Internet Privacy/Security

[netwrkranger]

Find another recovery tool which is free and then do an actual recovery.

[andrewmitch]

ok...i used "freeundelete" and i couldn't see any files....not sure if that means the other program was better or if the other program isn't accurate. either way, i am as comfortable as possible...the real challenge now is going to be protecting on line identity like using findnot.com and hushmail.

one last thing on the restore....do you know how to create an Emergency BOOT UP disk (Windows XP SP2)?

[netwrkranger]

Couple of things...

If you goto

Start | Run | ntbackup

You will find the ASR (Automated System Recovery) which you can use as a last resort to restore you system.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/818903

You can also use ntbackup to backup what is known as the System State Data. This will take care of your core OS files as well as the registry.

You can also install the Recovery Console which gives you a couple of options for repairing a broke system.

You can install it by loading your Windows XP CD. Next, go to:

Start | Run | D:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons

to install the console.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307654

Having a copy of the install files on the system partion is a great way to go. You can simply copy the i386 folder from the CD to the C:\ drive. If you do that, then you won't need to load the CD. I also like to further modify my registry to point to the C:\ so that it auto retrieves programs that I may need to install in the future.

Finally, XP also has a system restore wizard built in.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...w_03may19.mspx

Also, the Windows XP disk should have a repair install option for the OS.

Some of the absolute best Windows repair tools aren't Windows at all such as the 'Ultimate Boot CD' and BartPE

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

It is also possible to create a Windows XP Bootable CD as well.

This does not absolve one from having a good backup strategy. One should develop a separate backup plan for their personal files. I find it better to store them on a server.

If you still want Windows XP boot disks:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

[trooper2ls]

As a 20 year vetern legacy systems programmer... I prefer MacIntosh and BSD Unix core systems. More work accomplished, less "maintenance". Besides Bill Gates personally stole technology from me after I won the ICE best new software technology award in '97 ... so I'm a little sour on the whole Microsloth thing. Of course I had the last laugh on that one as he stole incomplete work at the time which is why ASP technology is so shaky. At least I got a free VIP vacation to Redmond for a week.

Just remember computer hardware is solid state with no moving parts. Software is just 1's and 0's. Neither goes bad or degrades. The only enemy is excessive heat which can damage silicon components. So why do WinTel systems fail all the time? Simple.. poor engineering. (or brilliant if you consider the revenue all the problems generates in upgrades and support !!)

Get a Mac.. you can never replace your wasted time.

..L

[netwrkranger]

Macs are good.... but expensive. If you want to go the cheap and free route, go either FreeBSD UNIX, Ubuntu Linux, or Gentoo Linux, or Linux Mint. Mint and Ubuntu are definitely the easier of the 4. Gentoo and FreeBSD can have the learning curve of a wall perpendicular to the floor at times =D. But if you stick to it, you will learn very valuable lessons on how OSes, applications, and computers work. Ubuntu and Linux tend to work at lower levels of computing with less abstraction between subsystems at times. This allows you incredible customization powers and far more than Windows will grant you.

In terms of security, you can't go wrong with any BSD kernels (Mac, Open, Free, Dragonfly, Net). Linux is a very solid and secure OS as well. Either one of those kernels are a significant security improvement over Windows.

As far as online security, create a made up fictional profile that you use for registration forms. Using proxy servers or Tor is also good for surfing. If you want security abstraction when using google, use this: https://ssl.scroogle.org. Use SSL whenever possible. Use Firefox or Opera and their security plug-ins they offer. It doesn't hurt to have multiple e-mail accounts either with one designated for receiving junk mail.

Disposable e-mails are great services to use as well for one time registrations or orders.
http://www.sizlopedia.com/2007/05/27...mail-services/

See if your credit cards offer the service of virtual account numbers. This abstracts your real number, but allows you to make purchases online with virtual numbers linked to the real one.

I got TONS more tricks, but it all depends on how many layers of foil you want on your tinfoil hat and how shiny you want it to be =D.

[andrewmitch]

Thanks for the advice....

I have Norton Ghost and Works and I think they come w/ a Boot Up Utility but not sure exactly what they do.

I also created a MS DOS Bootable Floppy.

Other than that, maybe you could help me with how to get the PC back to "last known good configuration"? I recall doing this a while ago doing a Restart and then pressing one of the "F" Keys but for some reason I couldn't get it this time. Then I could use the arrows to scroll to "last known good config". I have Windows XP SP2.

[netwrkranger]

To install the Recovery Console:

You can also install the Recovery Console which gives you a couple of options for repairing a broke system.

You can install it by loading your Windows XP CD. Next, go to:

Start | Run | D:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons

to install the console.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307654

There would be an option at the bottom of the screen saying to hit F8 for other options.

[andrewmitch]

ok, i think i got it now:

Try "Last Known Good Configuration"

Use F8 - Keep hitting it......Hit it again when the screen changes to "Ctr S" option

Then you could select "Last Known Good Configuration"

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

If that doesn't work try "System Restore"

Use F8 - Keep hitting it......Hit it again when the screen changes to "Ctr S" option

Select Safe Mode

Log in and when it asks you if you want to enter safe mode (Y) or do a System Restore (N), select No an proceed to System Restore

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

Now, time for the real task

Safe Surfing.....Findnot.com looks really tempting....And I like the idea of using offshore servers. Only problem is you can give up one evil (jurisdiction) for another. Is there any country that is "safe for surfing"? Panama? Bahamas??......Combine this w/ Hushmail. Does Hushmail hide the "headers" in the email? Other than it being like "Guesswho@yahoo.com" how is it different?

[netwrkranger]

Don't get your hopes up concerning Hushmail.

http://blogs.securiteam.com/index.php/archives/1052

http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/200...ted-e-mai.html



http://www.truthnews.us/?p=1327

Moreover, according to Cryptome’s research, if you own “security” software produced by Zone Alarm, Symantec, and MacAfee, you are in essence throwing out a welcome mat for the NSA and its bevy of underwear drawer sniffing goons. “All facilitate Microsoft’s NSA-controlled remote admin access via IP/TCP ports 1024 through 1030,” and without a “security flag,” that it to say you will be none the wiser.

[andrewmitch]

ok well Hushmail may not be the solution but Findnot (www.findnot.com) has its own email service. Again, the only concern is are you going to be putting yourself under a jurisdiction that is worse than the US.

Findnot claims they don't keep into for more than 5 days and they will not know who you are anyways if you pay via money order and set up the account via mail (slight risk is they could take your money and run). key thing is anything you do over the Findnot server just don't reveal personal info that can be traced back to you. when you want to use email where you have to/want to give your personal info then use your regular service (ie disconnect from the VPN and use your normal ISP email account).