TTC Shelbyville – Technical Blog

Here’s a set of free forensics tools by Passmark.   Currently in beta the software is free at this time.

• OSForensics
  Find files faster
  Search within files
  Search from E-mails
  Recover deleted files
  Uncover Recent Activity
  Collect system infrmatin
  Passwrd recovery
  Verify and match files
  Find misnamed files
  Cmpare drive signatures
  Timeline viewer
  File viewer
  Binary String Extracting
  Email viewer
  Case management
  Generate reports
  Prtability
  Support

   Addition Free Tools

• OSFMount
• OSFClone
• ImageUSB

Need to create an exact duplicate of a hard drive?  OSFClone is a tool that creates an exact raw disk image of a hard drive for you.  Available in CD or USB format.

OSFClone is a free, self-booting solution which enables you to create or clone exact raw disk images quickly andindependent of the installed operating system. In addition to raw disk images, OSFClone also supports imaging drives to the open Advance Forensics Format (AFF). read more

LulzSec Signs Off, But Attacks Don’t — And Won’t — Stop – Dark Reading.

Anonymous — the group from which LuzSec spun off — late today dumped what appeared to be close to 90 stolen internal corporate network IP address blocks onto Pastebin, including those of Disney, Viacom, and Sony, as well as pilfered usernames, email addresses, and password hashes of more than 500 users. The group also warned that it will announce an even bigger hack later today.

AutoScan-Network allows you to see packets on your network and to identify hosts on your network so that you can analyze computer and traffic.   Once you find all of your devices, you can setup the intrusion alarm so that if any computer is found on your network an alarm sounds.

Installation is three parts which are automatic-

• AutoScan
• WinPcap
• GTK

Features -

 • Fast network scanner
• Automatic network discovery
• TCP/IP scanner
• Wake on lan functionality
• Multi-threaded Scanner
• Port scanner
• Low surcharge on the network
• VNC Client
• Telnet Client
• SNMP scanner
• Simultaneous subnetworks scans without human intervention
• Realtime detection of any connected equipment
• Supervision of any equipment (router, server, firewall…)
• Supervision of any network service (smtp, http, pop, …)
• Automatic detection of known operatic system (brand and version), you can also add any unknown equipment to the database
• The graphical interface can connect one or more scanner agents (local or remote)
• Scanner agents could be deployed all over the network to scan through any type of equipment (router, NAT, etc)
• Network Intruders detection (in intruders detection mode, all new equipments blacklisted)
• Complete network tree can be saved in a XML file.
• Privileged account is not required

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NetworkMiner is a forensics evidence tool to find and collect data about your network and hosts on your network.  NetworkMiner is used primarily by incident response teams as well as law enforcement to collect information about hosts and information is listed under several tabs that supply information.

The K Computer at the RIKEN Advanced Institute for Computational Science is the world’s most powerful supercomputer today. more… 

via Share This on author’s site

If you are looking for an economical solution the 2.4 Ghz Spectrum Analyzer by  Ubiquiti  is an excellent buy and is around $64 with an external antenna (AirView software is free)  My recent purchase for our class (personal purchase) is an excellent production and teaching tool.

A Spectrum Analyzer normally cost several hundred dollars.  This solution is an excellent solution for viewing the distribution of RF energy in the 2.4GHz band.   By viewing the analyzer, you can determine which channel has the least interference and select an appropriate channel for maximum performance.

See How it works- Link

Product Information

You must purchase the hardware in order to use the software.

If you want to analyze wireless channels and get a view of available wireless networks and quality of signal strength, use NetSurveyor, inSSIDer, Xirrus, or other survey software.

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Excellent Product for the money.
 

Finding any tweak in the registry is sometimes tricky and can have adverse outcomes.  We feel this is a good tweak. 

Optimize the Windows Server Service (Windows XP, Vista,  and Server 2000, 2003)

Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, named “Size”.

Change the value to 1 for memory
Change the value to 2 for balanced
Change the value to 3 for network throughput

Exit the registry

Reboot your computer

Note:  When logging into router command you must enabled telnet on the router and although you login in as administrator or admin in the webgui, you may need to log in as root as the user.  (This is the case with DD-WRT).  Also remember it will take up to two minutes to gather data and the program will hesitate when going to things such as the connection wizard or other options.  This does NOT mean the program is not working.  Be Patient.

This data took a few minutes to update.  Once it started, it runs very smooth.

Want to manage your router graphically (Excellent graphics to show connections and other information) and see how much memory and bandwidth it is using?  Router Commander allows you to troubleshoot and tweak your router.

