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Megathread Software Sunday (Software recommendation)

Thread Description
Weekly software recommendations #swsd

DarkMahesvara

varishangout.com
Regular
Software Sunday #19 (20/06/2021)

dupeGuru (OSS) is a GUI tool to find duplicate and similar files available for Windows, Linux and MacOS.

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The interface is pretty simple with options for Application Mode (which files to look for), Scan Type (how to search: title/name/tag, content or folder), More Options (filter & regex) and where to search. It's also possible to save and load search results.

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Download and install it for your Platform from GitHub and see the Documentation for more information. If you like the software please support the developer!
 

namedoesntfi

varishangout.com
Regular
Software Sunday #5 (14/03/2021)

KeePass (OSS) is a Password Manager for Windows with several ports on Linux (KeePassXC) and Android (KeePassDX). You can not only store passwords but also other private data such as recovery codes and even files. It has been awarded and audited by multiple government security organizations.

Since passwords and online identities are sensitive information they should be kept locally on your devices and only stored in the cloud if they have been encrypted.



Why should you use a password manager?
At first it might seem bothersome and too much work to write down your online identities, but you will be gratefull in the long run for multiple reasons:
  1. Central list of all your online accounts will make it much easier to manage them (which accounts do i have?; what password/email/username did i use?; what is my 2FA recovery code/security question?)
  2. Login with only few clicks (autofill hotkey + 1 click). No need to type dozen of long usernames, emails and passwords > faster and more secure! :nana-thumb:
  3. Since you don't need to remember passwords, you can make them as long and random as possible. +100 character long and completely random passwords? No problem! (i should work in marketing :kyoko-smug:)
  4. With the number of data breaches and computing power increasing each year. It will only get more important to use secure and unique passwords for each account in the Future. Which is impossible without help, considering that the average person has around 100 passwords.



How to install
Download (Keepass 2.xx Installer for Windows) and install it. If you like the software please support the developer!



How to use
  • Create your password Database (DB) (lose DB = you are screwed > have backups in multiple locations)
  • Set a Master password. As the name implies, this is your key to the kingdom (forget Master password = you are screwed > maybe (physically) write it down in a safe place or just gitgud and don't forget). Make it long but easy to remember, which means use a passphrase (NIST recommendation)
    • NIST definition of passphrase: A passphrase is a memorized secret consisting of a sequence of words or other text that a claimant uses to authenticate their identity. A passphrase is similar to a password in usage, but is generally longer for added security.
    • You can create them by following this simple guide by the EFF. You only need one dice and ~5 minutes. I would recommend using more than six Words (maybe even from different languages), special characters and numbers for the passphrase.
  • To increased security you can check "Show expert options:" to add a keyfile which functions as an additional authentication method (Password = something you know + Keyfile = something you have). If you use one you will always need the master password + keyfile to access the DB (lose/modify the keyfile = you are screwed > have backups in multiple locations). This is handy if you want to store your DB in the cloud without worrying about somebody cracking your password.
  • General > Give the DB a name e.g. KeePassDB
  • Security > Key transformation >
    • Key derivation function: "Argon2d" (more info)
    • Iterations:
      We recommend the following procedure for determining the Argon2 parameters:
      Set the number of iterations to 2.
      [*]Find out the RAM size of each of your devices on which you want to open your database file. Let M be the minimum of these sizes. Set the memory parameter to min(M/2, 1 GB) (i.e. use the half of M, if it is less than 1 GB, otherwise use 1 GB).
      • Example 1: if you have a PC with 32 GB RAM and a mobile phone with 1 GB RAM (on which you want to open your database file), set the memory parameter to 500 MB.
      • Example 2: if you have a PC with 32 GB RAM and a PC with 8 GB RAM, set the memory parameter to 1 GB.
      On Windows 10, the RAM size can be found in the system settings → 'System' → 'About'.
      [*]Find out the number of logical processors of each of your devices. Set the parallelism parameter to the minimum of these numbers. On Windows 10, the number of logical processors can be found in the Task Manager (right-click onto the taskbar → 'Task Manager') on the 'Performance' tab page.
      [*]Click the 'Test' button.
      • If the key transformation takes too much time (longer than you are willing to wait when opening/saving the database file, e.g. more than 1 second), cancel it, decrease the memory parameter and click the 'Test' button again. Repeat this until the required time is acceptable.
      • If the key transformation takes too few time (in the case of 1 GB memory), increase the number of iterations and click the 'Test' button again. Repeat this until you like the required time.
  • Consider Printing a Emergency Sheet for recovery!
  • Now you can create folders and Account entries.
  • To access the DB on other devices you only need to transfer the DB (and keyfile if used)
  • Extra options i recommended (Tools > Options...):
    • Security > Advanced = check "Enter master key on secure desktop
It's been long overdue that I started not using a service to manage my passwords. I installed and started to explore the settings and whatnot. I am very impressed. It will still take a little while for me to migrate to using KeePass exclusively because of 2FA. I already read the documentation on how to do it and managed to make it work properly. Now it's a matter of tuning it further. :ina-blessed:
 

