Ahsun Taquveem Chohan » vista http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com The Blog for computer scientists Sat, 04 Dec 2010 08:47:33 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 Microsoft Responded To Sophos Windows 7 Vulnerability Claim … http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/11/08/microsoft-responded-to-sophos-windows-7-vulnerability-claim/ http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/11/08/microsoft-responded-to-sophos-windows-7-vulnerability-claim/#comments Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:25:37 +0000 Ahsun Taquveem Chohan http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/?p=2931 Paul Cooke at Microsoft now responded on The windows security blog. He first agreed that. users of any computer, on any platform, should run anti-virus software, including those running windows 7

Read more:
Microsoft Responded To Sophos Windows 7 Vulnerability Claim …

]]> http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/11/08/microsoft-responded-to-sophos-windows-7-vulnerability-claim/feed/ 0 It’s time to get rid of Windows – Computerworld Blogs http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/08/11/its-time-to-get-rid-of-windows-computerworld-blogs/ http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/08/11/its-time-to-get-rid-of-windows-computerworld-blogs/#comments Tue, 11 Aug 2009 05:59:14 +0000 Ahsun Taquveem Chohan http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/?p=1111 Anyone who knows anything about security knows that this kind of disaster was only a matter of time. Windows botnets are responsible for DDoS attacks and most of e-mail spam. You cannot secure Windows .

Continued here:
It’s time to get rid of Windows – Computerworld Blogs

]]> http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/08/11/its-time-to-get-rid-of-windows-computerworld-blogs/feed/ 0 Window Registry Tweaks http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/08/11/window-registry-tweaks/ http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/08/11/window-registry-tweaks/#comments Tue, 11 Aug 2009 05:05:55 +0000 Ahsun Taquveem Chohan http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/08/11/window-registry-tweaks/ REGISTRY EDITINGS
To open Windows Registry:
1. Click Start and Run
2. type "regedit" (without quotes)

 

Configure Remote Access Client Account Lockout (Windows 2000/XP)
Configure Remote Access Client Account Lockout (Windows 2000/XP) You can use the remote access account lockout feature to specify how many times a remote access authentication has to fail against a valid user account before the user is denied access. Use this tweak to set the number of failed logins before the account is locked-out and the time before the lockout is reset. 


 

 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\RemoteAccess\Parameters\AccountLockout


Disable the Ability to Right Click on the Desktop (All Windows)

This tweak removes the context menu that would normally appear when the user right clicks on the desktop or in the Explorer right results pane.

Open your registry and find or create the key below. Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called "NoViewContextMenu" and set it according to the value data below.

Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.


 

User Key: [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]System Key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]Value Name: NoViewContextMenuData Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)Value Data: (0 = disabled, 1 = enabled


[u]Enabling DVD Functionality in Media Player:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Player\Settings. Value Name: EnableDVDUI, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: yes or no. Create a new string value called "EnableDVDUI" and set it to "yes" to enable DVD functionality.


How to Increase Shutdown Time For Services To Close Properly:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control. On the Edit menu, click Add Value. Value Name: WaitToKillServiceTimeout, Data Type: REG_SZ , String: In milli-seconds; default is 20,000. Ok/Exit/Reboot.


Speed Up Menu Display:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop In the right pane select, "MenuShowDelay". Right click, modify and set the value to 100. Reboot.


Speed Up Browsing (Windows Explorer and IE):

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RemoteComputer\NameSpace In the left pane find: {D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF} Value and delete it.

Activate Clear Type on the Welcome Screen:

HKEY_USERS/.DEFAULT/Control Panel/Desktop. In the right pane, right click "FontSmoothingType", modify, change the value to 2.

Change the Text in Internet Explorers Title Bar:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main. In the right pane, change the value of the string, "WindowTitle".

How to Change Name and Company Information After You Install Win XP:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion In the right pane, double-click RegisteredOrganization. Under "Value data", type the name that you want, and then click OK. To change the name of the registered owner, do the following: In the right pane, double-click RegisteredOwner. Under "Value data", type the name that you want, and then click OK/Exit.

