Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Gamefly
Sunday, October 18, 2009
How To Hack Like A Pro
Maybe you've lost the license that came with your legitimate software package that you paid for. Maybe you want to make a backup copy of your favorite DVD movie, but there's copy-protection encoded onto the disk. Or
maybe you're just stuck on a popular online game and you want to know if there are any hacks available to level up in the game without the required effort.
Whatever your specific needs or situation - I'm not here to judge. In the field of computers and Internet technologies, just about everything is written in one programming language or another. No programmer is perfect - they all make mistakes. There are back doors, secret codes and vulnerabilities in just about any application you come across. Because of that, if you learn how to hack on your own, or just following the efforts of active hacking communities can provide you with tremendous eye-opening insight into the inner-workings of even your most "trusted" software applications.
Where You Can Go To Learn How To Hack Like a Pro
One thing that's obvious when you visit the websites where professional hackers hang out - there's so much about programming that even the most seasoned professional programmers don't know. Professional hackers are an exceptional, amazing and terrible breed of individuals all packaged into one. While I write this, I realize that I am also describing over half of our readership - you know who you are! These folks take programming to an extreme that's simply astounding when you see it in action.
While many of us write applications using all of the standard techniques that you learn in programming classes in college, these folks take programming into a realm where there are no rules. They can test all aspects of an application until they find a chink in the armor, and then exploit those vulnerabilities.
As we explore the world of hacking, it should be noted that there are two major forms of hacking - we'll call it "white hat" and "black hat." The "white hat" hackers call themselves "ethical hackers," in that they find vulnerabilities and exploits only to make the programming and
application communities more secure for everyone. However, there's a whole other community of hackers who find vulnerabilities to do nothing more than exploit them as much as humanly possible. Now that you know what sort of community you may be entering, let's get on with the list of top sites where you can learn how to hack.#1 - CyberXtreme: Hacking and Warez
CyberXtreme is an impressive forum with a significant hacking section, but also entire sections on technology, graphics and even a tech support area. Here you'll find cracks, secret codes, free download packages (some containing cracked software which may be illegal to download in your area, so be careful). The forum is very protective of its content, so you'll have to register with a valid email address before you can even get a glimpse of the content that's on the forums.
The hacking section is very detailed and, as shown above, includes not only free tools and software exploits, but if you want to learn some coding tricks from the resident hacking gurus, just enter the "Coding & Programming" forum and you'll get your fill. Before long you'll be writing up your own customized hacking tools!#2 - EvilZone Hacking Forums
While the name, EvilZone, isn't exactly the most inviting - it is easily one of the largest forum communities that you'll find on the subject of hacking. With over 6,500 members and over 100,000 posts (and counting), this community likely has the skills and knowledge to answer any programming question you could possibly have. Just be careful about coming across as a "noob" - these guys don't handle newcomers with kid gloves, so be careful.
You'd definitely be best off working through the programming and encyclopedia sections first, where you'll find projects, tutorials and a lot more that will help you become educated and well-versed in hacking techniques and terminology.#3 - Hack a Day
While I certainly don't want to offer a nod to any blogs that may be considered competition, you really have to give credit where credit is due when it comes to a particular niche like hacking - and Hack a Day definitely offers an amazing library of information for anyone looking for specific categories like cellphones, GPS or digital cameras. You'll find all hacks organized by category in the right column.
More than any other site, this particular "hacking" site is very much hardware based, and they redefine the meaning of the word hacking by literally hacking up electronic devices like a Gameboy
or a digital camera and completely modifying it. Of course you'll still find the occasional software hack, such as how to remove the Blackberry download limit.
While I personally don't find the articles themselves very detailed (as an EE, I like schematics and elaborate descriptions) - but the site makes up for it with video demonstrations throughout.#4 - Hack In The Box
If any site could be classified as the most comprehensive site to learn how to hack, this would be it. Hack In The Box is more about security and ethical hacking than anything else - and that's more than obvious reviewing the classes and conferences listed on the main page.
The manage page is an informational portal that includes information from all other areas, including recent forum posts, conference updates, E-zine and news articles and a lot more. To be honest, there's so much information stuffed on the main page that it's almost overwhelming.
There's a lot of material available, but if you've so interested in learning how to hack that you wouldn't mind paying to attend a class or a conference - then this is the place to do it.#5 - Hack This Site!
As always, saving the best for last - I'd like to introduce Hack This Site! This website is one of the coolest, free programmer training sites where you can learn how to hack accepting one of the challenges.
The site designers offer various "missions," where you need to figure out the vulnerability of a site and then attempt to use your new-found hacking skills (you've carefully studied all of the articles on the site, right?) to hack the web page. Missions include Basic, Realistic, Application, Programming and many others.
If you're able to figure out how to properly hack any of the most difficult missions on this site, then you've definitely earned the title of professional hacker.
Have you ever tried any of the tips offered at any of these websites and do they work? Do you have any good resources of your own for readers to learn how to hack like the pros? Share your insight in the comments section below.
Remember to check out all of this and more is from this book., Hacking: The Art of Exploitation, 2nd Edition
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Left 4 Dead 2 Preview
Even though the things here in L4D2 should have been been the first Left 4 Dead, this is definitley an update if you do not like the first one, or feel the first one did not have enough/the right content.
You can pre-order Left4Dead 2 for XBOX 360 or PC. The PC version includes an exclusive demo along with a unique pre-order customer's only baseball bat to homerun your zombie's heads!
PC: Left 4 Dead 2
XBOX 360: Left 4 Dead 2
Thursday, October 8, 2009
How to Repair Xbox 360 Problems Fast
There are a number of different causes for Xbox 360 errors. Each individual error has its own cause. While I won't bore you with the details of what is causing your Xbox 360 error, you should know that the majority of these errors are the result of your console poor cooling system. As your console heats up, the internal components will vibrate and accordingly, can become displaced. I know what you are thinking, enough about why the errors are happening, just tell me what I need to know in order to fix Xbox 360 errors fast.
Well the answer might be as simple as taking your Xbox 360 out from where it is being stored and letting it "breath". This might solve the error problem as easily as that. However, if it does not, then you will have to consider your alternative options.
Essentially, you have two choices when your console malfunctions and taking steps to cool it down doesn't work. You can either perform a do it yourself repair, or you can send it back to Microsoft who will repair the problem for you. If your warrantee has not expired and you don`t mind losing access to your console for 4-8 weeks you might consider simply sending your console back to Microsoft. The cost is relatively nominal (just the cost of shipping and handling) and it is guaranteed to work, or you can just send it back again.
If you are a fanatic who can`t go up to two months without using your console, or if your warrantee has expired, your next best option is purchasing an Xbox 360 repair guide. These repair guides will take you through the repair process at home and will have you up and running again in about 30 minutes.
When searching for the repair guide that is right for you, remember the following two points:
1. A high quality Xbox 360 repair guide can be downloaded from your home computer in just seconds, they costs about $25-$30 and comes with a 100% money back guarantee.
2. The top of the line repair guides also come with instructional videos so you can follow along and avoid the confusion of complicated instruction manuals.
As you can see, the only way to fix Xbox 360 errors fast is to take matters into your own hands. It is not surprising why performing a do it yourself fix, is becoming the preferred method for Xbox 360 owners to fix Xbox 360 errors fast.
The best way to fix xbox 360 errors fast is with an inexpensive repair guide.
Click Here to try a risk free Xbox 360 repair guide that will have your Xbox back up and running properly in no time.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Batman Arkham Asylum: Review
In 2009 the newest addition of the Batman video game series was released, called Batman: Arkham Asylum. In this game the basic story is you are Batman, you caught Joker and you are taking him back to Arkham Asylum. Batman notices that he caught the Joker much too easily and thinks that he has something up his sleeve. He was right. Once you get back to the Arkham Asylum island, the real fun starts to begin. Joker has had tons of time to plan his schemes that spring into action once he is taken in and suddenly he slips free.
You don't really know what to expect when you start the game and may not see the vast scope of this game right off the bat (haha no pun intended). You get to see most of the villains in the Batman universe who all have been captured by Batman and have been imprisoned at Arkham Asylum. Common faces such as the Riddler have their moments where you hear from them, but you never actually see the Riddler in the game (sorry for the spoiler), you actually just solve his puzzles. The Scarecrow is another one of the villiains that you do not really see a lot of, but he does get his time to shine. I'd like to add here that I think the reason they took out most of the common faces is because well, they are common! People are bored with the ones we seen in the movies, so its nice that they introduce some new characters to those who may not be aware of them.
The gameplay of Batman: Arkham Asylum is fantastic. You can play it like a stealth action game or a straight beat-em-up. (This game will seriously make you feel like a badass!) Of course it wants to you play it as a stealth action because that's what Batman does, he hides in the shadows and takes out his foes one by one and instilling fear into the rest.
The combat is amazing too because you do feel like you are Batman. You beat the bad guys down very fluidly and with ease but if they have guns - watch out! Since you don't have guns you may want to target those guys first. (I can only hope Assassin's Creed 2 is similar with the fighting)
All in all Batman: Arkham Asylum is a must play for any Batman fan. Even if you aren't a Batman fan this game will be a great addition to your collection because it is just so much fun and has tons of side-quests for you to do as well, even after you beat the living shit out of this game.
You can pick up Arkham Asylum on Amazon for 44.99 for PC or 52.99 for Xbox and PS3.
PC: Edios Batman: Arkham Asylum
How To Install A Video Card
OK I thought since I have done this myself many times before I would explain to people from my own personal point of view on how it's done .........
Introduction: Make sure you have everything you need, starting with anti-static-wrist strap, some Philips non-magnetic screwdrivers, and your graphics card .
Step 1 : Before you install the card you have to know where it goes, now because most people in this day and age have PCI-E cards I will focus on them.... look carefully at image 1 , you will notice i have highlighted a part in green , that part is the port you will be installing your graphics card today

