Author: peadmin

How to extract a zip file on windows?

by peadmin on September 4, 2020

How to extract a zip file on windows will guide you in the process of extracting compressed files. You can extract one or more files from zip files.

How to extract a zip file on windows
How to extract a zip file on windows

How to extract a zip file on windows? This is a question that plagues many novices that are just starting to understand computers. Fortunately, Windows 10 is a straightforward operating system that was designed to simplify processes such as the extraction of zip files.

What is a Zip File?

A zip file is a format that allows you to compress files. People compress files to reduce the storage space they consume on their hard drives. It is also easier to send zip files over the internet. You can store anything in a zip file, including documents and pictures. You can either compress one file or multiple files in a single folder, further simplifying storage and transmission.

Creating a Zip File

Learning how to create a zip file will shed some light on the extraction process. The steps are fairly straightforward:

  1. Find the file you want to compress.
  2. Right-click the file to open a menu.
  3. Look for the ‘Send to’ option. Placing the mouse pointer over this option will open another menu. Look for ‘Compressed or Zipped Folder’. Click this option.
  4. Windows 10 will create a Zip File in the same location as the file you just compressed.
  5. You can rename this file. You can also repeat this process with multiple files.

How to Extract a Zip File on Windows?

You don’t have to extract your compressed files to use them. In many ways, a zip file acts just like an ordinary folder. You can double-click it to open it if you want to view its contents. However, in some cases, there are limitations to what you can do with compressed files.

Extracting the compressed files gives you more freedom with regards to adding new content, editing old content, and saving your altered files. Extracting a zip file involves the following:

Extracting All Files

If you have multiple files in a zip folder, it is normally easier to extract them at all once rather than one at a time:

  1. Start by right-clicking the zip file
  2. This will open a menu. Look for the ‘Extract All’ option and click it.
  3. Windows 10 will open a dialogue box. It will ask you to identify a location where it will deposit the extracted files.
  4. Click ‘Browse’ to find and select a suitable location for the extracted files.
  5. Click ‘Extract’. This will extract the files to your chosen destination.

Extracting Single Files

If you want to extra a single file, this is what you should do:

  1. Double-click the zip file to open it.
  2. Find the item you want to extract.
  3. Right-click the item to open a menu. Click ‘Cut’ or ‘Copy’. Move the mouse pointer to the location that will hold the extracted item.
  4. Right-click and click ‘Paste’. This will extract the individual item to the new location.

If that sounds unnecessarily complicated, you can try a simpler approach. Click your chosen item, drag it out of the zip file, and drop it in another location such as the desktop or a new folder.

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Using the Free Windows Encryption Tool in Windows 10

by peadmin on August 29, 2020

Today we are talking about Bitlocker the free built-in Windows encryption tool. How it works and how to enable it on your system.

Windows encryption tool
Windows encryption tool

Starting with Windows Vista, Microsoft included Bitlocker for the Pro and Enterprise versions of its operating system. Bitlocker is Microsoft’s solution to drive encryption that is easy to use and just as easy to manage. As the vast majority of users have a Home version of Microsoft Windows 10, access to Bitlocker is restricted by a paywall or OS version upgrade. There is still an alternative in the form of a Windows encryption tool for Home edition that is more rudimentary but more on that later.

How Does Bitlocker Work?

Bitlocker can be used on any computer using Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise. To use it to encrypt entire drives, a TPM chip needs to be present on the motherboard of the computer. The TPM chip or Trusted Platform Module allows for authentication checks on installed hardware, being capable of detecting unauthorized changes. Bitlocker requires access to TPM but it is possible to use Bitlocker without it by editing the Group Policy.

The way Bitlocker works are straight forward. It encrypts entire drives or partitions. It cannot encrypt just folders. Once encrypted, access to the files is only possible with a PIN code or the recovery key which is stored into a file during the setup.

Enabling Bitlocker onto a Drive or Partition

In Windows 10, encrypting an entire drive or partition is very simple.