Get Rid of the "Links" Folder in Favorites:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar. Set the String value of "LinksFolderName" to equal a blank string. Open IE and delete the Links folder from the Favorites menu. The next time you start Internet Explorer the Links folder will not be recreated.

Run Explorer Full Screen

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Console. In the right pane find FullScreen and modify the value to 1. Then go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\InternetExplorer\Main. In the right pane find FullScreen and modify the value to yes. Exit/Reboot.

Configure Internet Downloads:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings. To increase the number of simultaneous connections that are allowed to 10, follow these steps: On the Edit menu, click Add Value , and then add the following registry values: "MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server"=Dword:0000000a "MaxConnectionsPerServer"=Dword:0000000a.

Disable Crash Control Auto Reboot:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CrashControl In the right pane, "AutoReboot" set the Value to 1. To disable set the value back to 0.

Disable Run Commands Specified in the Registry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Explorer. Value Name: DisableLocalMachineRun, DisableLocalMachineRunOnce, DisableCurrentUserRun, DisableCurrentUserRunOnce. Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: (0 = enable run, 1 = disable run). Create a new DWORD value for each of the optional values above depending on which Run function to stop and set the value to "1" to disable. Restart Windows for change to take effect.

Disable Low Disk Space Message:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer. Create or modify: NoLowDiskSpaceChecks REG_DWORD and set the value to 1. Logoff/Reboot.

Disable/Turn Off System Beeps:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Sound In the right pane, right click "Beeps", modify, set the value to no. Exit, reboot.

]]> http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/08/11/window-registry-tweaks/feed/ 0 How to protect your computer from usb/flash drives viruses http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/26/how-to-protect-your-computer-from-usbflash-drives-viruses/ http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/26/how-to-protect-your-computer-from-usbflash-drives-viruses/#comments Sat, 25 Apr 2009 20:05:06 +0000 Ahsun Taquveem Chohan http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/26/how-to-protect-your-computer-from-usbflash-drives-viruses/ There are many ways to protect your computer against usb/flash viruses.

1.Don’t use usb/flash drives

If you will not use any usb/flash drive then there is no chance you will get usb/flash drive viruses.

2.Turn of auto play

You can do this by going to Run and type “gpedit.msc” (In windows vista press start menu + R to goto run), then press enter. Now goto

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System

There you will see Turn off autoplay, double click on it and Enable it and select All drives

3.Always right click on usb/flash drive to open it.

Usb viruses executes when you double click on it, it run autorun.inf file hidden in usb, which executes the virus. So if you will never double click on the usb , there is no chance that you will get a virus.

4. Use script before accessing to usb/flash drive

I’ve created this script, which will delete autorun.inf file from your usb drive automatically, so if you will run this script, there is almost 95% chance that you will not get virus in your system.

Create a new file using notepad or any text editor and paste following code in it

