Not talking about hardware, but rather, software tools that we use on a daily basis at my job. I usually carry a bunch of CDs around with me, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to share with you guys. Help each other out.
Post some suggestions if you think there's anything I should include. These are my personal tools:
*Operating system discs=
Windows 2000, XP pro/home, Server, Linux distros, Unix, etc. A Knoppix liveCD, for a bootable linux OS. I also have Knoppix STD now.
*98 and NT boot disks, as well as some DiskCopy floppies for copying partitions between drives. I also have a lot of blank floppies available.
*128MB and 512MB USB thumb drives. I have some more tools on the smaller one(winzip, WipeDisk, Hijackthis, DriveCopy files, help documents, antivirus/spyware utilities, etc). I have msconfig on there as well, since 2000 doesn't normally have it installed. The larger thumb drive I like to carry around for larger files.
*Winternal-- Allows you to boot into an ERD Commander-ish interface where you can erase user passwords and make changes to the operating systems on available partitions. Knoppix also works in the same way.
*Keyfinder. So I can view or change CD keys on a machine if necessary. Sometimes my boss gets new CD keys for machines.
*Data recovery software--Easyrecovery, Davory, file recovery and pro 2006 edition, file rescue, recover NT, etc
*Anti-Malware tools:
AVG-free and Avast! for virus protection.
Ewido 4, Adaware SE and Microsoft defender(Windows) for spyware protection. We also have others we use if needed: Spyhunter, Spysweeper, CWShredder, Hijackthis, etc (dozens, one doesn't find them all)
--other antivirus tools include: ClamWin, Bitdefender, A-squared and others. I run them if I have too, as well as some internet scans(panda/trend micro) if I feel the job isn't complete.
-->Note: Norton, McAfee, etc all suck. Don't use them anymore. O_o
Stuff like AVG-free/Avast easily finds 80% more when ran. AVG is also free.
-->Note2: I turn off Windows restore point before running scans, to ensure that the bugs don't come back. Turn it back on once the system is clean. You should do this after cleaning the system, and not beforehand...so if you screw up something, you can fall back on the windows restore points.
Firewalls: *Sunbelt's Kerio personal Firewall 4
*Comodo's Comodo Firewall
*ZoneLab's ZoneAlarm
*Agnitum's Firewall (have yet to try it)
*Executive Diskeeper. It defragments the drive and runs *much* faster than the default one that comes with windows. You can also set it to run automaticly in the background to keep the computer defragmented on a daily basis...since you know the middle aged women in the accounting department next door won't bother running it.
*TuneUp utilities 2007. A new one I just added which has over 15+ different functions ranging from file recovery to disk cleaning and defragmentation of drive space and memory. It cleans the registry and performs a thorough checkup of the entire system. It's excellent and I've been impressed with it...try the trial version.
*ABF Outlook Backup/Express: for backing up Outlook and outlook express data
*Dr. Hardware 2006--something my boss uses. I haven't used it.
*Print screen 32-- never use it, my boss does.
*Registry fixes--Registry clean, registry cleaner, registry first aid, registry fixes, and registryFix.com programs. Also PC-Doctor, which we use a lot.
Note: TuneUp utilities has a feature that cleans the registry, and does a *good* job at it.
*Norton Ghost--9.0 and 2003 editions.
*Microsoft Office 2000 and XP edition. Also have a copy of OpenOffice.
*Misc. software: Adobe acrobat, AOL(for customers) and others. Planning to add Firefox for not particular reason. I also have Penetration testing tools(ethereal, packetyzer, kismet, airsnare, airsnort, snort, etc)...but I don't use them for my job. Random CEH stuff.
I'm just going by memory, so I'll fill in the rest when I have access to my toolkit tomorrow.
KG
