Internet Security: How Criminals Hack Other Peoples Computers: "

For those of you that work in Information Technology and started in the last 20 years or so, chances are you were inspired by movies such as War Games, Sneakers or even Hackers. Remember that 80’s T.V. show Whiz Kids? That was cool too. I so wanted to be one of those kids.

Of course, those movies were exaggerating the power of computers or how they worked, but it was fascinating! The idea of taking control of something or figuring out how it worked by poking around and analyzing it. It was this endless world of possibilities that got us pursuing some of the most thankless jobs in the world.

So how do criminals do things like hack other people’s computers? It really doesn’t take a lot of skill at all.

Let’s assume I’m the criminal for the sake of this story. Disclaimer: I have never been charged with any crime. I do not do the things I’ll talk about here. You shouldn’t either! Do not try this at home – do it somewhere else.

The easiest way to hack someone’s computer is to get your grubby little hands on it. If I got your computer AND found that your Windows XP accounts were password protected, I would simply use a bootable password reset disk to change or remove the passwords. Then I’m in. I’m not going to tell you where to get these utilities, however, I’m sure you can use Google.

If you had Windows Vista on the disk, with it’s BitLocker technology, it would be harder to get around the protection for certain. But it can be done. I’m sure this isn’t the only method out there.

“Okay smarty-pants! You’ve gotten into my account but I have passwords on all the documents that have my important information!”

Really? First, I don’t believe you since very few people even know that they can password protect documents. Second, there’s a good chance you use the same password for all the documents. Chances are you figure that having a strong password on the Windows account is good enough, that you’ve used a pretty weak one on your documents. Any sort of password cracker using a rainbow table or dictionary attack will get through those in a matter of seconds to minutes.

What if you had set a BIOS password, so that I couldn’t even get to the operating system without knowing it? Well, that’s another step in the right direction, but, yet again, it can be done. The thing is, now I have to do a lot of work. Steal the computer, crack the BIOS password, crack your Windows protection, and crack the document protection. Since most people who steal, steal from people they know, I’ll probably know that you do these things. I’ll look for an easier target. Lazy criminal laggards!

“But Guy!” you say, “what if I do all of that but you want to get at me over the Internet?”

First off, why do you keep calling me Butt Guy? (Seriously, I NEVER get tired of that joke!) Second, um, yeah, I could do that. However, I’m less likely to try to actually hack your computer. What I’m likely to do is hack websites that you use to gather the information I need to steal your information or money. Even with some creative web searching I can get an awful lot of information on you. Seriously. Try searching on your name and aliases you use on the web. You’ll be amazed by the social profile one could build on you, to steal your identity. So, be careful about what you put out there. It’s out there, pretty much forever.

If you would like to trace someone online MakeUseOf lists a numbers of really good free tools in the post about 15 Websites to Find People On The Internet.

Let’s say that I’m going to hack right into your computer remotely. The easiest way to do this is to trick you into downloading software that will allow me to take control of your computer. This kind of software is known as a Trojan Horse. I may send you an attachment, or link, in an e-mail that, once you open it, installs the Trojan program without you knowing it. Or, I may set up a web page on a popular topic, that will attack your computer and drop the Trojan Horse onto it. Here’s a story on exactly that.

Once that Trojan is on there, I can use it to take information from you, or I might use it to set up a proxy for me to get to other computers. The nasty part of that is that it is possible for you to then be implicated in whatever crime I committed. Sure, a good lawyer would get you exonerated, but how many lawyers are good enough with computers to understand what just happened? By the time you pay for the lawyer, and dealt with the embarrassment of being charged, you’re already done in. Then I’m long gone.

So what do you do? Well, you keep your operating system updated, you keep your software updated, you keep your antivirus and firewall on and updated. You should also disconnect your computer from the Internet when you are not using. But really, who does all that?

Every computer is like a house – locks on the door, but a glass window right beside it. Just as my dad often said, “Locks only keep out honest people.”

Did you like the post? Please do share your thoughts in the comments section!

New on MakeUseOf ? Get cheat sheets and cool PDF guides @ www.makeuseof.com/makeuseof-downloads/

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"

Here is a round up of Windows 7 features, tricks and tips. I have been using Win7 now for about 2 months exclusively and can say it is by far the best version of Windows, whichis to say any Operating System, I have ever used. I think it sets the bar out in front of the Linux world and makes the appeal of a switch to Mac diminished again.