DarkMahesvara

varishangout.com
Regular
Software Sunday #20 (27/06/2021)

PCAPdroid (OSS) is a network monitor and traffic dump tool for Android devices that doesn't require root.

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If you ever wanted to know how much your Android OS or certain Apps access the internet, this is the tool for you!

PCAPdroid can monitor and log which connections are established by using the Android VpnService and creating a local VPN (like NetGuard and other Android Firewalls/Adblocker). When active the traffic can be logged and saved locally or on another device in the same network. Its also possible to only monitor certain apps with the App Filter modus.

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It has also the following features:
  • Log and examine the connections made by the user and system apps
  • Extract SNI, DNS query, HTTP request, HTTP URL and remote IP address
  • Apply a filter to only capture the traffic of the selected app
  • Easily download a PCAP file of the traffic thanks to the integrated HTTP server
  • Stream the PCAP to a remote receiver for further analysis (e.g. wireshark)
  • Decrypt HTTPS/TLS traffic via a remote mitmproxy
  • On rooted devices, it can capture the packets while other VPN apps are running
If you are concerned with how much data is being send from your phone, consider using a privacy friendly Android OS (GrapheneOS) and App Store (F-Droid).



Download and install the App from GitHub or F-Droid/Play Store and see the Documentation for more information. If you like the software please support the developer!
 

immahnoob

varishangout.com
Regular
Patron of the Forums
Software Sunday #20 (27/06/2021)

PCAPdroid (OSS) is a network monitor and traffic dump tool for Android devices that doesn't require root.

If you ever wanted to know how much your Android OS or certain Apps access the internet, this is the tool for you!

PCAPdroid can monitor and log which connections are established by using the Android VpnService and creating a local VPN (like NetGuard and other Android Firewalls/Adblocker). When active the traffic can be logged and saved locally or on another device in the same network. Its also possible to only monitor certain apps with the App Filter modus.
It has also the following features:
  • Log and examine the connections made by the user and system apps
  • Extract SNI, DNS query, HTTP request, HTTP URL and remote IP address
  • Apply a filter to only capture the traffic of the selected app
  • Easily download a PCAP file of the traffic thanks to the integrated HTTP server
  • Stream the PCAP to a remote receiver for further analysis (e.g. wireshark)
  • Decrypt HTTPS/TLS traffic via a remote mitmproxy
  • On rooted devices, it can capture the packets while other VPN apps are running
If you are concerned with how much data is being send from your phone, consider using a privacy friendly Android OS (GrapheneOS) and App Store (F-Droid).



Download and install the App from GitHub or F-Droid/Play Store and see the Documentation for more information. If you like the software please support the developer!
Hey, do you know if there's something similar for PC instead?
 

DarkMahesvara

varishangout.com
Regular
Software Sunday #22 (11/07/2021)

OpenRGB (OSS) is a LED lighting control application that doesn't depend on manufacturer software for Windows, Linux and MacOS.

