BackTrack – Penetration Testing Distribution

Welcome to backtrack-linux.org, the highest rated and acclaimed Linux security distribution to date. BackTrack is a Linux-based penetration testing arsenal that aids security professionals in the ability to perform assessments in a purely native environment dedicated to hacking. Regardless if you’re making BackTrack your primary operating system, booting from a LiveDVD, or using your favorite thumbdrive, BackTrack has been customized down to every package, kernel configuration, script and patch solely for the purpose of the penetration tester.

BackTrack is intended for all audiences from the most savvy security professionals to early newcomers to the information security field. BackTrack promotes a quick and easy way to find and update the largest database of security tools collection to-date. Our community of users range from skilled penetration testers in the information security field, government entities, information technology, security enthusiasts, and individuals new to the security community. Feedback from all industries and skill levels allows us to truly develop a solution that is tailored towards everyone and far exceeds anything ever developed both commercially and freely available.

Whether you’re hacking wireless, exploiting servers, performing a web application assessment, learning, or social-engineering a client, BackTrack is the one-stop-shop for all of your security needs.

The Zerg Have Landed: StarCraft II is Here

Last night, as the clock ticked midnight, after over a decade nervously waiting, PC gamers began snapping up copies of StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty.
Blizzard's sci-fi real-time strategy sequel to 1998's StarCraft went on sale at special midnight openings across the country, and with sales expectations high: At least one analyst at Janco Partners, Mike Hickey, thinks the game could sell 7 million copies worldwide in 2010 and pull in revenue of $350 million, netting Blizzard $171 million in the bargain.
Most of that won't come from the U.S. StarCraft is even bigger in South Korea, where Blizzard could sell as many as 5.5 million units, carving off a grand $225 million slice of the total revenue pie. Those crazy South Koreans--they actually consider StarCraft a national sport.
StarCraft II should provide a shot in the arm for the flagging traditional PC gaming industry. Games like StarCraft II used to come along several times a year, flanked by dozens of alternative or sleeper hits. Now they come along once or twice, with mega-publishers like Activision (World of Warcraft) and EA (The Sims) pretty much locking things up.
To be clear: Boxed copies of the game went on sale last night at midnight. Digital copies of the game, which gamers have been able to download for a while now, can't be activated until today at 10:00 AM PDT. It seem press accounts went live at midnight, however, since my digital copy unlocked and I could play as soon as it finished downloading.
The only problem I'll have getting into StarCraft II? I was foolish enough to think it might run reasonably on a 13-inch MacBook Pro with a 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo processor and a discrete Nvidia 320M graphics processor. Perhaps in Boot Camp mode (actually, I doubt it) but natively under OS X? Forget it. Unless you're comfortable chug-a-lugging at sub-medium details settings, your best bet probably involves a high-end Mac, or a fairly powerful PC. I fiddled with a few versus AI missions, and struggled to keep up with events as the frame rate fell to single digits. I don't blame Blizzard--a 13-inch MacBook Pro was never really intended to crunch a game like this.
StarCraft never really impressed me as a PC gamer back in 1998. It was pretty middle-of-the-road, mechanics-wise, and at least in single-player, wore out its welcome (read: started repeating itself) by the second campaign. But it was supremely well-balanced, easy to pick up, difficult to master, and ridiculously well supported (Blizzard's been providing official patches for a record 12 years). And it sold over nine million copies. Like it or not, every real-time strategy game that's shipped since has in some sense struggled to step out from StarCraft's shadow.
If you want a look at what's in the collector's edition, check out our slideshow. That's on sale today as well for a cool $100 (if you pre-ordered, anyway). Blizzard screwed up and sent one to our HQ in California instead of my business office in Michigan, but that turned out for the best, because from what I hear, PC World's Patrick Miller is thrice the StarCraft player I'll ever be.

Galaxy Phones From Samsung Are Worthy iPhone Rivals

The war of the super-smartphones continues to heat up, and, at the moment, most of the combat seems to be between Apple's iPhone and the multiplying array of competitors running Google's Android (NASDAQ: GOOG - News) operating system.

©Samsung The AT&T Captivate and T-Mobile Vibrant have bigger screens than the iPhone but lack frontfacing cameras.

