Managing Security using UAC on Windows 7 Home Editions

This post demonstrates how to manage Security Levels on Windows 7 Home Editions.

Only Windows 7 Professional and above editions have a front end secpol.msc to manage local security policies.

For Windows 7 Home Edition you can manage the security policies by manually changing the registry values.

The registry location is shown in the picture below.

The corresponding security levels is as describe below:

Key:

_______________________________________________________________

ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin (Affects account created as Administrators)

Value - Mode 
0 - Elevate Without Prompting (No Security) NOT RECOMMENDED
1 - Prompt for Credentials on the secure desktop (Most Secure) RECOMMENDED
2 - Prompt for Consent on secure desktop (Default Setting)
3 - Prompt for Credentials
4 - Prompt for Consent
5 - Prompt for Consent for non-Windows Binaries

_______________________________________________________________

Key:
_______________________________________________________________

ConsentPromptBehaviorUser (Affects account created as Users)

Value - Mode 
0 - Elevate Without Prompting (No Security) NOT RECOMMENDED
1 - Prompt for Credentials on the secure desktop (Most Secure) RECOMMENDED
2 - Prompt for Consent on secure desktop (Default Setting)
3 - Prompt for Credentials
4 - Prompt for Consent
5 - Prompt for Consent for non-Windows Binaries

 ______________________________________________________________


On Windows 7 Home Editions the default allows users created with admin rights to mindlessly run executables causing headaches for administrators.

This also prevents people who "borrow" your computers with Windows 7 Home Editions from messing with it by locking down security.

You can lock down the security by changing the corresponding registry values hope you guys find this is useful.

By default Windows Administrative Share is enabled on all versions.
However on Home Premium Versions Administrative Backend is disabled but this is a security risk on Linux System you can actually see the administrative shares. It appears as C$ depending on the partitions present.
You can actually access the system disk if you have the administrative password!

To fix this problem do the following:
Type 'REGEDIT', hit Enter

Navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
Create the new DWORD (32-bit) Value and in the name field type: LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy
Leave the default value of 0.
or
Navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanManServer\Parameters

Create the new DWORD (32-bit) Value and in the name field type: AutoShareWks and press Enter. (You can also leave this setting with its default value of 0.)

Reboot your PC.

OpenSUSE 11.4

For those who use Linux you might know that OpenSUSE 11.4 has just released.

I will be doing a short write up on this but unlike many "review" sites I will not just run a LiveCD and do a review just based on the Live CD.

Rather I have completed a Full Setup of the OpenSUSE on my laptop running it natively and complete for usage. Doing a Review based on a Live CD or on VM is like reviewing a book just by reading the first page.

1)Downloading the Distribution

To install OpenSUSE you do not need to download the Full DVDs, simply download the Live CD about 700MB and either a)Burn it to CD and boot from it or b)Create a Bootable Thumbdrive by using the provided Tool SUSE Studio Image Writer and image the LiveCD to Thumbdrive.

Most of the time OpenSUSE will boot successfully without any issue unless you have some exotic hardware or OEM implementations.

2)Installation
Installing to harddisk is pretty standard just remember to uncheck the UTC if your computer is set to local time and adjust the boot entries accordingly.

3)Setup up the Repository

OpenSUSE has made setting it up very easy.
Simply go to YaST, select Software Repositories,
Choose add, Choose Community Repository  and simply check the Repository you need.
For those who are using Nvidia Graphics you need to add Nvidia Repository to the list.
You might want to add Packman to increase the number of package options.
You might want to add VLC as well.

4)Installing the Software

Next you want to pull down the software from the Repositories
Go to YaST, Software Manager and type in the name of the Packages you want.
This is where it shines unlike Fedora finding the package is like googling for the package.
For users of Nvidia Graphics you need the nvidia-gfx02-kmp-desktop (Desktop refers to laptops and desktop) and vdpau (for video acceleration).
If you want VLC and other additional software just select them accordingly.
I will just list some of the more useful packages

1. java (jre)
2. flash plugin for x86 OpenSUSE
(if you are using x86_64 OpenSUSE I do not recommend install the x86 flash plugin instead get the square native 64bit plugin, copy it to the plugin folder /usr/lib64/browser-plugins with root permission, this way it pulls in less unnecessary packages and it is less buggy compared to the native x86 plugins)
3. chromium (cutting edge release of google chrome)
4. vlc
5. freetype font
6. fetchmsttfonts (pulls in Microsoft Fonts useful for document interoperability)
7. skype (follow the instructions here you need additional libraries for it to work)
8. cairo-dock & cairo-dock-plugins (from Packman)
9. Droid Fonts
10. Add the font hinting Repository (Guide here ) Highly Recommended!