Windows 7 Illustrated: 10 Cool Desktop Features – PC World

 

Windows & Keyboard Shortcuts - PC World

Six Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts

Windows 7 adds some new keyboard shortcuts to the mix, all of them based on the Windows key. Here are my favorites:

Win-Home: Minimize all windows except the one that's currently active. Hit it again to restore the windows.

Win-Space: Makes all windows transparent so you can see through to the desktop.

Win-Up Arrow: Maximizes the active window.

Win-Left/Right Arrow: Docks the active window to the left or ride side of the screen.

Win-[+/-]: Enables the magnifier and zooms in/out.

Win-P: Opens Windows' presentation settings so you can quickly adjust display settings to include a second monitor or a projector.

Instantly Create Folders in Windows 7

Here's one straight from the What-Took-Them-So-Long Department: A keyboard shortcut for creating new folders: Ctrl-Shift-N.

I know, I'm excited too. You can use this on the desktop or in an Explorer window: Just give a tap and presto, you've got a new folder ready for renaming.

The Best Windows 7 Feature: The Taskbar – MakeUseOf

More Windows XP & Vista Shortcuts - PC World

Keyboard Shortcuts You Need to Know

Regular readers know of my love for keyboard shortcuts. And who can blame me? When I'm typing along in, say, Word or a blog tool, the last thing I want to do is reach for the mouse. Totally interrupts my workflow. (We writer types are all about the workflow.)

Of course, there are times when I need to select, copy, cut, and/or paste text--all functions that would seem to mandate a little mouse action. But no: You can accomplish all those tasks with a few simple keyboard shortcuts. These may seem old and obvious to some users, but trust me: Not everybody knows them.

These shortcuts work in just about every text editor known to humanity, from Word to WordPad to WordPress.

Ctrl-Shift-Right Arrow: Selects the word immediately to the right of the cursor.

Ctrl-Shift-Left Arrow: Selects the word immediately to the left of the cursor.

Ctrl-Home: Selects all text from the cursor's current position to the beginning of the line.

Ctrl-End: Selects all text from the cursor's current position to the end of the line.

Ctrl-C: Copies selected text to the clipboard.

Ctrl-X: Cuts (i.e. temporarily deletes) selected text and copies it to the clipboard.

Ctrl-V: Pastes whatever text has been copied to the keyboard.

Once you master these shortcuts, I guarantee you'll find yourself working much more quickly in Word and similar programs. So put down that mouse and keep your hands on the keys where they belong.

Launch Apps in a Flash With Windows-Key Shortcut (works in Vista too)

So help me, I'll always be a fan of Windows' Quick Launch toolbar. I showed you how to do endow it with a handy Windows Explorer icon, and I've also told you how to switch to big, Windows 7-style icons.

Today, one last Quick Launch tip--one that's sure to appeal to keyboard-shortcut nuts like me. Once you've enabled the Quick Launch toolbar, a single click of any icon is all to takes to launch that program. But did you know that each icon is automatically assigned a number and corresponding Windows-key shortcut?

For example, the first icon in the toolbar (the one closest to the Start button) is linked to "1." So by pressing Windows-1, you can launch that program right from your keyboard. Pressing Windows-2 is like clicking the second icon, and so on.

This tip works for icons 1 to 9. If you already have Quick Launch enabled, give it a try. If not, see either of the aforementioned tips to find out how to do so.

Please find some brief information on a few topics, most of which were discussed at the Mullies last week

How The Internet Works – I.P. Addresses

We discussed what an I.P or Internet Protocol address is and why some ISP (Internet Service Providers) might provide a static address for your connection.

I found the following article today which explains how the Internet works far better than I can/did.

Technology Explained: How The Internet Works – MakeUseOf.com

 

LiberKey Portable Apps

A portable application or program is one that can run without being ‘installed’ in the traditional manner on your computer. As the program runs without prior installation it can be carried on a portable storage device like a USB stick or portable hard drive and run on any computer. This makes the program portable and useable anywhere and also easy to back up and share. There are a good number of portable applications available as well as a number of suites and packages which gather together a number of apps.

I have been trialling the LiberKey portable apps suite and demonstrated it the other day. I quite like it as a front end to a number of small applications. The Liberkey software itself provides a sort of start menu along with an update function and the ability to switch your PC’s file associations over ( and later back) to the portable applications.