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Many Computer components that have LED lighting such as Graphic cards, Motherboards and Keyboards require the manufacturers bloated, buggy and often spying closed source software. Which can result in having to install and run multiple different of them for each component.

OpenRGB is trying to circumvent that by using the OpenRGB SDK which can support a wide range of different manufacturer parts (see supported Devices) but sadly not all.

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Read the disclaimer about device bricking and see the Documentation for more information. Download it for your platform from GitLab (Windows, Linux or MacOS). If you like the software please support the developer!
 

DarkMahesvara

varishangout.com
Regular
Software Sunday #23 (18/07/2021)

Greasemonkey (OSS) and Violentmonkey (OSS) are Browser addons/extensions that make it possible to change or even add functionalities to any website with user scripts using JavaScript/CSS. In contrast to Tampermonkey, another popular script manager they don't collect (personal) information and are open source. Since there are many different user script manager and browser, some scripts may not work.

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There are multiple ways to add scripts as shown in the Greasemonkey wiki. The most popular, easiest and secure way is GreasyFork (SFW) and Sleazyfork (NSFW) which are repositorys for many user scripts.

Regardless of where you get them keep in mind that like any script, they can be malicious and compromise your privacy/security. If you can read code, check scripts before using them or at least only use well known and high/good rated scripts from GreasyFork/Sleazyfork. Also consider disabling auto update functions for script.

Some popular/useful user script examples:
Pixiv Plus: Better Pixiv (Thx @bowlingc)
E-Hentai Downloader (Thx @lapin)
nHentai Helper
Local YouTube Downloader
Simple YouTube Age Restriction Bypass (Thx @Grönsak)
Twitter: Download Video
Filmot Title Restorer: Restore titles and thumbnails from removed Youtube Videos


Install Greasemonkey (only for Gecko/Firefox) or Violentmonkey. If you like the software please support the developers! (Greasemonkey / Violentmonkey)
 
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Cayhr

varishangout.com
Artist
Regular
Some popular user script examples:
Pixiv Plus (Thx @bowlingc)
E-Hentai Downloader (Thx @lapin)
nHentai Helper
Local YouTube Downloader
Twitter: Download Video



Install Greasemonkey (only for Gecko/Firefox) or Violentmonkey. If you like the software please support the developers! (Greasemonkey / Violentmonkey)
The Twitter Download Video and Pixiv Plus scripts are the big ones for me, here... I hate how Twatter converts uploaded videos into their own esoteric format for viewing on Twatter. Makes stealing memes and hentai harder >:C. Some dumb proprietary nonsense lol
 

DarkMahesvara

varishangout.com
Regular
Software Sunday #24 (25/07/2021)

VirtualBox (OSS) is a Hypervisor developed by Oracle used to run virtual machines (VMs). They differ from conventional physical computer in that they are separate from the actual hardware to easier manage them. Most modern (x86) Operating Systems like Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, BSD and many more are supported and can be virtualized (see supported Host and Guest OSses).

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It not only makes it possible to use incompatible software on the same computer but also keep them isolated from each other and manage them independently and securely in a virtual environment.

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(sidenote: there are two types of Hypervisors. In Type 1 the Host OS is the Hypervisor (BareMetal) but we will focus on Type 2 as seen above)

Host = Computer running VirtualBox
Guest = VMs run inside VirtualBox

VirtualBox can customize and limit the Guests access on the Hardware and Host. Set CPU cores and usage, Video memory and resolution, RAM and Storage space, access to hardware ports (USB, PCI, PS/2,...), Shared Folder and clipboard access and much more. Keep in mind that as with any Computer: more resources and better hardware = higher performance.

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Using VMs makes it easy to duplicate (clone) and save or rollback changes (snapshots). Guest Oses are also isolated, meaning its possible to run and change software inside them without affecting the Host or other Guests (no code is perfect and there always will be vulnerabilities that can break that isolation!).



Download it for your platform and see the Documentation for more information. If you like the software please support the developer!



