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

**APK** · 10:55am

Conclusion

To all interested/reading:

I think this is it guys, I know of NO MORE to secure a Windows System... & again - IF any of you have points to add (OR, alternate tools to use in lieu of those I posted)?

Please - DO, do so!

(However, I only ask that you keep it @ a technical computer security level (per my 1st initial post here's "P.S." section @ its termination)).

* ENJOY A FASTER & SAFER Windows based system of modern variety (2000/XP/Server 2003 & even VISTA) online today (especially TODAY!)...

APK

P.S.=> In other words, please - no "grammar & spelling" English "writing style" critiques, as they do NOT help to secure a system further... not even if you possess a PhD in the English language (as this is NOT 'english class' & that does not help secure a system better).

I did try to keep it as SHORT as possible, & to have folks use the CIS Tool to help make it easier + more fun.

HOWEVER, @ times, the material is complex & I could not "shorten/condense it" anymore w/ out losing critical details & such!

Please bear with that much, & gain by this thread by getting those 90++ scores on CIS Tool, surfing safely & F A S T E R online as a bonus once you apply the points I layered ontop of CIS Tool's guidance points (based on "industry best practices" & such)... thanks! apk

**APK** · 06:31pm

Signature test...

&, the addition of such a "guide" as this one is for Windows folks here, albeit for MacOS X users too now ("straight-from-the-horses'-mouth" no less, @ Apple), here on these forums now:

http://www.thenewtech.com/forums/net...963/#post15358

(It's just NOT as "automated", & yes, simple as is this one is, via CIS Tool guidance for Windows (& yes, for Linux distros/Solaris/& other BSD variants (just not MacOS X afaik)):

* See here, in your NETWORKING & SECURITY SECTION, in the URL above!

APK

**APK** · Jul 3, 2008, 04:34pm

For those of you interested in using custom HOSTS files (for BOTH added security & added speed online)?

"APK Hosts File Grinder 4.0++"

----

The application above has been built by myself, for folks just like YOU, & of course, myself!

----

It allows you the end-user, the ability to:

1.) DO very EASY Integrating the HOSTS files of others, such as MVPS.ORG & others noted @ wikipedia, here -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosts_file (even if in other internal line-by-line formats) "scrubbed into" the MOST EFFICIENT format there is (allowing less memory &/or disk space occupancy for loading, of 0<singlespace>URL<cr+lf> ), first, & then...

2.) Speed up access to your fav sites, via 1st pinging them (so their IP Address IS up-to-date/current), & adding them to the normalized non-repeat line items list on the right above

3.) Add/remove sites from a hosts file, but by first checking for their pre-existence inside the HOSTS file on ADDS, & rejecting if there already (& adding if NOT present)

4.) Lastly, it will FULLY NORMALIZE (accurately 110%) a HOSTS file (normalize = removal of duplicates)...leaving you with one in the MOST efficient format line-wise there is (noted above, which consumes less memory & faster loadtime from disk)

----

It has allowed me to:

A.) Take valid HOSTS file data EVERY known & respected HOSTS file there is (noted from the wikipedia link above, & also from SRI, Shadowserver, Dancho Dancheve's Blog, SpyBot S&D, Spamhaus, Phishtank, + others also, such as my own research into this area), & integrate them FIRST into a HUGE 20mb file, & then via normalization, reducing its size to 12mb on disk (removing repeats which they will have between one another & sometimes inside of themselves even), reduce its size that way (1/2 the intial size almost from all that date), first...

B.) It has also made a 12mb SUPER-COMPREHENSIVE custom HOSTS file out of an intially 20++ mb sized one, from the sources above... allowing the SAME function as they offer (because their HOSTS FILES' many times using 127.0.0.1, or, 0.0.0.0 formats, instead into a MORE EFFICIENT ONE, of 0<singlespace>URL<cr+lf>)... thus, MASSIVELY reducing its size on disk & in RAM once loaded into your local DNS cache, yet offering the SAME function!

C.) Create a CUSTOM HOSTS FILE loaded with FULLY alphabetized entries into your HOSTS file (so it is easy to search thru, even via notepad.exe).

-----

* It can do the same for you as well, should you be interested in such a tool... if you are? Email me, here:

apk4776239@hotmail.com

APK

P.S.=> General statistics on its, while in operation:

700k-5900k memory occupancy prior to load of HOSTS file data...

