Recover Deleted Files

Many years ago I accidentally deleted a lot of files on a Linux ext2 partition. At the time, there were no decent data recovery tools for ext2 filesystems available. So, I put the drive in an electrostatic protective bag and stored it in a safe place. Fast forward to the present, there is still nothing for Linux as good as Ontrack's EasyRecovery Professional. However, there is The Sleuth Kit, an amazing set of file and volume system forensic analysis tools. It is the best tool for data recovery because you can non-intrusively access deleted files. Surprisingly, there is no batch recover for deleted data. So, I wrote recoup.pl, a perl script to recursively extract every deleted file. Point it at a directory and it will automatically reconstruct as much as Sleuth Kit's fls and icat commands will let it.

Customize any and every webpage!

First get the GreaseMonkey Firefox extension.
Then write your own script or install some of the hundreds available at UserScripts.org.

Here are my recommendations:
User Scripts Search Sorting - With Install Rate improves the sorting on userscripts.org making it easier to find scripts. Use it to toggle between 'install rate' or 'installs'

After a secure login gmail defaults to HTTP so I got tired of manually switching it back into HTTPS. Secure-em-All automagically secures many webmail sites.

Sourceforge Direct Links saves time with direct download links from sourceforge projects. But save yourself some time and do not install either cleaner layout scripts because they no longer work.

Download Video allows you to download videos from youtube, gvideo, and myspace.

Textarea Backup w/Restore Buttons automatically backs up the text you type so you'll never accidentally loose another email. It has a restore button so it's better than the script that automatically restores text [when you do not want it to].

You'll find tons more for the sites you use and dont worry you can turn greasemonkey or any script on/off with a click of a button.

View the source before you install each script just to verify it doesnt do anything sketch and I hope you find it as useful as I do.

Keep your files secure

Use Truecrypt to protect your confidential data. It is secure, easy to use, open source, and free! First create a virtual encrypted disk, mount it, and then simply put your files in it as you would any regular directory.

However, to be even safer, copy the sensitive data to the TrueCrypt folder and then secure delete the original file. In Windows, use Eraser to securely move the file. Eraser is also easy to use, open source, and free!

In Linux, use wipe. Under Debian and Ubuntu, just 'aptitude install wipe' to begin having fun!

If you require the destruction of all hard disk data beyond forensic recovery then the best solution is to run the drive's internal secure erase command. This can only be accomplished on ATA/IDE drives with the free Disk Drive Secure Erase program or on any type of drive with EDT's Digital Shredder.

All other software overwrite programs take 8x as long and can not erase reassigned user blocks. If this acceptable then I recommend the free and open source DBAN program. Get DBAN and many essential utilities on the Ultimate Boot CD, a freely downloadable boot CD.

View blocked websites

To circumvent internet filters you must use a web proxy.

The best way to do this is to use the tor network.
tor, is free, opensource and developed by the EFF, so it's trustworthy and safe to use.
http://tor.eff.org/index.html.en

tor on its own is tricky to setup so i recommend a very easy to use package called vidalia which installs tor and other necessary apps.

http://www.vidalia-project.net/download.php

this will installed tor, privoxy, and the tor button for firefox.

once installed, filter-free surfing is as simple as clicking the'Tor Enable' text button in the bottom right corner of firefox.

if you dont already surf with firefox, download it here

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

if you need to install the tor button then download it here

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2275

Get IE running under WINE

To get IE running under WINE, everyone links to the script on the ies4linux site. Problem is the site is down and there is no mirror! The solution is to use the Way Back Machine's link to tatanka.com.br/ies4linux/downloads/
Also, ies4linux leaves ~/.wine alone. So you have to reinstall your windows apps using ies4linux's ~/bin/ie[6|5] or move ~/.ies4linux to your old wine directory.