, waiting out a roundtrip return URL-> IP Address resolution. It may take some maintenance for this @ times, especially if sites change HOSTING PROVIDERS, but this is a rarity & most sites TELL YOU when they do this as well, so you can make fast edits, as needed (and, on Windows NT-based OS since 2000/XP/Server 2003 & VISTA? A reboot is NOT required upon edits & commits of changes in the new largely near fully PnP IP stacks!))

For a copy of mine, write me, here -> apk4776239@hotmail.com

And, I will send it to you in .zip or .rar format (with sped up sites # UNIX comment symbol disabled, enable the ones you use AFTER you 'ping' them first from my list, & add ones YOU PERSONALLY USE to it as needed after determining their IP address via a PING of them)

OR, JUST DOWNLOAD IT HERE:

http://forums.techpowerup.com/attachment.p...40&d=1172567412

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An example of WHY you'd want to use one of these for security's sake? Read here:

Why use an ADBANNER BLOCKING HOSTS file? Here is why: - techPowerUp! Forums

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ADDITIONALLY, because on Windows Server 2003 (however, no others I have seen @ least so far), sometimes, the HOSTS file precedence vs. say, local DNS servers on a LAN, gets overridden by them? You MAY have to implement this:

How to change name resolution order on Windows 95 and Windows NT

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\ServiceProvider]

"LocalPriority"=dword:00000005

"HostsPriority"=dword:00000010

"DnsPriority"=dword:00000032

"NetbtPriority"=dword:00000064

(LOWER NUMBERS HERE = GREATER PRIORITY)

As you can see, I give my LOCAL DNS Cache the greatest priority (because it has my HOSTS file loaded into it @ system startup (IP stack startup, actually)), & THEN, my custom adbanner blocking/speedup fav sites (which this post is showing folks how to do, & yes, it works) is next, & then my ISP/BSP's DNS servers, & lastly NetBios/WINS stuff (which I just plain do NOT use, because I have no LanManager style network running here, ONLY Tcp/IP)

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DIRECTIONS FOR USE (also in my downloadable CUSTOM HOSTS file above, with MORE on how to really use them to get even more speed than blocking adbanners mind you is in its internal documentation):

You replace your:

%windir%\system32\drivers\etc

Original version of HOSTS with this one (overwrite it, but, first copy your original OR rename it to keep it around IF ever needed), & have @ it (HBO internet, no commercials + thus MORE SPEED (and, you WILL notice it) by not calling out to ad servers, loading their data, & running it... & certainly NO possibility of being infected by adbanners that bear RBN (Russian Business Network) malware javascripted/FLASH bearing adbanners that infect you as has been seen lately/very currently in fact - between this, and stalling out Java/JavaScript + ActiveX/ActiveScripting globally in your browsers as noted in the last step & why? You are "proof" against MOST attacks today (& consider disabling IFrames too, an oft used attack today as well!)).

Now, like I do? It IS possible to alter the default location of the HOSTS file, & to take away I/O from your main disk to load it by using another one... like a 2nd HDD you may have IF you have one for example!

(E.G.-> I move mine to my CENATEK RocketDrive SSD (solid state RamDisk), for F A S T access since seek times on it are 1000's of times faster than on std. mechanical disks, & doesn't matter WHAT kind - & here I also place my pagefile.sys on its own partition (first) & then webpage caches, %temp% environmental variable ops, logging (even eventlogs, which like HOSTS file, can be moved in the registry to another disk, & applications often have the ability to move their logs in their configuration screens as well)) via this registry key, should you elect to do the same:

In regedit.exe's right-hand-side pane, follow this path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters

& in the left-hand-side pane of regedit.exe, you change the DataBasePath path value there to the disk & folder you wish to place your HOSTS file in (which makes for faster OS & IP stack initialization since it is on another drive, in my case an SSD so it is THAT MUCH QUICKER since seeks on them are so fast, to load the HOSTS data into your RAM (local DNS cache)).

APK

May 16, 2008

Registry Hacks for SECURITY

6.) USE Tons of security & speed oriented registry hacks (reconfiging the OS basically - stuff like you might do in etc / conf in UNIX/LINUX I suppose)

Download them from here @ SOFTPEDIA (where they are rated 4/5, but, the HOSTS file here is way outdated, use the one I suggest in steps below this present one instead)):

Download APK Internet and NT/2k/XP Speedup Guides 1.0++ - - Softpedia

OR

Read many of them here online:

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APK "A to Z" Internet Speedup & Security Text!

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http://www.neowin.net/news/main/01/11/29/a...--security-text

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OR, just email me here for them -> apk4776239@hotmail.com

(The email option's the best, because I also have these PREBUILT, in .reg files, mind you, available by email, BUT, the ones I can mail ARE FULLY INTERNALLY DOCUMENTED!)

They are FULLY documented internally, with link url's to the Microsoft pages they came from, inside the .reg files, so YOU can look at what the hack does inside them, verify this @ MS, & know what the valid parameters are as well!

(This? It took me FOREVER a year or so ago to do this, but worth it!)

The urls, or downloadable .mht files, outline it all (as do my prebuilt .reg files, probably the BEST choice of the lot imo), as to what you can ".reg file hack" for better SPEED, and SECURITY online, in a modern Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003 OS & has references from Microsoft in it for each setting plus their definitions & parameters possible!

APK

May 16, 2008

Local Security Policies via ACL control & native tools to use to do that

7.) USE General LOCAL security policies (in gpedit.msc/secpol.msc - afaik though, these are NOT in XP "Home" edition, sorry)), these are VALUABLE tools (and will be needed & suggestions for it will be told to you by the CIS Tool noted above - great stuff!) and regedit.exe!

(Newly added - regedit.exe use is for registry ACL permissions, via its EDIT menu, PERMISSIONS submenu item (to add/remove users that have rights to regisry hives/values, & to establish their rights levels therein))

ALSO NEWLY ADDED - Explorer.exe "right-click" on drive letters/folders/files (for file access ACL permissions hardening) using its popup menu selection of "PROPERTIES", & in the next screen, the SECURITY tab (to add/remove users that have rights to said items, & to establish their rights levels therein), also - this is another requirement of CIS Tool 1.x & its suggestions for better security.

HOWEVER: Here, you may not be able to see the SECURITY TAB mentioned above. This is why (AND, HOW TO FIX THAT & straight from the horses mouth @ MS):

How to configure file sharing in Windows XP

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Turning on and turning off Simple File Sharing

Simple File Sharing is always turned on in Windows XP Home Edition-based computers. By default, the Simple File Sharing UI is turned on in Windows XP Professional-based computers that are joined to a workgroup. Windows XP Professional-based computers that are joined to a domain use only the classic file sharing and security interface. When you use the Simple File Sharing UI (that is located in the folder's properties), both share and file permissions are configured.

