3 Easy Ways to Connect to Windows Shared Folders from Linux

Connecting to file servers is something most people do on a daily basis even without thinking about it. In Linux, it may not be intuitive how to quickly connect to a samba or ftp server without a separate program. Here are a few different ways to connect to a remote file server without needing to touch a terminal.

Using Keyboard Shortcut

You can connect to a server by opening the run application window with the Alt+F2 keyboard shortcut. You will just need to specify the server type by adding the protocol at the beginning of the command. For example smb:// will connect to a samba share; other supported protocols are ssh, ftp, sftp, http, and https.

Note: In the example below my server name is playground and the shared folder is called music.

If your server requires a password to connect, fill out the next window that pops up and select how long you would like it to store your password.

A Nautilus window will automatically open with the server you just connected to, and you should have a shortcut under places on the left side and a shortcut on your desktop.

From GNOME Menu

If you are using Ubuntu, and many other GNOME based distributions, you will have a places menu on your top menu bar. Open that menu and click connect to server.

A new window will open up with a drop down so you can select what type of server you are connecting to.

For a samba/cifs server select Windows share and fill out the required information.

Note: Unlike the run application window, you do not need the slashes to connect here.

Alternatively, you can also get to the connect to server window from Nautilus’ file menu.

With a Shortcut

If you would like instant access to the connect to server window from your GNOME menu bar right click on the menu you would like to add the shortcut to and click add to panel.

In the window that pops up, search for “connect” and connect to server should be one of the results. Highlight the shortcut and click add at the bottom of the window.

Now you will have an additional shortcut on your GNOME bar for easy access.

Linux Mint 12

Linux Mint 12, as you may have heard, uses GNOME 3.2 as its desktop environment. But the Linux Mint developers never do anything quite the same as other distros. In this release they’ve added MGSE (Mint GNOME Shell Extensions) that make it possible to use the GNOME 3 desktop in a way similar to previous releases of GNOME.

Welcome Menu

MGSE makes GNOME 3 much, much better than it would be otherwise. In fact, I actually found myself liking GNOME 3 in Linux Mint 12 where I more or less despised it while using Fedora 16.
Do you want to know what my initial reaction was to GNOME 3 in Fedora 16? Remember that scene in Spinal Tap where they are talking about one of Spinal Tap’s albums called “Shark Sandwich” and the film’s narrator mentions that a reviewer published a two-word review simply called “Shit Sandwich.” Well that’s how I felt about GNOME 3; it was a shit sandwich until the Linux Mint developers got their hands on it.

Applications Menu on Bottom Panel

MGSE basically gives you a bottom panel, an application menu, a window list, tray icons and a desktop that is geared toward tasks instead of application switching. And yes, you can minimize applications to the bottom panel if you want.
In short, you get all of the good technology that underpins GNOME 3 without being stuck in the awful desktop choices of the GNOME developers. The Linux Mint developers have essentially done the unthinkable. They’ve made GNOME 3 enjoyable to use.
What’s New
Here’s a sample of what’s new in this release:
Linux 3.0
Ubuntu 11.10
GNOME 3.2
MGSE (Mint Gnome Shell Extensions)
MATE (a fork of GNOME 2)
Artwork improvements
New backgrounds
Search engine changes
I covered some of the MGSE stuff above, but one thing to remember is that if you are a masochist and want a “pure GNOME 3 experience” then you can easily turn off all the MGSE stuff. So bear that in mind if you find yourself turned off by using MGSE. I cannot imagine a single user who will want to do this, but there are always weird people out there so you never know.

GNOME 3 Applications

MATE is a GNOME 2 that lets you keep both versions of GNOME on the same system. The LM developers note that it’s not completely stable yet in the release notes.
Mint-Z is a new theme that is included in Linux Mint 12. It’s based on Zukitwo and Mint-X. New backgrounds include some pretty photos from Yellowstone National Park and India.