( & up to 167mb IF a "huge" hosts file (like 1 million++ line entries) is used)

Its runtimes (noted above) will vary, depending on the size of the HOSTS file being processed (should NOT exceed 3 hrs (&, for most folks, since they do NOT have files of such size in their HOSTS file? Heh, it will be the "blink of an eye" on most all sections (scrub, add/remove entries - validate entries, normalization-removal of repeated items, & save to disk) up to 2 minutes or so)

PLUS - It was built in the MOST efficient & fastest code combination I know of (Borland Delphi 7.x, Win32 API, & Inline Assembler code)

(Especially for this type of string processing (of which Delphi alone in math & strings often MORE THAN DOUBLED (sometimes, tripled) the speed of both MSVB & MSVC++ in, in (of all places) Visual Basic Programmer's Journal Sept./Oct. 1997 issue "INSIDE THE VB COMPILER" issue))

+

A truly "SUPER-EFFICIENT" algorithm, on each area of processing (especially normalization, taken down from DAYS time over 1 million++ records, to only 3 hours time max, if no repeats exist... if repeats? Far, FAR faster!)

Which speaks worlds alone right there... this app makes FAR shorter work of this, than does using ping.exe (for speedup of sites), MsAccess (via SQL Select Distinct queries work, & the potential import/export hassles it can have (leaving trailing spaces &/or quotes for example, bloating files on export)), & notepad.exe (good luck normalizing one using its Edit-Replace menus is all I can say... especially IF you have a BIG hosts file)... apk

**APK** · 01:40am

Researcher to demonstrate attack code for Intel chips:

http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/...l_chips_1.html

SALIENT/PERTINENT EXCERPT:
----------------------------------------------------
"Kaspersky says CPU bugs are a growing threat, with malware being written that targets these vulnerabilities... Security researcher and author Kris Kaspersky plans to demonstrate how an attacker can target flaws in Intel's microprocessors to remotely attack a computer using JavaScript or TCP/IP packets, regardless of what operating system the computer is running."
----------------------------------------------------

* Now can anyone see WHY I recommended turning off Java/Javascript (& other browser addons/extension languages) for "every site you use under the sun" + IFrames etc.? Personally, this one's pretty bad, worse than what is out there/here now, worse than rootkits even in some ways...

However, I also think worse are on the way even moreso...

(... & I mentioned the architecture they could possibly use, quite "terminator-like", for rootkit delivery systems & such here earlier. Especially ones that can flash your BIOS, &/or other updateable PROMS (mainly because if usermode tools from vendors like ASUS + GIGABYTE & doubtless others can do it, from inside Windows, so can malwares & same way (via drivers & bios img files))

APK

P.S.=> There are more examples inside this guide, & of this SAME type of idea (crank off the java/javascript etc. et al & ONLY keep it active on sites you ABSOLUTELY need it for, to have the site function properly - lessening your potentially attackable surface online basically).. heck, even adbanners have exploits of this nature in them lately...

The examples I put in this guide ARE far older too, dating back 1-3 yrs. but the point is only here, again, & moreso (far more dangerous this time, imo @ least)... apk

**APK** · 06:57pm

Well, @ this point?

I think this guide's PRETTY SOLID, because nobody has been able to "add points" to it, from across 27 other forums online (many are "serious geek" oriented sites too)!

(... & the fact that some folks from "THE PLANET" (a large website & hosting provider online) offered to hire me on as a remote security specialist @ this point (pretty cool) for Win2k3 servers they use, as well as what appears to be their personally managed or owned sites also (KTInteractive)).

In any event?

@ People Reading:

This IS your "Iron Man Armor Online"!

So, have @ it ('snap it on') - & enjoy a F A S T E R, & FAR MORE S E C U R E online setup on your Windows NT-based OS' of today (Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003 & yes, even VISTA to a good extent) via applying CIS Tools' suggestions & my own that "layer ontop of it"...

* I am FAIRLY certain it's done - As I can't think of any more points & methods to secure your Windows NT-based rigs, & thus, I close this post off... she's all done as far as I am concerned... this same message will go across ALL others like it that I am still able to edit/add to online, @ some point today in fact.

APK

P.S.=> Sorry for the 'closing note' but, if anyone's interested, this is the "final model" of this guide & its points... enjoy! apk

P.S.S.=> @ DaveMo~: Hey, wrote you back, you know what I wrote, & this is good enough (thanks for the assist & time taken in the matter we spoke of)... apk

Mar 23, 2008, 03:47pm	#31 (permalink) ADDED SUPPLEMENTARY INFO. (good stuff, part #1 of 3)
APK Elite Member Posts: 354 Name: The Duke of URL Karma:	Conclusion To all interested/reading: I think this is it guys, I know of NO MORE to secure a Windows System... & again - IF any of you have points to add (OR, alternate tools to use in lieu of those I posted)? Please - DO, do so! (However, I only ask that you keep it @ a technical computer security level (per my 1st initial post here's "P.S." section @ its termination)). * ENJOY A FASTER & SAFER Windows based system of modern variety (2000/XP/Server 2003 & even VISTA) online today (especially TODAY!)... APK P.S.=> In other words, please - no "grammar & spelling" English "writing style" critiques, as they do NOT help to secure a system further... not even if you possess a PhD in the English language (as this is NOT 'english class' & that does not help secure a system better). I did try to keep it as SHORT as possible, & to have folks use the CIS Tool to help make it easier + more fun. HOWEVER, @ times, the material is complex & I could not "shorten/condense it" anymore w/ out losing critical details & such! Please bear with that much, & gain by this thread by getting those 90++ scores on CIS Tool, surfing safely & F A S T E R online as a bonus once you apply the points I layered ontop of CIS Tool's guidance points (based on "industry best practices" & such)... thanks! apk Last edited by APK; May 24, 2008 at 10:55am.

