What free Hardening Software/s are you using and why?

[sweater]

Pls guide me w this 'm a beginner...

Many tnx

Good and free one that I am using is Harden IT and Secure IT from http://www.yasc.net/

[ErikAlbert]

Are those freewares ?
I THINK SecureIt is free, but HardenIt seems to be a trial version.
I might be wrong of course, because I don't have a hardened hard disk, although 2 x hard sounds more solid.

[rdsu]

Is use Safe XP and Harden-It...

[AvianFlux]

Originally Posted by sweater

Pls guide me w this 'm a beginner...

Many tnx

Before installing Harden-It or Secure-It, shut down unessential processes with SmartClose, launch Total Unistall v2.35, then install the app(s) in their default configurations.

If you encounter any problems later you can then reverse all changes with Total Uninstall.

[rdsu]

Originally Posted by AvianFlux

Before installing Harden-It or Secure-It, shut down unessential processes with SmartClose, launch Total Unistall v2.35, then install the app(s) in their default configurations.

If you encounter any problems later you can then reverse all changes with Total Uninstall.

Total Uninstall just see new files and registry entries after the snapshot...

If you want to backup your registry, use ERUNT...

[AvianFlux]

Originally Posted by VaMPiRiC_CRoW

Total Uninstall just see new files and registry entries after the snapshot...

If you want to backup your registry, use ERUNT...

I've experienced errors when importing registry backups in the past. About a week ago I tried to import a RegEdit export file and it was unable to replace the registry in its entirety.

Total Uninstall has performed flawlessly for me. It will tell you which files could not be deleted so they can be removed manually if necessary.

[rdsu]

Originally Posted by AvianFlux

I've experienced errors when importing registry backups in the past. About a week ago I tried to import a RegEdit export file and it was inable to replace the registry in its entirety.

Total Uninstall has performed flawlessly for me. It will tell you which files could not be deleted so they can be removed manually if necessary.

OK, I didn't know that

[AvianFlux]

Are there specific steps which need to be taken before importing a saved reg file into the registry? Maybe something's amiss, or I'm omitting a critical step.

[rdsu]

Originally Posted by AvianFlux

Are there specific steps which need to be taken before importing a saved reg file into the registry? Maybe something's amiss, or I'm omitting a critical step.

I don't think so. With ERUNT you just backup the registry to a folder, and when you want to use that backup, just run a executable under that folder and import...

But I didn't knoe that Total Unistall can revert the changes in the registry...

[AvianFlux]

Originally Posted by VaMPiRiC_CRoW

I don't think so. With ERUNT you just backup the registry to a folder, and when you want to use that backup, just run a executable under that folder and import...

But I didn't knoe that Total Unistall can revert the changes in the registry...

Oh, okay, thanks.

I'm pretty sure it can only revert those changes that were made during the install not those made afterwards. Any files or registry entries created by a new program following the Total Uninstall install process won't be reverted, but will be noted for manual removal during the uninstall.

Don't quote me on that.

[rdsu]

If TU can do that, it's a even better product...

[rdsu]

Just to confirm (from the Help file)

[sweater]

Originally Posted by VaMPiRiC_CRoW

Total Uninstall just see new files and registry entries after the snapshot...

If you want to backup your registry, use ERUNT...

Tnx... I install and run first ERUNT before installing those hardening system and it really does the job well it restores everything. But the AUTOBACK-UP features starts to fill up my harddrive coz it makes a daily back-up.

[rdsu]

Originally Posted by sweater

...But the AUTOBACK-UP features starts to fill up my harddrive coz it makes a daily back-up.

I don't use that feature

Just disable or remove that entry from the Windows Startup...

[dja2k]

Originally Posted by AvianFlux

Before installing Harden-It or Secure-It, shut down unessential processes with SmartClose, launch Total Unistall v2.35, then install the app(s) in their default configurations.

If you encounter any problems later you can then reverse all changes with Total Uninstall.

What happens if you don't close all essential programs? Also do you use both harden-it and secure-it even with other security software installed like an antivirus, firewall, and processguard + regdefend?

dja2k

[dja2k]

Originally Posted by VaMPiRiC_CRoW

Is use Safe XP and Harden-It...

What options do you checkout in safe xp, the recommend doesn't seem to check off most of them and some are still left out that are suppose to be off. Don't know if it is possible to show a snapshot of what you have off and on in safexp.

dja2k

[AvianFlux]

Originally Posted by dja2k

What happens if you don't close all essential programs? Also do you use both harden-it and secure-it even with other security software installed like an antivirus, firewall, and processguard + regdefend?

dja2k

SmartClose closes all UN-essential programs and services. There's always the risk a new app will screw things up if installed while other applications are up and running.

No, I do not use either one. I 'harden' my system using Windows firewall, IE Security Zone settings, a reduced services profile (BlackViper), secure Flash and Java configuration, along with SpywareBlaster and hpHOSTS file.

[rdsu]

Originally Posted by dja2k

What options do you checkout in safe xp, the recommend doesn't seem to check off most of them and some are still left out that are suppose to be off. Don't know if it is possible to show a snapshot of what you have off and on in safexp.

Here you have:

[Dazed_and_Confused]

OK, I've been around here since early last year. Excuse what appears to be a dumb question, but what is "hardening" software? I've never heard that term used before.

[rdsu]

Originally Posted by Dazed_and_Confused

OK, I've been around here since early last year. Excuse what appears to be a dumb question, but what is "hardening" software? I've never heard that term used before.

See this: Hardening

[Dazed_and_Confused]

Thanks, Mr. Crow.


It appears to be just another term for "Security Software" in general, in addition to blocking Operating System holes (which Windows seems to have more and more of every day).

[rdsu]

It's a good way to improve and protect some aspects of our system...

[Dazed_and_Confused]

Originally Posted by VaMPiRiC_CRoW

It's a good way to improve and protect some aspects of our system...

Yes, and I've done quite a bit of already. I just never knew it was referred to as "Hardening". But it makes sense!

[dja2k]

Originally Posted by VaMPiRiC_CRoW

Here you have:

Why don't you have these checked:

1. Clear Page File on Shutdown

2. Empty Temperary Internet Files on Exit

Also for some reason I had checked, Disable DCOM Support before, why do you have that on?

And one more, I had checked Disable Internal Java Jit Complier and you dont' seem to have that?

Also do any of these option screw around with the way the internet works and\or network settings I should be aware of. They don't interfier with the firewall right? I am on a network, but nothing gets shared anyways, if that is one symptom.

dja2k