If you turn off Simple File Sharing, you have more control over the permissions to individual users. However, you must have advanced knowledge of NTFS and share permissions to help keep your folders and files more secure. If you turn off Simple File Sharing, the Shared Documents feature is not turned off.

To turn Simple File Sharing on or off in Windows XP Professional, follow these steps:

1. Double-click My Computer on the desktop.

2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options.

3. Click the View tab, and then select the Use Simple File Sharing

(Recommended) check box to turn on Simple File Sharing. (Clear this check box to turn off this feature.)

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style_emoticons/

That turns the ability to see the NTFS ACL SECURITY TAB, back on in Explorer.exe, for YOUR usage here, in the capacity of security-hardening your machine!

APK

May 16, 2008

Patches to OS + Apps you use, & "std. tools" coverage

8.) KEEP UP ON PATCHES FROM MICROSOFT, for your OS & Microsoft Office Apps, & IE, etc., HERE (ordered by release date) and run AntiVirus/AntiSpyware/AntiRootkit tools (& yes, keep them updated/current)!

Microsoft Download Center: Windows Security & Updates

Again, keep up on antivirus/antispyware/antirootkit AND Java runtimes updates!

(Done either automatically via their services, or manually)

Download them manually & install them yourself (OR just let "Windows Automatic Updates" run)

ALSO - do the use of the "std. security stuff", like:

AntiVirus Programs (NOD32 latest 2.7x - "best" one there is, all-around (best speed/efficiency, less "moving parts" in drivers (kernelmode-RPL0-Ring 0 portion) & services/gui usermode-RPL2-Ring3 sections + great consistent showings in detect rates, especially heuristics), & that is not only MY opinion after testing it vs. my former fav. NAV Corporate 10.2 (it is lighter in RAM & resource uses than NAV Corporate even, finds more virus' than others, & uses less "moving parts" (in the way of services componentry, than most do, & certainly less than NAV))

Proof? See here -> http://www.eset.com/products/compare.php

(That's a single source, there are others, such as av-comparatives.org, which also test & compare AntiVirus products out there as well on many levels (mostly detection rates). The URL above goes into more than that, such as program speed/efficiency/throughput, & the fact NOD32 is written almost TOTALLY in pure Assembler language (when, if coupled with a solid fast algorithm/engine, is untouchable even by C/C++ or Delphi even for that)).

+

SpyBot (Ad-Aware is another option) as my resident antispyware tool running in the background!

This tool in SPYBOT also installs & runs PERFECTLY in safemode (combined with ComboFix &/or SmitfraudFix, you can "burn out" just about ANY spyware/malware infestation in 30-60 minutes, depending on level of infection, speed of your disks/CPU/RAM, & amount of files on your disks - A good antivirus (See NOD32 above, best there is on speed/efficiency, resource consumption, & accuracy) alongside it plus vendor specialized "removal tools" is all a body needs (mostly) when infected.

AntiRootkit tools are another one to be conscious of nowadays, now that such machinations are available for Windows (they originated, afaik, in the UNIX world though).

The "best ones" (AntiRootkit scanners) & their download URL links are:

AVG AntiRootkit

BitDefender AntiRootkit

GMER

Rootkit Revealer

PrevX AntiRootkit

Rootkit Hook Analyzer

Sophos AntiRootkit

F-Secure Blacklight

Gromozon Rootkit Removal Tool

KLister

McAfee Rootkit Detective

PatchFinder

RogueRemover

VICE

System Virginity Verifier for Windows 2000/XP/2003

That is a list for you all to choose from, look them up on GOOGLE to download them from their homepages, as they all do a decent enough job though, & are 100% FREE - SO, DO use them!

APK

May 16, 2008

Web Browser Program "ISOLATION" techniques + commandline switches

9.) It is also possible, for webbrowsers &/or email clients, to create a "VISTA LIKE IE 7 Protected Mode"-like type scenario, isolating them into their own spaces in memory, here are 2 methods, how (not needed on VISTA though, afaik):

IE6/7 & FF + OPERA AS WELL (as noted by A/C slashdot poster in reply to my methods, both his & my own work well, & are listed here @ /. (slashdot)) on modern NT-based OS "how-to":

Google Buys Anti-Malware Security Startup

MY METHOD for RUNNING IE in a "runas limited user class" sandbox effect:

"It is actually possible to run IE securely: just create a throwaway restricted user account for IE use alone. The restricted account user can't install software and can't access files of other users, so even if IE autoexecutes any nastiness, it can't do any damage.

Of course, it's a hassle to log in as a different user just to browse the web. So we'd want to use "runas" to run just IE as a different user.

Unfortunately, MS has made running IE as a different user a little harder than necessary. Rightclicking and using "Run as" doesn't seem to work. What did work for me was the following.

Say the limited account is called "IEuser". Then create a shortcut to "runas /user:IEuser cmd". on your desktop. Double-clicking this will open a command prompt that runs as IEuser. Now you can manually start IE with "start iexplore". Or create a batchfile c:windowsie.bat that just contains the line "start iexplore" and you can start IE by just typing "ie". Remove all shortcuts to IE from you normal desktop and only run it from the restricted account. This way you can use IE without worry about any IE exploits"

---------

ANOTHER, VERY QUITE POSSIBLY SUPERIOR METHOD:

invisiblethings' blog: Running Vista Every Day!

See section: Do-It-Yourself: Implementing Privilege Separation. Using the psexec tool as described results in a "clean" process tree where iexplore.exe will show up directly under the root avoiding beeing a child process.

Note - The "invisible thing"? She's "Yuriko DeathStrike" as far as I am concerned... Joanna Rutkowska, my fellow "Polish Person" & she's a regular "wonder" in the security/hacking/cracking world!

This is my runopera.bat which runs opera as user internet:

psexec.exe -d -u internet -p p4ssw0rd "cmd" "/d /D /c start /b Opera.exe"

PLUS, Windows Server 2003 has a hardened IE6/7 by default (which can be duplicated on other Win32 OS versions, because it mainly just does what I have been doing for a long time & noted by myself earlier, in stuff like turning off ActiveX & scripting + JAVA online on the public internet, of all types by default, & I do this in ALL of my browsers (IE, FF, & Opera) & only make exceptions for CERTAIN sites)

---------

ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE THAT A USER SUGGESTED ADDON TO AUTOMATE THIS STUFF ON ISOLATION OF IE:

(Per "OILY 17" (TPU forums user) suggestion, to aid in automating this (a tool)):

Securing Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003 services HOW TO - Page 3 - techPowerUp! Forums

"For running IE,Firefox etc as a throw away account has anyone tried this app out yet.Recently came across it, but have not tried it out yet.