GNOME 3 Menu

The search engine changes are very interesting. Duck Duck Go is the default search engine now. The LM developers are attempting to use search engines to help fund the Linux Mint project. I think this is a good idea on their part. I’m sure there are significant costs associated with maintaining and developing Linux Mint, so I’m quite happy if my searches go to help fund the project on an ongoing basis.
System Requirements
Here’s what you’ll need to run this update:

• x86 processor (Linux Mint 64-bit requires a 64-bit processor. Linux Mint 32-bit works on both 32-bit and 64-bit processors).
• 512 MB RAM (1GB recommended for a comfortable usage).
• 5 GB of disk space
• Graphics card capable of 800×600 resolution
• CD/DVD drive or USB port

Linux Mint 12 Install
One that really pleased me with Linux Mint 12 is that it runs in VirtualBox with no configuration headaches to get GNOME 3 to run. Compare that to Fedora 16, which is a pain in the ass to deal with since you have to work to get GNOME 3.2 to actually load.
Note though that if you boot into the live desktop in VirtualBox you will see the fall back desktop (not the GNOME 3.2). Don’t let that bother you, just do the install and make sure that your virtual machine has 3D set to on. When you boot into your installed desktop, GNOME 3 should load without a problem.

Install 1

Install 2

Install 3

The install is as easy as usual, and it should not be a problem even if you’re a Linux beginner.

–~~~~~~~~~~~~–

Software
Here’s a peek at some of the software that comes with Linux Mint 12:
GIMP
LibreOffice
Firefox
Transmission
Thunderbird
Pidgin IM
Banshee
VLC
Brasero
The default software selection hits all the sweet spots in terms of desktop functionality. There’s obviously quite a bit more software available in the Linux Mint Software Manager, so browse around to find more stuff.

Software Manager

Using Linux Mint 12
Linux Mint 12 is now my default Linux distro. That should tell you a lot about how much I enjoyed using it, compared to Fedora 16 or generic Ubuntu 11.10.
Somehow the Linux Mint developers did it again. They identified the problems with GNOME 3 and then fixed them. They turned a shit sandwich into a delicious, seven course meal that one can savor without a hint of the disgust felt while using GNOME 3 in other distros.

Linux Mint 12 Desktop

Final Thoughts
There’s been a lot of talk about Linux Mint catching up to and surpassing Ubuntu in terms of the number of users it has. Well Linux Mint 12 might just be the straw that breaks Ubuntu’s back. While I found Unity slightly more tolerable in Ubuntu 11.10, Linux Mint’s implementation of GNOME 3 blows Unity right off the map and it sets THE standard for GNOME 3 implementations in all distros.
Frankly, the GNOME developers themselves ought to take a look at what the Linux Mint developers have done and make it standard in all GNOME 3 desktops.
Hats off to the Linux Mint developers, again. My stomach has been tied up in knots wondering how they would deal with GNOME 3 and now I can just relax and enjoy Linux Mint again. Linux Mint 12 is really that good.
What’s your take on this distro? Tell me in the comments. For full distro reviews, visit Desktop Linux Reviews.

How to Convince Your Friends to Use Linux Without Being a Jerk

Linux is one of the most secure and stable operating systems around, and yet, its user base hasn’t really grown as everyone expected it to. There are many reasons for this, and we won’t go into those right now. However, if you, like any other Linux user, are disappointed by the current market share stats, I can tell you some simple tips that will help you convince your Windows or Mac-crazy friends into using Linux.

Now, many Linux users have already tried to coax their friends and family members to try out this popular and newbie-friendly distro called Ubuntu. A select few have succeeded and many have failed. So here, we will give you some important tips to help you spread the word about Linux without sounding like that arrogant nerd who has nothing but contempt for Windows or Mac.

