HOW TO SECURE Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003, & VISTA

http://www.pctools.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49705

That's the original of this post. I could not get ALL/EACH of my 12 points to post here earlier, quite oddly enough, & now... I can, & have, from page #2 onwards.

Enjoy.

APK

APK, that rings a bell somewhere methinks? ah! yes, Alexander Peter Kowalski. I think that I know you from somewhere :D

When I put:

"HOW TO SECURE Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003, & VISTA"

Into a Google search, I am truly amazed at the number of times that "APK" has posted this very same thread on other forums. Before he deigned to cast the pearls of wisdom before the swine of AO.

Once? OK, twice? fine, three times? perhaps. When you get into double figures, I call that "spamming". :mad:

AhHa! I remember where I know you from, ArsTechnica wasn't it? :lildevil:

Be careful.

...

I looked at this thread initially, thinking..
"Hmm, does this go anywhere."

The entire time I was also thinking..
"Why is this user's first post a 'tutorial' on securing Windows, and then fills a post with nothing but 'My score this and that."

IMO, if you're going to post a tutorial as a first post, anywhere, you should have it completed enough that input other than..

"Where is the stuff a Vista user needs to know about securing the OS?"

---

I understand that it may take a while to post, but please, share something other than security scores that are 2 to 3 month's old.

zallison,

Please do a Google search as I suggested and form your own opinion.;)

This is what we mods and admins know as a "prelude to a spam" I would fully expect that the "snake oil" will be proffered in subsequent posts. That is usually how these things work.

Sounds like a abominable cross-breed of e-mail spam and an infomercial.

The submitter's CAPS LOCK button seems to be broken, as well.

O

Just finished reading through a couple of other threads this person has posted.

IMO - Anyone using a 'server' version of windows should be doing half of the stuff already, at the recommendation of the OS itself.

Also, what I saw of the Vista information was speculation and theory. I'm sorry, but I can do most of what was provided in the articles natively in Windows anyways.

I apologize to the mods and other regular users if anyone takes this as complaining, but I feel this is more a criticizing post like the OP asked for. I understand he said he wanted to spread the world, but why include Vista in the mix if you have nothing firm to support?

Interesting...

Did some googling myself, skimmed over the first result.

http://www.windowsitpro.com/articles...1095&cpage=148

Read the comments.

I am with zallison on this one, I fail to see any value in the tutorials.... when is cis going to make a tool for vista???

===================================================================================
APK 12 STEPS TO FOLLOW TO SECURE YOUR WINDOWS NT-BASED SYSTEM (2000/XP/SERVER 2003/VISTA):
===================================================================================

1.) HARDENING & SECURING SERVICES HOW-TO:

Many services I do not need are either cut off OR secured in their logon entity to lower privilege entities (from default, near "ALL POWERFUL" SYSTEM, to lesser ones like NETWORK SERVICE or LOCAL SERVICE). I went at ALL of the services in Windows Server 2003 (some will not be in XP for instance, & Windows 2000 has no NETWORK SERVICE or LOCAL SERVICE as far as I know, but not sure, you can always make a limited privelege user too for this on 2000 if needed)...

I did testing to see which services could be run/logged in as LOCAL SERVICE, or NETWORK SERVICE, rather than the default of LOCAL SYSTEM (which means Operating System entity level privileges - which CAN be "misused" by various spyware/malware/virus exploits).

===================================================================================

LOCAL SERVICE startable list (vs. LocalSystem Logon Default):

Acronis Scheduler 2 Service
Alerter (needs Workstation Service Running)
COM+ System Application
GHOST
Indexing Service
NVIDIA Display Driver Service
Office Source Engine
O&O Clever Cache
Remote Registry
Sandra Service
Sandra Data Service
SmartCard
Tcp/IP NetBIOS Helper
Telnet
UserProfile Hive Cleanup Service
Volume Shadowing Service
Windows UserMode Drivers
Windows Image Acquisition
WinHTTP Proxy AutoDiscovery Service

----------

NETWORK SERVICE startable list (vs. LocalSystem Logon Default):

ASP.NET State Service
Application Layer Gateway
Clipbook (needs Network DDE & Network DDE DSDM)
Microsoft Shadow Copy Provider
Executive Software Undelete
DNS Client
DHCP Client
Error Reporting
FileZilla Server
Machine Debug Manager
Merger
NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing Service
Network DDE
Network DDE DSDM
PDEngine (Raxco PerfectDisk)
Performance Logs & Alerts
RPC
Remote Desktop Help Session Manager Service
Remote Packet Capture Protocol v.0 (experimental MS service)
Resultant Set of Policies Provider
SAV Roam
Symantec LiveUpdate
Visual Studio 2005 Remote Debug

===================================================================================

PLEASE NOTE: Each service uses a BLANK password when reassigning their logon entity (when you change it from the default of LOCAL SYSTEM Account), because they use SID's as far as I know, not standard passwords.

WHEN YOU TEST THIS, AFTER RESETTING THE LOGON USER ENTITY EACH SERVICE USES: Just run your system awhile, & if say, Norton Antivirus refuses to update, or run right? You KNOW you set it wrong... say, if one you test that I do NOT list won't run as LOCAL SERVICE? Try NETWORK SERVICE instead... if that fails? YOU ARE STUCK USING LOCAL SYSTEM!

If you cannot operate properly while changing the security logon entity context of a service (should NOT happen w/ 3rd party services, & this article shows you which ones can be altered safely)?

Boot to "Safe Mode", & reset that service's logon entity back to LOCAL SYSTEM again & accept it cannot do this security technique is all... it DOES happen!