Jun 3, 2008, 02:14pm	#32 (permalink) Re: HOW TO SECURE Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003 & VISTA
APK Elite Member Posts: 354 Name: The Duke of URL Karma:	Signature test... &, the addition of such a "guide" as this one is for Windows folks here, albeit for MacOS X users too now ("straight-from-the-horses'-mouth" no less, @ Apple), here on these forums now: http://www.thenewtech.com/forums/net...963/#post15358 (It's just NOT as "automated", & yes, simple as is this one is, via CIS Tool guidance for Windows (& yes, for Linux distros/Solaris/& other BSD variants (just not MacOS X afaik)): * See here, in your NETWORKING & SECURITY SECTION, in the URL above! APK __________________ "I'm Reese: Sgt. TechComVN38416, assigned to protect you - You've been TARGETTED FOR TERMINATION!" Last edited by APK; Jun 3, 2008 at 06:31pm.

Jul 3, 2008, 04:34pm	#33 (permalink) Re: HOW TO SECURE Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003 & VISTA
APK Elite Member Posts: 354 Name: The Duke of URL Karma:	For those of you interested in using custom HOSTS files (for BOTH added security & added speed online)? "APK Hosts File Grinder 4.0++" ---- The application above has been built by myself, for folks just like YOU, & of course, myself! ---- It allows you the end-user, the ability to: 1.) DO very EASY Integrating the HOSTS files of others, such as MVPS.ORG & others noted @ wikipedia, here -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosts_file (even if in other internal line-by-line formats) "scrubbed into" the MOST EFFICIENT format there is (allowing less memory &/or disk space occupancy for loading, of 0<singlespace>URL<cr+lf> ), first, & then... 2.) Speed up access to your fav sites, via 1st pinging them (so their IP Address IS up-to-date/current), & adding them to the normalized non-repeat line items list on the right above 3.) Add/remove sites from a hosts file, but by first checking for their pre-existence inside the HOSTS file on ADDS, & rejecting if there already (& adding if NOT present) 4.) Lastly, it will FULLY NORMALIZE (accurately 110%) a HOSTS file (normalize = removal of duplicates)...leaving you with one in the MOST efficient format line-wise there is (noted above, which consumes less memory & faster loadtime from disk) ---- It has allowed me to: A.) Take valid HOSTS file data EVERY known & respected HOSTS file there is (noted from the wikipedia link above, & also from SRI, Shadowserver, Dancho Dancheve's Blog, SpyBot S&D, Spamhaus, Phishtank, + others also, such as my own research into this area), & integrate them FIRST into a HUGE 20mb file, & then via normalization, reducing its size to 12mb on disk (removing repeats which they will have between one another & sometimes inside of themselves even), reduce its size that way (1/2 the intial size almost from all that date), first... B.) It has also made a 12mb SUPER-COMPREHENSIVE custom HOSTS file out of an intially 20++ mb sized one, from the sources above... allowing the SAME function as they offer (because their HOSTS FILES' many times using 127.0.0.1, or, 0.0.0.0 formats, instead into a MORE EFFICIENT ONE, of 0<singlespace>URL<cr+lf>)... thus, MASSIVELY reducing its size on disk & in RAM once loaded into your local DNS cache, yet offering the SAME function! C.) Create a CUSTOM HOSTS FILE loaded with FULLY alphabetized entries into your HOSTS file (so it is easy to search thru, even via notepad.exe). ----- * It can do the same for you as well, should you be interested in such a tool... if you are? Email me, here: apk4776239@hotmail.com APK P.S.=> General statistics on its, while in operation: 700k-5900k memory occupancy prior to load of HOSTS file data... ( & up to 167mb IF a "huge" hosts file (like 1 million++ line entries) is used) Its runtimes (noted above) will vary, depending on the size of the HOSTS file being processed (should NOT exceed 3 hrs (&, for most folks, since they do NOT have files of such size in their HOSTS file? Heh, it will be the "blink of an eye" on most all sections (scrub, add/remove entries - validate entries, normalization-removal of repeated items, & save to disk) up to 2 minutes or so) PLUS - It was built in the MOST efficient & fastest code combination I know of (Borland Delphi 7.x, Win32 API, & Inline Assembler code) (Especially for this type of string processing (of which Delphi alone in math & strings often MORE THAN DOUBLED (sometimes, tripled) the speed of both MSVB & MSVC++ in, in (of all places) Visual Basic Programmer's Journal Sept./Oct. 1997 issue "INSIDE THE VB COMPILER" issue)) + A truly "SUPER-EFFICIENT" algorithm, on each area of processing (especially normalization, taken down from DAYS time over 1 million++ records, to only 3 hours time max, if no repeats exist... if repeats? Far, FAR faster!) Which speaks worlds alone right there... this app makes FAR shorter work of this, than does using ping.exe (for speedup of sites), MsAccess (via SQL Select Distinct queries work, & the potential import/export hassles it can have (leaving trailing spaces &/or quotes for example, bloating files on export)), & notepad.exe (good luck normalizing one using its Edit-Replace menus is all I can say... especially IF you have a BIG hosts file)... apk __________________ "I'm Reese: Sgt. TechComVN38416, assigned to protect you - You've been TARGETTED FOR TERMINATION!"