Show, don’t tell

Yes, this is the first and the most important thing you need to do if you have to convince a Windows or a Mac user into using Linux. Ubuntu, Linux Mint and many other distros look extremely beautiful, and honestly, the latest version of Ubuntu (Ubuntu 12.04) looks just as good as a Mac. But hey, if you’re just going to just tell that to them do you think they’ll believe you? Even if they do believe you, they’ll still have no idea what Ubuntu or whatever you’re talking about looks like. My suggestion is, you take your own Linux laptop, hand it over to them and let them play around with it. If you’re on Ubuntu I’d recommend opening a new Guest session and handing over the laptop to them. That way, they’ll have a better idea as to how beautiful even an uncustomized desktop looks like. If, at all, it is impossible to show the desktop to your friend, send him or her a YouTube video of the desktop.

The Show Don’t Tell policy also applies to feature comparisons. Let’s say you want to outline the salient features of Linux. Instead of giving a huge lecture about how virus-free, how fragmentation-free, how fast the desktop is, just show it to them. Take their Windows/Mac laptop and put it beside your own desktop. Start a timer and show your friend how fast it boots. I hate to repeat, but just show it, don’t talk about it.

Stop telling them Windows is bad, they already know it

For a Linux user trying to convince a Windows user into the light side, there’s always the Windows-bashing that comes in handy. At least that’s what many Linux users think. Windows-bashing is great, everyone curses that dreaded operating system, but there’s no point telling a Windows user about it. I’m pretty sure he or she already knows about it. There must at least be a thousand Windows users cursing Microsoft even as you’re reading this article. But no way are they going to switch to something different.

In short, don’t tell them that Windows is bad, don’t even talk about Windows. Just keep telling them: “Hey, I have this amazing desktop on my computer, you gotta try it out”. Hand over the laptop to them and let them do the Windows-bashing. When I converted my friend into a Linux user, all I did was showed him my laptop. I never mentioned a word about Windows or Mac. The moment he saw it, he started ranting about Windows like a pissed-off sports fan.

If they get stuck

Rather than helping them, show them how to get help and support on Linux. Don’t let them rely on you to fix every problem on their desktop. Just give them a short tour of Ubuntu forums, IRC, and manuals and let them figure out for themselves.

Don’t emphasize on the "free" part

Don’t, and I say it again; don’t ever start your pitch with the "free" part. In fact, it would be better if you drop the whole thing out of the conversation. Sometimes, they’re so impressed by Linux that they eventually end up asking you about its cost. Just look at them casually and say “it’s free” and wait for their reaction.

Best Video Editing Software for Ubuntu

Ubuntu, with its ease of use and beautiful design, has managed to become a desktop that is not just for geeks anymore. These days, more and more non-technical users are switching to Ubuntu, making it the fastest growing Linux distribution in the world. Now, as Ubuntu’s demand is soaring, the recently switched users are looking for applications that will help them perform simple tasks like video editing and music management.

While there is no dearth of music management apps on Ubuntu, video editing is an area that hasn’t seen much progress yet. Nevertheless, there are some great video editors for our beloved distro, which are quite as good as the ones you’ll find on Windows and Mac. So, if you’re looking for a great way to edit that holiday video you just shot, read on as we list the best video editing software applications for Ubuntu.

OpenShot

OpenShot is quite undoubtedly the best video editor on not just Ubuntu but also on Linux in general. Written in Python, the open-source video editor comes with a lot of amazing features. OpenShot includes support for many video, audio, and image formats, including, but not limited to: MKV, MOV, VOB, MP4, and MPEG.

The thing I love about OpenShot is that it is a complete application. What I mean by that is, you can make a whole movie without the need for any other software. From video transitions to scrolling movie-style credits at the end, OpenShot does pretty much everything you need from a video-editor.

If you’re a moviemaker, then OpenShot might not prove to be as great as Final Cut Pro or even Lightworks, but it will certainly serve as great bare bones editing tool for vloggers and budding filmmakers. Oh, but don’t make the mistake of writing off OpenShot as a simple video-editor. It also packs in a lot of advanced features like the famous Ken Burns effect, along with 20 other cool effects that will definitely add a little spunk to your movie.