If that fails (shouldn't, but IF it does)? There are commands in the "Recovery Console" (installed from your Windows installation CD as a bootup option while in Windows using this commandline -> D:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons, where D is your CD-Rom driveletter (substitute in your dvd/cd driveletter for D of course)) of:

ListSvc (shows services & drivers states of stopped or started)

Enable (starts up a service &/or driver)

Disable (stops a server &/or driver)

Which can turn them back on if/when needed

(ON Virtual Disk Service being removed, specifically (because it used to be in this list)): This was done solely because, although it will run as LOCAL SERVICE, diskmgmt.msc will not be able to work! Even though the Logical Disk Manager service does not list VirtualDisk as a dependency, this occurs, so VirtualDisk service was pulled from BOTH the LOCAL SERVICE and NETWORK SERVICE lists here... apk)

CUTTING OFF SERVICES YOU DO NOT NEED TO RUN IS POSSIBLY THE BEST METHOD OF SECURING THEM, AND GAINING SPEED SINCE YOU ARE NOT WASTING I/O, MEMORY, or OTHER RESOURCES ON THEM, PERIOD, in doing this - do consider it, when possible! Many guides online exist for this, & I authored one of the first "back in the day" for NTCompatible.com as "Article #1" back in 1997-1998 - the latest ones are even BETTER!

===================================================================================

SECURING SERVICES @ THE ACL LEVEL VIA A SECURITY POLICY HOW-TO:

STEP #1: CONFIGURE A CUSTOM Microsoft Management Console for this!

Configuring yourself a "CUSTOM MMC.EXE (Microsoft Mgt. Console)" setup for security policy templates, here is how (these are NOT default Computer Mgt. tools, so you have to do this yourself, or run them by themselves, but this makes working w/ them convenient):

The next part's per BelArcGuy of BELARC ADVISOR's advice (pun intended):

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=16097

"Security Configuration and Analysis" is an MMC snap-in. To access the MMC, type in mmc to the Windows Run.. command to pop up the console. Then use it's File|Add/Remove Snap-in... command and click the Add button on the resulting dialog. Choose both "Security Configuration and Analysis" and "Security Templates", close that dialog, and OK. You'll end up with a management console that has both of those snap-ins enabled. The whole MMC mechanism is a bit weird, but does work"

(It's easy, & it works, & is necessary for the actual steps to do this, below)

Next, is the actual "meat" of what we need to do, per Microsoft, to set ACLs!

STEP #2: HOW TO: Define Security Templates By Using the Security Templates Snap-In in Windows Server 2003

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/816297

Create and Define a New Security Template

(To define a new security template, follow these steps)

1. In the console tree, expand Security Templates
2. Right-click %SystemRoot%\Security\Templates, and then click New Template
3. In the Template name box, type a name for the new template.

(If you want, you can type a description in the Description box, and then click OK)

The new security template appears in the list of security templates. Note that the security settings for this template are not yet defined. When you expand the new security template in the console tree, expand each component of the template, and then double-click each security setting that is contained in that component, a status of Not Defined appears in the Computer Setting column.

1. To define a System Services policy, follow these steps:
a. Expand System Services
b. In the right pane, double-click the service that you want to configure
c. Specify the options that you want, and then click OK.

(And, of course, the user feedback on its effectiveness (Makes your Win32 NT-based OS very much like how MacOS X treats its daemon processes via privelege levels), which uses the same general principals)

It works, & although many service packs for Windows OS' have changed their services (not all but many nowadays) to less than SYSTEM, my list covers those they may not have in recent service packs AND 3rd party services are listed too that you may be running possibly!

DONE!

APK

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by zallison

IMO, if you're going to post a tutorial as a first post, anywhere, you should have it completed enough that input other than..

"Where is the stuff a Vista user needs to know about securing the OS?"

---

I understand that it may take a while to post, but please, share something other than security scores that are 2 to 3 month's old.

---

I tried to post it in its entirety, but, your forums board is not updating & not even putting my posts up immediately, so I only put up a link to a board that posts it properly... see the URL above.

APK

P.S.=> My points are NOW on the page #2 of this thread, onwards, including a reply to AngelicKnight... a good read that, in & of itself! apk

IF you have a HOME LAN/network?

You skip this/leave this alone & do not disable the SERVER service (it creates the hidden default C$ administrative share for example) in services.msc & keep 127.0.0.1 (the default lone entry it has) in your %windir%\system32\drivers\etc HOSTS file as well.

2.) Disable Microsoft "File & Print Sharing" as well as "Client for Microsoft Networks" in your LOCAL AREA CONNECTION (if you do not need them that is for say, running your home LAN)!

E.G.-> Here? I pull ANY Networking clients (Client for MS Networks/File & Printer Sharing)) &/or Protocols (QoS = just 1 example) in the Local Area Connection!

(That is, unless its for an antivirus & their Layered Service Provider hacks, such as Trend Micro use here, or more "hidden ones" like NOD32 or NAV use)

So, other than Tcp/IP typically, it gets removed!

(I also disable NetBIOS over Tcp/IP as well if you don't have a HOME or WORK LAN as well, because I don't need it here, as I am currently @ home on a stand-alone machine that is not dependent on Microsoft's File Sharing etc. on a LAN/WAN).

