Next in a long run of Windows hacks, we have a device that can not be blocked easily via software, and is fully customizable.  The Teensy 2.0 (purchased for $18 at www.pjrc.com) is an Arduino-like microcontroller that can be programmed to act as a keyboard once plugged in.  The device and vendor IDs can be changed at will, making it extremely difficult to block it as a single device.  (I, myself, have mine identifying as an Apple Pro Keyboard - as it requires no drivers in Linux, Mac OS X, or Windows - and doesn't queue off OS X to identify an unknown keyboard.)  There is an application out there that takes inventory of your USB devices and monitors for, and blocks, new devices - but unless you have this highly obscure program running, you are likely to to fall victim to this device.

(continue reading...)

It's no secret that Windows security is akin to that of cheesecloth. As if you needed yet another reason to switch to a real operating system, let's take a look at how to get administrative access on any Windows 2000, XP, Vista, or 7 box that you can physically access, and change the boot medium on.

(continue reading...)

Straight out of the hak5 wiki, I've been trying to build my own USB Switchblade. Unfortunately, at the time of the episode, the best we had was Windows XP. Well, time has passed, things have changed, and I'm sitting on a Windows 7 box (honestly, I only use it for gaming), and I no longer have an XP box in the house. The instructions for creating a Switchblade involve running a utility that reflashes your U3 capable USB thumbdrive with a custom .iso that includes all your fun tools. Unfortunately, Windows Vista and Windows 7 operate quite a bit differently than Windows XP, and the utility that reflashes your pen drive complains that "you can only update one U3 compatible device at a time," and that you should "unplug all other devices." Fortunately, I have found a solution.

(continue reading...)

Introduction

Ever since the Palm Pre came out, there has been a dull uproar over the inability to remove certain apps, specifically the NASCAR app that nobody seems to use. A typical downloaded application can be removed by pressing [orange] while tapping on the application icon. A dialog will pop up that gives you the option to delete the application. Unfortunately, this option does not exist for the NASCAR application, and now Sprint has decided to plague us with a second useless application: the NFL app.

(continue reading...)

Introduction

Ever since the Palm Pre came out, there has been a dull uproar over the inability to remove certain apps, specifically the NASCAR app that nobody seems to use. A typical downloaded application can be removed by pressing [orange] while tapping on the application icon. A dialog will pop up that gives you the option to delete the application. Unfortunately, this option does not exist for the NASCAR application. (continue reading...)

Sitting in the dark, as many of us geekly types often do, I don't look out the window much. I also don't like surprises. Needless to say, I don't like clamoring out of my cove only to find that it's raining. Or snowing. Or 127º. So, I came up with a simple solution: let Geektool keep me up to date with the weather. This script requires you to have lynx installed, so if you don't already have it, head on over to MacPorts or Fink and grab yourself a copy (either sudo fink install lynx or sudo port install lynx, depending on your flavor.) Dump the following script into your favorite editor, and chmod +x it. (I threw mine into /usr/bin). (continue reading...)

For those in the know, the HOSTS file is a great way to locally cache DNS to commonly visited websites, or to give quick access to local machines via hostname on your network. There are many other uses for the HOSTS file, but today we're not really focused on what it is, but rather, how to enable it.

(continue reading...)