Tagged: Windows 7

0 Day Java Exploit. How to disable Java in your browser.

A JRE exploit has reportedly hit the wild. Context here.  Some kind Redditor has posted instructions on disabling the JRE in various browsers:

  • In Firefox : Press Firefox button -> Add-ons, go to Plugins and click the “Disable” button next to anything named “Java”.
  • In Chrome : Type in: “chrome://plugins/” into the address bar (no quotes). Scroll down to Java and click disable.
  • In Opera: Type in “opera:plugins” into the address bar (no quotes). Scroll down to:
    • Java(TM) Platform <click on> Disable.
    • Java Deployment Toolkit <click on> Disable.
  • In Internet Explorer:
    • Disable UAC (if enabled) and restart.
    • Open the Java app in Control Panel.
    • Go to advanced tab.
    • Expand Default Java for browsers.
    • The checkbox next to IE is grayed out.  Select Microsoft Internet Explorer and press spacebar. Click OK.
    • You can re-enable UAC and restart now.

 

“Expanding” a vmdk in VirtualBox

When I created my vmdk for my work virt in VirtualBox I made the mistaken assumption that by “dynamic” they meant the drive size would expand as necessary.  What they really meant was that the drive would expand as necessary within the limits of the initial drive size setting – which I stupidly set to 20 gig.

Expanding your vmdk for VirtualBox is really a misnomer.  You have to create a new one of the size you want and then clone your old one over to it.  It’s a little time consuming, but not hard.  Disclosure:  My host is running Windows 7 64 and my VM is running Windows 7 32.  Why bother?  It’s a security thing.

  1. Shut down your VM (obivously)
  2. Within the VirtualBox Manager, open the Settings for your existing VM, then choose Storage.
  3. Add a hard disk to the controller.  Make it the same type as your current disk, and make it the size you need.
  4. Once it’s created open a command prompt and head to the directory containing vboxmanage.exe – typically in C:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox\
  5. Run the following, altering the paths to match your current and new vmdk files: 
  6. Twiddle thumbs.
  7. Once that’s complete, reopen the VirtualBox Manager and head back to Settings > Storage.  Add an existing hard disk to your controller, choosing your new drive.  Disconnect your original drive.
  8. Fire up your VM, from within it navigate to disk management, and expand away.

 

Bootable USB installer for Win7

You’ll need a DVD or ISO of Win7 and have your USB drive plugged in.  Take note – this is going to erase it.  Bear in mind you can create a Win7 64 bit installer with this procedure, but you cannot create this install on a Win7 54 bit machine.  Good job Microsoft.
  1. Download DiskPart.
  2. Launch DiskPart by entering diskpart at the start menu or in a command prompt.
  3. Enter list disk.
  4. Enter select disk # where # is the appropriate disk number.
  5. Enter clean.
  6. Enter create partition primary.
  7. Enter active.
  8. Enter format fs=fat32 quick.
  9. Enter assign.
  10. Copy all files from the DVD or ISO to the USB drive and it’s good to go.