Wednesday 23 May 2012

Hide in the (Network) Neighborhood in Windows PC


Don't want your XP computer to show up in the network browse list (Network Neighborhood/My Network Places) to other users on your network? One way to accomplish that is to disable file sharing. To do this, click Start, right click My Network Places and select Properties. Right click your local area connection and click Properties. Uncheck the box that says File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks. Click OK.
But what if you want to be able to share folders with some users; you just don't want everyone on the network to see your computer's shares? There's a way:

Click Start and select Run.
In the Run box, type net config server /hidden:yes
Click OK.
Now others who know the UNC path (\\computer name\share name) can connect to your computer's shares from the Run box, but it won't show up in the network browse list.


How to Hide the HDD Partitions?


This trick is for all those people who wants to hide tons of data into their box. So here it is, if you have very important data in your hard drive placed in some partition which you do not want anybody to see then this trick is only for you!!!
1. Just click on start>run type gpedit.msc
2. Now navigate through user configuration> administrative templates > windows components> windows explorer
3. Double click on “Hide these specified drives in My Computer” modify it accordingly.
4. Then just below you will find another option “Prevent access to drives from My Computer”, double click on this option and modify it accordingly.
5. To make it visible again select "disable" by double clicking on the “Hide these specified drives in My Computer” option.

WARNING:Don't try to experiment with other options in gpedit.msc if you don't know, what exactly your doing. Just have some patience and follow my tutorials regularly, i am going to tell you everything that is configurable in windows [and those also which you thought before, "Seems not possible to change ;-)" ].

Defending WinXP Pro -with what win-xp has to offer


Today I will tell you about various ways to Securing WinXP Pro with what win-xp has to offer by default. No extra third party software to tweak things which might make your system unstable and push it into the verge of reinstalling soon often.

Note: These are just notes of the changes i made to win-xp pro using win-xp options after my default install. These changes will not secure your box 100% but they make a good couple of 1st steps. They are in no specific order other than the order that I performed them.

1. NTFS Partition.
2. Disable Error Reporting
3. Disable Automatic Updates (only if your XP copy is pirated)
4. Disable "Recent Documents" Viewed
5. Setup XP Firewall
6. Setup screensaver password
7. Setup BIOS password
8. Setup "AfterBios" login password
9. Account Modifications
-Rename Admin Account
-Disable Guest Account
-Disable Help_Assistant Account
-Disable Support Account
10. Install a virus scanner.
11. Change Login Screen (default shows user names)
12. Disable Remote Registry (and other services)
13. Disable/Change Auto-Search settings in IE.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. NTFS Partition (I like being God over system users)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Be sure to install XP onto an NTFS partition so that you (the administrator) can take advantage
of file permissions. You want this option so that "you" can decide who reads, writes,
executes what files.

If you didn't install XP onto an NTFS partition. Convert It. To convert to NTFS follow
the instructions below.

Open a command prompt and type "convert c: /FT:NTFS /v"

This command will convert your c: partition from FAT to NTFS in verbose mode.

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2. Disable Error Reporting - we don't want microsft to know every time we fuck up.
especially if we didn't pay for winxp.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

control panel >> performance and maintenance >> system >> advanced >> error reporting
(disable all)

right click "my computer" >> manage >> services and applications >> services >> " stop
and disable" Error Reporting.

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3. Disable automatic updates - to update, they must know what we have. thats a NO NO!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: DO THIS ONLY IF YOUR COPY OF XP IS PIRATED!! I suggest "auto update" if your copy
of XP is legal. If your copy is pirated then i suggest that you stay updated with
the latest fixes and patches manually.

control panel >> performance and maintenance >> system >> automatic updates
(disable updates)

right click "my computer" >> manage >> services and applications >> services >> " stop
and disable" Automatic Updates.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Quit listing most recent documents opened under the start button - Don't want the
girlfriend or the parents to find that interesting things you being viewing lately.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

control panel >> appearance and themes >> task bar and start menu >> start menu >>
customize >> advanced

remove the check mark next to "List my most recently opened documents".