To install, open the terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and type in/paste the following command:

sudo apt-get install openshot

Avidemux

Avidemux is a non-linear video editor that allows users to edit and transcode videos. Written in C++, the open-source application comes with some great features that make it one of the most popular video-editing applications on this platform. Though not as easy to use as the aforementioned OpenShot, Avidemux does come with a well-designed interface. On the features front, the application includes support for video effects, transcoding, Optical Character Recognition ( OCR ) of subtitles, and much more.

The best feature of Avidemux is its ability to run as a GUI program as well as a command-line program. This saves a lot of time, especially for folks who love doing everything using the shell. Oh, and yeah, Avidemux also has multi-threading support, so expect it to run breezing fast once you install it on your desktop.

Install: sudo apt-get install avidemux

PiTiVi

This is one of my personal favorites when it comes to quick, no-fuss video editing. PiTiVi comes with a basic interface allowing you to edit your videos and add some effects to it. This open-source application, which was also included as a default app in Ubuntu, is quite simply the most easy-to-use video editor around.

With PiTiVi, you can trim, snap, split, and cut a clip, and then, you can export it to various formats. You can also merge the video with a different audio clip, a feature that can be useful for a lot of people who like remixing videos and uploading them on YouTube.

Though the application is not as feature-loaded as OpenShot or Avidemux, it is still the perfect tool for anyone who is not that familiar with the basics of video editing. Don’t expect it to be your companion in Hollywood though. However, if you’re looking for a simple tool that can edit your family videos, PiTiVi is your best bet.

Install: sudo apt-get install pitivi

Apart from the aforementioned apps, there are some other good tools like Cinelerra, Kdenlive and Kino, but they don’t integrate that nicely with Ubuntu’s GNOME-based desktop. Nevertheless, they’re great choices too, especially if you’re looking for some powerful video editing tools.

Top 10 Linux Distributions of 2011

As we say goodbye to a momentous 2011, it’s time to reflect on some of the big happenings in the FOSS world. Apart from Android’s rise, Torvalds’s rant, and a tasty ice cream sandwich treat, the year also saw some big changes taking place for popular Linux distributions. While many of the changes ranged from annoyingly buggy to downright unusable, a few pleasant minty surprises did manage to cleanse the Linuxiens’ palettes.

With the advent of Unity, Linux Mint, then a familiar name only amongst developers, tinkerers, and hackers, made its foray into the desktops of the so-called ‘normal’ users. Thus began a game for the top spot in the users’ hearts. And, even though Ubuntu somehow managed to keep its head high by the end of 2011, it finally had to settle on a modest second spot on the coveted DistroWatch list.

The distro scene in 2011, though mired in controversy, was a witness of some of the boldest -- and perhaps game-changing -- decisions ever taken in the FOSS community. Earlier, when Fedora, Ubuntu, Mint, and Suse offered pretty much the same interface, there was a little competition -- and also little uniqueness -- amongst the individual distros. However, once Unity and GNOME Shell entered the scene, each distro now had something different to offer. Fedora went with GNOME 3, Ubuntu stuck by Unity, and Mint, well, Mint did something a little different. Mint made combined the best of both interfaces and brought a modern, stable, and a beautiful desktop for its users.

Thus, having witnessed what is perhaps the best ‘distro war’ ever, it’s time to showcase the winners who braved the storm and emerged strong enough to be featured in our list of top 10 Linux distributions of 2011.


10. Mageia
Founded in September 2010, Mageia is a fork of the once-popular Mandriva Linux. The distribution was started by former employees of Mandriva, which is a publicly traded Linux and open source company based in France. Mageia comes with a slightly customized KDE giving it a certain edge over other distributions that ship a plain vanilla version of the desktop environment. Having said that, Mageia is still in its nascent stages, and it would take some time before it reaches the level of maturity that other KDE-based distros have reached. Though not as popular as Kubuntu, or even Chakra, Mageia does have the potential to become a solid KDE-based distribution in the future.

