Thoughts of a Little Sinchen

Tag: VeraCrypt

  • Check ALL hardware BEFORE upgrading a part, Sinchen!

    Having decided to upgrade outdated PCs as good as possible for getting the most out of any generation I had to overcome a great fear of mine regarding messing with hardware: CPU upgrade.

    I avoid removing CPU coolers and CPUs because I’m always always worried of breaking something. Bending CPU pins, pushing too hard on the cooler, too little thermal paste, too much thermal paste, installing the cooler crooked, breaking plastic levers.

    I’ve installed CPU coolers a few times and successfully so far… but I never get used to it and avoid it. Avoided it too much.

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  • Windows “Device Encryption” With Automatic Unlock Is Not Secure Enough

    An easy explanation avoiding technical terms (until the box at the very end)

    The Short Version​

    If your PC meets certain criteria Windows encrypts your files automatically. This is good! But the way it’s set up by default has a hidden problem: the computer unlocks itself without asking for a password, and a copy of the unlock key is stored online on Microsoft servers.

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  • Windows XP Hardening?

    How about still using Windows XP? Simplicity, lack of bloat, lack of AI, support for old games. I’ve always loved XP. Of course it didn’t feel lightweight in 2002 when installing the first Windows NT version intended for home users. Way bigger than 98SE, more demanding than 2000 Professional and with a nauseating default theme that is as dysfunctional as the (then) newly introduced Start Menu. Over the years I’ve mastered switching off all crap on a fresh XP installation in very few minutes. Still in muscle memory to this day. Using XP gives me a nostalgic feeling just like the boot sound of a PlayStation 1 coming from the powerful speakers of a big CRT TV.

    In this entry I want to explore this classic OS from the perspective of security. This could be very short by saying, “There is no way to truly secure it.” Nevertheless I’ll try my best.

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