I recently wrote a script that could shutdown any machine on the network provided that you had sufficient rights, this was to automate restart after multi installations of a patch. However when I ran the script, the heuristics of my anti-virus picked it up as malicious and quarantined it and I then had to restart machines using the command line. So instead of using a script, I decided that I would tell you how to run in manually.
Good old fashioned DOS, will the command line ever die?
Initial Steps
1) Press Windows Key + S.
2) Enter CMD, Right Click and click "Run As Administrator".
Shutdown a Remote Computer
Type on the command line "shutdown -s -m \\name of the computer" in the command prompt and press Enter. Replace \\name of the computer with the actual name of the remote computer you are trying to shutdown. As mentioned earlier, you must have admin rights to shut down the computer that you wish to shut down, it is fairly likely that you do have the rights if you are using a standalone computer, however those that in a domain environment and are not the domain administrator, then it is fairly likely that you do not have access.
One thing to note is that your firewall or the other computer's firewall may prevent you from remotely shutting it down.
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Top twenty hacker movies
http://netforbeginners.about.com/od/hacking101/a/hackermovies.htm
20) The Net (1995)
Sandra Bullock plays a software engineer who loses her identity to digital thieves.
Filmed during the fanatic years of the then-novel World Wide Web, this film is now cliched. Nevertheless, fans of Sandra Bullock will still enjoy watching this B movie.
19) Takedown (2000)
This is the sensationalized story of famous phone phreaker, Kevin Mitnick. This is a cult classic that is very hard to find in rental stores.
18) Pirates of Silicon Valley (1999)
This is the flawed storytelling of how Apple and Microsoft came to be. While this movie got mixed reviews, many people have commented they loved it. Three dollars at your video store, and you can decide for yourself if this was a good film.
17) The Matrix (1999)
This was such a groundbreaking adventure in reality and existentialism. No, you will not learn how to break into a Linux server by watching Trinity port-scanning with "nmap". But this movie is definitely cool, nonetheless.
16) Hackers (1995)
Well, this story was really weak, and the hacking scenes were nowhere near reality. But you have to watch this just to say you did. Plus: Angelina Jolie is reason enough for some males to rent this.
15) The Conversation (1974)
While you won't see computers in this classic film, the theme of surveillance and the violation of people's privacy is so masterfully explored here.
**Related movie: The Conversation was re-imagined as Will Smith's Enemy of the State in 2001. The 2001 treatment of the story was designed as a modern techno thriller, and has some tremendous special effects and satellite surveillance sequences. Having Gene Hackman star with Will Smith makes it worth the price of a DVD rental.
14) Antitrust (2001)
This movie has some strong points about it. Two idealistic computer whiz kids graduate from Stanford, and one of them enters the world of private sector programming. Sure enough, these two programmers find themselves in the middle of cybercrime scandals. Definitely worth renting for three bucks.
13) Real Genius (1985)
There is only about 5 minutes of actual "hacking" in this comedy, where Laslo "brute-forces" his way into the defense network, and Kent and Mitch do phone bugging. But there are laughs aplenty in this fun B movie. Definite smile factor if you like playful and quirky humor movies.
12) Mission Impossible (1996)
While many people no longer like Tom Cruise, his first MI movie did have I.T. and computer hacking sequences. Some good action, too.
11) The Thirteenth Floor(1999)
A very extreme version of "The Sims", this movie is about scientists who create a virtual world where participants plug in and take over a computer character's life. The characters are unaware of their puppet existence, but then a real life murder shakes the foundation of the game.
10) Swordfish (2001)
Over-the-top violence, preposterous situations, sexy women, and outstanding special effects make this a great popcorn rental. No, don't bring your brain to watch this, but if you like techno-thrillers, definitely rent this. John Travolta is the slimy villain, Hugh Jackman is the studly hero hacker, and Halle Berry is the mysterious damsel.
9) The Italian Job (2003)
Modern heist movies always involve some sort of hacking. This particular heist movie is extremely entertaining, especially when the supposed true inventor of "Napster" is the main hacker.
At least 20 minutes of hacking footage in this actioner. Definitely worth renting if you haven't seen it.