Finally when you have 3D acceleration you can enable desktop compiz effects. The effects are similar to Windows 7 behavior.

9) To modified any file as root while running under Xserver you run the commands like this:

gnomesu gedit /etc/bootsplash/themes/openSUSE/config/bootsplash-1366x768.cfg

Basically I find that this is a pretty good release, it is very responsive, and OpenSUSE chose to exclude a lot of unnecessary drivers, however on the 64bit Live CD they omitted the dependency gnome-audio just remember to pull it from the repo if it is not there. The operating system is very smooth as a whole, compared to Fedora it has definitely less breakages as it aims to be a stable and up-to-date distribution.

I am so stucked on OpenSUSE, I find I am booting up Windows much less than ever ( I don't play games btw)

I also modified the Sonar Theme with the Faenza Theme (Original Source) Monochrome icons.

I have put it up for sharing here.

Workaround for 1360x768 resolution bootsplash:
When you set the vga_mode to 0x34c for 1360x768 resolution the bootsplash will not display a progress bar. This is due to only 1366x768 image and config files (Total 3 files) found in the OpenSUSE bootsplash. To fix this you need to trick the bootsplash into thinking that 1360x768 resolution files exist.

Solution:

sudo cp /etc/bootsplash/themes/openSUSE/config/bootsplash-1366x768.cfg /etc/bootsplash/themes/openSUSE/config/bootsplash-1360x768.cfg

sudo cp /etc/bootsplash/themes/openSUSE/images/bootsplash-1366x768.jpg /etc/bootsplash/themes/openSUSE/images/bootsplash-1360x768.jpg

sudo cp /etc/bootsplash/themes/openSUSE/images/silent-1366x768.jpg /etc/bootsplash/themes/openSUSE/images/silent-1360x768.jpg

su

mkinitrd

HTC Incredible S now available at Infibeam

The new HTC Incredible S android smart phone features a 4 inch display touch screen with 480 x 800 pixel resolution. The connectivity features included in this HTC Incredible S smart phone are Bluetooth, 3G, GPRS, EDGE and Wi-Fi. HTC Incredible S android smart phone holds 8 mega pixel color camera with auto focus and dual LED flash for clicking mind blowing pictures to cherish life long.


HTC Incredible S smart phone features internal GPS antenna and 3.5 mm stereo audio jack. The multimedia features are also amazing in HTC Incredible S like FM radio, music player, video player etc. the voice feature include speaker. HTC Incredible S also facilitates users with superb talk time WCDMA Up to 380 minutes, GSM Up to 580 minutes and stand by on WCDMA Up to 370 hours, GSM: Up to 290 hours.

HTC Incredible S weighs 135.5 grams with battery. HTC Incredible S internal memory is 1.1 GB, RAM 768 MB and can be extended up to 32 GB through micro SD, micro SDHC. Now HTC Incredible S is available at Infibeam and the price for this smart phone is Rs. 26,999 only. The sales package includes Handset, Battery, Adapter, USB Cable, Headset, Warranty Guide, Software CD and Warranty Card.
The new HTC Incredible S android smart phone features a 4 inch display touch screen with 480 x 800 pixel resolution. The connectivity features included in this HTC Incredible S smart phone are Bluetooth, 3G, GPRS, EDGE and Wi-Fi. HTC Incredible S android smart phone holds 8 mega pixel color camera with auto focus and dual LED flash for clicking mind blowing pictures to cherish life long.

HTC Incredible S smart phone features internal GPS antenna and 3.5 mm stereo audio jack. The multimedia features are also amazing in HTC Incredible S like FM radio, music player, video player etc. the voice feature include speaker. HTC Incredible S also facilitates users with superb talk time WCDMA Up to 380 minutes, GSM Up to 580 minutes and stand by on WCDMA Up to 370 hours, GSM: Up to 290 hours.

HTC Incredible S weighs 135.5 grams with battery. HTC Incredible S internal memory is 1.1 GB, RAM 768 MB and can be extended up to 32 GB through micro SD, micro SDHC. Now HTC Incredible S is available at Infibeam and the price for this smart phone is Rs. 26,905 only. The sales package includes Handset, Battery, Adapter, USB Cable, Headset, Warranty Guide, Software CD and Warranty Card.

Source

Rising Prices

Recently I found that prices for Acer Laptops have been increasing.