Once you have carefully looked at the image 1, you should then open up your computer now, depending on what brand your computer is, it should be fairly simple, at the back of your computer, you should notice some screws or a catch of some kind, unscrew the screws, or flick the catch and gently slide off the side panel , NOTE: Always be sure that your computer is unplugged from the mains the slightest shock could hurt you and your computer.
Now you have looked at the image carefully, it's time to get a good look at your graphics card. I find studying it before you insert it will achieve optimal results without messing anything up, now I have labelled the card for good measure, you will see I have labelled what inserts into the PCI-E bus , and the main power connector insert as well as the power cable head itself, take a while to familiarize yourself with this image.

Now you have looked and studied both images, you are ready to insert the card into your computer.
Now make sure you have your anti-static wrist strap on and make sure you're grounded, take the card out of the box, and gently insert into your PCI-Express slot, now be careful not to touch any other components in your computer, there is a part at the end of the card that should hook in first, then you should hear a click to know it's in nice and firm, now find the 4 pin power connector show in the 2nd image, and plug it into the power socket also shown in the 2nd image. Once you have done that, screw the card in look at the image i have shown you, this person is screwing in his card, do the same thing.

Now once you have done that shut your case back up, plug your computer back into the mains, plug your TV out socket in and you're set to go, as soon as you have installed it, insert the disc and install your drivers there should be a CD that came with the card.
Any questions, feel free to comment. I will surely get back to you.
BTW: I bought this card 3 months ago for 220 and never looked back. (Wish I could get 2)