You can download any of the 3 suites but I suggest you start with the smallest ‘Basic’ suite. You can then visit their ‘All Softwares’ page to automatically add additional programs to your suite with just a click. For example portable Open Office is not included in any suite but is well worth a try and you can automatically add it to your LiberKey Suite here.

Check out the list of available programs – it is huge!

Of course all programs are free and many are in fact open source. Apart from a good Antivirus Program (see below) any Windows PC probably only needs this suite of applications provided with it to make a very useful and productive machine. Note to use the update functions you need to register at the website first – I did and have not received any spam or so on.

Antivirus – Eset Nod32

Since I have been using Windows 7 lately (the beta and now the release candidate) I have been trialling a few different Antivirus programs. Our old favourite at Mullies – AVG Free – does work with Win7 and is as good as usual – but how good is that.

Well I also tried Avira free and really liked it too. In fact I think it was better than AVG whilst being equally as low on the resource usage. If you are looking for a free Antivirus program then I think Avira is good.

 

However I have since trialled a paid program in Eset NOD32 Antivirus and have found it to be the best Antivirus and Antispyware program I have used. Again it is very light on system resources and does an excellent job. If you are prepared to spend just a few dollars then please don’t buy the bloated Norton or McAfee offerings – you will be happy with NOD32

Search For The Manual You Need With Manuals Online: "

I used to keep all my owner manuals for everything. Starting with my original Nintendo Entertainment System way back when. Now I just mail in my warranty card and chuck the manual.

No I am not a mad man or a lunatic – it is simply a different time we live in than back then. Now almost anything can be found on the internet – and Manuals Online has you covered when it comes to owner manuals and user guides.

When you arrive at the site you will see something that looks like this:

To search for a product enter its name or model number into the search field. A generic search will give you LOTS of results and a model number will usually result in one or two items. I decided to search for a DustBuster. I typed in Dustbuster and hit Search.

I got back 4 items for four different models. You can download the manual as a PDF, save it to your folder on their website (requires registration), you can also view forum discussions about your item as well.

I got a little more specific and typed in Sony Play Station 2. I got a few results and chose the model I was looking for. I was then able to preview the owner manual and eventually downloaded it. I could also ask members for help or share information about the product.

You can see below the item’s additional product literature. In this case it looks like the quick start guide but it can vary from product to product.

Upon opening the document it will display the PDF in your browser. You can also save the file by right clicking on the link and choosing “save target as”.

Alright so who’s ready to go clean out their attic/filing cabinet? Do you have another slick trick when it comes to dealing with owners manuals? If so we would love to hear about it in the comments! Now I have to get back to some old school gaming

Did you like the post? Please do share your thoughts in the comments section!

New on MakeUseOf ? Get cheat sheets and cool PDF guides @ www.makeuseof.com/makeuseof-downloads/

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"

You may recall I have touched on Twitter here on Mullies once already – see:
So what is this Twitter thing? YouTube knows.


As I described Twitter then:

It is a quick message writing service where you can publish notes that anyone can view. Kind of like a blog page but more like a 'status update'. Those who have used Facebook status updates will know what I mean.

Since that entry I have shown some of you Twitter and we discussed how many prominent people such as celebrities and sports stars are revealing information via Twitter – sometimes when they shouldn’t. As Stan said – it can be a bit like a celebrity gossip channel at times too! After all Oprah did a show about Twitter as well

Since the last post I have found an excellent source of information on Twitter for beginners. It is called the 12 days of Twitter and was write by a well respected online journo called Cali Lewis. Click on the link below to learn more about Twitter and how to use it:

12 Days of Twitter 

Oh and here is a link to Cali’s other work  - a video podcast reviewing gadgets and technology called GeekBrief.tv

You can use Twitter straight from the web at www.Twitter.com but there are lots of free programs you can use on your desktop instead.

My personal recommendation for the best way to use Twitter is Tweetdeck.
Tweetdeck can include Facebook status updates too so you can get more information in one place if you use both Twitter and Facebook like I do.Of course part of the popularity of Twitter stems from the fact you can ‘Tweet” (which means write an update to your Twitter page) from your internet enabled mobile phone. That is what makes it popular with the celebrities and the ‘cool kids’. So one of the reasons I like Tweetdeck is that they have an application I can load on my iPhone as well. If you have a capable phone there will be a program for you too – or you can just pull up the Twitter page on your internet browser.

If you do sign up to Twitter make sure to follow me  - which is like ‘add me as a friend’. My user name is Noblejoker – find me here www.Twitter.com/Noblejoker And send me a message so I can follow you in return