Despite the weak economy, consumers seem to crave these hand-held computers, which typically cost around $200. Apple this week said it can't make enough of its new iPhone 4 models to meet strong demand. HTC, the Taiwanese-based manufacturer behind many of the better-known Android phones, also is struggling to meet demand for models like the Droid Incredible on Verizon (NYSE: VZ - News) and the Evo 4G on Sprint (NYSE: S - News).


Now, the Korean electronics giant, Samsung, has begun rolling out an impressive new line of iPhone competitors that run on Android. These new super-smartphones are called the Galaxy S Series, and Samsung has managed to get all four top U.S. wireless carriers to agree to start selling them this summer. They share most of the same guts, but carry different model names and exterior designs.
I've been testing the first two Galaxy S phones, the T-Mobile Vibrant and the AT&T Captivate (NYSE: T - News), both of which cost $200 with a two-year contract. Neither has all the features of Apple's latest model, like a front-facing camera for video calls or an ultra-high resolution screen, but they are worthy competitors. They have some attributes the iPhone lacks, like bigger screens and better integration of social networking.
The T-Mobile Vibrant has rounded corners and a prominent border that make it look very much like last year's iPhone 3GS model. The AT&T Captivate is more angular and, to my taste, looks sleeker. Though the two phones share the same battery, the Vibrant claims better battery life. The Vibrant is longer but a bit lighter.
Both phones are multi-touch models which lack physical keyboards, though the upcoming Sprint version, the Epic, will have a slide-out physical keyboard and a front-facing camera.

For Android phone makers, a key challenge is to differentiate their models from others offering the same operating system. Samsung has chosen to do so by combining a design that's almost as thin as the iPhone 4 with a generous, four-inch screen. That's significantly bigger than the iPhone's 3.5-inch display, but smaller than the huge 4.3-inch screen on the Evo and the new Motorola Droid X (NYSE: MOT - News), which would force the phones to be larger.
In my tests, phone calls on both models were crisp and clear. Reception on the AT&T model was about the same as on the iPhone 4, which only works on AT&T. The five-megapixel camera took sharp pictures. The camera also did a fine job with video, which is high definition. Battery life was good, though not exceptional. The phones lasted through an average day of varied use.
The screen on the Galaxy S is based on a different technology than those on most other smartphones. It's called Super AMOLED, and Samsung claims it has better color reproduction, contrast, outdoor visibility and brightness. To my eye, the Galaxy S screens did look very good, but seemed no better, indoors or outdoors, than the iPhone 4's screen and were slightly less sharp.
Samsung has also added some of its own touches to Android. Users can add Samsung "widgets," such as a Buddies Now module that quickly allows access to your closest contacts. There's also something called the Social Hub, which integrates social-networking updates and media with contact entries. This is a common feature on Android and Palm phones, but isn't present on the iPhone.

©Samsung The T-Mobile Vibrant.

While it's improving rapidly, Android still isn't quite as smooth as the iPhone's software, and on some Android models I've tested, it can slow down or have a jerky quality. Not so on these Samsung models. Performance in every function I tested was snappy.
Another nice touch on the Samsung models is a generous amount of internal memory -- 16 gigabytes -- in addition to the common removable memory card, which in this case holds two gigabytes but can be replaced at extra cost with a roomier card.
Also, Samsung says the new phones can hold up to two gigabytes of third-party apps, the most I've seen on an Android phone, which, unlike the iPhone, places limits on total app storage.
Like other Android phones, the two Samsung models offer around 65,000 third-party apps, including popular titles like the Kindle e-book reader and Facebook. That's far fewer than the iPhone's 225,000 available apps, but well above the measly 7,000 or so apps available for the BlackBerry.
There are some drawbacks. Like other Android phones, the Galaxy S models don't come with a program like iTunes, which allows easy synchronization with content on a PC or Mac. You can plug the phones into a computer for manual transfer of files, but this only works smoothly on Windows PCs. On Macs, you must turn on something called "USB debugging" to make this work.
I also wasn't crazy about the home, search and other buttons on these phones, which are found on a panel below the screen but not easily visible until you touch the panel and light the buttons up. That, in effect, means you have to touch twice to use them.
Still, for consumers who prefer Android, or who -- in the case of the Vibrant and the coming Sprint and Verizon versions -- would rather not be on AT&T, the Galaxy S phones present an appealing alternative to the iPhone.

