A way to hide your Windows computer.

First of all, to see the domains you can run the command:
net view /domain
To see all the computers in your domain run the command:
net view /domain:"mshome"
To view the shared contents of a remote computer you can run the command:
net view \\computername

However what if you dont' want to be seen?
"Get a firewall"
Well maybe, but how bout this.

Right click "MyComputer" or go to "Properties". Click the "Computer Name" tab, then click "Change".

The workgroup text box at the bottom will show your current domain: (Ex: mshome, workgroup, i'mnot1337).

Time to make it " ". By this I mean hold "ALT" and type "255". This adds a blank space. Click ok and restart your computer. As far as I know, this blank workgroup will not be shown by "net view /domain"

cheers

Uhh, and also get a firewall. Your computer will show up just fine in a network scan, as it will respond happily to TCP packets. This a basically a half-assed way to set up a LAN war3z server.

From your post it sounds like a person doing this doesn't even want to share, in that case your best bet is to disable file and printer sharing, and the client for microsoft networks. Also, a really really really good idea mentioned in both your posts is to get a firewall. In the case that you do want to share, read this
That should make you pretty secure. In any case, security by obscurity is not the way to go.

Fusion: That's called security through obscurity - It works great if you Auntie Martha is on the other computer..... It lasts about 30 seconds if a complete lamer is on the other computer and if the god of all script kiddies is on the other computer..... Well... You can imagine...... ;)

I find that pulling the network cable works very well in disguising computers on the network.

Don't flame the guy, nice of him to share.

true that taxed

Quote:

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Don't flame the guy, nice of him to share.

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taxed- except that he isn't being flamed at all... TigerSharks reply explicitly explains why br_fusions thoughts wouldn't work very well and j3r's and h3r3tics replies also make very valid points. Mark's post whilst written in a flippant way does actually make a valid point if you're willing to read between the lines - the only way you get 100% remote security (not talking about physical security here) is to completely disconnect yourself from a network.

Yes it was nice of br_fusion to share... the above replies just explain why it won't work very well, it's not a flame

Z

A firewall, router or disabeling printer and file sharing would have done that for you, so the only reason why you'd want to creat an 'invisible' groupe was if it was there illigaly, which I do not appove of, not to mention it's a bit of a **** post. And just for the record, 160 would probably work better because it's not an illegal character.

- Noia

Well guess what fellas, I was just giving a quick tip. I wasn't telling everyone the DE FACTO way of protecting a computer. (quote "A way..") You honestly think that I dont know about firewalls and disabling filesharing.

Too many people lecturing.

Many thanks goes to Da_realist and taxed. I'm becoming more fond of AO newbie/junior members every post.

cheers!

I can't see anything wrong with br_fusion's advice here. There is nothing wrong with security through obscurity, so long as it's not your only defence.

Simply because he posted a thread telling people how to hide thier computer does not mean or imply that he does not know any other way to secure his system, nor is he recommending this as the only approach. It is simply one more tool in an arsenal of thousands.

I think everyone knows that no one approach is a solution in and of itself. Br_fusion is recommending an addition to a secure system, not a replacement.

eheheh maybe run a sygate you can trick webpages ... that you are using different browser and so on hide the machine ;) i dono just trying to help sorry if am wrong

Quote:

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Originally posted here by br_fusion
Well guess what fellas, I was just giving a quick tip. I wasn't telling everyone the DE FACTO way of protecting a computer. (quote "A way..") You honestly think that I dont know about firewalls and disabling filesharing.

Too many people lecturing.

Many thanks goes to Da_realist and taxed. I'm becoming more fond of AO newbie/junior members every post.

cheers!

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I take your point that you are simply offering an interesting or quick tip.

The problem is that many, many people read this site to help them secure their systems. I don't think that people are lecturing you just for the sake of it. By posting other points of view and pointing out the weakness of your suggestions for real security, they are ensuring that those people who are reading this post don't apply your tip and then assume they are safe.

I know this may have been done in a sarcastic/caustic/lecturing tone but don't take it to heart.

I hope that with time you will learn that everyone on this site has something to offer. I doubt you will agree with all the people all the time, but that's just life.

Just trying to help.

Steve

iv always found that the best way to hide my windows 95 computer was to take it apart and stick the parts in random places in my closet. No ones found it or owned it yet :)

should think of the implecations of this as well... i mean the domain exists for a reason

If one posts something they should expect feedback otherwise, why post? We’ll read it and post additions or suggestions that’s what makes the whole thing fun.

There are valid reasons to hang a pc off the network and make it invisible. Sysloging, packet sniffing etc. Wouldn't do much good to have your security syslogger hanging off a domain to be identified and hacked be anyone on the company net that has a few brain cells in overdrive.

“wow what is this in my lan browser…. \\syslogserver... Wow! Wonder what it’s doing???

NICs that support promiscuous mode of lovely.

If you want to hide the machine for sniffing purposes it's really easy.......

1. Go to the network cards properties and uncheck every protocol.
2. Install WinPCap.
3. Install Ethereal, Snort or whatever your flavor of sniffer is....
4. Fire that baby up and sniff......

It won't appear on the network, it won't appear on a portscan, it _might_ appear if you are on the same network segment and can coax it into replying to some ARP request but to all intents and purposes it doesn't exist.....

Now it's hidden.... Of course, don't expect to browse the web from it or anything else but if you want it hidden to monitor then you are golden against almost anyone.