Jul 14, 2008, 07:20pm	#34 (permalink) Re: HOW TO SECURE Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003 & VISTA
APK Elite Member Posts: 354 Name: The Duke of URL Karma:	Researcher to demonstrate attack code for Intel chips: http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/...l_chips_1.html SALIENT/PERTINENT EXCERPT: ---------------------------------------------------- "Kaspersky says CPU bugs are a growing threat, with malware being written that targets these vulnerabilities... Security researcher and author Kris Kaspersky plans to demonstrate how an attacker can target flaws in Intel's microprocessors to remotely attack a computer using JavaScript or TCP/IP packets, regardless of what operating system the computer is running." ---------------------------------------------------- * Now can anyone see WHY I recommended turning off Java/Javascript (& other browser addons/extension languages) for "every site you use under the sun" + IFrames etc.? Personally, this one's pretty bad, worse than what is out there/here now, worse than rootkits even in some ways... However, I also think worse are on the way even moreso... (... & I mentioned the architecture they could possibly use, quite "terminator-like", for rootkit delivery systems & such here earlier. Especially ones that can flash your BIOS, &/or other updateable PROMS (mainly because if usermode tools from vendors like ASUS + GIGABYTE & doubtless others can do it, from inside Windows, so can malwares & same way (via drivers & bios img files)) APK P.S.=> There are more examples inside this guide, & of this SAME type of idea (crank off the java/javascript etc. et al & ONLY keep it active on sites you ABSOLUTELY need it for, to have the site function properly - lessening your potentially attackable surface online basically).. heck, even adbanners have exploits of this nature in them lately... The examples I put in this guide ARE far older too, dating back 1-3 yrs. but the point is only here, again, & moreso (far more dangerous this time, imo @ least)... apk __________________ "I'm Reese: Sgt. TechComVN38416, assigned to protect you - You've been TARGETTED FOR TERMINATION!" Last edited by APK; Jul 15, 2008 at 01:40am. Reason: Adding detail & reference to earlier "theoretical" potentially possible worse threats, & their possible architecture too (I mentioned it a few posts back)... apk

Aug 29, 2008, 10:34am	#35 (permalink) Have @ it: FINAL version of this guide (your "IRON MAN ARMOR ONLINE", basically)...
APK Elite Member Posts: 354 Name: The Duke of URL Karma:	Well, @ this point? I think this guide's PRETTY SOLID, because nobody has been able to "add points" to it, from across 27 other forums online (many are "serious geek" oriented sites too)! (... & the fact that some folks from "THE PLANET" (a large website & hosting provider online) offered to hire me on as a remote security specialist @ this point (pretty cool) for Win2k3 servers they use, as well as what appears to be their personally managed or owned sites also (KTInteractive)). In any event? @ People Reading: This IS your "Iron Man Armor Online"! So, have @ it ('snap it on') - & enjoy a F A S T E R, & FAR MORE S E C U R E online setup on your Windows NT-based OS' of today (Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003 & yes, even VISTA to a good extent) via applying CIS Tools' suggestions & my own that "layer ontop of it"... * I am FAIRLY certain it's done - As I can't think of any more points & methods to secure your Windows NT-based rigs, & thus, I close this post off... she's all done as far as I am concerned... this same message will go across ALL others like it that I am still able to edit/add to online, @ some point today in fact. APK P.S.=> Sorry for the 'closing note' but, if anyone's interested, this is the "final model" of this guide & its points... enjoy! apk P.S.S.=> @ DaveMo~: Hey, wrote you back, you know what I wrote, & this is good enough (thanks for the assist & time taken in the matter we spoke of)... apk __________________ "I'm Reese: Sgt. TechComVN38416, assigned to protect you - You've been TARGETTED FOR TERMINATION!" Last edited by APK; Aug 30, 2008 at 06:57pm.

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