Anyone any views?

Sandboxie - Front Page

As the name suggests runs IE etc in a sand box effect."

Thanks oily (apk) - RECENT UPDATE: I've tried "sandboxie" & understand the layered filtering driver it employs for writes (ignores reads from main HDD) & it IS a great idea, + it works!

---------

ALSO - Microsoft puts out a tool for users for 2000/XP/Server 2003 called "DropMyRights" which also works, albeit on a diff. principal than SANDBOXIE DOES (via running like VISTA UAC does, dropping user priveleges to various areas of your system). It is downloadable here:

DROPMYRIGHTS DOWNLOAD URL:

Browsing the Web and Reading E-mail Safely as an Administrator

DropMyRights commandline (for shortcuts/icons on desktop properties menu via rightclick usage on them etc.) usage is in a nutshell, structured like this, using IE as an example:

"C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents\MSDN\DropMyRights\DropMyRights.exe" "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" -extoff

---------

AND, keep in mind: even XP webbrowers have a "safemode option" (like the default one of Windows Server 2003) that doesn't allow bad plugins/addons (or any) to run. Common commandlines for your shortcuts for that are:

INTERNET EXPLORER:

"C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe"-extoff

NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR/FIREFOX:

"C:\Program Files\Netscape\Navigator 9\navigator.exe"-safe-mode

APK

May 16, 2008

Email practices to follow & use

10.) Plus good email client practices like using .txt mail only, no RTF or HTML mail, not opening or allowing attachments unless I know the person & even THEN, scan it with an antivirus (still gets email scanned though by your resident antivirus email scan component (use AntiVirus programs with these, OR, manually scan ANY attachments before opening them (if you get Microsoft Office .doc, .xls, .ppt etc. files uncompressed? HOLD DOWN THE SHIFT KEY AS YOU OPEN THEM - this stops macros from running & macros are the avenue utilized using VBA script to infect you))

APK

May 16, 2008

Routers: Both "NAT" &/or "True Stateful Packet Inspecting" types

11.) I also use a LinkSys/CISCO BEFSX41 "NAT" true firewalling CISCO technology-based router (with cookie & scripting filtering built-in @ the hardware level), these are excellent investments for security.

BY THE WAY, IF YOU OWN A ROUTER? TURN OFF THE UPNP FEATURES IN IT!

Why?

Take a read:

Most Home Routers Vulnerable to Flash UPnP Attack:

Slashdot | Most Home Routers Vulnerable to Flash UPnP Attack

Just to be safe...

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APK

May 16, 2008

FOR WINDOWS SERVER 2003 ONLY: "SCW" (= Security Configuration Wizard)

12.) Windows Server 2003's SCW was run over it FIRST (this only exists on Windows Server 2003, not on 2000/XP or VISTA (you have to install this, it does NOT install by default) first to help security it (SCW = security configuration wizard, & it's pretty damn good believe-it-or-not, (@ least, as as starting point))...

Directions for its installation are as follows:

Start the Add or Remove Programs Control Panel applet.

Click Add/Remove Windows Components.

On the Windows Components Wizard screen, select the "Security Configuration Wizard" check box, as the figure shows. Click Next.

The Windows Components Wizard builds a list of files to be copied and finishes installing SCW. Click Finish.

DONE! Now, run it...

It is very simple to use, and will help even TRIM services you do not need running (which saves Memory, other resources, & I/O to cpu/ram/disk etc. AS WELL AS PROVIDING SECURITY should any services you disable turn up vulnerabilities (this has happened before)).

ALSO, per TPU forums user (username "xvi") @ techpowerup.com forums (software section): Use Microsoft Baseline Security Advisor, a free download from Microsoft as well to check your system for security holes, patch updates, etc. (be wary of the fact it does require various services running though, iirc, Terminal Server Services Client - I do NOT keep that running here anymore, & this program failed on me because of that (would not initialize @ all))

APK

May 16, 2008

JavaScript/IFrames/ActiveX Controls & Browser extensions/addons/plugins etc.

AN IMPORTANT SET OF POINTS TO SECURE YOUR WEBBROWSER, EMAIL PROGRAMS, & MORE:

STOP JAVASCRIPT USAGE IN YOUR BROWSERS (along with ActiveX & JAVA) On the PUBLIC internet, PERIOD (well, with SOME exceptions on sites that demand you use it, OR those that cannot function properly without it, some examples below)!

Why? Well, read on:

Fact is, that today? Well... Javascript's dangerous & can be used AGAINST you, as well as help you... it truly is, or can be, a 'double-edged sword'...

(For example - if you follow security related news, you will see that JavaScript is the key avenue being used against you in today's attacks (even thru adbanners!)). Some examples:

Hackers Use Banner Ads on Major Sites to Hijack Your PC

&

Microsoft apologises for serving malware

If you MUST use Javascript (for instance, on a particular site like banking or shopping oriented ones)?

Try "NoScript" (the .xpi addon for FireFox/Mozilla/NetScape 9 etc.) & let it let YOU decide sites to use it on, & then DISABLE JAVA/JAVASCRIPT globally...

(& if you use IE, trying to do the same can be a nightmare (as IE will "nag you to death" if you turn off javascript on sites that use it)).

Opera has similar functionality, ALBEIT, built into it by default as a NATIVE tool!

I.E.-> The ability to GLOBALLY block scripting tools like Javascript, BUT... to also allow it for sites you MUST use it on as exceptions to the GLOBAL rule set in Tools, Preferences menus it has on its menubar.

Opera has the NATIVE BUILT IN ABILITY to allow you to use it on sites you visit IF you must, via rightclicks on the page & "EDIT SITE PREFERENCES" popup menu submenu item that appears.

Either way? It works, & I STRONGLY recommend this. I also recommend Opera for these reasons (less security holes period, & the 1 it had yesterday? Patched yesterday too... fast!)

