L0phtcrack is back

From Slashdot:

"L0phtCrack — now 12 years old — used to be a security 'tool of choice' for black hats, pen-testers, and security auditors alike — that is, until it was sold by L0pht to @stake, then Symantec, to be released and subsequently dropped as LC 5. As an IT security consultant, I used this tool to regularly expose vulnerabilities or recover data when there were few other options available. Eventually, I let it go as tech evolved away. Now, after being returned to its original developers, version 6 was released this week with fresh features: support for 64-bit multiprocessors, (current) Unix and Windows operating systems, and a number of other features, including enhanced handling of NTLM password hashes and support for rainbow tables. Interested parties, especially consultants, will find this shiny new version sports a hefty price tag. It raises doubts in my mind whether it can effectively compete with open source alternatives that go by similar names, but as I found earlier versions so useful, its re-emergence seems worth the mention."

Hack for XP, Vista password via CD

Normally use 'Cain and Abel', but Ophcrack makes it easy by downloading a bootable ISO file that you can just burn to a cd, without all the 'autorun' preparation you would have to do with 'Cain'. Haven't actually tested against any LM or NTLM hashes, so I don't know how good its passy library is or how fast its brute force attack is, but if you want to save the hassle, this is the way to go. Its also not as diverse as 'Cain and Abel', no WEP crack or anything of the sort. Remember, for legal purposes only ;).

Removing Internet Explorer Content Advisory password

Problem: Missing or forgotten Internet Explorer password.

Solution:
From: http://www.pchell.com/support/contentadvisor.shtml
"How to Remove Content Advisor Password in Internet Explorer
The following steps will remove any password set in the Internet Explorer Content Advisor and allow you to reset the program to its original state.
1) Click on Start and choose Run.
2) Type in RegEdit and select OK.
3) Now click on the little plus sign to the left of H_KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
4) Continue to drill down, always clicking on the plus sign at the left of the named key, through Software, Microsoft, Windows, Current Version and Policies.
5) Now click on the Ratings folder.
window.google_render_ad();
6) In the right pane of the RegEdit window, you'll see an icon called Key. Click on it and press Delete.
7) Next, choose Registry and then Exit to exit RegEdit. You've just deleted your original Content Advisor password.
8) Restart the computer and run Internet Explorer again.
9) Choose View and then Internet Options (or Options for version 3.x). For IE 5 or greater, Click on Tools, Internet Options.
10) Click on the Content tab and click on Disable. When asked for a password, don't enter anything; just click on OK. This will disable Content Advisor because there's no longer a password."
You should backup your registry before you do any modifications.
Disclaimer: Any modification to your registry can cause potential damage to your system. Always make sure you know what you are doing, or get someone who does and always backup, backup, backup.