Settings to increase isolation and security (Host || Guest) at the cost of performance and/or functionality (Not required and only relevant for people who want to strengthen isolation and security)
Settings:
  • General-> Advanced -> Shared Clipboard & Drag'n Drop = Disabled
  • General-> Shared Folders = leave emtpy​
  • General-> Advanced -> Disk Encryption -> Enable Disk Encryption (Or just encrypt the storage/Host where the VMs are saved)​
  • Don't use Guest Additions (no drivers to increase performance and functionality to minimize possible vulnerabilities like CVE-2018-2693 & CVE-2012-0105 & CVE-2011-2300)
  • General-> Display -> Acceleration = unchecked (Use slow software graphic emulation instead of accelerated 3D hardware e.g. GPUs to minimize possible vulnerabilities like CVE-2014-0983 & CVE-2014-0981.​
If you are really worried about isolation use Qubes OS! An entire OS dedicated and build around achieving high security and isolation through virtualization.
 

immahnoob

varishangout.com
Regular
Patron of the Forums
Software Sunday #24 (25/07/2021)

VirtualBox (OSS) is a Hypervisor developed by Oracle used to run virtual machines (VMs). They differ from conventional physical computer in that they are separate from the actual hardware to easier manage them. Most modern (x86) Operating Systems like Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, BSD and many more are supported and can be virtualized (see supported Host and Guest OSses).

It not only makes it possible to use incompatible software on the same computer but also keep them isolated from each other and manage them independently and securely in a virtual environment.

View attachment 6297

(sidenote: there are two types of Hypervisors. In Type 1 the Host OS is the Hypervisor (BareMetal) but we will focus on Type 2 as seen above)

Host = Computer running VirtualBox
Guest = VMs run inside VirtualBox

VirtualBox can customize and limit the Guests access on the Hardware and Host. Set CPU cores and usage, Video memory and resolution, RAM and Storage space, access to hardware ports (USB, PCI, PS/2,...), Shared Folder and clipboard access and much more. Keep in mind that as with any Computer: more resources and better hardware = higher performance.

Using VMs makes it easy to duplicate (clone) and save or rollback changes (snapshots). Guest Oses are also isolated, meaning its possible to run and change software inside them without affecting the Host or other Guests (no code is perfect and there always will be vulnerabilities that can break that isolation!).



Download it for your platform and see the Documentation for more information. If you like the software please support the developer!



Settings to increase isolation and security (Host || Guest) at the cost of performance and/or functionality (Not required and only relevant for people who want to strengthen isolation and security)
Settings:
  • General-> Advanced -> Shared Clipboard & Drag'n Drop = Disabled
  • General-> Shared Folders = leave emtpy​
  • General-> Advanced -> Disk Encryption -> Enable Disk Encryption (Or just encrypt the storage/Host where the VMs are saved)​
  • Don't use Guest Additions (no drivers to increase performance and functionality to minimize possible vulnerabilities like CVE-2018-2693 & CVE-2012-0105 & CVE-2011-2300)
  • General-> Display -> Acceleration = unchecked (Use slow software graphic emulation instead of accelerated 3D hardware e.g. GPUs to minimize possible vulnerabilities like CVE-2014-0983 & CVE-2014-0981.​
If you are really worried about isolation use Qubes OS! An entire OS dedicated and build around achieving high security and isolation through virtualization.
Do VMs leave any traces of files?
 

DarkMahesvara

varishangout.com
Regular
Software Sunday #25 (01/08/2021)

Kdenlive (OSS) is a Video editing software for Windows, Linux and BSD.

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Features:
  • Kdenlive has multi-track editing with a timeline and supports an unlimited number of video and audio tracks.
  • A built-in title editor and tools to create, move, crop and delete video clips, audio clips, text clips and image clips.
  • Ability to add custom effects and transitions.
  • A wide range of effects and transitions. Audio signal processing capabilities include normalization, phase and pitch shifting, limiting, volume adjustment, reverb and equalization filters as well as others. Visual effects include options for masking, blue-screen, distortions, rotations, colour tools, blurring, obscuring and others.
  • Configurable keyboard shortcuts and interface layouts.
  • Rendering is done using a separate non-blocking process so it can be stopped, paused and restarted.
  • Kdenlive also provides a script called the Kdenlive Builder Wizard (KBW) that compiles the latest developer version of the software and its main dependencies from source, to allow users to try to test new features and report problems on the bug tracker.
  • Project files are stored in XML format.
  • An archiving feature allows exporting a project among all assets into a single folder or compressed archive.
  • Built-in audio mixer

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Download it for your platform and see the Documentation for more information. If you like the software please support the developer!
 