For Acer, TimelineX Series of laptops have contributed to the increase in sales of their laptops, however because of that the prices have been higher than before comparatively.

I do not know the reason of the price hikes. It can be attributed to either to greedy retailers who cashed in on the rising popularity or Acer's decision to increase the prices, however 1 thing is certain, Acer computers are no longer as value for money as their other OEM counterparts per specification.

I do not do mindless supporting of companies, if their products do not offer good value for money there is no reason to support it. A computer is a computer. Period.

Edit:
Hey guys did you see this?
I wrote this article on 16 Mar and the news appeared on 1 April almost like I predicted it.
Anyway if the article isn't an April Fools Joke I wouldn't be looking to buy Acer anymore.

My Computers run purely on Electricity & Logic NOT Feelings & Marketing.

DEXGUiDE | Delete Autorun.inf virus Manually Using Winrar

Once it happened to a friend of mine, when his newly bought laptop was infected with this autorun.inf virus. This virus corrupted almost all the drives on the Hard disk, and when ever he tried to double click on the drive or opening any drive it opened in a new window. In some cases, when your drive is infected with this Autorun.inf virus, you won’t be able to access the drive completely. You have to browse the drive by Exploring it i.e; Ctrl+E keys from the keyboard.

Sometimes ever you will not be able to see hidden files even if you have Show hidden files Enabled under Folder Options. well, this are all the wonders of this Autorun.inf virus.

I am going to show you this rare method of removing Autorun.inf manually using just winrar application, not any antivirus or malware programs.

Solution to Remove Autorun.inf Virus
Step 1: First Disable CD/DVD or USB Autorun in windows

Step 2: Open Winrar.exe (Start–>All Programs–>WinRar–>WinRar.exe)

Step 3: Now Browse to any drive that is infected with Autorun.inf virus using winrar explorer.

Step4: Here you will see all the hidden files under winrar for that particular drive.

Step 5: Look for the file Autorun.inf and open it using notepad.

Step 6: In that Autorun file, some .EXE file will be mentioned that will be executed along with the autorun file. This exe file is the main culprit.

Step 7: Note the exe file mentioned in the Autorun.inf file. Close this Autorun.inf file.

Step 8: Now look for that .Exe file in the drive (Ex: c:/), Delete that .exe file along with Autorun.inf

Step 9: Restart your Operating System. Now your system is free with Autorun.inf Virus.

Note: Repeat the same process if your Usb or Pendrives are infected with Autorun.inf virus.

If you know anyother method to remove autorun virus from windows operating system, them kindly let me know by posting your method using the Comments on this post.

[source:www.allcomputertips.com]

Nokia E7- Now available for pre-order at Infibeam

Nokia E7 is up for pre-order at Infibeam, India`s trusted online shopping portal. Nokia- the world renowned mobile manufacturing company recently announced the Nokia E7. So, just as Nokia hits the Indian market, you may have a brand new Nokia E7 with you, by opting for the pre-order facility at Infibeam.com.

The all new Nokia E7 will wear a price tag of Rs 35,000 and mobile users looking to experience this innovative handset may go for the Nokia E7. Infibeam`s mobile section will hence witness huge crowds of people rushing in to avail the best buys with the very stylish and technically adept Nokia E7.

Users may now place your pre –order for the latest Symbian smartphone online and avail a hassle free shopping experience at Infibeam.com. Equipped with diverse features and innovative specifications like a 4”AMOLED screen, 8MP camera with dual LED flash and a slide out QWERTY keypad, the Nokia E7 is set to enthrall shoppers.

So, opt for Nokia E7 and pre-order it today at Infibeam.com.

Motorola Xoom tablet up for pre-order at Infibeam.com

The much awaited Motorola Xoom android smart tablet is up for pre-order at Infibeam.com. The Motorola Xoom 3g has a super fast dual core processor. It is equipped with a 10.1 inch wide HD touch screen for unmatched user experience.The much in news Mororola Xoom tablet operates on the Android 3.0 OS.


The Motorola Xoom android smart tablet has a super powerful dual-core processor and Android 3.0 platform. The Motorola Xoom 3g has a 2MP webcam and a 5MP camera with 720p HD video capture and playback. The Motorola Xoom tablet lets you enjoy HD video in a thin, light and powerful tablet. The Dual-core 1GHz processor offers enhanced user experience.


The all new Motorola Xoom android smart tablet is now available for pre-order at India`s trusted online portal, Infibeam.com. You may avail Motorola Xoom tablet for Rs 35,000, with free shipping. So, place your pre –order today and get the powerful Motorola Xoom android smart tablet.

Via