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Block incoming traffic to your winxp box. - Before this change, i scanned my xp box and
found it to have many ports wide open. After this change, I found nothing and xp logged
the attempts in c:\windows\pfirewall.log.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

control panel >> network connections >> right click "local area connection" >> properties
>> advanced >> check the box under "Internet Connection Firewall" then choose "settings".

Services Tab - leave all unchecked unless there is a service you are running that people
must be able to access.

Logging Options - Log everything.

ICMP - I left all these unchecked for the time being. (allowing nothing)

(this does not protect you from "Spy Ware". This only stops traffic from coming into
your win-xp box (not all traffic). It does not stop traffic from going out.) If you
need to stop traffic from going out and need a more secure firewall then download a real
firewall like "zone alarm or black ice".

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6. Setting a screensaver password in case you leave some of your sensitive documents open when you walk away.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
right click on the desktop >> properties >> screen saver >> check the box next to " On
Resume, Password Protect."

If you don't have a password set on your user account, you can do so in control panel >>
user accounts >> change account.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Setting a BIOS password - We don't want anyone rebooting the computer or trying to sneak
into your system while we are away at school or work.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I can't explain to one how this is done due to the differences between all computers and
how the BIOS settings are entered. If you know what I am talking about then do it. If you
don't know what I am talking about then learn how to do it. A screensaver password is useless
unless you setup a BIOS password.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Setting up the "AfterBios" password. Sometimes bios passwords are easily cracked. This
password will add extra local login security in case your bios pass is cracked. I don't
know bout you but i love having to type in 3 passwards and a username to login to my box.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Start >> run >> type "syskey" >> choose "update" >> choose "Password Startup" >> enter a
password and choose ok.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. Renaming and Disabling Accounts for adminstrator, guest, help_assistant and support.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Right click my_computer >> manage >> local users and groups

rename administrator account
disable guest account
disable help_assistant account
disable support account

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Install Virus Protection............. (We like our uncorrupted data and trojan free system)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Install a virus scanner. Your firewall might protect your system from unwanted hackers but
what about an unwanted virus or trojan?. I recommend installing a virus scanner such as
"Nortons" or "McAfee".

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. Change Default Login Screen............ (why do we want to share usernames with anyone?)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Xp uses the "welcome screen" by default. This screen has the names of all accounts on the
system so that the user only has to click on their name and type a password. Come on now....
We aren't that damn lazy. If we change this screen to the normal login, then prying eyes
will have to know a username and password to get in. Follow the instruction below to change
this.

control panel >> user accounts >> change the way users log on or off

uncheck the box next to "Use Welcome Screen" and choose "apply options".

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. Disable Remote Registry..........(why would I need to edit my registry remotely anyway?)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

right click "my computer" >> manage >> services and applications >> services >> " stop
and disable" Remote Registry.

NOTE: disable any services running in this area that you aren't using.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. Disable/Change Auto-search in Internet Explorer. This is not really a security risk but it
is important to some people that prefer to keep their internet surfing to themselves and
away from microsoft.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Open Internet Explorer >> Click the "search" button >> click the "customize" button >> click
"autosearch settings" >> FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS BELOW...........

DISABLE: In the "When Searching" drop down menu, select "Do not search from the address bar".
>> click "ok" >> "ok". Type an invalid address in your address bar and see if it
takes you to the msn search page or if it gives a "page not found" error. In this
case, the "page not found" error is what we want.

CHANGE: If you wish not to disable, but you wish to change it to your favorite "google.com"
search page. Instead of following the "DISABLE" instructions, follow the instructions
below. Choose "Google Sites (or whatever you prefer)" from the "choose a search provider
to search from address bar" drop down menu >> click "ok" >> "ok"


I,myself personally believe that there is much more to securing your box than this. Maybe i will come up with more information soon. Don't miss them...