Droid X Adds to the Challenge of Choosing a Smart-Phone

Deciding to buy a smart phone is the easy part. With dozens of models on the market — add one more after Motorola's Droid X went on sale Thursday — picking your perfect phone requires hours of research on countless details.
But if you prioritize your favorite features, the decision-making process may be less painful.
Nearly one in ten cell-phone users own smart phones, a computer-mobile phone combination that has more advanced applications than the basic feature phone, according to Nielsen Mobile. As prices fall and functions and apps become more useful, many of the 90% of cell-phone owners who don't own a smart phone may be considering an upgrade.
While there are many pricing variations on a slew of different phones, the top models all cost about the same — about $200 for a phone if you also buy a two-year contract, though the service costs will vary.
There also are a slew of other models available at lower prices. For instance, the Samsung Omnia and the Nokia Surge are as cheap as $30 with a two-year contract.
Don't forget that smart phones require data plans that range from about $15 to $70 per month. Additional monthly costs could include extra storage space or wireless "hotspot" access.
So, first narrowing down your choices based on a phone's functions, and then comparing costs, may be time better spent.
How quickly do you need to access email messages? Is browser speed important to you? Would you prefer a large, readable screen or a raised-button keyboard? Do you need a high-quality camera or two-way video chat?
Among the Droid X, iPhone 4 and Blackberry smart phones, the quality of those features varies, said Michael Gikas, senior electronics and technology editor at Consumer Reports.
Here's a look at some of the main strengths - and drawbacks — of these three phones:

HTC Droid X: for avid Internet users

 

With its fast Google-driven browser, Verizon's fourth Droid model may be a great buy for those who like to use their phone to access the Internet. The Android-powered devices were billed as the iPhone killer, and they do have several features that make them competitive. Motorola (NYSE: MOT - News) added several more to the Droid X model, such as an 8-megapixel camera.
Strengths: At 5 inches long and 2.6 inches wide, the Droid X has a 4.4-inch display that would suit users who want readability. "It's a handful, but a manageable one," Gikas said in his review. Gikas also likes the device's keyboard, which has a "Swype" feature that makes its touch-screen keyboard easy to use. The time-saving tool allows users to slide their fingers over the keyboard, rather than lifting them, when typing a word — and yet still avoid typos.
If you're looking for a phone with a big screen, great search tools and on a reliable network, get the Droid X," said Paul Eng, who also reviewed the phone for Consumer Reports.
Drawbacks: Droid phones are notoriously clunky. One of the largest phones on the market and weighing in at 5.5 ounces, it's not a good pocket phone. Also, if you prefer carriers other than Verizon, this model's not for you. Finally, some reviewers note that the screen's resolution is not as fine as the iPhone 4's resolution.

IPhone 4: for photo/video and app lovers

 
It's no secret that the Apple iPhone (NASDAQ: AAPL - News) line is beyond popular. As with other Apple product launches, many people waited in long lines to snag the latest iPhone model released June 24. Apple sold more than 1.7 million units of the device in its first three days on the market.


If you're into taking pictures and watching videos with your phone, the iPhone 4, with its high resolution and fast streaming, would be a good bet.
But staunch fans of Verizon should keep shopping. It's unclear when the iPhone will open to Verizon's service. For now, AT&T is iPhone's exclusive carrier.
Strengths: A high-resolution touch screen makes it easy to read text; two cameras allow video chat; and a 5-megapixel camera with a flash takes great pictures. Gikas said he likes the phone's video-editing feature. And it's a good phone for people who like to play with apps — the iPhone serves as a platform for more than 300,000 applications.
"If your looking for a sharp screen, great multimedia features and a great source for content, choose the iPhone 4," Gikas said on Consumer Reports' website.

Drawbacks: Users have no carrier choice outside of AT&T. The iPhone 4 has that antenna issue. CEO Steve Jobs said Friday at a press conference that the company will give free protective cases to iPhone 4 buyers to alleviate the problem.