@echo off
c:
cd \
attrib -h -r -s *.*
attrib -h -r -s *
del autorun.inf

d:
attrib -h -r -s *.*
attrib -h -r -s *
del autorun.inf

e:
attrib -h -r -s *.*
attrib -h -r -s *
del autorun.inf

f:
attrib -h -r -s *.*
attrib -h -r -s *
del autorun.inf

g:
attrib -h -r -s *.*
attrib -h -r -s *
del autorun.inf

h:
attrib -h -r -s *.*
attrib -h -r -s *
del autorun.inf

i:
attrib -h -r -s *.*
attrib -h -r -s *
del autorun.inf

j:
attrib -h -r -s *.*
attrib -h -r -s *
del autorun.inf

k:
attrib -h -r -s *.*
attrib -h -r -s *
del autorun.inf

l:
attrib -h -r -s *.*
attrib -h -r -s *
del autorun.inf

m:
attrib -h -r -s *.*
attrib -h -r -s *
del autorun.inf

n:
attrib -h -r -s *.*
attrib -h -r -s *
del autorun.inf

o:
attrib -h -r -s *.*
attrib -h -r -s *
del autorun.inf

p:
attrib -h -r -s *.*
attrib -h -r -s *
del autorun.inf

q:
attrib -h -r -s *.*
attrib -h -r -s *
del autorun.inf

r:
attrib -h -r -s *.*
attrib -h -r -s *
del autorun.inf

s:
attrib -h -r -s *.*
attrib -h -r -s *
del autorun.inf

t:
attrib -h -r -s *.*
attrib -h -r -s *
del autorun.inf

u:
attrib -h -r -s *.*
attrib -h -r -s *
del autorun.inf

v:
attrib -h -r -s *.*
attrib -h -r -s *
del autorun.inf

w:
attrib -h -r -s *.*
attrib -h -r -s *
del autorun.inf

x:
attrib -h -r -s *.*
attrib -h -r -s *
del autorun.inf

y:
attrib -h -r -s *.*
attrib -h -r -s *
del autorun.inf

z:
attrib -h -r -s *.*
attrib -h -r -s *
del autorun.inf

then save file to “C:\windows\system32\”  as “usbvirusremove.bat” . After saving this file as “usbvirusremove.bat” close the opened code and then whenever you have to use usb, you just have to insert usb, run this file by going to run and type “usbvirusremove.bat” and then it will automatically remove all the autorin.inf files in it

]]> http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/26/how-to-protect-your-computer-from-usbflash-drives-viruses/feed/ 3 How to change your MAC address http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/26/how-to-change-your-mac-address/ http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/26/how-to-change-your-mac-address/#comments Sat, 25 Apr 2009 19:29:41 +0000 Ahsun Taquveem Chohan http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/26/how-to-change-your-mac-address/ First of all , question is what is MAC address?

Mac address or media access control address, is a unique identifier assigned to most network adapters or network interface cards (NICs) by the manufacturer for identification. If assigned by the manufacturer, a MAC address usually encodes the manufacturer’s registered identification number. This is also known as physical address.

Now how to change MAC address?
image

Step1
Right click local area network choose support tab choose details.
Make a note of the Physical Address..
00-00-00-00-00-00..
The above is an example MAC address

image

Step 2
Goto local area connection again so right click properties in the general tab choose properties then  click configure.

image

Step 3
Choose advanced tab from the property list select Network Address on the right side it will be set to not present choose the one above and enter your own Mac Address…
Go back to the details box after to see if your MAC changed and that your connected online ok.
That’s it!
When specify your own Mac

First try with dashes, for example

00-00-00-00-00-00

if this doesn’t work then try without dashes, for example
000000000000

]]> http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/26/how-to-change-your-mac-address/feed/ 0 Few Important security tips http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/10/few-important-security-tips/ http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/10/few-important-security-tips/#comments Fri, 10 Apr 2009 12:56:40 +0000 Ahsun Taquveem Chohan http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/10/few-important-security-tips/ The openness of the Internet has dramatically transformed global communications, making it easy for people around the world to exchange information. But the very same openness also creates an enormous problem. Anyone can access the network, yet not everyone has good intentions.
Some engage in malicious mischief by unleashing destructive software programs, while others view hacking computer networks as sport. Then there are people with criminal goals in mind.
To avoid becoming a victim of misguided pranksters or cyber-crime, take the time to examine the security of your personal data. Here are our recommendations, along with links to more detailed information:
1. Use anti-virus software:
Viruses spread rapidly and can damage or destroy your computer. New ones appear almost daily. It’s critical that you install and update anti-virus software regularly. Use the program to scan all the files on your system once a week, deleting the infected ones. I use avg free edition, you can get it from http://free.avg.com
2. Beware of e-mail attachments:

A virus can hide in an attachment. Opening it will unleash the virus. Don’t open an attachment from anyone you don’t know. Even if you do know the sender, an infected attachment may have been surreptitiously sent from an infected machine. The safest thing to do is to scan the attachment with anti-virus software before you open it.
3. Install a firewall on your computer:
A firewall is a software program that blocks unauthorized access to your computer. This is particularly important if you have a broadband connection, such as DSL or a cable modem. Windows XP & Vista has a built-in firewall, so make sure it’s activated if you use that operating system. If not, we recommend ZoneAlarm. You can download it for free for personal use from Zone Labs.
Or better to use open source software “Comodo Firewall”.
4. Protect your passwords:
Many online services, such as banking, brokerage and e-mail require the use of passwords. A secure password is the first line of defense against cyber-snoops. Use a different password for each account, don’t divulge them to anyone and change them periodically.
5. Update security patches for your operating system and web browser:
You’ve probably read about security “holes” that turn up periodically. Once they are discovered, you can download fixes. For Windows users, an easy way to update your system is click on the Windows Update option under the Start menu.
6. Back up your data:
Make copies of your files in case they become corrupted, your system fails or your computer is damaged or stolen. Get in the habit of doing this regularly, at least once a week.
7. Log offline when you are done for the day:
You are most vulnerable when connected to the Net. If there isn’t a good reason to remain online, disconnect from the network.
8.Use some of the third party encryptions softwares:
True crypt is the better tool to encrypt your files ,folders ,entire hard disk and your USB too….
Download and install it form www.truecrypt.org/
Follow these tips and you will enhance your personal security and the health of your PC.

]]> http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/10/few-important-security-tips/feed/ 1 How To Block Access to certain websites Just With Windows http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/10/how-to-block-access-to-certain-websites-just-with-windows/ http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/10/how-to-block-access-to-certain-websites-just-with-windows/#comments Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:39:06 +0000 Ahsun Taquveem Chohan http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/10/how-to-block-access-to-certain-websites-just-with-windows/ You can easily and effectively block access to a website by adding it to your Windows HOSTS file. Without any software. Doesn’t matter what browser that you use.
1.Go to your HOSTS file which is located at:
C:WINDOWSSYSTEM32DRIVERSETC for windows Vista and XP
C:WINNTSYSTEM32DRIVERSETC for Windows 2k
C:WINDOWS for Windows 98 and ME

2. Open HOSTS with Notepad.
The default Windows HOSTS looks like this:
______________________
# Copyright © 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a “#” symbol.
#
# For example:
#
# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server
# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host
#
127.0.0.1 localhost
_____________________________
3. Directly under the line that says 127.0.0.1 Localhost, you will want to type:
127.0.0.1 name of the URL you want to block
For example to block the MySpace.com homepage (highly recommended!), simply type:
127.0.0.1 myspace.com
127.0.0.1 www.myspace.com
Other parts of MySpace could be blocked in a similar way:
127.0.0.1 search.myspace.com
127.0.0.1 profile.myspace.com
etc etc etc…
You may need to add sites with both with and without the “www.”. Test after blocking to make sure you got it right.
You can add as many sites as you wish to block in this fashion. I, myself, have over 12000 undesireable and dangerous sites in my personal HOSTS file!
4. Close Notepad and answer “Yes” when prompted.
5. Reboot your computer and attempt to access your now blocked website. You should see a Cannot find server or DNS Error saying: “The page cannot be displayed”.

]]> http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/10/how-to-block-access-to-certain-websites-just-with-windows/feed/ 1 IIS 7.0 can be installed on XP or not ? http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/06/iis-70-can-be-installed-on-xp-or-not/ http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/06/iis-70-can-be-installed-on-xp-or-not/#comments Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:20:00 +0000 Ahsun Taquveem Chohan http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/06/iis-70-can-be-installed-on-xp-or-not/ I found that many people were thinking regarding IIS 7.0 installation on XP. To answer this question I did few searches and found out that IIS 7.0 is only for Vista+ or Windows Server 2008+ .

