Step 3: Be forewarned

Security scans taking a long time? Starting with Windows XP SP2, Microsoft put a limitation on TCP connections. Improve your security scan speed by using a tcpip.sys hack.

This tcpip.sys hack doesn't come without a price -- you've got to modify a Windows system file, which Microsoft would surely frown upon when it comes time for support. Therefore, perform this hack at your own risk. Having said that, I haven't found this to be an issue since the Event ID 4226 Patcher makes a backup copy of your original tcpip.sys file and even has an uninstall feature that will reverse its actions if you need to go back. If you choose to go the manual route, be sure to make your own tcpip.sys backup.

This hack is not necessarily for the faint of heart, but if you're performing security assessments, I'm sure you understand the logic and value this offers. Enjoy that extra time you'll undoubtedly end up with. You might just buy enough time to learn another security tool you can't live without.

Hack to speed up security scans

Home: Introduction
Step 1: Understanding the limitation
Step 2: Making the changes
Step 3: Be forewarned

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kevin Beaver is an independent information security consultant, author and speaker with Atlanta-based Principle Logic LLC. He has more than 17 years of experience in IT and specializes in performing information security assessments. Beaver has written five books, including Hacking For Dummies (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.), the brand new Hacking Wireless Networks For Dummies and The Practical Guide to HIPAA Privacy and Security Compliance (Auerbach Publications). He can be reached at kbeaver@principlelogic.com.
Copyright 2005 TechTarget

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