Stopping the SERVER service helps here as well (no shares possible, not even the default C$ administrative share, iirc)

Also regarding the HOSTS file? IF you have a LAN/WAN you use (or not), you will have to have the mandatory entry of:

127.0.0.1 localhost

In it (needed for networking with a LAN/WAN - you could technically, dispense with it otherwise, but, as you can see above? It has practical uses... even SpyBot utilizes it & that is one HELL of a program, for this purpose:SECURITY!).

APK

3.) Use IP security policies (modded AnalogX one, very good for starters, you can edit & add/remove from it as needed) - Download url link is here for that:

http://www.analogx.com/contents/articles/ipsec.htm

(Search "AnalogX Public Server IPSec Configuration v1.00 (29k zip file)" on that page & follow the directions on the page!)

NOTE: This can be 'troublesome' though, for folks that run filesharing clients though.

An alternative to this is using IP Ports Filtrations, in combination with a GOOD software firewall &/or NAT 'firewalling' (or true stateful inspection type) router. All of these work in combination w/ one another perfectly.

(HOWEVER - Should you choose to use it, and do filesharing programs? No problem really, because you can turn them on/off @ will using secpol.msc & the IP stack in Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/VISTA is of "plug-N-play" design largely, & will allow it & when done? TURN THEM ON, AGAIN! These work WITH software & hardware router firewalls, IP port filtering, and security IP policies, simultaneosly/concurrently, for "layered security", no hassles!).

4.) Another thing I do for securing a Windows NT-based OS: IP Port Filtrations (like ip security policies (per AnalogX above), it is often called the "poor man's firewall" & works perfectly with both IPSecurity policies, hardware AND software firewalls, all in combination/simultaneously running)!

DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO IMPLEMENT THEM (very easy):

Start Menu -> Connect To Item (on the right hand side) -> Local Area Connection (whatever you called it, this is the default, iirc) open it via double click OR, right-click popup menu PROPERTIES item -> Properties button on left-hand side bottom, press/click it -> NEXT SCREEN (Local Area Connection PROPERTIES) -> "This connection uses the followng items" (go down the list, to Tcp/IP & select it & /click the PROPERTIES button there) -> Press/Click the Advanced Button @ the bottom Right-Hand Side (shows Advanced Tcp/IP Settings screen) -> OPTIONS tab, use it & Tcp IP Filtering is in the list, highlite/select it -> Beneath the Optional Settings, press/click the PROPERTIES button on the lower right-hand side -> Check the "Enable Tcp/IP Filtering (on all adapters)" selection -> In the far right, IP PROTOCOLS section, add ports 6 (tcp) & 17 (udp) -> In the far left "tcp ports" list - check off the radio button above the list titled "PERMIT ONLY", & then add ports you want to have open (all others will be filtered out, & for example, I leave port 80,8080, & 443 here open, only on my standalone, non-networked home machine (for a HOME or WORK LAN, you may need to open up ports 135/137/139/445 for a Windows based network for file & print sharing PLUS enable NetBIOS over Tcp/IP in your network connection properties & ENABLE Client for Microsoft Networks & File and Print sharing too) - you may need more if you run mail servers, & what-have-you (this varies by application)) -> I leave the UDP section "PERMIT ALL" because of ephemeral/short-lived ports usage that Windows does (I have never successfully filtered this properly but it doesn't matter as much imo, because udp does not do 'callback' as tcp does, & that is why tcp can be DDOS'd/DOS'd imo - it only sends out info., but never demands verification of delivery (faster, but less reliable)) -> DONE!

You may need a reboot & it will signal if it needs it or not (probably will, even in VISTA):

I say this, because although IP Security Policies work with the "Plug-N-Play" design of modern Windows NT-based OS' (ipsec.sys) & do NOT require a reboot to activate/deactivate them in Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/VISTA? This is working @ a diff. level & diff. driver iirc (tcpip.sys) & level of the telecommunications stacks in this OS family & WILL require a reboot to take effect (for a more detailed read of this, see here):

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/com...uy/cg0605.mspx

(In THAT url above? Trust me - Enjoy the read, it is VERY informative: That article shows you how TcpIP.sys, ipnat.sys, ipsec.sys, & ipfiltdrv.sys interact, PLUS how you can use them to your advantage in security!)

APK

5.) The use of a CUSTOM ADBANNER BLOCKING HOSTS FILE (my personal one houses, as of this date, 90,000 known adbanner servers, OR sites known to bear malicious code & exploits (per GOOGLE mostly, from stopbadware.org))

Custom HOSTS files work in combination with Opera adbanner blocks & the usage of .PAC filering files + cascading style sheets for this purpose.

(As well as speeding up access to sites I often access - doing this, acting as my own "DNS Server" more or less, is orders of magnitude faster than calling out to my ISP/BSP DNS servers, waiting out a roundtrip return URL-> IP Address resolution. It may take some maintenance for this @ times, especially if sites change HOSTING PROVIDERS, but this is a rarity & most sites TELL YOU when they do this as well, so you can make fast edits, as needed (and, on Windows NT-based OS since 2000/XP/Server 2003 & VISTA? A reboot is NOT required upon edits & commits of changes in the new largely near fully PnP IP stacks!))