The BlackBerry: for email addicts

Research in Motion's (NASDAQ: RIMM - News) BlackBerry, which often hooks users with its instant email, has its own set of features. Foremost is that "push" email function, which feeds messages instantly instead of checking in with a server every 15 minutes or so. It's a hot phone with business executives, and Gikas said information-technology managers love them for their security features.
Strengths: In addition to its "push" feature, BlackBerry's email capabilities include linking several accounts to one master inbox, so users don't have to check multiple sources. BlackBerry users can choose from dozens of small and large carriers including AT&T, Verizon, Cellular One and T-Mobile. If you like using your thumbs to text, most Blackberry models have a physical QWERTY keyboard ideal for thumbing. BlackBerry also has two touch-screen models.
Drawbacks: Some reviewers say the BlackBerry models are clumsy with video streaming and slower with Internet use. The models that do have a camera don't offer much in the way of megapixels. For example, the BlackBerry Curve, one of the most recent models, has a camera with only 2 mega pixels. Finally, for those who prefer smaller phones, most of the BlackBerry models, which average 4.3 inches high and 2.4 inches wide, may be too large.

Weapons in space: Do we have enough?

The US government says that it will review measures to control arms in space. 

 

The U.S. government on July 13 told the United Nations that the new U.S. space policy represents "a departure" from the previous doctrine insofar as the United States will now at least consider proposals to prevent an arms race in space.

Speaking to the U.N. Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Frank A. Rose, deputy assistant secretary in the U.S. State Department's bureau of verification, compliance and implementation, said U.S. authorities will now view measures to control arms in space much as it does other arms control agreements.
The U.S. National Space Policy issued June 28 by the administration of President Barack Obama replaces the previous policy issued in 2006. The new policy appears to assign a higher priority to international collaboration, and indicates a willingness to discuss how an arms agreement might apply to systems in space or targeting space-based assets.

Rose confirmed the new policy should be viewed as "a departure from the 2006 policy" because U.S. authorities are now willing to "consider space-related arms control concepts and proposals that meet the criteria of equitability and effective verifiability, and which enhance the security of the United States and its allies. This approach is consistent ... with the verification standards that the United States has applied to other arms control agreements."
Russia and China in 2008 submitted a joint draft treaty on arms control in space, but it was rejected by the United States as having too many loopholes to be of value, and lacking the means to verify that all spacefaring nations were respecting the treaty's terms. [Most destructive space weapon concepts.]
Rose gave no indication that the U.S. position with respect to the Russian-Chinese proposal has changed. But he assured conference delegates the United States would no longer oppose making space-related arms control a topic of debate at the Conference on Disarmament, so long as the discussions do not rise to the level of formal negotiations in view of a treaty.
U.S. policy, he said, remains one of preserving space as a commons to which all nations should have access for peaceful purposes. This policy, he said, "allows space to be used for national and homeland security activities," and also preserves the right of a nation to defend its space-based assets from space- or ground-based interference.
"We will continue to view the purposeful interference in space systems, including supporting infrastructure, as an infringement of a nation's rights, and act accordingly," Rose said.
Rose said the United States is adopting a more pro-active position in seeking international rules of the road to minimize space debris, and to consult on space situational awareness to prevent collisions in space.
The U.S. maintains the world's most sophisticated space-surveillance network of ground-based sensors but it has been unclear in the past how willing the U.S. Air Force, which operates the system, would be to share the information with the private sector and with other nations.
The satellite collision of an Iridium mobile communications craft with a retired Russian spacecraft in February 2009, creating a new debris field in low Earth orbit, has accelerated talks on collaboration on space surveillance. European government officials say they have noticed a more-open attitude on the part of U.S. government officials in U.S.-European talks about coordinating work on space surveillance, both for debris mitigation and for other purposes.
Europe has begun its own space-surveillance program. While still modest, it has given the United States an added incentive to discuss how a trans-Atlantic cooperative effort might be structured, according to European government officials.
Since late 2009, the U.S. Air Force Joint Space Operations Center, located at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., has increased the number of operational satellites that it watches closely.
The new space policy "commits the United States to collaborate with industry and foreign nations to improve space object data bases," Rose said in his address. "The policy calls for collaboration on the dissemination of orbital tracking information, including predictions of potentially hazardous conjunctions between orbiting objects."