=====

SECUNIA DATA ON BROWSER SECURITY (dated 05/14/2008):

=====

Opera 9.27 security advisories @ SECUNIA (0% unpatched):

Opera 9.x - Vulnerability Report - Secunia

----

Netscape 9.0.0.6 (0% unpatched - but, now discontinued by Mozilla, so it WILL be vulnerable to things FF won't be now & in the future)

Netscape 9.x - Vulnerability Report - Secunia

----

FireFox 2.0.0.14 security advisories @ SECUNIA (17% unpatched):

Mozilla Firefox 2.0.x - Vulnerability Report - Secunia

----

IE 7 (latest cumulative update from MS) security advisories @ SECUNIA (36% unpatched):

Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.x - Vulnerability Report - Secunia

----

Those %'s are the latest for FireFox 2.0.0.13, Netscape 9.0.0.6, IE7 after last "patch Tuesday" from MS with the "CUMULATIVE IE UPDATES" they have (see the security downloads URL I post in the 12 steps above to secure yourself), & Opera 9.27... all latest/greatest models.

So, as you can see?

Well, NOT ONLY IS OPERA MORE SECURE/BEARING LESS SECURITY VULNERABILITIES?

It's faster too, on just about ANYTHING a browser does, & is probably the MOST standards compliant browser under the sun (not counting HTML dev tools). This is borne out in these tests:

Browser speed comparisons

AND, yes others (most recently in Javascript parsing speeds, oddly enough, lol... given the topic of my post here that is), right here:

Performance Tests for Opera 9.5

Opera's just more std.'s compliant - for example, having passed all the ACID (2/3 before anyone on the latter & one of the first for the former no less), plus it's faster + MULTIPLATFORM, & more secure than the others out there - thus, it's an "all-around" overall best solution!

QUESTION - So, "where do you want to go today?"...

ANSWER = Opera (if you're into speed, security, & std.'s compliance + using a webbrowser that runs on most any platform out there for computing is where).

----

ALSO - HOW TO SET THE "KILL BIT" ON ACTIVEX CONTROLS:

(I.E.-> This is how to stop an ActiveX control from running in Internet Explorer)

How to stop an ActiveX control from running in Internet Explorer

In case you have "problematic" or security vulnerable ActiveX controls, per this RealPlayer example thereof:

Customer Support - Real Security Updates

APK

May 16, 2008

Better, Safer, & F A S T E R DNS Servers

DO NOT USE THIS WITH A HOME or BUSINESS LAN THAT HAS ActiveDirectory going (because, for example - it will mess up things like FULL Outlook binding to EXCHANGE SERVER for instance, because of INTERNAL DNS SERVER dependencies AD has (ActiveDirectory is HEAVILY dependent on DNS resolutions is why)

That said & aside?

I found something VERY cool, as regards online security, that I stumbled onto during my meanderings online today!

ScrubItDNS:

ScrubIT

style_emoticons/

GREAT IDEA, & it WORKS, painlessly... AND F A S T, too!

APK

P.S.=> Take a read of what it does, how EASY it is to implement (lol, they even give a GUI to do the job for you, because digging into your network connection MIGHT be a "bit much" for some folks, to make it easy for anyone really... 2 clicks!) & YOU DECIDE...

I have tried it, & it DOES work, by filtering off sites thru it that are 'dangerous' OR 'offensive' (like ones you might find that are involved with the above exploit, or others like GOOGLE + SPYBOT Search & Destroy help you with) - PLUS, Pr0n sites (some of you, lol, may NOT like that "feature" though).

Still, bottom-line - For layered security? This is a GOOD idea, this "scrubit" DNS server... imo, so far @ least... apk

May 16, 2008

HOW TO REMOVE MALWARE (Virus/Trojans/Spyware & some rootkits)

HOW TO REMOVE MALWARE - INTRODUCTION (using 110% free tools, OR ones you have in your OS already natively, to remove malware infestations of ANY kind HOW TO):

NOW, after ALL of the above? IF you do find yourself "infested" though, one day??

(Which is going to RARE (if @ all) - Usually, after the above set of steps you can use to secure yourselves, the ONLY way you usually can be reinfected, is to click & run a bogus email attachment, OR, by turning on Javascript & IFrames for instance! (or, allowing shockwave or a bum ActiveX control to run) OR, via a vulnerability in your applications OR Operating System that needs patching (I note this in the init. post of this thread in fact in this latter point now)).

YES - It happens! Far more rarely than it had before (using a buddy of mine Jack as an example in fact - I chose him as a tester because he was nearly constantly infested is why & this all worked for he, until he violated javascript usage rules I mentioned above).

E.G.-> I have had users violate that/those "rule(s)" from above & that was how they were reinfected - BUT, one tester of mine DEFINITELY gets infected FAR LESS than he used to, by applying the above... this is certain!

I.E.-> I have had this setup running Windows Server 2003 (SP#2, fully hotfix patched & hardened per the above as of this date) since early 2003, running "110% bulletproof & bugfree" because of following the rules & suggestions noted above!

ANYHOW - Malware infested? TRY THIS SET OF TOOLS & TECHNIQUES:

How to clean yourself up?

This "toolkit" & process has helped me get thru over a 1,000 spyware/virus clean up calls, & hopefully? It will yourself, as well, so... here goes:

==========

1.) Reboot your system to F8 @ startup "Windows Advanced Options" bootup menu that stops you during the boot sequence.

----

2.) There, choose "safemode with networking" (via the "Windows Advanced Options" menu you get presented with while tapping the F8 key repeatedly @ system startup).

----

3.) Once in safemode with networking Windows, download/install & RUN these tools (they are not much to look at, BUT, they do work on MOST threats today & get regularly updated):

a. Run IE, use its TOOLS menu, Manage Addons Submenu, & turn off ANY BHO etc. objects that you do NOT absolutely NEED, or know what they are (many malwares in the form of bogus toolbars or BHO (browser helper objects) often hide here).

ALSO, GREAT NEW POINT EDITED IN NOW (01/13/2008) per Delightus14 @ Neowin forums: ALSO CLEAN OUT YOUR WEBBROWER CACHES & %temp/tmp% temp. ops locations so no maladies exist there also awaiting re-awakening by accident

You do this via Internet Explorer (using IE as an example, it is the same idea in Opera/FireFox/Netscape/Mozilla etc. too) via its Tools menu, Internet Options submenu, & on IE options screen, use the "Browsing History" group in IE7, & delete things as necessary from IE's browser caches etc. & for OS + app level %temp% & %tmp% environmental values' areas? Type SET @ a DOS prompt to see where you located those, & burn their contents via DEL commands, OR via explorer.exe/MyComputer filemanagement.

b. Run msconfig.exe, & stall out ANY apps you do NOT absolutely NEED to run (many malware start here in fact). If you do NOT know the name of the program & what it does? Look it up on GOOGLE... same with BHO's above in IE.

c. DOWNLOAD & INSTALL SpyBot 1.51x

d. DOWNLOAD (OPTIONAL - use ONLY if Spybot for example, cannot remove a malware) ComboFix (don't run it yet - there is no installer, it IS its own install + run package)

COMBOFIX MAY HAVE SOME "MINOR SIDE EFFECTS" though, & here are 3 I have noted, & HOW to fix them:

1.) IE homepage: No big deal to "fix this". You go to Start Button -> CONTROL PANEL (use CLASSIC VIEW, it's easier imo) -> Internet Options -> General Tab & HOMEPAGE (here is where you change that).