For a copy of mine, write me, here -> [email protected]

And, I will send it to you in .zip or .rar format (with sped up sites # UNIX comment symbol disabled, enable the ones you use AFTER you 'ping' them first from my list, & add ones YOU PERSONALLY USE to it as needed after determining their IP address via a PING of them)

OR, JUST DOWNLOAD IT HERE:

http://forums.techpowerup.com/attach...0&d=1172567412

An example of WHY you'd want to use one of these for security's sake? Read here:

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=25937

DIRECTIONS FOR USE (also in my downloadable CUSTOM HOSTS file above, with MORE on how to really use them to get even more speed than blocking adbanners mind you is in its internal documentation):

You replace your:

%windir%\system32\drivers\etc

Original version of HOSTS with this one (overwrite it, but, first copy your original OR rename it to keep it around IF ever needed), & have @ it (HBO internet, no commercials + thus MORE SPEED (and, you WILL notice it) by not calling out to ad servers, loading their data, & running it... & certainly NO possibility of being infected by adbanners that bear RBN (Russian Business Network) malware javascripted/FLASH bearing adbanners that infect you as has been seen lately/very currently in fact - between this, and stalling out Java/JavaScript + ActiveX/ActiveScripting globally in your browsers as noted in the last step & why? You are "proof" against MOST attacks today (& consider disabling IFrames too, an oft used attack today as well!)).

Now, like I do? It IS possible to alter the default location of the HOSTS file, & to take away I/O from your main disk to load it by using another one... like a 2nd HDD you may have IF you have one for example!

(E.G.-> I move mine to my CENATEK RocketDrive SSD (solid state RamDisk), for F A S T access since seek times on it are 1000's of times faster than on std. mechanical disks, & doesn't matter WHAT kind - & here I also place my pagefile.sys on its own partition (first) & then webpage caches, %temp% environmental variable ops, logging (even eventlogs, which like HOSTS file, can be moved in the registry to another disk, & applications often have the ability to move their logs in their configuration screens as well)) via this registry key, should you elect to do the same:

In regedit.exe's right-hand-side pane, follow this path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters

& in the left-hand-side pane of regedit.exe, you change the DataBasePath path value there to the disk & folder you wish to place your HOSTS file in (which makes for faster OS & IP stack initialization since it is on another drive, in my case an SSD so it is THAT MUCH QUICKER since seeks on them are so fast, to load the HOSTS data into your RAM (local DNS cache)).

APK

6.) USE Tons of security & speed oriented registry hacks (reconfiging the OS basically - stuff like you might do in etc / conf in UNIX/LINUX I suppose)

Download them from here @ SOFTPEDIA (where they are rated 4/5):

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/S...p-Guides.shtml

OR, just email me here for them -> [email protected]

(The email option's the best, because I also have these PREBUILT, in .reg files, mind you, available by email, BUT, the ones I can mail ARE FULLY INTERNALLY DOCUMENTED!)

They are FULLY documented internally, with link url's to the Microsoft pages they came from, inside the .reg files, so YOU can look at what the hack does inside them, verify this @ MS, & know what the valid parameters are as well!

(This? It took me FOREVER a year or so ago to do this, but worth it!)

The urls, or downloadable .mht files, outline it all (as do my prebuilt .reg files, probably the BEST choice of the lot imo), as to what you can ".reg file hack" for better SPEED, and SECURITY online, in a modern Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003 OS & has references from Microsoft in it for each setting plus their definitions & parameters possible!

APK

7.) USE General security policies (in gpedit.msc/secpol.msc - afaik though, these are NOT in XP "Home" edition, sorry)), these are VALUABLE tools (and will be needed & suggestions for it will be told to you by the CIS Tool noted above - great stuff!) and regedit.exe!

(Newly added - regedit.exe use is for registry ACL permissions, via its EDIT menu, PERMISSIONS submenu item (to add/remove users that have rights to regisry hives/values, & to establish their rights levels therein))

ALSO NEWLY ADDED - Explorer.exe "right-click" on drive letters/folders/files (for file access ACL permissions hardening) using its popup menu selection of "PROPERTIES", & in the next screen, the SECURITY tab (to add/remove users that have rights to said items, & to establish their rights levels therein), also - this is another requirement of CIS Tool 1.x & its suggestions for better security.

APK

8.) KEEP UP ON PATCHES FROM MICROSOFT, for your OS & Microsoft Office Apps, & IE, etc., HERE (ordered by release date) and run AntiVirus/AntiSpyware/AntiRootkit tools (& yes, keep them updated/current)!

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/B...der=descending

Again, keep up on antivirus/antispyware/antirootkit AND Java runtimes updates!

(Done either automatically via their services, or manually)

Download them manually & install them yourself (OR just let "Windows Automatic Updates" run)

ALSO - do the use of the "std. security stuff", like:

AntiVirus Programs (NOD32 latest 2.7x - "best" one there is, all-around (best speed/efficiency, less "moving parts" in drivers (kernelmode-RPL0-Ring 0 portion) & services/gui usermode-RPL2-Ring3 sections + great consistent showings in detect rates, especially heuristics), & that is not only MY opinion after testing it vs. my former fav. NAV Corporate 10.2 (it is lighter in RAM & resource uses than NAV Corporate even, finds more virus' than others, & uses less "moving parts" (in the way of services componentry, than most do, & certainly less than NAV))

Proof? See here -> http://www.eset.com/products/compare.php

(That's a single source, there are others, such as av-comparatives.org, which also test & compare AntiVirus products out there as well on many levels (mostly detection rates). The URL above goes into more than that, such as program speed/efficiency/throughput, & the fact NOD32 is written almost TOTALLY in pure Assembler language (when, if coupled with a solid fast algorithm/engine, is untouchable even by C/C++ or Delphi even for that)).

+

SpyBot (Ad-Aware is another option) as my resident antispyware tool running in the background!

