[Tassie_Devils]

Hi Guys:

I thought I would post this as I have seen some newer members asking for test sites, and other info.

I cannot be sure if I have posted this previously on this site, [I have done a smaller one elsewhere] and if so, I apologise, either way, it will bring a pretty good starter's listing for newer members to have at their disposal in one list.

At time of posting, each link has been verified

ONLINE SCANNERS TESTS YOUR MACHINE FOR VIRUS/ETC:
Trend Micro's free online [Housecall] virus scanner: http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
BitDefender Free Online Virus Scan: http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/licence.php
Panda ActiveScan Online Virus Scan: http://www.pandasoftware.es/activesc...vescan-com.asp
PCPitstop AntiVirus Online Scan: http://www.pcpitstop.com/antivirus/avload.asp
Symantec's Online Scan: http://security2.norton.com/
Eicar virus tests. Test YOUR AV: http://www.eicar.org/anti_virus_test_file.htm

SCANNING SITES:

NOTE: These sites 'probe' your computer looking for vulnerabilities in your system. Probe to see what Ports they can/cannot connect to, what info they can get about your OS, your browser, clipboard, email weaknesses, etc.

Please make sure you read each site's page first as you want to make sure you are scanning your IP and not your ISP's Proxy Server. Some sites you will have no choice to alter the setting if you are behind a 'Proxy IP' that your ISP provides. I personally cannot be scanned by one or two of the sites most of the time, as they only detect my ISP's Proxy address, therefore waste of time and your ISP may get cranky if you keep probing their ports.

email EXPLOITS TESTS:
Declude email tests: http://www.declude.com/tools/mailsend.html
GFI Email Security Testing Zone: http://www.gfi.com/emailsecuritytest/


FIREWALL / SYSTEMS TESTS:
Some of these sites you may have to "Register", just fill in a UserName and password or email for verification. No personal details needed, all sites listed below are trustworthy.
Note: Also, the terminology may differ site to site, what one site classes as "Stealthed" may be "Blocked", etc. Blackcode's site [first in list] results are either "Closed" or "Open". In this case "Closed" is what you want. Other sites [GRC's] will have "Stealth", "Closed" "Open", in this case "Stealth" is what you are looking for.

Blackcode: This link deleted by TAS as it now redirects to an Adult Site Thanks to member 'Longboard' for the heads up on this.
HackerWhacker: http://hackerwhacker.com/newindex.dyn
AuditMyPC.com: http://www.auditmypc.com/freescan/prefcan.asp
Broadband Reports.com [EXCELLENT, DO THE SLOW SCAN]: http://www.dslreports.com/scan/
Computer Cops Security Professionals: http://www.computercops.biz/index.php
HackerWatch.org: http://www.hackerwatch.org/probe/
Security Space.com: http://www.securityspace.com/sspace/index.html
PC Flank Complete Check: http://www.pcflank.com/
PCPitStop Checks/TuneUp: http://pcpitstop.com/
Qualys' Free Browser Checkup: http://browsercheck.qualys.com/
Sygate Online Services: http://scan.sygate.com/
Steve Gibons's "ShieldsUP" [GRC-Gibson Research Centre]: https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2 OR http://grc.com
[You may have to download the very small, standalone, IPAgent which determines your TRUE IP]

TWEAKS & TIPS:
Keyboard Shortcuts: Dozens of shortcuts to help navigate quicker. Example ~ Have you ever clicked on a link, the link then opens up in same window, then there is another link, etc. etc. and you get lost trying to go back? Well, for those occasions when you wish you could get a new window QUICKLY [yes, I know in IE you can set preferences to open up new window each link, but not always convenient], simply hold down the Shift key while clicking on the link and a new window opens. Lots more in there.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tre...t7/wrkappg.asp

Tweak Central ~ Computer OS/Browser/mail Tweaks: http://tweakcentral.com/s002.htm

BlackViper's Services Tweaks ~ Turn Off/Disable those Unneeded Services: http://blackviper.com/

Windows Support Center: http://www.aumha.org/

Windows XP Tweaks and Fixes: http://www.dougknox.com/xp/xp_fixes.html

Desktop Tips ~ Bob Cerelli's Windows Page: http://www.onecomputerguy.com/desktop.htm

Parasite Names/References [hijackers/keyloggers, etc.]: http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/

Task List Process ~ Find out what those running processes are: http://www.answersthatwork.com/Taskl...s/tasklist.htm

Miscellaneous OS Tools: http://www.sysinternals.com/index.shtml

Start-up Applications ~ Find out what those start-up apps are for: http://www.sysinfo.org/startupinfo.html

Windows XP Troubleshooting A-Z [Excellent]: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm

UK Security Online ~ Securing YOUR OS [Excellent]: http://www.uksecurityonline.com/index5.php

Inside Outlook Express ~ Tools/Tips: http://insideoe.tomsterdam.com/

Knowledge Base Links, Commands & Utilities ALL OS: http://www.aumha.org/kbcomm.php

Computer Privacy, Security and Software Links ~ VERY COOL: http://www3.telus.net/wc/privsecur_02.html

Internet Explorer Privacy & Security Settings ~ Very Good Site for IE: http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/main-nf.htm


MICROSOFT HOTFIXES/PATCHES/ETC:
Want to know what that Qxxxxxxxxxx is all about. Tired of looking for a particular one?
Go to: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tre...asp?frame=true

Outlook Express Stationery: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/oe/...ationerydl.asp

SECURITY NEWS/INFO:

Wayne's Windows Administrator Support site for Windows NT / Windows 2000 / Windows XP / Penetration Testing / Firewalls: LOTS of links inside....
http://is-it-true.org/

Outlook Express Security Related Info: Lots of troubleshooting, etc: http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/outlook_express.htm OR: http://www.mvps.org to Home Page with lots extra info various flavours.

SecurityFocus: http://www.securityfocus.org/

Microsoft Setting up Security Zones IE: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/...up.asp#activex

StormRanger Computer Security: http://www.stormranger.net/pages/590300/index.htm

my | NETWATCHMAN Attacks Info: http://www.mynetwatchman.com/

Distributed Intrusion Detection System
DShield.org: http://www.dshield.org/index.html


IGGYZ PLACE: Now this is the be-all end-all of Internet security tests/links/advice/information:

First: http://www.iggyz.com/Test.html
There is over 667 links inside each of the testing/info sites in this page. Take weeks to cover it all. Then.....

there is this: http://www.iggyz.com/files/Bookmarkz/antivirus.html
Over 770 links to various information/topics/fixes relating to Viruses. It's a "Must Read" for anyone seriously interested in security.

Edit: Reference to live malware site has been removed. We can't link to sites that provide real/functional malware components. Thanks. LWM

I hope I have not 'doubled' up on url's. If so, then it must be a good site, lol.

That's it for me. I do have more, but post pretty long as it is

Cheers, TAS.