Courtesy : http://myerudition.blogspot.in/

An Awakening Call…! by Rewa Smriti


The song was very touching, it makes you feel the pain of women. At the same time it gives women an encouragement and immense valor to face the world. As Shakespeare once said, "the better part of valor is discretion".  Below is the Rupaiya song from the show Satyamev Jayate, along with the complete lyrics.
Babul pyare sajan sakha re
Suno meri maiyya
Bojh nahi main kisi ke sar ka
Naa majdhar mein naiyya
Patwar banoongi, leharon se ladungi
Arey mujhe kya bechega rupaiya
Ho arey mujhe kya bechega rupaiya
Kal baba ki ungli thaame chali thi
Kal baba ki lathi bhi bann jaaungi
Amma tere gharonde ki chidiya hoon main
Dana lekar hi ghar wapas aaungi
Jiski fitrat mein ghairat samaayi nahi
Jisko daulat se jyada main bhaayi nahi
Aise shaadi ki mujhko zaroorat nahi
Naa kehne ka sunlo muhurat yahi
Akeli chalungi, Kismat se milungi
Arey mujhe kya bechega rupaiya
Ho arey mujhe kya bechega rupaiya
Ho ho ho..
Dil se dil ke taar toh jude nahi
Do rasmon pe daulat ye kaahe bahe
Hum toh pyaar ki khwahish mein rishte bune
Do rishton mein lalach hum kaahe sahe
Kya shaadi ke aage zindagi hi nahi
Jo shaadi hisaabo ki keval hai
Aise saajan ki mujhko zaroorat nahi
Naa kehne ka sunlo muhurat yahi
Subahon si khilungi, Ratiya si bharungi
Arey mujhe kya bechega rupaiya
Ho arey mujhe kya bechega rupaiya
Ho ho ho...
No man is rich enough to buy your free will and dignity. This show is indeed an eye opener for those who in spite of having eyes, do not want to use them and are still struggling to accept the immenseness of women. For centuries, enough time is taken to think of the change, now it is the time to take action and implement it, till it becomes too late.
“Time enough to think of the future when you haven't any future to think of” ~ George Barnard Shaw

Internet Facility Through Data Card for govt official

Posted: 22 May 2012 06:45 AM PDT

 No.24(5)/E.Coord/2012 
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
New Delhi, the 11th May, 2012
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Internet facility through data card-reg.
References are being received from various Ministries/Departments seeking clarification/relaxation for internet facility through Data Card. The matter has been reviewed and it has been decided to allow use of data card for internet purposes subject to the following conditions:

(i) No Data-Card (Hardware etc) would be provided by the office and only re imbursement for data use, through data card, will be allowed on submission of bill.
(ii) The User has the liberty to choose any operator/plan beneficial to them.
(iii) Re-imbursement would be allowed for one data card connection only.
(iv) There would be no separate ceiling for the internet through data card and the reimbursement will be allowed to the entitled officer according to the ceiling/guidelines/clarification laid down vide this Department’s OMs No. 7(14)/C&V/2006 dated November l4th, 2006, dated April 14th, 2007 and dated July 9th, 2007. As such, the maximum monthly reimbursable amount, towards charges on residential telephone/mobile phone/broadband/data card use (for internet purposes), to a category of a officer will be as under:
Rank / Designation
Ceiling Amount (in Rs.)
Secretary to the Government of India and equivalent rank
2800
Additional Secretary to the Government of India and equivalent rank
2500
Joint Secretary to the Govt. of India and equivalent rank
2500
Director and Deputy Secretary to the Government of India and equivaicnt rank
1500
Below the rank of Depuy Secretary to the Government of India (restricted to 25% of Group ‘A’ Officers below the rank of Deputy Secretary)
800
sd/-
(Saheli Ghosh Roy)
Director (E. Coord)
Source: www.finmin.nic.in
[http://finmin.nic.in/the_ministry/dept_expenditure/notification/telephone/Internet_Facility_DataCard.pdf]