This tool in SPYBOT also installs & runs PERFECTLY in safemode (combined with ComboFix &/or SmitfraudFix, you can "burn out" just about ANY spyware/malware infestation in 30-60 minutes, depending on level of infection, speed of your disks/CPU/RAM, & amount of files on your disks - A good antivirus (See NOD32 above, best there is on speed/efficiency, resource consumption, & accuracy) alongside it plus vendor specialized "removal tools" is all a body needs (mostly) when infected.

AntiRootkit tools are another one to be conscious of nowadays, now that such machinations are available for Windows (they originated, afaik, in the UNIX world though).

The "best ones" (AntiRootkit scanners) & their download URL links are:

AVG AntiRootkit
BitDefender AntiRootkit
GMER
Rootkit Revealer
PrevX AntiRootkit
Rootkit Hook Analyzer
Sophos AntiRootkit
F-Secure Blacklight
Gromozon Rootkit Removal Tool
KLister
McAfee Rootkit Detective
PatchFinder
RogueRemover
VICE
System Virginity Verifier for Windows 2000/XP/2003

That is a list for you all to choose from, look them up on GOOGLE to download them from their homepages, as they all do a decent enough job though, & are 100% FREE - SO, DO use them!

APK

9.) It is also possible, for webbrowsers &/or email clients, to create a "VISTA LIKE IE 7 Protected Mode"-like type scenario, isolating them into their own spaces in memory, here are 2 methods, how (not needed on VISTA though, afaik):

IE6/7 & FF + OPERA AS WELL (as noted by A/C slashdot poster in reply to my methods, both his & my own work well, & are listed here @ /. (slashdot)) on modern NT-based OS "how-to":

http://it.slashdot.org/comments.pl?s...7&cid=19310513

MY METHOD for RUNNING IE in a "runas limited user class" sandbox effect:

"It is actually possible to run IE securely: just create a throwaway restricted user account for IE use alone. The restricted account user can't install software and can't access files of other users, so even if IE autoexecutes any nastiness, it can't do any damage.

Of course, it's a hassle to log in as a different user just to browse the web. So we'd want to use "runas" to run just IE as a different user.

Unfortunately, MS has made running IE as a different user a little harder than necessary. Rightclicking and using "Run as" doesn't seem to work. What did work for me was the following.

Say the limited account is called "IEuser". Then create a shortcut to "runas /user:IEuser cmd". on your desktop. Double-clicking this will open a command prompt that runs as IEuser. Now you can manually start IE with "start iexplore". Or create a batchfile c:windowsie.bat that just contains the line "start iexplore" and you can start IE by just typing "ie". Remove all shortcuts to IE from you normal desktop and only run it from the restricted account. This way you can use IE without worry about any IE exploits"

OTHER, VERY QUITE POSSIBLY SUPERIOR METHOD:

http://theinvisiblethings.blogspot.c...every-day.html

See section: Do-It-Yourself: Implementing Privilege Separation. Using the psexec tool as described results in a "clean" process tree where iexplore.exe will show up directly under the root avoiding beeing a child process.

Note - The "invisible thing"? She's "Yuriko DeathStrike" as far as I am concerned... Joanna Rutkowska, my fellow "Polish Person" & she's a regular "wonder" in the security/hacking/cracking world!

This is my runopera.bat which runs opera as user internet:
psexec.exe -d -u internet -p p4ssw0rd "cmd" "/d /D /c start /b Opera.exe"

PLUS, Windows Server 2003 has a hardened IE6/7 by default (which can be duplicated on other Win32 OS versions, because it mainly just does what I have been doing for a long time & noted by myself earlier, in stuff like turning off ActiveX & scripting + JAVA online on the public internet, of all types by default, & I do this in ALL of my browsers (IE, FF, & Opera) & only make exceptions for CERTAIN sites)

A USER SUGGESTED ADDON TO AUTOMATE THIS STUFF ON ISOLATION OF IE:

(Per "OILY 17" (TPU forums user) suggestion, to aid in automating this (a tool)):

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showth...284#post500284

"For running IE,Firefox etc as a throw away account has anyone tried this app out yet.Recently came across it, but have not tried it out yet.
Anyone any views?

http://www.sandboxie.com/

As the name suggests runs IE etc in a sand box effect."

Thanks oily (apk) - RECENT UPDATE: I've tried "sandboxie" & understand the layered filtering driver it employs for writes (ignores reads from main HDD) & it IS a great idea, + it works!

APK

10.) Plus good email client practices like using .txt mail only, no RTF or HTML mail, not opening or allowing attachments unless I know the person & even THEN, scan it with an antivirus (still gets email scanned though by your resident antivirus email scan component (use AntiVirus programs with these, OR, manually scan ANY attachments before opening them (if you get Microsoft Office .doc, .xls, .ppt etc. files uncompressed? HOLD DOWN THE SHIFT KEY AS YOU OPEN THEM - this stops macros from running & macros are the avenue utilized using VBA script to infect you))

APK

11.) I also use a LinkSys/CISCO BEFSX41 "NAT" true firewalling CISCO technology-based router (with cookie & scripting filtering built-in @ the hardware level), these are excellent investments for security.

APK

12.) Windows Server 2003's SCW was run over it FIRST (this only exists on Windows Server 2003, not on 2000/XP or VISTA (you have to install this, it does NOT install by default) first to help security it (SCW = security configuration wizard, & it's pretty damn good believe-it-or-not, (@ least, as as starting point))...

Directions for its installation are as follows:

Start the Add or Remove Programs Control Panel applet.

Click Add/Remove Windows Components.

On the Windows Components Wizard screen, select the "Security Configuration Wizard" check box, as the figure shows. Click Next.

