Used Laptop Computer: Your Quick Purchase Inspection Guide - Part 2 [aboutcomputer99.blogspot.com]

Used Laptop Computer: Your Quick Purchase Inspection Guide - Part 2 [aboutcomputer99.blogspot.com]

Beth Israel Deaconess routinely protects information on company-issued computers by encrypting the material with software that makes it difficult to decipher, but in this case the stolen laptop was the physician's personal device that was used for some ... Laptop theft may affect 3900 Beth Israel patients

How to Detect Rootkits on a Computer or Laptop by Britec Rootkits are used by hackers to hide intrusions into a computer. Rootkits are often used to obtain administrator privileges to the system and to other machines on the network so that they can spread malware, track keystrokes or open a backdoor into the system. Because of their stealthy nature, rootkit detection is difficult. -------------------- Gmer download: www.gmer.net GMER is an application that detects and removes rootkits . It scans for: hidden processes, hidden threads, hidden modules, hidden services, hidden files, hidden Alternate Data Streams, hidden registry keys, drivers hooking SSDT, drivers hooking IDT drivers hooking IRP calls, inline hooks ---------------------- RootRepeal download: ad13.geekstogo.com The ability to scan and display all currently loaded drivers and tell you whether they are hidden and whether the drivers file is visible on disk. Scans for hidden, locked or falsified files on the system Scans and displays the currently running processes (similar to Process Explorer) but shows if the process is hidden or locked. Scans the SSDT (system service descriptor table) to see if any services are hooked. Scans for Stealth objects which looks for rootkit symptoms in general. Scans for Hidden services and displays them. Once you have found something malicious, you can right click on the driver/file/service and either copy, wipe or force delete it. ----------------------- Rootkit unhooker download ...

aboutcomputer99.blogspot.com How to Detect Rootkits on a Computer or Laptop by Britec

Used laptop computers are everywhere these days. How can you sift through the mass of available used laptop computers to narrow your search down to the right laptop for you? This is the second part of a series of articles designed to give you a few suggestions for your next purchase.

Assuming you've done the visual inspection mentioned in part one, you're ready to power up the laptop and do some more digging.

Laptop Operating System

Does the laptop you're looking at come with an operating system? If not, it could be difficult for you to fully test the operation of the laptop. One good alternative to a built in operating system is to download and burn a copy of Knoppix. Knoppix is a linux operating system that runs off the CD-ROM drive instead of the hard drive. This allows you to test the laptop even if it doesn't have an operating system installed. You can find Knoppix at http://www.knoppix.com

Quick Power Up Inspection

Power up the laptop if it already isn't on. Make sure to open the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive that comes with the laptop. Look for USB ports and make sure they are in good repair. Locate the vent for the CPU fan (if it has one - most do) and listen to the sound it makes. If you hear any whining or grinding sounds, beware. This may be an indication that the CPU inside has not been getting proper cooling which can definitely lead to problems down the road like random crashes, shut downs, etc...

Examine the LCD Screen

Chances are, you're going to be staring at that screen an awful lot. Make sure the colors are stable and that there are no parts of the LCD screen that are washed out or discolored. Replacing an LCD screen is expensive. Better to find a problem with it before you buy it then afterwards.

Is the LCD screen bright enough for your needs? Some used laptops will have LCD screens that are too dim to be practical. Keep in mind that older laptops will often not be very bright in direct sunlight. They should all be bright in normal lighting conditions however.

More Used Laptop Computer: Your Quick Purchase Inspection Guide - Part 2 Topics