Children Education Allowance / Hostel Subsidy-Clarification

No.12011/07/2011-Estt.(AL)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training)
New Delhi, Dated 23rd May, 2012
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject : Children Education Allowance / Hostel Subsidy-Clarification
The undersigned is directed to refer to Department of Personnel & Training’s O.M. No.12011/03/2008 Estt.(AL) dated 2nd September, 2008 and subsequent clarification No.12011/08/2010-Estt.(AL) dated 30th December, 2010 on the above subject and to say that this Department has been receiving various references seeking clarification whether fee charged by schools for teaching through audio-visual aids can be reimbursed.

It is clarified that fee paid to the school for the use of any aid or appliances by the child is reimbursable. Hence, if fee is charged by the school for teaching through audio-visual tools, the same is reimbursable as “fee” mentioned in para 1(e) of the O.M. mentioned above.
sd/-
(Vibha G. Mishra)
Director
Source: www.persmin.nic.in

USB Printing for Meghdoot Millennium

Meghdoot Millennium Applications/Software’s Support USB Printing. Most of us are not aware of this . Some of the servers available with Post offices only support usb printing. They does not have LPT1 or COM Ports.Yesterday in one of my office solved this USB printing problem with a simple tweak.
For USB Printing
To enbale USB Printing for Meghdoot Applications. First Install the printer with usb port. We can select the port by arrow keys while installing. Or we can configure the port after installation of printer in LPT.

For this Right click The Selected Printer.
Select the tab Ports
Select the USB Port. Click on Apply/OK
Your printer is configured with usb port
Then Just Share the Printer(This is very important. USB printing from Megh softwares supports only if the printer is shared)
After sharing Just logout form Meghdoot Modules and relogin and print the reports.
 
via- saparavur.blogspot.in

AC Charges of room / Suit of Holiday Homes / Touring Officer's Hostels / Guest Houses and reduction in time for submission of application

                                                  No.D-11028/23/82/-Regions (Vol.II)
Government of India
Ministry of Urban Development
Directorate of Estates
Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi
Dated 19th April, 2012
Office Memorandum

Subject :- AC Charges of room/suit of Holiday Homes/Touring Officer's Hostels / Guest Houses and reduction in time for submission of application.

The undersigned is directed to refer to Directorate of Estates O.M. of even No.dated 30th January 2012 regarding revision of rates of room charges of Holiday Homes and Touring Officer's Hostels under the Ministry of Urban Development. It is stated that both types of room i.e. AC and Non AC rooms are available in Holiday Homes and Touring Officers Hostels / Guest Houses. Accordingly, it has been decided to levy AC charges (wherever AC facility is available) other than VIP suits @ Rs.30/- per day per room / suit of holiday homes / touring officers hostels / guest houses in addition to booking charges of room / suit. AC charges to be deposited with the booking charges of room / suit.


2. It has been decided to reduce booking time period from the present ninety days to sixty days for submission of application including online system of booking available on the website of Directorate of Estates i.e. www.holidayhomes.nic.in because of reduction of validity of Bank Draft / Pay Order by RBI. All other terms and conditions of booking will remain the same.

3. The above changes would come into effect with immediate effect.
sd/-
(R.N.Yadav)
Deputy Director of Estates (Policy)
Source: www.estates.nic.in 
[http://estates.nic.in/WriteReadData/dlcirculars/Circulars20119.pdf]


Courtesy : http://90paisa.blogspot.in/

Discipline and Conduct Rules -Glossary S to W



Schedule: An appendix to an Act of legislature or to a legal instrument containing a statement of details or taking the form of a detailed list of relevant matter.

Scope of Inquiry: As per the CCS (CCA) rules, inquiry need be conducted only in respect of such charges, which are not admitted. Further, the rules provide for a return of finding of guilt by the Inquiry Officer in respect of charges admitted by the delinquent Govt. servant. In respect of such charges, it is not necessary to introduce witnesses and documents to prove the charges.