The Windows Components Wizard builds a list of files to be copied and finishes installing SCW. Click Finish.

DONE! Now, run it...

It is very simple to use, and will help even TRIM services you do not need running (which saves Memory, other resources, & I/O to cpu/ram/disk etc. AS WELL AS PROVIDING SECURITY should any services you disable turn up vulnerabilities (this has happened before)).

ALSO, per TPU forums user (username "xvi") @ techpowerup.com forums (software section): Use Microsoft Baseline Security Advisor, a free download from Microsoft as well to check your system for security holes, patch updates, etc. (be wary of the fact it does require various services running though, iirc, Terminal Server Services Client - I do NOT keep that running here anymore, & this program failed on me because of that (would not initialize @ all))

APK

AN IMPORTANT POINT:

STOP JAVASCRIPT USAGE IN YOUR BROWSERS (along with ActiveX & JAVA) On the PUBLIC internet, PERIOD (well, with SOME exceptions on sites that demand you use it, OR those that cannot function properly without it, some examples below)!

Why? Well, read on:

Fact is, that today? Well... Javascript's dangerous & can be used AGAINST you, as well as help you... it truly is, or can be, a 'double-edged sword'...

(For example - if you follow security related news, you will see that JavaScript is the key avenue being used against you in today's attacks (even thru adbanners!)). Some examples:

http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/n...11/doubleclick

&

http://apcmag.com/5382/microsoft_apo...e_to_customers

If you MUST use Javascript (for instance, on a particular site like banking or shopping oriented ones)?

Try "NoScript" (the .xpi addon for FireFox/Mozilla/NetScape 9 etc.) & let it let YOU decide sites to use it on, & then DISABLE JAVA/JAVASCRIPT globally...

(& if you use IE, trying to do the same can be a nightmare (as IE will "nag you to death" if you turn off javascript on sites that use it)).

Opera has similar functionality, ALBEIT, built into it by default as a NATIVE tool!

I.E.-> The ability to GLOBALLY block scripting tools like Javascript, BUT... to also allow it for sites you MUST use it on as exceptions to the GLOBAL rule set in Tools, Preferences menus it has on its menubar.

Opera has the NATIVE BUILT IN ABILITY to allow you to use it on sites you visit IF you must, via rightclicks on the page & "EDIT SITE PREFERENCES" popup menu submenu item that appears.

Either way? It works, & I STRONGLY recommend this. I also recommend Opera for these reasons (less security holes period, & the 1 it had yesterday? Patched yesterday too... fast!)

=====
SECUNIA DATA ON BROWSER SECURITY (dated 11/29/2007):
=====

Opera 9.24 security advisories @ SECUNIA (0% unpatched):

http://secunia.com/product/10615/?task=advisories

----

Netscape 9.0.0.4 (0% unpatched)

http://secunia.com/product/14690/

----

FireFox 2.0.0.11 security advisories @ SECUNIA (22% unpatched):

http://secunia.com/product/12434/

----

IE 7 (latest cumulative update from MS) security advisories @ SECUNIA (37% unpatched):

http://secunia.com/product/12366/

----

Those %'s are the latest for FireFox 2.0.0.11, Netscape 9.0.0.4, IE7 after last "patch Tuesday" from MS with the "CUMULATIVE IE UPDATES" they have (see the security downloads URL I post in the 12 steps above to secure yourself), & Opera 9.24... all latest/greatest models.

So, as you can see?

Well, NOT ONLY IS OPERA MORE SECURE/BEARING LESS SECURITY VULNERABILITIES?

It's faster too, on just about ANYTHING a browser does, & is probably the MOST standards compliant browser under the sun (not counting HTML dev tools). This is borne out in these tests:

http://www.howtocreate.co.uk/browserSpeed.html

AND, yes others (most recently in Javascript parsing speeds, oddly enough, lol... given the topic of my post here that is), right here:

http://nontroppo.org/timer/kestrel_tests/

Opera's just more std.'s compliant, faster, & more secure than the others... so, "where do you want to go today?"...

ALSO - HOW TO SET THE "KILL BIT" ON ACTIVEX CONTROLS:

(I.E.-> This is how to stop an ActiveX control from running in Internet Explorer)

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/240797

In case you have "problematic" or security vulnerable ActiveX controls, per this RealPlayer example thereof:

http://service.real.com/realplayer/s...007_player/en/

APK

P.S.=> Yes, it's LONG, & takes about 1-3 hours to do & test, but worth it... enjoy guys, & IF you have more to add or valid critique? Please do so, thanks... apk

===================================================================================
APK 12 STEPS TO FOLLOW TO SECURE YOUR WINDOWS NT-BASED SYSTEM (2000/XP/SERVER 2003/VISTA):
===================================================================================

1.) HARDENING & SECURING SERVICES HOW-TO:

Many services I do not need are either cut off OR secured in their logon entity to lower privilege entities (from default, near "ALL POWERFUL" SYSTEM, to lesser ones like NETWORK SERVICE or LOCAL SERVICE). I went at ALL of the services in Windows Server 2003 (some will not be in XP for instance, & Windows 2000 has no NETWORK SERVICE or LOCAL SERVICE as far as I know, but not sure, you can always make a limited privelege user too for this on 2000 if needed)...

I did testing to see which services could be run/logged in as LOCAL SERVICE, or NETWORK SERVICE, rather than the default of LOCAL SYSTEM (which means Operating System entity level privileges - which CAN be "misused" by various spyware/malware/virus exploits).

