----8<=====
Mainly written for the Newbie population
IF you own a computer and are much more into UNIX stuff, then quit 
reading this..you’ll probably get bored. 
ELSE 
IF you don’t have a computer and are having access problems with public 
one, go on reading.

**** This text is written only for educational purpose. It is against 
the law to break into someone’s computer without permission. Just read 
it to know about, don’t do it (you’ll probably do it anyway but hey). 
ENJOY. 


--*--*--*--*Breaking out of restricted Win95 Environments*--*--*--


Yes, people, it is a sad fact that some of us computer lovers don’t even 
own one. No matter what the reason is, we are always constantly trying 
to get to a computer connected to Internet. One of these good places I 
know to get Internet connection is from Public computers. This has 
couple of good advantages, for all I know.

1.  You could do any kind of activity in a more obscure way (no great 
worry of trace-back from uninvited sources)
2.  The fact that you’ll be getting a free Internet service.


It is still hard to get a shell account free and without giving much 
information about yourself, but this access still helps you keep up with 
news and stuff with minimized activities. Hey, it is a gateway… J

But it is not as unobstructed as it sounds. Most of these public places 
(Libraries mainly) do use restriction methods to keep people from having 
a total control of services. The ones I have encountered use a 
limitation software called KIOSK which basically prevents user from 
accessing certain features of a menu, for example the General 
Preferences of Options in Netscape, or the Connect To field of some Win 
telnet programs. Now this really sux, because there are times when you 
don’t even have access to basic Programs and Settings menus of the Start 
Button.

Now, how would one run programs, install programs, and read files from 
these restricted systems if they don’t even let you boot (Boot 
passwords)? Impossible!

Not really…

#1
One of the things I have noticed on these public computers is that often 
forget about a fellow called TaskMan. This is a small program activated 
by pressing Ctrl+Esc at the Password Screen (yes, I’m still trying to 
figure out what the purpose is hehe). This program will allow you the 
Run Application option, and from there you could try your luck with 
Programs.GRP (which’ll pop up all the groups of Windows that’d have 
otherwise been hidden through sux like IKIOSK.) And then there’s 
COMMAND.COM. Mind you, you should always have a system disk with you  
not to boot from it (Network Computers) but to run some important 
programs like COMMAND.COM. Then on your own…

#2

You know, they could kill TaskMan after finding out what it has been 
doing (or predicting be4 hand if they are smart). What do we do now?! No 
worry, there’s still another way. These public computers using Windows95 
as they OS always have something on their menu (duh!) Chances are 
they’ll at least have one program which requires a standard file input 
form a disk. NotePad, Write but not that vital tool,  Windows Explorer. 
TaskMan is dead, so WindowsExplorer’s probably the only other files 
utility. Well, one possible way to get to it is to start one of these 
standard file input files [write, Notepad, Netscape(if it does not have 
that menu disabled) etc] and when you get to the Open File or  Save or 
Save AS section, just go ahead to one of the yellow folders and click 
the RIGHT mouse button on it. What do you see?! Well, there’s the list: 
Open Explore (YES!!!), Cut, Paste, Send To, Delete and some more. The 
big point is that You now have access to Windows Explorer. From then 
on…well. 

#3

But again, our world is not as forgiving as the we hope it’d be. Now, 
What if they have also removed EXPLORER from the RightClickOnFolderList? 
Man, that’s it. Die public computers, I give up. Eh? Not so fast. 
There’s one more known way. One more option, the Open section in the 
RightClickOnFolder. J You could click on anything and it would open it 
through the software you want it to (or it could even be a software). 
Try ProgramManager…you’ll be surprised.


*** One idea to play around is to get to a file browser and if you find 
all executable programs are disabled for direct access, try it 
indirectly. Click on the files made for that particular program, then 
you just might be able to run the program you want. If not, hey, it’s 
another hope to have the "Browse" button as a choice.

*** Also try installing some programs (like PIRCH). Even though I don’t 
know why, if you are able to run them, then they’ll automatically start 
the Program Manager (no matter what the restrictions were outside).

*** Dead  end with OneEyed (no buttons, no buttons) with Netscape? Try 
our famous Easter Egg! Press Ctrl+Alt+F. Then there’s your road, 
explore! Try the Netscape Home Page. Try their search engins…try 
downloading useful programs.


Well, peoplez, Hoping you’ll get your computer in hand soon, 
I am out.

BioMenace

-----------



I believe it'd help out some folks out there..please feel free to 
improve the Disclaimer version. Peace,
Bio

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