2.) System Time (rightclick on timeclock in lower righthand side of your screen, & from its POPUP menu, use the Date/Time tool)

3.) Desktop wallpaper (easy to fix: Rightclick on Desktop, use properties menu, & the desktop tab, change your background wallpaper there)

e. DOWNLOAD (OPTIONAL - use ONLY if Spybot for example, cannot remove a malware) SmitFraudFix (which also has its own LSP (layered service provider fix I have heard tell), BUT, againL Don't run it yet - as AGAIN -> there is no installer, it IS its own install + run package)

An alternate here, is LSPFix.exe...

----

4.) Clean out your rig, running SpyBot, first (most of the threats today are SPYWARE related, or TROJANS, more than std. typical traditional viruses by the way).

----

5.) Then, run ComboFix (this will reset your webbrowser homepage & background desktop wallpaper, you will have to reset these, & possibly your date/time clock in Windows too).

(OPTIONAL - use ONLY if Spybot for example, cannot remove a malware)

----

6.) Then, run SmitFraudFix (or, as an alternate, LSPFix)

(OPTIONAL - use ONLY if Spybot for example, cannot remove a malware)

----

7.) Reboot to "normal Windows" (no F8 stuff this round) - it MAY hesitate/be slower this bootup though, because SpyBot/ComboFix/SmitFraud do a 2nd look type check on bootup many times... so, be prepared for this part.

----

8.) Then, once in normal Windows again, scan with your AntiVirus solution (now fully updated hopefully & if not, do update it first & then scan).

Good suggested FREE one, is AVG AntiVirus (I suggest this one, because it is free + complete w/ mail protection too that's decent enough, & just in case your antivirus solution is expired... if it is not expired, update the one you use. Keeping another around for a "2nd Dr.'s Opinion" is NOT a bad idea, BUT: ONLY RUN 1 OF THEM, "resident" (meaning runnings its background application & file scanning engine, usually implemented as a service + trayicon app). IMO, NOD32 is the best performer all-around in terms of antivirus programs. av-comparatives & vb100 tend to 2nd me here as well.

@ that point? You probably will have 'caught the culprits', OR, @ least have the name + location of any threats they could NOT eliminate... & here is where it gets REALLY "fun"...

==========

NOW, when you CAN'T remove a virus using "script kiddie automated tools" like those noted above (not putting them down calling them that because they ARE somebody's hard work & freely given time as well... but, they ARE that, because they're only automating what YOU can do, yourself, with other tools like msconfig/IE manage addons, & more tools like Process Explorer + regedit & explorer.exe (OR even Recovery Console) can allow YOU to do, yourself, albeit slower... the nice part about the automated killers like the tools I mention above, is that they operate FAR FASTER than human beings do).

ANYHOW - IF you can get its name, & location on disk say, via a report from AVG or other programs you use for this?

Boot your system from the OS install CD, & go to RECOVERY CONSOLE!

There, switch to the folder that houses it using CD (almost like DOS one, but uses .. ONLY, to switch to ancestor folder roots really (instead of \ etc. et al))!

Then, once you are in its folder, fry it then (nothing will be loading & thus, locking it, there) using the DEL command -> DEL filename.

It's THAT, or using Process Explorer in UserMode/Ring 3/RPL3 operation...

You would do a suspending the calling process via right click popup menu options for this it offers! Once the calling process is suspended (& many times, also the called or DLL injected library as well), you can delete ANY potential offending injected DLL/lib virus-trojan-spyware-malware being called by said parent process, on disk.

(This ia assuming this is a lib loaded virus/spyware/trojan/malware etc., not a standalone .exe type)

That's done via watching loaded DLL's that ANY app may have loaded presently (For that, you would have to use ProExp's CTRL+D keystroke shortcut, with the lower pane view present/visible, & set like that) IF there is one and this thing doesn't launch by itself from one of the registry RUN areas or startup groups that is...

Using Process Explorer can help!

(Again, especially if this is being run by "DLL Injection" (like an OLEServer being injected into a process via CLSIDs, shell extensions, or being run by rundll32.exe OR svchost.exe, process hosting executables that can spawn either .exe OR .dll/lib based ones)).

The easier/simpler route?

My first suggestion:

Use Recovery Console, once you have its name & location on disk... DEL command will take care of it, lickety-split, no-$heet.

APK

P.S.=> As to rootkits? The ONLY kind I know how to remove, is the bootsector originated type, & booting to RECOVERY CONSOLE is your pal here, once more: FixMBR &/or FixBoot are your buddies there in its commandset, as they repair the Master Boot Record (MBR) for NT-based OS'... other than bootsector started types? It's USUALLY recommended to "repave" (redo your setup, after backup of your personally created data)... apk

May 16, 2008

The "RBN" (Russian Business Network) & how to avoid them infecting you

As regards the "Russian Business Network" (RBN) who has been @ the heart of MANY online attacks (or, things like Zlob trojan & IDTheft related attacks, etc. et al)? Use this information to protect yourselves, from them.

(RELIABLE/REPUTABLE SOURCE USED = The Spamhaus Project - Security

----

FIRST OF ALL - Note, I use "0.0.0.0" vs. "127.0.0.1"

(That is simply because iirc, the zero's based one leads to a NULL port type of request, rather than your "loopback adapter" (i.e.-> YOUR OWN MACHINE fielding requests) for a couple of reasons (which it took me some time to come up w/ & testing as to which is "better" to use)).

SECONDLY, 0.0.0.0 is SMALLER than 127.0.0.1, & thus, parses + loads FAR faster, & is smaller on disk is why - AND, in RAM once loaded: THUS, I am logically concluding that 0.0.0.0 is better to use period for HOSTS file blocks - same function, & @ LESSER cost, nearly all the way around (less diskspace, faster loadspeed, less memory occupancy, & etc. et al). A MORE EFFICIENT STRUCTURE!