===================================================================================

LOCAL SERVICE startable list (vs. LocalSystem Logon Default):

Acronis Scheduler 2 Service
Alerter (needs Workstation Service Running)
COM+ System Application
GHOST
Indexing Service
NVIDIA Display Driver Service
Office Source Engine
O&O Clever Cache
Remote Registry
Sandra Service
Sandra Data Service
SmartCard
Tcp/IP NetBIOS Helper
Telnet
UserProfile Hive Cleanup Service
Volume Shadowing Service
Windows UserMode Drivers
Windows Image Acquisition
WinHTTP Proxy AutoDiscovery Service

----------

NETWORK SERVICE startable list (vs. LocalSystem Logon Default):

ASP.NET State Service
Application Layer Gateway
Clipbook (needs Network DDE & Network DDE DSDM)
Microsoft Shadow Copy Provider
Executive Software Undelete
DNS Client
DHCP Client
Error Reporting
FileZilla Server
Machine Debug Manager
Merger
NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing Service
Network DDE
Network DDE DSDM
PDEngine (Raxco PerfectDisk)
Performance Logs & Alerts
RPC
Remote Desktop Help Session Manager Service
Remote Packet Capture Protocol v.0 (experimental MS service)
Resultant Set of Policies Provider
SAV Roam
Symantec LiveUpdate
Visual Studio 2005 Remote Debug

===================================================================================

PLEASE NOTE: Each service uses a BLANK password when reassigning their logon entity (when you change it from the default of LOCAL SYSTEM Account), because they use SID's as far as I know, not standard passwords.

WHEN YOU TEST THIS, AFTER RESETTING THE LOGON USER ENTITY EACH SERVICE USES: Just run your system awhile, & if say, Norton Antivirus refuses to update, or run right? You KNOW you set it wrong... say, if one you test that I do NOT list won't run as LOCAL SERVICE? Try NETWORK SERVICE instead... if that fails? YOU ARE STUCK USING LOCAL SYSTEM!

If you cannot operate properly while changing the security logon entity context of a service (should NOT happen w/ 3rd party services, & this article shows you which ones can be altered safely)?

Boot to "Safe Mode", & reset that service's logon entity back to LOCAL SYSTEM again & accept it cannot do this security technique is all... it DOES happen!

If that fails (shouldn't, but IF it does)? There are commands in the "Recovery Console" (installed from your Windows installation CD as a bootup option while in Windows using this commandline -> D:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons, where D is your CD-Rom driveletter (substitute in your dvd/cd driveletter for D of course)) of:

ListSvc (shows services & drivers states of stopped or started)

Enable (starts up a service &/or driver)

Disable (stops a server &/or driver)

Which can turn them back on if/when needed

(ON Virtual Disk Service being removed, specifically (because it used to be in this list)): This was done solely because, although it will run as LOCAL SERVICE, diskmgmt.msc will not be able to work! Even though the Logical Disk Manager service does not list VirtualDisk as a dependency, this occurs, so VirtualDisk service was pulled from BOTH the LOCAL SERVICE and NETWORK SERVICE lists here... apk)

CUTTING OFF SERVICES YOU DO NOT NEED TO RUN IS POSSIBLY THE BEST METHOD OF SECURING THEM, AND GAINING SPEED SINCE YOU ARE NOT WASTING I/O, MEMORY, or OTHER RESOURCES ON THEM, PERIOD, in doing this - do consider it, when possible! Many guides online exist for this, & I authored one of the first "back in the day" for NTCompatible.com as "Article #1" back in 1997-1998 - the latest ones are even BETTER!

===================================================================================

SECURING SERVICES @ THE ACL LEVEL VIA A SECURITY POLICY HOW-TO:

STEP #1: CONFIGURE A CUSTOM Microsoft Management Console for this!

Configuring yourself a "CUSTOM MMC.EXE (Microsoft Mgt. Console)" setup for security policy templates, here is how (these are NOT default Computer Mgt. tools, so you have to do this yourself, or run them by themselves, but this makes working w/ them convenient):

The next part's per BelArcGuy of BELARC ADVISOR's advice (pun intended):

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=16097

"Security Configuration and Analysis" is an MMC snap-in. To access the MMC, type in mmc to the Windows Run.. command to pop up the console. Then use it's File|Add/Remove Snap-in... command and click the Add button on the resulting dialog. Choose both "Security Configuration and Analysis" and "Security Templates", close that dialog, and OK. You'll end up with a management console that has both of those snap-ins enabled. The whole MMC mechanism is a bit weird, but does work"

(It's easy, & it works, & is necessary for the actual steps to do this, below)

Next, is the actual "meat" of what we need to do, per Microsoft, to set ACLs!

STEP #2: HOW TO: Define Security Templates By Using the Security Templates Snap-In in Windows Server 2003

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/816297

Create and Define a New Security Template

(To define a new security template, follow these steps)

1. In the console tree, expand Security Templates
2. Right-click %SystemRoot%\Security\Templates, and then click New Template
3. In the Template name box, type a name for the new template.

(If you want, you can type a description in the Description box, and then click OK)

The new security template appears in the list of security templates. Note that the security settings for this template are not yet defined. When you expand the new security template in the console tree, expand each component of the template, and then double-click each security setting that is contained in that component, a status of Not Defined appears in the Computer Setting column.

1. To define a System Services policy, follow these steps:
a. Expand System Services
b. In the right pane, double-click the service that you want to configure
c. Specify the options that you want, and then click OK.