• Performance Graphs
• Connections
• SysLog
• Bandwidth
• Access
• Port Forwarding
• IP Settings
• DSL Settings
• Wireless

Note:  You may need to open the Programs and features –  Turn Features on and off – enable Telnet in Windows 7 in order to communicate with your router with router commander.

Router Commander also offers SSH connection for secure communications with your router.

Get the most out of your router with DD-WRT.  DD-WRT is a firmware upgrade that turns your cheap router into an expensive router with hundreds of options.

Want to tweak Windows 7 discover hidden settings and clean it thoroughly for optimal performance?  TweakNow is loaded full of settings that covers Windows 7′s tweaks.

• Clean Windows 7′s temp files
• Clean applications and internet browsers
• Tweak Application settings
• Control what is shown in the Control Panel
• Create Virtual Desktops
• Tweak Network and Internet Settings
• Set an OEM logo and support information
• Control the Start Menu
• Tweak Windows Core Settings along with Windows Explorer
• Change special folder locations
• Windows Cleaner includes – Disk Cleaner, Disk Usage Analyzer, Registry Defragmenter, Registry Cleaner, Secure Delete, Startup Manager, Tracks Cleaner and an Excellent uninstaller
• System Information
• Process Manager
• RAM Optimizer
• Auto Shutdown
• dozens of other tweaks!

TweakNow PowerPack is a fully-integrated suite of utilities that let you fine-tune every aspect of your computer’s operating system and Web browser. The Registry Cleaner module provides you with a safe and simple way to clean Windows Registry. To keep your computer always at top performance, we recommend to clean your registry at least once a month. For Windows tweaking lovers, the suite provides more than 100 hidden Windows settings in the Windows Secret section. Using modules included in this section, you can easily customize your Windows like geeks do. The Virtual Desktop module lets you run as many as four custom-designed desktop configurations simultaneously, allowing you to tailor your computer screen to your mood and your work requirements.  Last but not least, the suite also gives you a complete picture of all aspects of your computer’s hardware, including detailed information about your motherboard, processor, video card, memory, hard disk and network.  More

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Several years ago I wrote an article titled the same as this article.  I love teaching information technology.  But there are days I wonder if I can keep up.   Help desk personnel and junior administrators have to be well rounded and are truly as knowledgeable as IT managers of yesterday.

Regardless if you are an Apple, Linux or Microsoft fan, the amount of data coming at you today is overwhelming.   The viral growth of technology is immeasurable.  Less than ten years ago, you could teach computer basics, computer repair and upgrade, basic networking, basic security and cover laptops and you would cover the information needed to start an IT career.

In this day and age, you have to teach mobile devices, all of the above in great detail, accept that there is the growth of new devices and technology that cannot be measured – and you must cover the fact that there is no true convergence of technology.   Being a technical school, it is our job to turn out IT professionals with the maximum amount of knowledge in information technology in a balanced amount of time.

So what does a typical help desk employee need to know how to repair in today’s professional environment?

• Mobile Computing (Phones, tablets, netbooks, laptops and other devices) -Not just mobile computing – a well rounded knowledge of Windows Phones, Basic Phones, Android and iPhones.  How to configure these devices, secure, recover these devices, backup, deploy, track, maintain, sync with cloud computing, local computing and how to select secure apps that meet enterprise level needs.    With the hundreds of thousands of apps, IT personnel have to help evaluate and make sure they are secure and meet the needs of end users.
• Desktop Support – Desktop support includes the maintenance of all operating systems, awareness of Linux, Apple, and Windows.   Although these computers may be decreasing in sales, help desk personnel need to be aware of how to support these devices.   Support for PCs is not the generic support of two years ago.  Techs will have to support OpenSource, main stream, and cross platform applications.   With the thousands of configurations available for computers today and the society of mobile workers we are creating; security is more important than ever.   The amount of accessories and configurations is endless.
• Server Support –  Today the basic file server is a tiny portion of what your help desk support team needs to have a working knowledge of.   With data servers, application servers, DHCP, DNS, NAP, Firewall, and the plethora of other servers that are available, your server administrators have their work cut out for them and your help desk staff have to be well educated with the correlation and importance of these servers and how these servers are meshed into the complex networking makeup of enterprise systems today.
• Networking and Wireless Technology – It’s not just about making wireless available today for laptops but it merges into bandwidth and the needs of mobile computing.  Today the needs assessment falls into the mobile devices and the extreme need for tons of bandwidth.  If your company has several hundred employees, you may need to look at the need (bandwidth) for three or more devices per employee.   By adding these devices (mobile) to your network, your needs could triple or quadruple because of the need for collaboration with other users and to the cloud.   Wireless today covers TVs, DVDs, projectors, mobile devices, netbooks, laptops, desktops,  NAS systems and hundreds of other devices.   Networking is more complex than ever.  With virtualization used in industry, even the new IT professional needs an understanding of this technology and how it integrates into their organization.
• Security – Typical help desk personnel today don’t just reset passwords.  They have to understand the need to protect mobile devices, understand encryption, remote computing, hardware firewalls, policies, laws, disposal of equipment, websites, viruses, malware and hundreds of other devices, services and topics.
• Cloud Computing – Here’s a mystery.  As the cloud forms, the storms brew on how the cloud will be used and which type of cloud is right for your company.   With the dozens of options available, security, use and controlling the cloud are becoming the problems and solutions IT personnel need to be able aware of.