8) Foolproof (2003)
A lower-budget movie about hobby bank robbers, this was a delightful surprise to many viewers. Ryan Reynolds and his friends "virtually" rob banks for fun, but are blackmailed into doing a heist for real. This is a good action rental.
7) eXistenZ (1999)
A David Cronenberg film, this is the creepiest entry in the list. A game designer creates an artificial reality game that plugs directly into people's minds. The line between reality and game then blurs in a violent and gruesome way. This is very much a powerful art film, and not for everyone.
6) The Score (2001)
Edward Norton and Robert De Niro are fabulous in this heist flick. In a clever plot to rob a Montreal customs house of some royal artifacts, Norton and De Niro must break into the security systems with the help of a socially-awkward hacker who lives in his mother's basement. Ten minutes of hacking, and 100 minutes of phenomenal robbery storytelling!
5) Sneakers (1992)
While dated, this movie was groundbreaking at the time, and is still charming to this day. The story revolves around two college buddies who take different paths in life. One becomes an ethical hacker, and the other...well, he is not quite so noble. Some great plot twists and comic scenes make this a good way to spend a Saturday afternoon at home.
4) Revolution OS (2001)
This documentary tells the story about the Linux operating system, and how it forwarded the philosophy of "open source" and free intellectual property. Not an action movie, but definitely interesting for people who want to learn more about why computer culture is the way it is. If you can find a copy of this, definitely rent it.
3) Die Hard 4: Live Free or Die Hard (2007)
Leave it to Bruce Willis to save the world from uber hackers. Macintosh advertising personality, Justin Long, plays the reluctant programmer caught up in an digital terrorism scheme. Like Swordfish, this movie has over-the-top violence and outrageous action sequences, but if you liked the Die Hard series, definitely see this .
2) Wargames (1983)
Yes, this movie is very old, but it is still a pivotal film in many viewers' minds. A young man finds a back door into a military computer that is linked to the nuclear defense grid of the United States. A preposterous plot, but a compelling commentary on nuclear war and the destruction of the human race. You have to see this movie just to say you have seen it.
1) Tron (1982)
A classic! A hacker is transported into the digital universe inside a computer, and must survive combat as a cyber gladiator in order to stop the villanous Master Control. The imagination behind this movie made big ripples in the science fiction world, and today, Tron is a cult classic that every computer user should see at least once.
Sandra Bullock plays a software engineer who loses her identity to digital thieves.
This is the sensationalized story of famous phone phreaker, Kevin Mitnick. This is a cult classic that is very hard to find in rental stores.
This is the flawed storytelling of how Apple and Microsoft came to be. While this movie got mixed reviews, many people have commented they loved it. Three dollars at your video store, and you can decide for yourself if this was a good film.
This was such a groundbreaking adventure in reality and existentialism. No, you will not learn how to break into a Linux server by watching Trinity port-scanning with "nmap". But this movie is definitely cool, nonetheless.
Well, this story was really weak, and the hacking scenes were nowhere near reality. But you have to watch this just to say you did. Plus: Angelina Jolie is reason enough for some males to rent this.
While you won't see computers in this classic film, the theme of surveillance and the violation of people's privacy is so masterfully explored here.
**Related movie: The Conversation was re-imagined as Will Smith's Enemy of the State in 2001. The 2001 treatment of the story was designed as a modern techno thriller, and has some tremendous special effects and satellite surveillance sequences. Having Gene Hackman star with Will Smith makes it worth the price of a DVD rental.
This movie has some strong points about it. Two idealistic computer whiz kids graduate from Stanford, and one of them enters the world of private sector programming. Sure enough, these two programmers find themselves in the middle of cybercrime scandals. Definitely worth renting for three bucks.
13) Real Genius (1985)
While many people no longer like Tom Cruise, his first MI movie did have I.T. and computer hacking sequences. Some good action, too.
A very extreme version of "The Sims", this movie is about scientists who create a virtual world where participants plug in and take over a computer character's life. The characters are unaware of their puppet existence, but then a real life murder shakes the foundation of the game.
Over-the-top violence, preposterous situations, sexy women, and outstanding special effects make this a great popcorn rental. No, don't bring your brain to watch this, but if you like techno-thrillers, definitely rent this. John Travolta is the slimy villain, Hugh Jackman is the studly hero hacker, and Halle Berry is the mysterious damsel.