(And, of course, the user feedback on its effectiveness (Makes your Win32 NT-based OS very much like how MacOS X treats its daemon processes via privelege levels), which uses the same general principals)

It works, & although many service packs for Windows OS' have changed their services (not all but many nowadays) to less than SYSTEM, my list covers those they may not have in recent service packs AND 3rd party services are listed too that you may be running possibly!

DONE!

APK

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AngelicKnight

Interesting...

Did some googling myself, skimmed over the first result.

http://www.windowsitpro.com/articles...1095&cpage=148

Read the comments.

---

Yes, please do.

That's where Arstechnica's JEREMY REIMER had first impersonated me on his OSY forums (& only LATER, after all of the above, admitted to it publicly)!

Then Jeremy Reimer's friends made threats to "come and fix me" etc.

That's when I called Law Enforcement on them, had portions of Reimer's website removed under force from his ISP/BSP & law enforcement.

Jeremy Reimer of arstechnica then showed up @ Windows IT Pro forums pursuing me there, & with his friends, to NTCompatible.com as well... always off topic no less.

It is also where Jeremy Reimer of arstechnica's ISP/BSP shut him down for email harassment as well & he cut that out VERY quickly.

It is also where I pointed out Jeremy Reimer has no degree, no certification, & no years to decades of professional experience in the arena of computer sciences, & it showed...

After all : Jeremy Reimer of arstechnica (one of their "authors") was unable to comment on ANY of the 15 points I noted in favor of memory optimizers, proving my points, wrong. Neither could the article's author, in Dr. Mark Russinovich of Microsoft.

Jeremy Reimer of arstechnica was offtopic the entire time, & came there to cause trouble... all he got, was his own trouble, of his own making.

Jeremy Reimer of arstechnica HAD to stay off topic (and, he's supposed to be some "techincal authority" in this field?) because he lacks the know-how to BE on topic of discussions of THAT nature.

----------------------------------------------

Especially regarding how Memory Fragmentation adversely affects:

1.) On how FireFox is adversely affected by Memory Fragmentation

2.) On how IBM DB/2 database engine is adversely affected by memory fragmentation.

3.) On how Microsoft Exchange Server is adversely affected by Memory Fragmentation.

----------------------------------------------

AND, what stops this from happening? You guessed it - Memory Optimizers.

(ALL/EACH to which Jeremy Reimer of arstechnica was unable to disprove, & how Arstechnica's friend Jay Little of arstechnica said he was an "expert" on Exchange, & was unaware of the 3rd point above, & he fell flat on his face on that note).

Jay Little of arstechnica made a post on his forums & petitiononline.com that "APK MUST BE PUT TO DEATH" & his hosting provider removed that, & removed Jay Little's website from crystaltech.com.

Which makes sense: They're from arstechnica, lol.

Need more? I'll gladly supply it, as to the UTTER LACK of technical credibility, lack of honesty, & dirty tricks arstechnica uses & GETS CAUGHT IN (lol)!

Especially including Jeremy Reimer of arstechnica admitting he impersonated me, publicly, on his OSY forums & Jay Little having his website removed by his hosting provider for death threats made to me (on 2 sites).

Lastly, more than a few of Arstechnica friends of Jeremy Reimer were laughingly CAUGHT posting as others (to "support themselves", lol) under alternate logon guises, lol... & GOT CAUGHT IN IT, admitting to it. Some "nice honest guys" arstechnica people are, apparently!

Hilarious, & TOO easy.

APK

P.S.=> By the way - that same posting is where I confront a former fellow co-worker of mine in Dr. Russinovich, in regards to memory optimizers (to which he was unable to disprove my points, especially the "top 3" I note in THIS post, above) & where I also show prior to that article issuing, where I had to help Dr. Mark Russinovich correct & stop a ROOKIE hardcode error in his pagedefrag.exe tool.

All to which Dr. Mark Russinovich of Microsoft emailed me, & thanked me for, prior to that article even being put into print, mind you... apk

Why is this drama being brought here? I'd rather have no posts in the MS forums, than this crap..

Anybody who doesn't know that Exchange suffers from memory issues doesn't know crap about exchange.

Memory managers are basically snakeoil crapware.

1. Either you have enough memory or you do not. If the latter then go buy it.
2. Most of these things do not actually defragment the memory, they just release memory that is no longer being used by an application, but has not been released. If there is true fragmentation, then it remains.
3. If your problem is with crapware applications, then that is what you have to resolve. A memory manager is like banging your head against the wall and taking aspirin for the pain:rolleyes:

Having said that, I use them frequently because they (or some of them) are excellent for detecting memory leaks and application contentions.:D

If they were sold as diagnostic/troubleshooting tools, with memory management as a by-product, then I would have no problems with them.

But there wouldn't be any money in that now would there?:cool:

And who would be stupid enough to run a memory manager on an exchange server? Exchange basically takes all of the user mode memory and manages it itself. Most of the problems come about as a limitation of 32 bit memory structures and not poor management techniques. Now if we are talking about Exchange 5.5 or Exchange 2000 without any service packs, then yes, it did a horrible job at managing memory.

Right now, as long as you watch how your kernel mode memory is being allocated, as in making sure you don't deplete non-paged pool memory, you will not have problems on a properly sized system. Most NPP problems I've come across recently are a result of poorly coded NIC drivers, and problems with the new TCP/IP chimney offloading in windows 2003 Sp2.

He had law enforcement shut down half the site?

WOW this guy sounds reeeaaalllly fishy, post-whorring aside.

Evidently it was ridiculously easy for me to hit a nerve there.

Nice to see the APs still pack a punch. :D