Secondary evidence is the evidence drawn from the source, which is not primary. In the case of documents, the secondary evidence is that which is drawn from certified copies or Photostat copies. In oral evidence, the hearsay evidence will fall in this category.

Speaking order: An order, which contains matter, which is self-explanatory or illustrative of the mere direction, which is given by it, is sometimes thus called.

“Recording of reason by a quasi-judicial authority is obligatory as it ensures that the decision is reached according to law and is not a result of caprice, whim or fancy or reached on ground of policy or expediency. The necessity to record reasons is greater if the order is subject to appeal”. “It is therefore impressed upon all concerned that the authorities exercising disciplinary powers should issue self contained, speaking and reasoned orders conforming to the aforesaid legal requirements.”

A speaking order at its best be a reasonable one and at its worst a plausible one.

Standard of proof: The standard of proof required in a disciplinary inquiry is that of preponderance of probability and not proof beyond doubt.

Statute: A written law as distinguished from a customary law or law of use and wont; a subordinate legislation.

Statute law may be properly defined as the will of the Nation, expressed by the Legislation, expounded by courts. The legislature as the representative of the Nation expresses the national will by means of statutes. Those statutes are expounded by the courts so as to form the body of statute law.

Stigma: Imputation attaching to a person’s reputation, stain on one’s good name.

Sub judice: In course of trial.

Subletting includes sharing of accommodation by an allottee with another person with or without payment of licence fee by such other person.

Subordination is submission and obedience to authority.

Subordinate: Belonging to an inferior rank, grade, class or order; that is ranked lower.

“No person who is a member of a civil service of the Union or an All India Service or a civil service of a State or holds a civil post under the Union or a State shall be dismissed or removed by an authority subordinate to that by which he was appointed.”

None of the major penalties can be imposed on a Govt. servant by an authority subordinate to the appointing authority in respect of that Govt. servant.

Subsistence grant: An authoritative bestowal of such sum as to meet the minimum requirements of life.

Suspension is the action by which a servant is kept out of duty by his master for a temporary period. The word ‘suspend’ has been defined to mean “to debar or cause to withdraw temporarily from any privilege, office or function”. The contract of employment and the master-servant relationship continues during suspension.

Tampering: Bringing improper influence to bear upon a witness as by bribery or intimidation, altering for improper purpose or in an improper way.

Tampering with the documents: In order to obviate tampering with the documents, the accused officer in a departmental proceeding should be allowed inspection of records/ documents etc. only in the presence of a responsible officer. The Inquiry officer should take sufficient precautions to ensure that the records/documents and other papers are not tampered with while the documents are under his custody or during the course of actual inquiry.

Terminate: Put an end to, conclude.

Termination of service of a temporary employee: The services of a temporary Government servant can be terminated at any time by a notice of one month in writing given either by the Government servant to the appointing authority or by the appointing authority to the Government servant.

Termination of disciplinary proceedings: Where a Government servant dies during the pendency of the inquiry i.e. without the charges being proved against him, imposition of any of the penalties prescribed under the CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965 would not be justifiable. Therefore, disciplinary proceedings should be closed immediately on the death of the alleged Government servant.

Test whether the act or omission is punishable: The test is whether the act or omission has some reasonable connection with the nature and conditions of service or whether the act or omission has cast any reflection upon the reputation of the member of the service for integrity or devotion to duty as a public servant. The test in each case will be whether the servant is conducting himself in a way consistent with the faithful discharge of his obligations undertaken by him either expressly or impliedly in accepting the service.

Transfer to a lower post: A Government servant may be transferred to a post carrying less pay than the pay of the post on which he holds a lien, on account of his inefficiency or misbehaviour or on his own written request.

Trial is a judicial examination, in accordance with law, of a cause either civil or criminal, of the issues between the parties, whether of law or fact, before a court that has jurisdiction over it.