Restart the computer.
Press F8 during the startup prior to the logo splash scrren.
Select Directory Services Restore Mode, and press ENTER.
Click Start, and click Run.
In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
Locate the following registry subkeys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock2
Right-click each key, and then click Delete.
Click Yes to confirm the deletion of each key.
Close Regedit.
Locate the Nettcpip.inf file in %winroot%\inf, and then open the file in Notepad or another text editor.
Locate the [MS_TCPIP.PrimaryInstall] section.
Edit the Characteristics = 0xa0 entry and replace with 0×80.
Save the file, and exit your program
In Control Panel, double-click Network Connections, right-click Local Area Connection, and then select Properties.
On the General tab, click Install, select Protocol, and click Add.
In the Select Network Protocols window, click Have Disk.
In the Copy manufacturer’s files from: text box, type c:\windows\inf, and then click OK.
Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and then click OK.
(Note This step will return you to the Local Area Connection) Properties screen, but now the Uninstall button is available.)
Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), click Uninstall, and click Yes.
Restart your computer, and select Directory Services Restore Mode as mentioned above.
In Control Panel, double-click Network Connections, right-click Local Area Connection, and select Properties.
On the General tab, click Install, select Protocol, and click Add.
In the Select Network Protocols window, click Have Disk.
In the Copy Manufacturer’s files from text box, type c:\windows\inf, and click OK.
Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and click OK.
Restart your computer.

Security Careers: 10 Reasons Why Security Professionals Get Hired – Dark Reading.

But credentials are only part of what makes a good information security pro. Too often, information security professionals are seen by our colleagues in other areas of IT management not as partners, but as “Dr. No” who puts the kibosh on new projects and business initiatives because of security concerns. This is no longer an acceptable stance in most companies. Today’s security pro must be able to work with business units to safely achieve their goals.  Read More

New Nationwide Breach Law Could Force Data-Centric Security Push – Dark Reading.

The surge in high-impact data breaches in the first half of 2011 — and its resulting attention from consumers –is increasing the pressure on federal lawmakers and regulators to introduce nationwide data breach disclosure and protection laws.

AutoCAD 2012: 26th Time’s the Charm – Messaging and Collaboration – News & Reviews – eWeek.com.

AUTODESK FINDS MORE TO ADD TO THE GOLD STANDARD OF CAD, MAKING COLLABORATION EASIER THAN EVER.

Buying MacBook Air Over Apple iPad 2: 10 Reasons Why – Mobile and Wireless – News & Reviews – eWeek.com.

NEWS ANALYSIS: APPLE’S MACBOOK AIR MIGHT NOT DELIVER TABLET FUNCTIONALITY. BUT IT’S A BETTER OVERALL CHOICE THAN THE IPAD FOR BUSINESS ROAD WARRIORS AS WELL AS CONSUMERS, ESPECIALLY WITH MAC OS X LION LOOMING.  Read more….

Tech Paul recently wrote an article on the changing world of computers.   His article gives insight on the new technology we face with the synchronization of our mobile devices and computers.   Great article.

Paul’s Home Computing Blog is in the process of writing articles in a multi-part series on cyber security.  Paul does and excellent job covering many areas in computer security.
1: Text-Message Malware

2: Hacking Into Smart Grids

3: Social Network Account Spoofing

4: Cyber Stalking
Look for the two more  upcoming articles in the series-

- hackers controlling your car

- GPS jamming and spoofing.

The Department of Commerce’s Internet Policy Task Force released a proposal Wednesday calling for a voluntary code of conduct for companies that do business online.

The Report, titled Cybersecurity, Innovation and the Internet Economy, calls for a private-public partnership to promote best security practices and implement existing security methods into companies that are, for whatever reason, lagging in their IT security efforts.   Read More…
(Shared from website)

Here’s a place you can share files instantly by dragging your files to your browser.

Easy.  No sign in is required but Twitter can be used to sign in to see your files.

Fyels allows you drag files up to 9gb in size to easily share any file you want.   (The files uploaded in this demo are basic files that are NOT sensitive.)