  • Go to the search bar and type Bitlocker. The search results should list “Manage Bitlocker” as one of the options. Click “Manage Bitlocker”
  • A new window will appear in the form of a wizard. Click on “Turn on Bitlocker”.
  • Bitlocker will check your system configuration to determine if it is compatible. If you have TPM on your system and it is enabled, it will ask for access to it.
  • You will then be prompted to select the drive or partition that you wish to encrypt. Select the drive and click Next.
  • Bitlocker will ask you to set a password or PIN for the encrypted drive. If this is the drive you have Windows 10 installed on, you will be requested to enter the password every time you start your computer.
  • Once the password is set, Bitlocker will ask you to save a recovery key. The recovery key is saved in the form of a file and it is recommended to store it onto a secure flash drive. It can also be printed or written down by hand.
  • You will be asked to choose if you want to encrypt only the files on the drive, without the free space or the entire drive. Choose the appropriate option.
  • Bitlocker will start encrypting the drive. It will take a while. Once done, restart your computer to finish the process.

Bitlocker encryption tool

Bitlocker is just as secure as any other encryption tool. The Windows encryption tool is quite minimalistic in terms of management and configuration options which makes it a viable choice for the ones that may not be tech-savvy or do not wish to pay for a third-party encryption solution. Windows 10 Home edition does not have Bitlocker but it does have “device encryption” which does almost the same thing. However, the Windows encryption tool in Home edition is less secure since it does not require a password. It only protects your data in the sense that it prohibits access to your files if the hard drive or SSD is used on a different computer.

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Exploring The World Of Files? Learning About PE File Header Is A Must

by peadmin on May 10, 2020

A PE file header indicates the windows operating system of what files need running a distinct file. It distinguishes between various forms of headers present in computer memory.

PE File Header
PE File Header | Image by 200 Degrees from Pixabay

For every executable file in the computer, there is a common object file format (COFF). It tells the user about the internal structure of the executable file. Knowledge about this assists a person to comprehend about functioning and design of the data. It helps in analyzing and segregating the folders better. There are several types of COFF. One such executable file format of COFF is PE. It stands for Portable Executable format.

PE file header:

The PE header occupies the first 64 bits of the file. It uses MZ, called as the magic number that defines the identifiable file type. PE Header helps in determining the compatible format to be used. It is an image file header that tells about the file location. The authentic structure of the PE header consists of 11 subsections. It consists of .exe construction, and the predominant parts consist of an image signature, file header, and optional header. Each of these sections has its functions and importance.

The structure:

The file header consists of MS-DOS stub, signature, COFF header, and an optional header. A sectional header succeeds in a PE file header, which helps to differentiate between different header types.

  • MS-DOS stub: The MS-DOS is a windows application that finds its use for the images. It finds its place before the .exe extension. It has a stub that tells the user if the image can be used and accessed. If the image is not accessible, it displays a message that the file is inaccessible in the DOS mode.
  • Signature: Signature of the file follow the stub. It identifies the data as an image file. It consists of 4 bytes in size. In it, the characters P and E precedes two zeros or null bytes.
  • COFF header: It is a header, i.e., present at the start of the file or the one that immediately proceeds the signature. It has a maximum limit of 96 sections and is a representative of both objects and images. It consists of different fields, including machines, number of parts, time date stamp, etc. All of these fields have different offsets and sizes.
  • Optional header: It is an optional header used in the file for image files only. It comprises standard fields that make use of the first 8 bytes. They consist of general information that determines the loading and execution of the image.

PE File Section:

The section names of the PE file header are an editable section of the file. It has to be studied well before making an edit. The edit of the header by using the ASCII characteristics is easy and uncomplicated. To every edit, there is a rule and protocol. Harming these can lead to damage to the files. With different sectors owning their importance, the PE header is an attractive field to explore. It helps a person to explore more of the world of files, its working, and execution.