----

USING NOTEPAD.EXE

ADD THIS LIST TO YOUR CUSTOM HOSTS FILE (usually located in %windir%\system32\drivers\etc subfolder-subdirectory):

# === START OF KNOWN RUSSIAN BUSINESS NETWORK/RBN MAPPINGS + AFFILIATED KNOWN SERVERS ===

0.0.0.0 rxpharmacy-support.com

0.0.0.0 ns3.cnmsn.com

0.0.0.0 thecanadianmeds.com

0.0.0.0 officialmedicines.com

0.0.0.0 psxshop.com

0.0.0.0 10000xing.cn

0.0.0.0 222360.com

0.0.0.0 adslooks.info

0.0.0.0 bnably.com

0.0.0.0 eqcorn.com

0.0.0.0 familypostcards2008.com

0.0.0.0 freshcards2008.com

0.0.0.0 happy2008toyou.com

0.0.0.0 happysantacards.com

0.0.0.0 hellosanta2008.com

0.0.0.0 hohoho2008.com

0.0.0.0 kqfloat.com

0.0.0.0 ltbrew.com

0.0.0.0 mymetavids.com

0.0.0.0 obebos.cn

0.0.0.0 parentscards.com

0.0.0.0 postcards-2008.com

0.0.0.0 ptowl.com

0.0.0.0 qavoter.com

0.0.0.0 santapcards.com

0.0.0.0 santawishes2008.com

0.0.0.0 siski.cn

0.0.0.0 snbane.com

0.0.0.0 snlilac.com

0.0.0.0 tibeam.com

0.0.0.0 tushove.com

0.0.0.0 wxtaste.com

0.0.0.0 yxbegan.com

0.0.0.0 iframedollars.biz

0.0.0.0 NS1.RBNNETWORK.COM

0.0.0.0 NS1.4USER.NET

0.0.0.0 NS1.EEXHOST.COM

0.0.0.0 NS1.AKIMON.COM

0.0.0.0 NAME1.AKIMON.COM

0.0.0.0 NS2.RBNNETWORK.COM

0.0.0.0 NS2.4USER.NET

0.0.0.0 NS2.AKIMON.COM

0.0.0.0 NS2.EEXHOST.COM

0.0.0.0 NAME2.AKIMON.COM

0.0.0.0 RUSOUVENIRS.COM

0.0.0.0 RBNNETWORK.COM

0.0.0.0 NS1.INFOBOX.ORG

0.0.0.0 NS2.INFOBOX.ORG

0.0.0.0 NS1.RUSOUVENIRS.COM

0.0.0.0 NS2.RUSOUVENIRS.COM

0.0.0.0 NS1.RUSOUVENIRS.NET

0.0.0.0 NS2.RUSOUVENIRS.NET

0.0.0.0 SBTTEL.COM

0.0.0.0 AKIMON.COM

0.0.0.0 AKIMON.NET

0.0.0.0 EEXHOST.COM

0.0.0.0 NS1.EEXHOST.COM

0.0.0.0 NS2.EEXHOST.COM

0.0.0.0 NS1.4USER.NET

0.0.0.0 NS1.AKIMON.COM

0.0.0.0 NS1.EEXHOST.COM

0.0.0.0 NAME1.AKIMON.COM

0.0.0.0 NS1.RBNNETWORK.COM

0.0.0.0 NS2.4USER.NET

0.0.0.0 NS2.AKIMON.COM

0.0.0.0 NAME2.AKIMON.COM

0.0.0.0 NS2.RBNNETWORK.COM

0.0.0.0 NS2.EEXHOST.COM

0.0.0.0 VALUEDOT.NET

0.0.0.0 ns0.valuedot.net

0.0.0.0 ns1.valuedot.net

0.0.0.0 1000WATT.BIZ

0.0.0.0 2SOVKA.NET

0.0.0.0 AIDEN-GROUP.COM

0.0.0.0 AKIMON.COM

0.0.0.0 ALEKC.NET

0.0.0.0 ANDREY-STUDIO.INFO

0.0.0.0 AUTOKUBAN.INFO

0.0.0.0 AVIATRAVELAGENCY.COM

0.0.0.0 AVTOMOBILEY.NET

0.0.0.0 BAGATITSA.COM

0.0.0.0 BAIKERGROUP.COM

0.0.0.0 BALTICDOORS.COM

0.0.0.0 BALTMONOLIT.COM

0.0.0.0 BRIGADA-EL.COM

0.0.0.0 CARPRIVOZ.COM

0.0.0.0 CHILLERU.COM

0.0.0.0 CVETOVODSTVO.COM

0.0.0.0 E-GOLD-CHANGER.COM

0.0.0.0 ELECTRONOV.NET

0.0.0.0 FASHIONER.BIZ

0.0.0.0 FFFFFF.ORG

0.0.0.0 FIFACUP06.INFO

0.0.0.0 FISHTORG.COM

0.0.0.0 FKGARANT.COM

0.0.0.0 FOTORETUSH.COM

0.0.0.0 FREGATSOFT.COM

0.0.0.0 FROLROMANOFF.COM

0.0.0.0 FULLVER.INFO

0.0.0.0 GAKKEL.COM

0.0.0.0 GARANTSERVICE.ORG

0.0.0.0 GDEDENGI.INFO

0.0.0.0 GLAZKI.NET

0.0.0.0 GOLD-DRAGON.INFO

0.0.0.0 GORODM.COM

0.0.0.0 GRAYZI.NET

0.0.0.0 GRIFFINFLY.COM

0.0.0.0 HEAT-ENERGO.COM

0.0.0.0 HITEMA.NET

0.0.0.0 HYIPREVIEW.INFO

0.0.0.0 HYIPSMAP.COM

0.0.0.0 ILOXX.ORG

0.0.0.0 IMYA.INFO

0.0.0.0 INFODOSKA.COM

0.0.0.0 INTERNETWORLDBOOK.COM

0.0.0.0 KLIMATA.NET

0.0.0.0 KOMOV.NET

0.0.0.0 KOSMETICHKA.NET

0.0.0.0 LIDTRADE.COM

0.0.0.0 LIFE-RU.ORG

0.0.0.0 LPSPB.COM

0.0.0.0 M-OST.NET

0.0.0.0 M-UNLOCK.COM

0.0.0.0 MAMRU.COM

0.0.0.0 MAPSERV.COM

0.0.0.0 MASTERDOKS.COM

0.0.0.0 MIRMED.COM

0.0.0.0 MOOSEMUSE.COM

0.0.0.0 MOREPRODUCT.NET

0.0.0.0 MUSEMOOSE.COM

0.0.0.0 NESTRONICS.COM

0.0.0.0 NESTRONICS.NET

0.0.0.0 NOFUN.INFO

0.0.0.0 OIL-GAS-MINERALS.COM

0.0.0.0 OKOSHKA.NET

0.0.0.0 OPTIMUS.BIZ

0.0.0.0 OTKRITKI.NET

0.0.0.0 OTKRITOK.NET

0.0.0.0 PARALLELSIXTY.COM

0.0.0.0 PASSOMONTANO.COM

0.0.0.0 PETROBALT.NET

0.0.0.0 PHARMACY-MD.COM

0.0.0.0 PISKUNOV.NET

0.0.0.0 POIGRAI.INFO

0.0.0.0 PROETCONTRA.ORG

0.0.0.0 PSOLAO.ORG

0.0.0.0 ROSEL.INFO

0.0.0.0 SBTTEL.COM

0.0.0.0 SECONDAPPROACH.COM

0.0.0.0 SMARTSOFTLINE.COM

0.0.0.0 SMESHNOY.COM

0.0.0.0 SQUAREDREAM.COM

0.0.0.0 STROIINFORM.COM

0.0.0.0 STROYBRIGADA.COM

0.0.0.0 TANK-HOBBY.COM

0.0.0.0 TECHNONORDIC.COM

0.0.0.0 TELEUNITED.NET

0.0.0.0 TEPLOCOM.COM

0.0.0.0 THERMOCAUTERY.COM

0.0.0.0 TIARU.COM

0.0.0.0 TRADEFINANS.COM

0.0.0.0 TRADEFINANS.NET

0.0.0.0 TRAININGS-TRIUMPH.ORG

0.0.0.0 TSAR-SUVENIR.COM

0.0.0.0 UEFACUP08.INFO

0.0.0.0 UMNIKSOFT.COM

0.0.0.0 UNDERCOOLED.NET

0.0.0.0 VALIDBIT.COM

0.0.0.0 VERESC.ORG

0.0.0.0 VOROLAIN.COM