9. Chakra
When it comes to KDE-based distributions, there are many users who prefer Chakra over Kubuntu. Forked from Arch Linux, Chakra is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful-looking distributions to come out in 2011. What makes Chakra so special -- especially when compared to Kubuntu -- is that it includes a customized KDE interface that is absolutely gorgeous, and yet, it’s one of the most user-friendly ones we’ve seen this year. Again, the popularity of Chakra is not as widespread as Kubuntu’s, but it does seem to be gaining a huge amount of following amongst KDE fans.

8. Arch Linux
Currently on the 6th spot on Distrowatch, Arch Linux is one of the most powerful distros around. Operating on a rolling-release system, the distribution provides the simplicity and minimalism that every Linux fanboy demands. Thanks to its amazing package manager called Pacman, users are able to install or update any package, at any time they want. So, if you want the bleeding edge of everything that’s made in the Penguin Land, Arch Linux is the one for you.

7. Debian
Cringing at the sight of Unity? Not a big fan of the whole ‘user friendly’ thing are you? Then, ditching Unity for Debian is something you should add to your To-Do list right now!

Debian brings the classic, plain and simple GNOME interface back to your desktop. Of course, since Ubuntu is based on Debian, you won’t have to learn new things. Most of the things remain the same, including the beloved package manager. The installation, however, might not be as user-friendly as it is on Ubuntu, but it’s not that hard either. Love it or hate it, Debian is still the sweetheart of many Linuxiens around.

6. Fedora
Fedora still is one of the most popular distros around. It enjoys a large user base and its stability is something that is envied by even the most dedicated Ubuntu fanboys. Having said that, 2011 was a bit on the disappointing side for Fedora users, especially with the introduction of the contentious GNOME Shell. Being the first distro to feature the highly awaited GNOME revamp, Fedora became a punching bag for many users disappointed by GNOME 3. Moreover, GNOME 3 also made a lot of Fedora fans seek out other distros, thus affecting the RPM-based project’s popularity. Nevertheless, Fedora still is a hot favorite of not just developers but also end users who benefit a lot from the customized ‘spins’ that the community provides with each release.

5. OpenSUSE
Novell’s openSUSE is still one of the most popular Linux-based distributions around. Its familiar green interface and the dreaded YaST have given the distro a unique identity and branding. That said, SUSE’s popularity is a bit on the decline, especially with the rise of Ubuntu and all its friends. This year though, the green distro managed to stay sane by not switching to Unity or GNOME Shell thus earning itself a number 5 spot on the list. The KDE-based distribution is still a hot favorite amongst many developers as well as end users.

4. Xubuntu
Though ranking low on Distrowatch, Xubuntu does prove to be a great viable alternative for people using lightweight machines. The Ubuntu-based distribution comes with the thin-and-clean XFCE, a desktop Linus Torvalds switched to once GNOME Shell came out. With a minimalist interface, XFCE also serves as a full-fledged user-friendly desktop for anyone who’s tired of the current trend amongst the distributions. Ranking fourth on our list, Xubuntu promises a usable and stable desktop experience without sacrificing the familiarity of Ubuntu.

3. Ubuntu
2011 was the most happening year for Canonical. Ubuntu, Canonical’s flagship product swerved into new territories by introducing the controversial Unity interface. Unity, which came along with Ubuntu 11.04, received a lot of flak from not just developers but from end users as well. The clumsy, and sometimes unusable interface made many loyal Ubuntuers switch to Mint.

The only reason Ubuntu manages to land the third spot on our list is the release of Ubuntu 11.10. Oneiric Ocelot, which improved Unity in a lot of areas, did bring a lot of smiles on the faces of frustrated Ubuntu users. That said, Ubuntu still lacks the polish and more importantly the ‘precision’, which, hopefully, the next version might bring to the table.

2. Kubuntu
Whilst the Linux world was going bonkers over Unity and GNOME shell, KDE was only desktop that was stable yet modern. A lot has been said about KDE, more so because it too started off on a controversial note, but then went on to become one of the most beautiful-looking and stable desktop environments around.