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Know All About PE File Format

by peadmin on May 10, 2020

To start off with, the Windows pe file format also known as the pe format is a new form of the operating system. The file format organizes and stores data.

PE File Format
PE File Format | Image by Boskampi from Pixabay

Understanding pe file format:

The executable files follow a common file format, which means, files that have extensions like .exe; .dll; .sys, etc. follow a similar, specific format of the binary structure. It is a well-structured format that is not altered and has to work the way it is developed. It is considered one of the greatest tools that have helped in being an outstanding programmer. The basic idea behind developing such a system is a common file format structure for all Windows software.

The working:

The well-defined structure of the pe file format is laid down properly that further helps in the working. The change from 32-bit to 64-bit needed a few alterations in the format. There were no major changes made other than the widening of certain fields.

One very convenient feature put forward by the format is the fact that the structure of the data on the disk is similar to the structure of the data in memory. This helps in finding your data very easily and conveniently. Once your file is loaded into the memory, it is called a Module.

This module contains all the data that is required to complete a certain process. There is also a central locator to find all the files which is termed as WINNT.H. This also makes your work so much easier.

The pe file format distinguishes data and codes up to some extent. This distinction is done in two different sections. It is easy to separate code but the data includes multiple programs of reading or write-only or both. They can even contain API tables and other related resources. The sections are further named as per the data or code that is included in them. The names of the sections are only for our reference.

PE File – The structure:

The structure of the pe file format is fixed. The structure of the file remains unchanged for all files. As already noted above, the possible alteration between 32-bit and 64-bit files is the fact that there is a widening of a few fields. The file begins with a header and a file signature. After that is the optional header which is then followed by the section headers and their respective section bodies. The end of the file contains little diverse information like information related to table number, relocation, line number, and other string data.

Wrap Up

The Windows pe file format turns out to be a very useful software that not just helping in keeping track of data but also helps in the proper filing of the same. With the in-built system of distinguishing and diving code and data helps in further diversification of the information that is then safely stored into respectable sections. Moreover, the central locator makes your life easy but searching through all the information stored and taking you directly to the point you need to be. A great software programmer for all your needs!

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Discover all about the Windows Portable Executable (PE) file here

by peadmin on September 1, 2017

Windows Portable Executable aka (PE)

Windows operating system is the most popular one in the world. It was first produced in November 1985 under the direction of Bill Gates, founder and CEO of Microsoft. Initially, this operating system received commands and gave results using a command line interface. However, today it allows you to interact with your computer by using a Graphical User Interface (GUI). There are colorful icons to help you open files and programs.

Windows Portable Executable

The Windows operating system has been adapted for use in smartphones too. Every operating system has its own unique executable file. It is essentially a mirror indicating the capabilities of the respective operating system. Here is more about the windows portable executable file.

What is this file?

The windows portable executable (PE) file is a source of information about how the Windows operating system normally functions. This file was designed by Microsoft to be used in their x86 and x64 Windows operating systems. This file format is used for object code, DLL, executable, FON and core dump files. The PE file is essentially a data structure. It contains the information that is used by the Windows OS loader to deal with wrapped, executable code.

The parts of a Windows PE file

This file contains two main sections. They include:

• Header

• Section

Header

This section is divided into sub-sections. They include the DOS MZ Header, DOS Stub, PE File Header and the Image_Optional_Header.

The DOS MZ Header occupies the first 64 bytes of every Windows PE file. This is so that the underlying MS-DOS system can recognize this file and run it. This header sub-section is also used quite often by malware analysis tools.

The DOS Stub is another sub-section which normally prints messages indicating the status of the PE file. An example of such is, “This program does not execute in DOS mode.” The instructions which the DOS Stub should print are stored in the winstub.exe operating system file.

The PE File Header contains some information about the structure of the file. You can learn about the location of the file and its size too. This file essentially performs memory mapping.

