Neil's Computer Security Blog

Google: windows 2000 net time command line ntp

2006-02-16T23:21:00.000-05:00

This search delivers great results for the Windows 2000 net time command for NTP sync over the Internet & on a LAN.

Windows as an NTP client

2006-02-16T23:18:00.000-05:00

With the integrated service "w32time.exe" Windows 2000 makes it possible to function as NTP server or client. To activate this service, the missing parameters have to be entered into the registry and the "time service" has to be started. The "time service" can be found in "administrativ tools - services - windows time". It should be started by choosing startup time "automatic". (One can start and stop the time service with the command line "net start w32time" and "net stop w32time".) The necessary parameters for this service can be found in the registry at the following location: "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Parameters". A documentation of the parameters can be found at Microsoft. To run Windows 2000 as NTP client, the IP address of the time server is necessary (parameter: "ntpserver" or command line "net time /setsntp[:NTP-Serverliste]"). The synchronisation period standard is every 8 hours (parameter: "Period" = "SpecialSkew"). This period can also be changed: For example to synchronise 24 times a day, the parameter "Period" must have "REG_DWORD" with the decimal entry 24. Windows 2000 also can be run as NTP server: The registry parameter "LocalNTP" needs to be changed from "0" to "1". After restarting the service, any NTP/SNTP client can ask the Windows 2000 server for time. To check the "time service" the tool "w32tm.exe" can be used while the time service is disabled. Help can be found by using "w32tm /?".

About.com Windows 2000 net time command: NTP sync

2006-02-16T23:15:00.000-05:00

net time \\computername /set /y

Without the "/set /y," you will simply see the time that the other machine has. Without the "/y" you will be prompted for whether or not you want to actually change the local time.

Installing Windows 2000

2006-02-16T22:47:00.000-05:00

I'm helping JB install clean copies of Windows 2K. I used the Win2K/SP4 install CD, after I booted into Knoppix and scrubbed the HD with QtParted. I worked on his Dell GX 400 Optiplex, which has an 18 GB HD. I installed Win2K on a 14 GB FAT32 partition, with the idea being that we can set up a Linux installation on the remaining 4 - 5 GB space, with a data partition & maybe Knoppix on the disk. Then the Linux ext2 (or 3) volumes are invisible when you boot into Windows. I think we should install Kerio, and download the Firefox installer, too. The thing is, any computer behind JB's firewall/router (a Netgear Wireless G -- very nice installer) is still vulnerable because one of the three Windows Boxen is still owned by punkware. So, I hardend the one in the basement, that connects via WEP Wireless B. So, the GX 400 is downloading the second round of critical Windows updates, mostly small SP4 level patches ... and a restart ... and some Olympics. We have to work on the computers when the extra sensitive male free skaters come on! So, one more pass at Windows Update: now we install MSIE 6. The plan now is to copy the partition before we proceed much further. But first, two rounds of Express updates; plus Windows Media Player 9 installed over the wire. Finally, we need to download 1 hardware update. What was that net time command?

NAV Corp. 7.6 Quarantine Fails

2005-10-23T23:37:00.000-04:00

After I logged in as the local administrator, Norton AntiVirus Repair Wizard reports that a virus was detected. I step through the wizard and attempt to quarantine the infected items, but this fails.

Updates installed
Repair quarantined items?
Repair fails

Resolution

I ran a full virus scan, manually, and when it came up clean I cleared out Quarantine. See my next posting for details.

Screen Shots

Updates installed

Repair quarantined items?

Repair fails

Checking Up On Infected Files

2005-10-23T22:44:00.000-04:00

In NAV Corporate 7.6, I tried to remove one of the infected files from today's scan results:

Right-click on a file name in the Virus History listing
Select Move to Quarantine... Quarantine fails ambiguously
Select Delete Permanently... Removal fails ambiguously

See the screen shot below for a sample ambiguous message. Resolution: Run a complete scan, after ensuring the definition files are current. No viruses discovered, so I cleared out the Quarantine: View > Quarantine, select all, delete. Screen Shot Removal fails ambiguously

Yarden: wireless network security deserves more scrutiny

2005-04-25T09:41:00.000-04:00

In his article, Find out why wireless network security deserves more scrutiny. J. Yarden suggests: Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) or Layer Two Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) and enforcing access controls with usernames and passwords or some other authentication method

Fake Microsoft security updates circulate

2005-04-08T19:49:00.000-04:00

An e-mail campaign designed to lure people to a bogus Microsoft Web site is making the rounds as part of an attempt to install a Trojan horse, antivirus company Sophos said Friday.

The six dumbest ways to secure a wireless LAN

2005-04-04T06:08:00.000-04:00

The six dumbest ways to secure a wireless LAN by ZDNet's George Ou -- by describing the worst way to secure your WLAN, Mr. Ou illuminates the best practices. He has recently posted quite a few good articles on the many security issues involved in using Wi-Fi networking. From the article:

For the last three years, I've been meaning to put to rest once and for all the urban legends and myths on wireless LAN security. Every time I write an article or blog on wireless LAN security, someone has to come along and regurgitate one of these myths. If that weren't bad enough, many "so called" security experts propagated these myths through speaking engagements and publications and many continue to this day.

Free Malware removal tools for Windows

2005-04-04T05:45:00.000-04:00

Jonathan Yarden describes his favorite free malware & spyware removal and protection tools in today's article, Get rid of malware with these free tools. Mr. Yarden's writing addresses computer system administrators, but his style is non-technical and accessible, and his recommendations are quite good.

Critical flaws in IE and Outlook discovered

2005-04-02T14:41:00.000-05:00

Here we go again!

The vulnerabilities allow for remote code execution with no actions from the computer user ... there is the potential of attackers installing backdoor Trojans without a person's knowledge.

Remember, surf safe! Friends don't let friends use Microsoft.

CERT

2005-04-02T07:51:00.000-05:00

From the home page: "Established in 1988, the CERT® Coordination Center (CERT/CC) is a center of Internet security expertise, located at the Software Engineering Institute, a federally funded research and development center operated by Carnegie Mellon University."