Kubuntu is a distro that brings all the goodness of KDE without sacrificing the familiarity and stability of Ubuntu. Loaded with some awesome applications like Amarok, Dolphin, and Kopete, Kubuntu proves to be the perfect alternative to the Unity-ridden Ubuntu. The reason Kubuntu wins the second spot is the fact that, unlike Canonical and GNOME, it didn’t try to do anything radically different this year. It just stuck to what it has been doing all along, and improved upon it. If you’re looking for a modern, aesthetically pleasing, stable desktop, Kubuntu is your best bet.

1. Linux Mint
Like on Distrowatch, here too Linux Mint enjoys the number 1 spot. The Ubuntu-based distribution, which saw a huge spike in popularity this year, has suddenly become the hot favorite of many Linux users. Thanks to Unity, users and Ubuntu loyalists alike migrated to this little-known distro in large numbers. The simplicity and the stability of this minty-fresh distro is such that we too have been waxing eloquent about its feature. Simply put, Linux Mint is the hottest Linux success of 2011.

What’s your top 10 Linux distros of 2011?

Which 10 distros do you think were the absolute best in 2011? Share your list with us in the comments section below.

Simple But Handy Tips to Make Ubuntu Linux Run Faster

Over the years, people have pinned Windows down as the slowest of all operating systems. While Mac still remains a class product, our beloved Ubuntu Linux has shot to fame because of its amazing speed and power, even on low-end systems. Windows, after months, or sometimes weeks of usage, tends to bloat and behave like a sluggish car beyond repair. Ubuntu on the other hand, tends to stay as agile as it was when you first installed it, making it one of the most preferred operating systems on low-end computer users.

That said, grass isn’t always green in the Ubuntu Linux world. As with every operating system, perfection eludes the open-source distribution, thus making issues like slowdown and incompatibility more prominent. These problems, however, cannot be pinned down as Ubuntu’s fault because most of them arise from incompatible hardware, especially graphics cards. So, if you too, in some point in time have faced, or are facing issues of slowdown and choppy graphics, here are some simple tips to help you alleviate those problems and in effect make Ubuntu Linux run faster.

Install/Update to the latest graphics driver

About three years ago, when I went to purchase a new graphics card, the vendor recommended me ATI, telling me that it’s much better than the almost-omnipresent NVIDIA, and that I won’t be disappointed by the performance. I couldn’t agree more with him as I too had read a lot about ATI, but never had the chance to try it out. So, I went home with a sparkling grin, installed it, and tried out the latest game that was available out there, and boy, I was thoroughly impressed with it. The card ran as smooth as butter on Windows, but then, once I installed Ubuntu on my computer, that’s where the problems began. Not only did I have a tough time installing the drivers, I also had trouble getting the card to work just enough to play movies.

However, sticking to ATI paid off, as graphic support for my card has improved by miles over the last couple of years. Though not as good as it is on Windows, it is still quite satisfactory when you have a lot of RAM.

If you ever have faced similar issues in the past, I don't need to tell you how important it is to update your graphics drivers.

Use Unity 2D instead of 3D

If upgrading your graphic card doesn’t help alleviate the problem, then it may be good idea to move to something lighter. While XFCE is a perfect desktop for extremely low-end and dated computers, for those stuck with an incompatible or old graphic cards, the Qt-based Unity 2D comes in really handy. The light environment brings the best features of Ubuntu without using too much of your RAM.

Use apt-get often

With the advent of Ubuntu Software Center, the classic-yet-powerful apt has lost its prominence. Though as good as Ubuntu’s new app store is, apt-get is almost ten times faster thus saving you a lot of valuable time that’s usually spent while updating and installing applications.

Check start-up applications

Ubuntu doesn’t bloat like Windows, but having a dozen of start-up applications surely slows it down. To remedy that problem, it’s always a good idea to check which apps you have added to your start-up list. To do so, open the launcher (Super Key/Windows Key) and type in the words ‘startup applications’. Once the ‘Settings’ window opens, chose which applications should load when Ubuntu starts up.