Section

This is the main part of the windows portable executable file. It holds the main content of the file. Examples of this include the data, resources, code and executable files. A windows application normally has 9 parts. They include .idata, .pdata, .bss, .rdata, .rsrc, .edata, .text, .data, and .debug. The Section part of the PE file interacts with these parts. It can work with all or just some of them when the application is executed.

Conclusion

The windows portable executable is an important part of the operating system. It can be considered part of firmware. It is important for you not to edit or delete it. This can cause adverse effects across your entire system. The file is portable because you can use it in compatible operating system versions.

Examples of these are Windows 95, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista and more. The windows portable executable is one of the unique characteristics of this operating system. It exhibits the characteristics of Windows and sets it apart from other operating systems in the world of Information Technology (IT).

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Discover the features and purpose of Bitlocker windows encryption system

by peadmin on August 10, 2017

Do you know about the windows encryption method? Windows is the hugely popular operating system produced by Microsoft. It is used in majority of the computer systems worldwide. The latest version of this operating system is Windows 10 Pro and it has a built-in encryption system that protects your data by encrypting it with an unbreakable code. The Windows proprietary encryption method is known as Bitlocker and can be used to encrypt your entire hard disk drive. It can also be used to protect your computer against unauthorized changes occurring at the firm-ware level.

Windows Encryption

In both of these ways, Bitlocker is able to protect your computer form viruses, hackers and unauthorized access of various types. In addition to Windows 10, Bitlocker is available in Windows versions such as Windows Vista, Vista 7, Vista Ultimate, Enterprise and Windows 8.1 Enterprise and 8.1 Pro. For you to use the Bitlocker windows encryption method, your computer needs to run one of these operating system flavors. In addition to that, you need to have a storage drive which has 2 partitions and a Trusted Platform Module (TPM). Here is more about this Windows encryption method.

How do you know if your computer system has these characteristics?

As indicated above, your computer system needs to have a TPM and a hard drive with at least two partitions. The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is important because it can run an authentication check upon your computer hardware, software and firmware. If it detects any unauthorized changes in any of these levels, then it will boot into a restricted mode. This deters further progress by your attackers until you can eliminate the threat. Do you know if your computer system has this TPM built into it? You don’t have to worry if you are not aware. The Bitlocker windows encryption program will perform the system check for you when you activate it.

Characteristics of Bitlocker

It is proprietary in nature

This windows encryption method is proprietary. This means that it is regarded as Microsoft intellectual property. As such, it is not open-source. This means that it is impossible to look into its source code. While this indicates stability, there are some people who are concerned that Bitlocker itself is not as secure as we would want.

Some people worry that a back-door program was built into the program by Microsoft under coercion by the US government. As such, the program may not be able to protect your information from government-backed actors such as border control or the intelligence services. However, it will keep your data secure against any attackers who have stolen or messed with your computer system.

It performs comprehensive encryption

The Bitlocker windows encryption system normally encrypts the entire Windows operating system. It works on the user files, swap files, operating system files and hibernation files too. In doing so, the program protects your computer system from offline access in case your attacker gains access to your computer system. They will not be able to gain entry into your system because they do not have the Bitlocker encryption key.

How the Bitlocker encryption program works with the TPM chip

The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is an essential part of the Bitlocker encrypting process. It stores the encryption key. This is a separate, safe location for it. This chip is located within the computer system and can authenticate the computer hardware. Moreover, it is only released after Bitlocker is able to assess and identify the integrity of the boot environment. After the encryption program deems the system stable, it releases the key and gives you access.

Conclusion

If you have sensitive information in your computer system, then it is highly advisable to encrypt it. If you are using a Windows machine, you can do so by using the Bitlocker encryption facility. The features of this windows encryption program are indicated above.

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Windows Host File

by peadmin on January 8, 2017

The Windows host file has several uses that include blocking, redirecting and creating shortcuts to websites keep on and continue reading more on Windows Host File For Beginners in here.

Domain names are a common way for people to access websites. Most times, people who surf the web can use a website’s domain name to gain access to it.