0.0.0.0 WHITENIGHTSHOSTELS.COM

0.0.0.0 WORLDFONDS.NET

0.0.0.0 XRUST.NET

0.0.0.0 YAHOCHU.COM

0.0.0.0 Z-GROUP.INFO

0.0.0.0 ZDRAV.INFO

0.0.0.0 ZHESTOV.NET

0.0.0.0 ZOOSPB.COM

0.0.0.0 goldenpiginvest.com

0.0.0.0 goldenpiginvest.net

0.0.0.0 pharmacy-viagra.net

# === END OF KNOWN RUSSIAN BUSINESS NETWORK/RBN MAPPINGS + AFFILIATED KNOWN SERVERS ===

Also - You can (AND SHOULD) verify your HOSTS file location, because it CAN be moved (& some virus/spywares do so, like QHosts) by using regedit.exe

& going here:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters

& checking to see it has NOT been misdirected from C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\etc

(Unless you KNOW that YOU move it, as I do!)

I move mine INTENTIONALLY to another disk here that is less used & faster on seeks!

That is just so it init.'s faster since the HDD is not contending with other programs loading etc.

or data loading etc. - mine's on an SSD (solid-state ramdisk, for access-seek gains for example).

----

FOR FIREWALL BLOCKING RULES (or IE "restricted zones" lists (in IE options), OR possibly IP Security Policies usage):

I.P. address block for Russian Business Network:

81.95.144.0/20 #SBL43489

(81.95.144.0 - 81.95.159.255)

And the address blocks for its equally corrupt cousins at Intercage, Inhoster, and Nevacon:

85.255.112.0/20 #SBL36702

(85.255.112.0 - 85.255.127.255)

69.50.160.0/19

(69.50.160.0 - 69.50.191.255)

194.146.204.0/22 #SBL51152

(194.146.204.0 - 194.146.207.255)

Lastly/Optionally - You should block all IPs starting with these if you do not care about Russia and China:

193.

194.

195.

213.

217.

62.64.

62.76.

(AND, A few major Internet providers that provide services to RBN including)

Tiscali.uk

SBT Telecom

Aki Mon Telecom

Nevacon LTD

Frame Cash

76service

Noc4Hosts

APK

P.S.=> So you all know WHY I put up info. on the "RBN" (Russian Business Network) in my last post above?

Well, I strongly suspected (& proved correct) "they're @ it again" & here is why:

Cyber-attack launched from 10,000 web pages:

http://itnews.com.au/News/71994,cyberattac...-web-pages.aspx

"A single entity is likely to be behind this attack, since the malicious code on all these pages came from the same server in China."

(AND, the "RBN" is KNOWN to 'hop between' China & Russia regularly, as needed, & I suspect they are the ones behind this, but the article offers NO discrete IP Address ranges or IP's so, we have to wait on the specifics, but it is a GOOD guess based on their prior track record w/ Zlob, which I see nearly every day @ times on the job)...

APK

May 16, 2008

More "RBN" info. ... apk

"New NEWS": Well, it appears I was correct in my "assumption/guess" above (about my suspecting the "RBN being @ it again") 2 posts up, which are NOW verified, per this quote from the above source:

SECOND MASS HACK EXPOSED:

http://www.itnews.com.au/News/72214,second...ck-exposed.aspx

AND, the source I used for this list:

http://ddanchev.blogspot.com/2008/03/more-...ame-attack.html

And, the salient portion that notes that my suspicion was correct:

"if you look at the IPs used in the IFRAMEs, these are the front-end to rogue anti virus and anti spyware tools that were using RBN's infrastructure before it went dark, and continue using some of the new netblocks acquired by the RBN"

So, with that said? Here are those URL's from the list above, albeit altered to 0.0.0.0 equations, for your CUSTOM HOSTS FILE, that shuts out RBN (these appear to be their newly acquired domains list) & the servers they use:

START OF LIST TO ADD TO YOUR CUSTOM HOSTS FILE FOR BLOCKING OUT BAD SITEs/ADBANNERS THAT MAY BE INFECTED ETC.:

0.0.0.0 do-t-h-e.com

0.0.0.0 rx-pharmacy.cn

0.0.0.0 m5b.info

0.0.0.0 hotpornotube08.com

0.0.0.0 hot-pornotube-2008.com

0.0.0.0 hot-pornotube08.com

0.0.0.0 adult-tubecodec2008.com

0.0.0.0 adulttubecodec2008.com

0.0.0.0 hot-tubecodec20.com

0.0.0.0 media-tubecodec2008.com

0.0.0.0 porn-tubecodec20.com

0.0.0.0 scanner.spyshredderscanner.com

0.0.0.0 xpantivirus2008.com

0.0.0.0 xpantivirus.com

0.0.0.0 bestsexworld.info

0.0.0.0 requestedlinks.com

END OF LIST TO ADD TO YOUR CUSTOM HOSTS FILE FOR BLOCKING OUT BAD SITEs/ADBANNERS THAT MAY BE INFECTED ETC.:

FOR THOSE INTERESTED (or, those that need actual IP addresses to add to firewall rules tables OR IE restricted zones etc.), here are the actual IP addresses of the bogus servers:

do-t-h-e.com (69.50.167.166)

rx-pharmacy.cn (82.103.140.65)

m5b.info (124.217.253.6)

hotpornotube08.com (206.51.229.67)

hot-pornotube-2008.com (206.51.229.67)

hot-pornotube08.com (206.51.229.67)

adult-tubecodec2008.com (195.93.218.43)

adulttubecodec2008.com (195.93.218.43)

hot-tubecodec20.com (195.93.218.43)

media-tubecodec2008.com (195.93.218.43)

porn-tubecodec20.com (195.93.218.43)

scanner.spyshredderscanner.com (77.91.229.106)

xpantivirus2008.com (69.50.173.10)

xpantivirus.com (72.36.198.2)

bestsexworld.info (72.232.224.154)

requestedlinks.com (216.255.185.82)

Also - These you won't be able to block via HOSTS file filtering methods, but still can be blocked via other means (IE restricted zones, firewall rules tables, etc. et al):

89.149.243.201

89.149.243.202

72.232.39.252

195.225.178.21

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Enjoy, stay safe, & keep surfing!

APK

May 16, 2008

SECURING Adobe Acrobat Reader .pdf files, vs. JavaScript exploits

For users of Adobe Acrobat Reader (of any version or patch level today - safety hint):

Since it has been attacked so much recently (via its ability to place javascripting into its .pdf document format, & javascript that bears truly "ill will")?

Well, update to the latest/greatest version... HOWEVER, if you don't trust that, as I do not, FULLY?

(I say this, & simply because browser makers have been trying that left & right since "time immemorial" online, & more of those types of attacks pop up of differing nature that evades new patches vs. it, keep popping up regardless of the patches!)

Plus, like I had stated earlier in this guide?

I suggested turning off using javascript for EVERY SITE online, in your webbrowser (& only keep it for ones that demand it (or, become useless w/out it, like many shopping &/or banking sites - this lessens the possibility of being poisoned by bad adbanner OR site code & also lessens the attack surface area + limits the possibles to the sites you left javascript on for, ONLY))??

Try this FOR ADOBE ACROBAT READER ALSO:

TURN OFF JAVASCRIPT USAGE IN ADOBE ACROBAT READER!

Simply to be safe vs. attacks in it that are javascript-based in nature!

<ul>Use Adobe Acrobat's EDIT menu

<ul>PREFERENCES submenu

<ul>Javascript section (in left-hand side column of options)

& uncheck "Enable Acrobat Javascript" in the right-hand side option for that.

APK

P.S.=> That assures you are "bullet-proofed" vs. Adobe Acrobat malware/bad javascript containing contaminated .pdf documents via bogus javascript in them for exploiting you online today!

NOW - the only hassle here is that SOMETIMES, there is so much javascript in them, ADOBE MAY "nag" a lot about it, & should have a feature to turn that off (imo @ least)... apk

May 16, 2008

Applications Vulnerability Scanners & more

More security tools/info. (04/28/2008), for APPLICATION LEVEL SECURITY:

(I.E.-> For checking for apps you have that may be security vulnerable OR have been patched vs. said vulnerabilities, etc.):

----

SECUNIA PSI (checks for outdated OR apps that are known to be insecure):

[attach=full]96[/attach]

https://psi.secunia.com/

NEW VERSION (released very recently too).

A good program, by a trusted & WELL-KNOWN security-oriented website online (I tried version 1 earlier on last year, it needed work. This one is solid though, so far @ least, imo!)

(It works, & sometimes catches things FILEHIPPO UPDATE CHECKER below, won't - good "2nd Doctor's opinion" etc.)

----

FileHippo's Update Checker (checks for outdated OR apps that are known to be insecure, supplement's PSI above):

[attach=full]97[/attach]

FileHippo.com Update Checker - FileHippo.com

Decent program as well, & good to use as a supplement to the SECUNIA PSI Tool as well (from a well-known file downloads site also in filehippo).

(It works, & sometimes catches things SECUNIA PSI above, won't - good "2nd Doctor's opinion" etc.)

----

APK Registry Cleaning Engine 2002++ SR-7:

.

techPowerUp! :: Download APK Registry Cleaning Engine 2002++ SR-7

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Yes, "shameless plug" on MY part on the last one, but, it does have "security benefits"...

(& more than potentially useful forensics ones, because it shows you what files a user calls upon via its lists (it does check recently used filelists, but, will also list those files the user attempted to delete (this assumes he may have been attempting to hide them)))... it is 100% proven SAFE on all 32-bit versions of Windows (see its description & feedback by users on the download page) 9x-VISTA as well)).

APK

May 16, 2008

Add-Remove Programs (use it periodically)

USE YOUR "ADD-REMOVE" CONTROL PANEL APPLET!

This is important - as MANY 'malware/trojans' actually DO use since they realize folks do NOT regularly check this area.

IF you don't recognize a ware?

Look it up on GOOGLE (or altavista/yahoo, etc.) to find out if it is MALWARE or not, &/or IF you need it @ all (if you don't? It's "dead weight" & taking up space on your disks & slowing you down only).

APK

May 16, 2008

Securing Telnet Service, & Usergroups

SECURING THE TELNET SERVICE & USER GROUPS:

And, a Mr. Markuss Jansson on his point on TELNET service (tlntsrv.exe iirc).

How To Secure Windows 2000 / XP - Tips!

Turn Telnet NTLM logings off

-> Run: telnet.exe

--> Type (and press enter): unset ntlm

He also has more on things like "EFS" (encrypting filesystem) which I omitted, & both Mr. J.'s site & the GOVERNMENT ones I note, also cover it too (or, supplement points I made with more alternatives etc.).

APK

P.S.=> I list MORE security techniques for securing telnet, here (did this years ago circa 1997-2002, & it's cited in 2001 here @ Neowin, by searching TELNET on that page) to supplement this technique:

=================================

APK "A to Z" Internet Speedup & Security Text!

=================================

Neowin.net - Where unprofessional journalism looks better

=================================

Which goes into that point on TELNET & many others (including more speed tuneups, services cutoffs for speed + security in DETAIL & far more also to supplement this post here)... apk

May 16, 2008