Chapter 12
Windows
In This Chapter
Port scanning Windows systems
Gleaning Windows information without logging in
Catching the Windows security flaws you don’t want to overlook
Exploiting Windows vulnerabilities
Minimizing Windows security risks
Microsoft Windows (with such versions as Windows 7; Windows Server 2012; Windows 8.1; and the newest flavor, Windows 10) is the most widely used operating system (OS) in the world. It’s also the most widely abused. Is this because Microsoft doesn’t care as much about security as other OS vendors? The short answer is “no.” Sure, numerous security flaws were overlooked — especially in the Windows NT days — but Microsoft products are so pervasive throughout today’s networks that Microsoft is the easiest vendor to pick on; therefore, Microsoft products often end up in the bad guys’ crosshairs. The one positive about criminal hackers is that they’re driving the requirement for better security!
Many of the security flaws in the headlines aren’t new. ...
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