Internet applications, however, do not use domain names and instead connect to sites via their IP addresses. As a result, when you input a target domain name on your system, your it has to change to an IP address to connect successfully.

In the modern world, the resolving of hostnames or domain names to their IP address is done by the Domain Name Server (DNS). Before the invention of DNS however, hosts file were used to solve this problem. The significant difference between the two is the host file can be directly controlled or edited locally by the computer user, while the DNS cannot.

The host file was used on older computer models to achieve domain to IP mapping. It is however still present on several devices today including computers and androids. It is a text file that can easily be edited using Notepad and other text editing apps but it does not carry the txt file extension.

What is the Purpose of Host File?

The Windows host file has several uses that include blocking, redirecting and creating shortcuts to websites to mention a few. It ultimately serves as a means for converting human language (domain names) to numeric addresses (IP address) that can be understood by the computer network.

By editing the host file, you can connect a domain name to an IP address, and also modify a domain name to whatever version of the name you want. The host file is sometimes the target of viruses and redirects users to a website to increase its traffic without their consent.

What is the Content of the Host File?

The host file comprises of lines of IP addresses found in the first text field and accompanied by hostname(s). White spaces separate the fields and are created using the spacebar or Tab can also be used to separate fields. Comment lines can be added using a hash symbol (#) in the first position of such lines, and completely blank lines in the file are overlooked. Sometimes several host names can be linked to an IP address. In this case, the hostname is resolved to both IPv4 and IPv6 IP addresses.

For example, a hosts file may contain the following:

127.0.0.1 localhost loopback

::1 localhost

Where is the Windows Host File Location?

The host file is located in windows\system32\drivers\etc\, for Windows Xp and Windows 7. If you cannot find it on your computer, you may need to enable the “view hidden files” feature to see it.

The host file can be a helpful tool if you gain a proper understanding of how to use it. You can customize Domain Name Resolution to suit your needs. You can also block off harmful programs from your computer.

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windows file encryption

by peadmin on January 5, 2017

Evolution Of The Windows File Encryption

As far as the computer world goes. File security is a big deal that is handled with utmost concern. File encryption is one of many ways by which operating systems ensure file security. It is a transparent form of totally restricting attackers from gaining access to files.

Encryption is a form of security that has evolved over the years on Windows systems. However, Windows systems did not have file encryption until the advent of Windows 2000. It was on the NFTS version 3.0 that the Windows file encryption was introduced.

As encryption can be performed on a file, directory or drive; A group policy can also be used to enforce some file encryption settings on some Windows system. Every version of Windows from 2000 has been enabled with a Windows file encryption mechanism.

Drawbacks of Windows File Encryption

Based on the outcome of research and popular opinion, encrypted files can be lost infinitely on systems. Should a reinstallation fail, there is a chance that the key used for encryption will be lost. The encrypted files may be lost forever in such circumstances.

The encryption system on Windows 7 comes with a backward compatibility algorithm. It would be considered as a rigid system if backward compatibility is ever an issue. This is because files encrypted on an older version of windows would not be easily accessed on a newer version of it.

Added Values of Windows File Encryption

The general cover the encryption provides is absolute protection against attacks. This is beneficial to the because only a user that initiates a file encryption can have it decrypted.

Permissions become granted to files based on who has the key to decrypt the particular file. This is a very convenient to maintain a hierarchy of access to files, directories, and drives in an organization.

It means a different level of access can be enforced on a storage facility and whoever has permission to access every part of the system is the administrator. The administrator can also decide who gets access to what.

What this translates to is that; a supervisor’s access to a company’s database might not be as robust as that of the manager while that of the manager might be inferior to that of the director.

The flexibility and ease of configuration also ensure that someone with a particular permission might be assigned a higher level of access without access to a new permission key. This is because the administrator can easily upgrade the user’s status.

Going by the earlier example, a manager can be granted a director’s permission if such need arises. Someone with a higher permission key can readily access what someone with a lower permission can access. This means, the higher your permission, the wider your range of access.