Trespass: Doing of unlawful act or of lawful act in unlawful manner to the injury of another’s person or property or any violation or transgression of the law; passing beyond some limit, an encroachment, intrusion on or upon.

Ultra vires: Beyond the power or authority of.

Unbecoming conduct: A conduct which is indecent, reprehensible, or abominable involving moral though not legal lapses is conduct unbecoming of a Government servant.

Verbatim: Using exactly the same words. Where the statement of a witness recorded earlier during investigation or preliminary enquiry is read over to him in the presence of the inquiry officer, marked on his admission and a copy given to the charged officer and he is given an opportunity to cross examine the witness, it is not necessary that the witness should repeat verbatim the contents of the statement given by him earlier.

Victimisation is an ordinary English word, which means that a certain person has become a victim, in other words, that he has been unjustly deal with.

Vigilance means watchfulness against corruption, pilferage and intentional and non-intentional loss to the organization. The term is derived from the word ‘vigil’ which means keeping awake and watchful during the night.

Warning: Warning is an admonition or reprimand administered by any authority superior to a Govt. employee in the event of minor lapses like negligence, carelessness, lack of thoroughness, delay etc. It is an administrative device in the hands of superior authorities for cautioning the Govt. employees with a view to toning up efficiency and maintaining discipline.

Warning kept in the C.R. Dossier of a Government servant has all the attributes of a “censure”.

Willful: An act is said to be willful if it is intentional, conscious and deliberate.

Withhold: To refrain from giving, granting or permitting.

Withholding of increments of pay: An increment may be withheld from the Government servant by the competent authority if the Government servant’s conduct has not been good or his work has not been satisfactory. In ordering the withholding of an increment, the withholding authority shall state the period for which it is withheld, and whether the postponement shall have the effect of postponing future increments.

Withholding of next increment: Where by an order the ‘next increment’ due to Government servant is withheld for a specified period, all the increments falling due during that specified period would be withheld because without getting the next increment, a Government servant cannot get the increments falling after the ‘next increment’.

Withholding of increments of pay with cumulative effect: In ordering the withholding of an increment, the withholding authority shall state the period for which it is withheld, and whether the postponement shall have the effect of postponing future increments. Where increment is or increments are withheld stating that the postponement will have the effect of postponing future increments, such withholding is known as withholding of increments with cumulative effect.

“But when penalty was imposed withholding two increments i.e., for two years with cumulative effect, it would indisputably mean that the two increments earned by the employee was cut off as measure of penalty for ever in his upward march of earning higher scale of pay. In other words, the clock is put back to a lower stage in the time scale of pay and on expiry of two years the clock starts working from that stage afresh. The insidious effect of the impugned order, by necessary implication, is that the appellant employee is reduced in his time scale by two places and it is in perpetuity during the rest of the tenure of his service with a direction that two years’ increments would not be counted in his time scale of pay as a measure of penalty. The words are the skin to the language which if peeled off its true colour or its resultant effects would become apparent.”

Withholding of permission to retire: If a Government who is under suspension gives a notice for voluntary retirement from service, appropriate authority may withhold permission for his voluntary retirement. Even in case where a Government servant is suspended after giving the notice, the permission to retire voluntarily may be withheld.

Withholding of Promotion: Withholding of promotion is one of the minor penalties under Rule 11 of CCS (CCA) Rules. As per item (iii) in the explanation accompanying Rule 11, “non-promotion of Government servant, whether in a substantive or officiating capacity, after consideration of his case, to the service, grade or post for promotion to which he is eligible” shall not amount to penalty within the meaning of Rule 11.

Witness: One who furnishes evidence; one who is called upon to testify before a court.

Written brief is an overall sum up of his case by a party in disciplinary proceedings. It is submitted after the entire evidence on behalf of both the employer and the employee has been recorded and contains written arguments to sum up the effect of various facts and evidence recorded in the case.


Courtesy : www.gservants.com/