Managing user accts in Powershell?

Copy file(s) from one location to another...in POWERSHELL

What's it do?

• Copies specific files from one directory to another

How to build a simple pen-test lab

Very simple and intuitive.

Want to practice penetration testing???

Legally of course...this is not something you just try on your neighbor's systems. Create a lab at home and have at it.

You will find these penetration testing distribution(Operating Systems) scattered all over the Internet for download...yes it's free. There is a learning curve for those of you not familiar with Linux commands but repetition will create muscle memory.

The most common Operating System that is used is Backtrack (Linux Distribution built off of Ubuntu). Yes, Ubuntu! If you're familiar with that, you should pick it up quicker than most. You can download it here

Here are some others:

Need to restart networking using Linux

Nothing in IT is a stupid question.

You need to restart your network interface without having to take the long route and rebooting your system?

Do this:

sudo /etc/init.d/networking restart

How to build a custom Ubuntu Image

Remastersys can do 2 things: It can make a full system backup including personal stuff to a live cd or dvd that you can use anywhere and install OR It can make a custom distro that you can share with others. This will not have any of your personal user data in it.

*I know at one time the makers of Remastersys were discontinuing support for this product but I'm not quite sure they have yet...until then check it out:

Change the wallpaper in Ubuntu

Why is something so easy sometimes so difficult?

Method 1

Install Ubuntu Tweak.  Ubuntu Tweak will let you tweak many things including the login screen background.

Ubuntu Tweak

To install Ubuntu Tweak add the third party repository to your list of repositories.

Go to System-Administration-Software Sources, Third-Party Software tab, Add:

 deb  http://archive.getdeb.net/ubuntu lucid-getdeb apps

Add the repository GPG key, open a terminal window and type:

 $ wget -q -O-  http://archive.getdeb.net/getdeb-archive.key | sudo apt-key add -

Install ubuntu-tweak from the command line.

$ sudo apt-get update

$ sudo apt-get install ubuntu-tweak

Method 2

Copy your favorite background .jpg file to /usr/share/backgrounds

$ sudo cp  mypic.jpg /usr/share/backgrounds

$ sudo cp /usr/share/applications/gnome-appearance-properties.desktop /usr/share/gdm/autostart/LoginWindow

Logout

You should see an “Appearance Preferences” window, select the Add button and select the .jpg file that you want for your login screen background.  Close the window.

Appearance Preferences

Login again and remove the gnome-appearance-properties.desktop file that you copied in the previous step.  This will prevent you from getting the appearance-properties windows at every gdm login.

$ sudo rm /usr/share/gdm/autostart/LoginWindow/gnome-appearance-properties.desktop Personally I prefer Method 2...

Resetting GPOs to factory default

You ever work so tediously to customize the local GPOs on a Windows Operating system and something just goes array? Then you lose track of what changes need to be made to fix the issue? You can't revert to a 'known good configuration' when it comes to GPO customization...or can you?

I found a solution where you can just remove the GPO you set completely so you can start over from scratch...sometimes you need to do this regardless of the reason/situation. This technique works for Windows Vista/7 and Windows 2008. I did not test on previous operating systems...

Here are the steps:


*Step 1 removes the password restrictions along with other security policies that may prevent you from running steps 2-3.

1) 'Run as' administrator and open up command prompt. Type the command below
and press enter:

Secedit /configure /cfg c:\windows\inf\defltbase.inf /db defltbase.sdb
/verbose

2) In the command prompt, type the command below and press Enter. (see
screenshot below step 7)
NOTE: Substitute D in the command below with your drive letter from step 4
instead.

    RD /S /Q "D:\Windows\System32\

GroupPolicy"

3) In the command prompt, type the command below and press Enter. (see
screenshot below)
NOTE: Substitute D in the command below with your drive letter from step 4
instead.

    RD /S /Q "D:\Windows\System32\GroupPolicyUsers"

First Post

I'm relatively new to this blogging thing. I figure it would be a good way to keep some valuable technical information out there for my own personal reference as well as those in and around the field of Information Technology to include but not limited to system administration, basic programming, and the latest hot trend 'cyber-security.'

YES...this field is evolving by the nanosecond and most techies would consider sharing and/or translating the secrets of their trade into layman's terms somewhat taboo...although information sharing has gotten better over the years.

I enjoy being in this field from a professional and personal standpoint. It's always challenging and the reward of getting the result you desire is priceless.

Take the information from this blog and use it to improve in all facets of this field. Just remember to keep working to perfect your craft...you can't fool the experts forever.

-R