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Open Port Check Tool

by peadmin on October 10, 2016

An open port check tool is a tool that check if port is open or close on a remote host.

An open port check tool can be an online port check tool that run from a website or a software that installed or direct run from a device, like computer or mobile phone,

Open Port Check Tool Site Examples:

  • Can You See Me is an online open port check tool that can be use to check if port is open or closed, it is also good for verify port forwarding and check if you have ports that block by firewall or the ISP.
  • Port Checker is a free online tool for checking open ports on your computer/device, and it also useful in testing port forwarding, they has some more useful tools, like Email Checker, Chrome Extension and Port Scanner.
  • Open Port is also an online open port check tool that can be use to check if port is open or closed, it also has some more online tools, like My IP Address and Online Ping Test, and some free Windows tools like Ping Tool, Whois Tool and DNS Lookup Tool.

An Open Port Scanner:

Port Scanner is a tool, can be an online tool or a software, that instead of checking the state of one port on a remote device, it can run on a list of ports or on all the ports on the target device.

A more advanced port scanner can bring in more information, like the service that open the port, example can be the web server on port 80 or on port 443 in case of secure server at the target host.

What is port forward?

A port forward, in related to open port check tool, is the ability to configure a router, switch or any other device to transfer the request into the network within the device.

Port forwarding also known as port mapping is the process of forwarding a package into an inner, private LAN, a good example may in P2P (Peer To Peer) software, that sending data from your computer and need to get back data from the web, or letting some one access your private LAN to fix your computer like using a remote control tool.

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The MZ Header

by peadmin on August 26, 2016

The MZ, at times, noted as ZM is a magic number for the file extension .exe supporting the binary and executable formats and can be extended to new, linear as well as the portable executable formats. The initials ZM or MZ refer to the name of Mark Zbikowski who put them into the original MS-DOS exec format. In as such, having the signature was necessary to create a distinguishing difference with other .EXE files from others that were considered much simpler like the .COM and the DOS formats.

The file can be easily identified by using the ASCII string MZ found at the beginning of the file. Compared to the COM format which is executable, the MZ Header is newer and different in that it contains information on relocation which allows users to access multiple segments that can be loaded on memory addresses as well as can support executable files slightly larger than the 64Kib. The only disadvantage of the MZ Header is that it requires little memory limits which apparently can be bypassed by the use of DOS extenders.

The executable found on the MZ Header can also run efficiently from DOS as well as 9x operating systems. Other 32 bit Windows can as well execute the MZ Header by using inbuilt virtual DOS machines. However, some of the graphical modes may not be supported by the MZ Header. On the other hand, 64-bit versions of Windows cannot execute the MZ Header. However, the DOSBox, Wine, and the DOSEMU are perfect alternative ways of running the MZ executable.

Moreover, it is considered that each and every PE file has a 16-bit DOS program. Due to that, when the file starts, it opens with the .EXE header. In the past, while people used the Microsoft Windows, The Windows 1.x, 2.x as well as 3.xx operating systems, they did not only exist in similar volumes as Microsoft DOS but equally ran with an MS-DOS operating system as well. As a matter of fact, it was highly likely that users found themselves attempting to run some of the programs in windows under the DOS.

Microsoft programmers, therefore, had to ensure that all windows programs had a 16-bit DOS program found at the front of each executable windows with the ability to alert users anytime they attempted to run any program under the Windows program operating under DOS. However, it cannot be considered to be more useful these days as it was back then when users and the world as a whole were transforming from the DOS to other systems and files that came after that. Notably, back then, it was not easy to find a program that could actually bind together a DOS version with a Win32 operating under the same single binary.

Additionally, users should know that the MZ Header is commonly used for backward compatibility. Moreover, it is considered the best to run on a program that has Win32 system as compared to others as well. Moreover, users should know that the MZ signature is commonly used by the MS-DOS relocatable 16-bit under the EXE format.

 

Don’t forget to check our pe file info tool and our file entropy article.

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