Modern heist movies always involve some sort of hacking. This particular heist movie is extremely entertaining, especially when the supposed true inventor of "Napster" is the main hacker.
A lower-budget movie about hobby bank robbers, this was a delightful surprise to many viewers. Ryan Reynolds and his friends "virtually" rob banks for fun, but are blackmailed into doing a heist for real. This is a good action rental.
A David Cronenberg film, this is the creepiest entry in the list. A game designer creates an artificial reality game that plugs directly into people's minds. The line between reality and game then blurs in a violent and gruesome way. This is very much a powerful art film, and not for everyone.
Edward Norton and Robert De Niro are fabulous in this heist flick. In a clever plot to rob a Montreal customs house of some royal artifacts, Norton and De Niro must break into the security systems with the help of a socially-awkward hacker who lives in his mother's basement. Ten minutes of hacking, and 100 minutes of phenomenal robbery storytelling!
While dated, this movie was groundbreaking at the time, and is still charming to this day. The story revolves around two college buddies who take different paths in life. One becomes an ethical hacker, and the other...well, he is not quite so noble. Some great plot twists and comic scenes make this a good way to spend a Saturday afternoon at home.
This documentary tells the story about the Linux operating system, and how it forwarded the philosophy of "open source" and free intellectual property. Not an action movie, but definitely interesting for people who want to learn more about why computer culture is the way it is. If you can find a copy of this, definitely rent it.
Leave it to Bruce Willis to save the world from uber hackers. Macintosh advertising personality, Justin Long, plays the reluctant programmer caught up in an digital terrorism scheme. Like Swordfish, this movie has over-the-top violence and outrageous action sequences, but if you liked the Die Hard series, definitely see this .
Yes, this movie is very old, but it is still a pivotal film in many viewers' minds. A young man finds a back door into a military computer that is linked to the nuclear defense grid of the United States. A preposterous plot, but a compelling commentary on nuclear war and the destruction of the human race. You have to see this movie just to say you have seen it.
A classic! A hacker is transported into the digital universe inside a computer, and must survive combat as a cyber gladiator in order to stop the villanous Master Control. The imagination behind this movie made big ripples in the science fiction world, and today, Tron is a cult classic that every computer user should see at least once.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Facebook Hacking and what to look out for
Facebook has become the new way to connect with those people you have lost contact with., it has also in turn become a way for people to steal your identity. It is a good idea to be watchful and careful who you invite and what applications you allow to access your information.
1.) They try by email:
Subject: Facebook Password Reset Confirmation
Body: Because of the measures taken to provide safety to our clients, your
password has been changed.
You can find your new password in attached document.
Thanks,
The Facebook Team
2.) They try by application:
Here is a screenshot of Facebook’s Application Privacy page, you are in Control.
1.) They try by email:
Subject: Facebook Password Reset Confirmation
Body: Because of the measures taken to provide safety to our clients, your
password has been changed.
You can find your new password in attached document.
Thanks,
The Facebook Team
2.) They try by application:
Here is a screenshot of Facebook’s Application Privacy page, you are in Control.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
More on the recycle bin virus
Referring back to my article: http://screamatthepc.info/2008/08/taming-recycle-bin-virus.html
I have noted that I did not really express how to get rid of this virus. The quickest way to do this would be to remove it from your disk in the operating system - Linux or go to http://threatinfo.trendmicro.com/vinfo/virusencyclo/default5.asp?VName=WORM_AUTORUN.CG&VSect=Sn
Ok I am guessing you didn't quite figure that one out huh? Ok if you want a sure fire way - Stick a Live boot CD of Linux into your machine, Ubuntu is a clear favourite and you can get the disk fairly cheaply from http://www.fosscds.co.za/product_info.php?products_id=589 or if you have the bandwidth, you can download it from http://ultimateedition.info/Ultimate%20Edition/ubuntu/
This virus distributes itself using your USB stick and your local hard drive - it has the uncannily ability of filling up a USB stick with whatever is in your recycle bin and then hides all the files using the windows dll files and resident memory in exlorer.exe. Most Antiviruses will detect this as I depicted in my previous article, but they are unable to get rid of the virus.