Here is the source

http://forums.iis.net/p/1156627/1899483.aspx

So answer to above question is , IIS 7.0 can not be installed on XP :-)

If you want to use IIS 7.0 on XP then you can do it by downloading latest virtual server build which is available for free on the internet and then install vista on it.

Then install IIS on vista and enjoy IIS 7.0 but make sure your computer can run XP and VISTA, both at the same time.

]]> http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/06/iis-70-can-be-installed-on-xp-or-not/feed/ 3 Problem in IIS 7.0 during publishing of ASP.NET web application built on framework 3.5 http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/02/problem-in-iis-70-during-publishing-of-aspnet-web-application-built-on-framework-35/ http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/02/problem-in-iis-70-during-publishing-of-aspnet-web-application-built-on-framework-35/#comments Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:36:00 +0000 Ahsun Taquveem Chohan http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/02/problem-in-iis-70-during-publishing-of-aspnet-web-application-built-on-framework-35/ There were two errors which I faced

  1. HTTP Error 500.19 – Internal Server Error  0×80070021
  2. HTTP Error 404.3 – Not Found  0×80070032

How to remove HTTP Error 500.19 – Internal Server Error?

Error Code 0×80070021

This error occurs when IIS is not installed completely i.e. You’ve install IIS but asp.net isn’t installed and by default asp.net doesn’t install automatically so you have to install asp.net.

I’ve windows vista so I went to control panel > Program and Features > Turn Windows features on or off

There I selected IIS and asp.net as shown below

image

After pressing ok , You hopefully will not get this error again, but if you do simply goto run or press WINDOW KEY + R and type

%windir%system32inetsrvappcmd unlock config -section:system.webServer/handlers

Now this error was removed but HTTP Error 404.3 – Not Found was still there.

How to remove HTTP Error 404.3 – Not Found?

Error Code: 0×80070032

If you get this error, the only solution is to reinstall IIS. This error will be removed.

I hope my experience will be helpful for most of the people. :-)

]]> http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/02/problem-in-iis-70-during-publishing-of-aspnet-web-application-built-on-framework-35/feed/ 2 Vista has speech recognition hole http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/01/vista-has-speech-recognition-hole/ http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/01/vista-has-speech-recognition-hole/#comments Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:39:18 +0000 Ahsun Taquveem Chohan http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/?p=3 Microsoft has admitted that speech recognition features in Vista could be hijacked so that a PC tells itself to delete files or folders.

Vista can respond to vocal commands and concern has been raised about malicious audio on websites or sent via e-mail.

In one scenario outlined by users an MP3 file of voice instructions was used to tell the PC to delete documents.

Microsoft said the exploit was “technically possible” but there was no need to worry.

The firm has pointed out that in order for the flaw to be exploited the speech recognition feature would need to be activated and configured and both microphone and speakers would have to be switched on.

“ There are also additional barriers that would make an attack difficult ”
Microsoft security researcher

“The exploit scenario would involve the speech recognition feature picking up commands through the microphone such as ‘copy’, ‘delete’, ‘shutdown’, etc. and acting on them,” a Microsoft security researcher wrote on the team’s official blog.

Some Vista users have already tested the exploit and were able to delete files and empty the trash can so that the documents were not retrievable.

Microsoft has said that even if the machine was primed to accept voice commands it would be unlikely the user would not be in the room to hear the file with malicious instructions being played.

The firm also said that voice commands could not be used for privileged functions such as creating a new user or formatting a drive.

“There are also additional barriers that would make an attack difficult including speaker and microphone placement, microphone feedback, and the clarity of the dictation,” wrote the Microsoft researcher.

While speech recognition was a feature of Windows XP, in Vista the use has been widened.

“While we are taking the reports seriously and investigating them accordingly I am confident in saying that there is little if any need to worry about the effects of this issue on your new Windows Vista installation,” said the researcher.

]]> http://ahsun.xenoglaux-solutions.com/2009/04/01/vista-has-speech-recognition-hole/feed/ 0