DarkMahesvara

varishangout.com
Regular
Software Sunday #26 (08/08/2021)

Web Archives (OSS) is a browser extension/addon used to quickly search for and create archived versions of Web Sites using multiple archive services.

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While the old saying "The Internet Doesn't Forget" still rings true to this day, its certainly possible to lose direct access to said content demonstrated by the already wide spread Link rotting problem. One way to prevent this is to use Webpage capture services like Archive.org and Archive.today.

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Web Archives makes it easy to create and access Webpage captures on these services and many other (see supported search engines) directly from any Site without the need to visit and check them all separately (similarly to Search by Image that i already covered).



Download it for your Browser. If you like the software please support the developer!
 

Grönsak

varishangout.com
Software Sunday #23 (18/07/2021)

Greasemonkey (OSS) and Violentmonkey (OSS) are Browser addons/extensions that make it possible to change or even add functionalities to any website with user scripts using JavaScript/CSS. In contrast to Tampermonkey, another popular script manager they don't collect (personal) information and are open source. Since there are many different user script manager and browser, some scripts may not work.

There are multiple ways to add scripts as shown in the Greasemonkey wiki. The most popular, easiest and secure way is GreasyFork (SFW) and Sleazyfork (NSFW) which are repositorys for many user scripts.

Regardless of where you get them keep in mind that like any script, they can be malicious and compromise your privacy/security. If you can read code, check scripts before using them or at least only use well known and high/good rated scripts from GreasyFork/Sleazyfork. Also consider disabling auto update functions for script.

Some popular user script examples:
Pixiv Plus: Better Pixiv (Thx @bowlingc)
E-Hentai Downloader (Thx @lapin)
nHentai Helper
Local YouTube Downloader
Twitter: Download Video
Filmot Title Restorer: Restore titles and thumbnails from removed Youtube Videos


Install Greasemonkey (only for Gecko/Firefox) or Violentmonkey. If you like the software please support the developers! (Greasemonkey / Violentmonkey)
I know I'm a few weeks late to this but because google being retarded and now starting to demand "age verification" for certain videos on youtube you have to be logged in and they actually want your bank account number or a photo of your id. I think it's a good idea to highlight Age Restriction Bypass for Violentmonkey.
 

DarkMahesvara

varishangout.com
Regular
Software Sunday #27 (15/08/2021)

Meld (OSS) is a visual diff and merge tool for files and directories allowing two or three way comparisons (similar to WinMerge).

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Features:
  • Two- and three-way comparison of files and directories​
  • File comparisons update as you type​
  • Auto-merge mode and actions on change blocks help make merges easier​
  • Visualisations make it easier to compare your files
  • Supports Git, Bazaar, Mercurial, Subversion, etc.
  • …and more

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Download it for your platform and see the Documentation for more information. If you like the software please support the developer!
 

DarkMahesvara

varishangout.com
Regular
Software Sunday #28 (22/08/2021)

Privatezilla (OSS) is a tool that makes it easier to manage Windows 10 Privacy settings (ThisIsWin11 for Windows 11).


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Windows 10 is full of privacy invasive "features" hidden away in the settings that get regularly reset even if you change them after updates. Privatezilla aims to easily check and change them in one place.

There are already dozen of other Privacy/Debloat tools for Windows 10 and none of them can truly remove spying. Even if everything is disabled there will still be data collection by Microsoft. Only real way to change this would be to not connect to the Internet at all or switch to Linux!

Since some changes can break things, backup/create a restore point or at least read what each setting does before applying them. It's best to check for changes after every Windows update!

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Download it from GitHub. If you like the software please support the developer!
 
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