Clean your browser’s cache

Sometimes, especially if you’re a web addict, the browser cache tends to pile up and slow down the computer. A simple solution to this problem is clearing the cache by going to your browser’s settings menu.

Install Preload

Preload is an adaptive readahead daemon, which, once installed, monitors the applications you run, analyzes that data, and, by predicting which application you’ll run next, loads the predicted program into your memory. Of course, this won’t dramatically speed up your computer, but you’ll certainly see some improvements. To install preload, open the terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and type in/paste the following command:

sudo apt-get install preload

10 (More) Security Software Tools for Linux

I noticed that our list of security software tools for Linux was not enough so I figured out that I should add some more. But before anything else, thank you to those who commented the last time and shared their favorite security programs. --I've included some of those that you've mentioned on this new list for others to know about.



* Ettercap

Ettercap is a console-based network sniffer/interceptor/logger that is capable of intercepting traffic on a network segment, capturing passwords, and conducting active eavesdropping against a number of common protocols. Ettercap supports active and passive dissection of many protocols (including ciphered ones) and provides many features for network and host analysis. Ettercap also has the ability to actively or passively find other poisoners on the LAN.



* Nikto

Nikto is a web server scanner that is known to perform comprehensive tests against web servers for multiple items, including over 3500 potentially dangerous files/CGIs, versions on over 900 servers, and version specific problems on over 250 servers. It performs generic and server type specific checks. It also captures and prints any cookies received.



* OpenSSH

OpenSSH is a Free and Open Source version of the SSH connectivity tools providing encrypted communication sessions over a computer network. It encrypts all traffic (including passwords) to effectively eliminate eavesdropping, connection hijacking, and other attacks. Additionally, OpenSSH provides secure tunneling capabilities and several authentication methods, and supports all SSH protocol versions.



* Aircrack-ng

Aircrack-ng is a wireless tool and password cracker. It is a network software suite consisting of a detector, packet sniffer, WEP and WPA/WPA2-PSK cracker and analysis tool for 802.11 wireless LANs. As we said before, we don't encourage unethical hacking and the tool should be used for security purposes only. Ehsan Bayat, CEO of a well-known wireless company, echoes our view of using the software for good intentions.



* Tripwire

Tripwire is a security and data integrity tool that is useful for monitoring and alerting on specific file change(s) on a range of systems. Used with system files on a regular basis, Tripwire can notify system administrators of corrupted or tampered files, so damage control measures can be taken in a timely manner.



* Metasploit Framework

Metasploit Framework is an advanced open-source platform for developing, testing, and using exploit code. The extensible model through which payloads, encoders, no-op generators, and exploits can be integrated has made it possible to use the Metasploit Framework as an outlet for cutting-edge exploitation research. It ships with hundreds of exploits, as you can see in their online exploit-building demo.



* THC Hydra

THC (The Hacker's Choice) Hydra uses a dictionary attack to test for weak or simple passwords on one or many remote hosts running a variety of different services. It was designed as a proof-of-concept utility to demonstrate the ease of cracking poorly chosen passwords. It can perform rapid dictionary attacks against more then 30 protocols, including telnet, ftp, http, https, smb, several databases, and much more.



* Dsniff

Dsniff is suite of powerful network auditing and penetration-testing tools and utilities that includes code to parse many different application protocols and extract interesting information. The information that can be obtained from this sniff application are: usernames and passwords, web pages being visited, contents of email, etc.



* RainbowCrack

RainbowCrack is a password hash cracker that makes use of a large-scale time-memory trade-off. It differs from "conventional" brute force crackers in that it uses large pre-computed tables called rainbow tables to reduce the length of time needed to crack a password drastically.



* rkhunter

rkhunter scans for rootkits, backdoors and possible local exploits. It does this by comparing SHA-1 hashes of important files with known good ones in online database, searching for default directories (of rootkits), wrong permissions, hidden files, suspicious strings in kernel modules, and special tests for Linux and FreeBSD.