Print this out and take to a trained technician unless you are comfortable with taking out your hard drive and putting it in a machine that has Linux installed.
To the Technician: Gather all hard drives and memory sticks suspected as having the virus, connect them up in a machine that has Linux installed or where you have access to an Ubuntu Live CD - Important, please don't boot into Windows as you will then infect the host machine and will have to clean that too... Once booted into Linux, locate the windows hard drives connected, on Ubuntu these are usually displayed on the desktop, others will be located under /mnt/windows or /mnt/media. Go to the root of these drives, delete the following: autorun.inf, recycler and any bat or cmd files present excepting for autoexec.bat which is a legacy file for windows. Also delete ".recycler" and any folders that say recycler.
The Autorun.inf files and the cmd files are what makes this virus work, when you boot back into windows now the files are removed, you may get a few error messages, to get rid of these messages:
Delete any files you do not recognise (it would be wise to google and make sure) - most of the files here are a mirroring of the ones in your system tray next to the time. These files run in your memory so that they open quickly when you access them, such as your graphics tray - igfxtray and windows hot keys - hkcmd.
Stopping Autorun Viruses
DISABLE AUTORUN. This will stop a lot of viruses from spreading from one drive to the other. You can do this by opening regedit.exe and modifying the following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Policies\Explorer
There should be an entry with the name NoDriveTypeAutorun. Set it to 0x95 to disable autorun on everything but CD drives, or 0xB5 (the letter 'B', not the number '8') to disable it on all drives.
I have noted that I did not really express how to get rid of this virus. The quickest way to do this would be to remove it from your disk in the operating system - Linux or go to http://threatinfo.trendmicro.com/vinfo/virusencyclo/default5.asp?VName=WORM_AUTORUN.CG&VSect=Sn
Ok I am guessing you didn't quite figure that one out huh? Ok if you want a sure fire way - Stick a Live boot CD of Linux into your machine, Ubuntu is a clear favourite and you can get the disk fairly cheaply from http://www.fosscds.co.za/product_info.php?products_id=589 or if you have the bandwidth, you can download it from http://ultimateedition.info/Ultimate%20Edition/ubuntu/
This virus distributes itself using your USB stick and your local hard drive - it has the uncannily ability of filling up a USB stick with whatever is in your recycle bin and then hides all the files using the windows dll files and resident memory in exlorer.exe. Most Antiviruses will detect this as I depicted in my previous article, but they are unable to get rid of the virus.
Print this out and take to a trained technician unless you are comfortable with taking out your hard drive and putting it in a machine that has Linux installed.
To the Technician: Gather all hard drives and memory sticks suspected as having the virus, connect them up in a machine that has Linux installed or where you have access to an Ubuntu Live CD - Important, please don't boot into Windows as you will then infect the host machine and will have to clean that too... Once booted into Linux, locate the windows hard drives connected, on Ubuntu these are usually displayed on the desktop, others will be located under /mnt/windows or /mnt/media. Go to the root of these drives, delete the following: autorun.inf, recycler and any bat or cmd files present excepting for autoexec.bat which is a legacy file for windows. Also delete ".recycler" and any folders that say recycler.
The Autorun.inf files and the cmd files are what makes this virus work, when you boot back into windows now the files are removed, you may get a few error messages, to get rid of these messages:
- Open Registry Editor. Click Start>Run, type REGEDIT, then press Enter.
- In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Active Setup>Installed Components - In the left panel, locate and delete the key:
{08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAX5-90401C608512}
- Close Registry Editor.
Delete any files you do not recognise (it would be wise to google and make sure) - most of the files here are a mirroring of the ones in your system tray next to the time. These files run in your memory so that they open quickly when you access them, such as your graphics tray - igfxtray and windows hot keys - hkcmd.
Stopping Autorun Viruses
DISABLE AUTORUN. This will stop a lot of viruses from spreading from one drive to the other. You can do this by opening regedit.exe and modifying the following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Policies\Explorer
There should be an entry with the name NoDriveTypeAutorun. Set it to 0x95 to disable autorun on everything but CD drives, or 0xB5 (the letter 'B', not the number '8') to disable it on all drives.
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