I took the Pentesting with BackTrack course about a year ago. Didn't pass the OSCP exam :( but I learned a LOT! If you have no programming experience, I suggest learning a bit about perl, python,...

Sounds possible, but I think it would take some fancy scripting to get history dumps from browsers. I would suspect this type of script would first need to know under which browser it is running. I...

Are you using VMWare for your virtual machines? If so, I've always been able to get the vm's to talk to each other by setting the network adapter to host-only. I have had trouble in the past with...

Sorry to hear that. Have you gotten in touch with TrueCrypt support? You might also want to contact the BackTrack dev team directly to see if they can help.

I'm a VMWare Workstation fan myself...an older version but it works nicely for my needs. But as others have said, try both and see which one you prefer.

Have you checked out the Metasploit Unleashed course on the Offensive Security website? I think they go into post-exploitation. Also, you might do some looking for a post-exploit presentation done...

The top command should tell you what you need to know. Personally, I've never had a runaway process in BackTrack; at least not one that I didn't cause myself :) Have you installed any new software?

Let me answer by asking 2 questions: how would you classify your overall linux & networking skills? When you typed the commands, did you understand what they were doing?

If you are a beginner...

Invidicous, have you looked into hackerspaces in your area?

Here's how I resolved the issue #1 you're having. My wireless LAN is set to WPA2-PSK, so your mileage may vary. I created a wpa_supplicant.conf file, using the one in BT as a guide. I used the...

My personal suggestion is to go with the Alfa AWUS036H. As of now, this card seems to have the best compatibility with BackTrack (does monitor mode & packet injection out-of-the-box). I own one...

YJehu, that sounds like a video driver issue with the GUI. Can you get around at the command line ok?

The reference to md5 means md5 hash. After downloading BackTrack, it's good practice to...

I mean no offense, but iliyapolak is correct. BackTrack is intended for the intermediate to advanced user; the faq in the wiki says as much. You may be better off in seeking help from a data...

Well, as the wiki says, if you have little/no linux experience, BackTrack may not be the right distro with which to start. Before digging into BackTrack, I would strongly suggest learning linux...

Not that I know of. You may want to report this issue to the mods...perhaps there's something wrong with the distro you're trying to get.

At least with my wireless cards, I've found compatibility between BT4 & BT5 the same. That is, if it worked in BT4, it works in BT5. I personally like the Alfa AWUS036H; it does monitor mode &...

I've started & installed BackTrack straight from the ISO image using VMWare, so it is possible. With the exception I just mentioned, as far as I know, you must boot BT first before installing it.

For software firewalls, the first thing I'd do is check www.securityfocus.com, www.exploit-db.com, and Metasploit to see if there are any exploits on the versions you're checking. There are also...

I think your idea of having a friend bring a notebook & attack that way would be very informative. Perhaps you could borrow an access point, configure it for WEP, then crack it. Or, another idea...

I just ran msfupdate, and search is working normally.

Also, be sure the password.lst file (or whatever password file you're using for John the Ripper) is appropriate. The password.lst file JtR uses by default is ok, but you may need to customize it to...

I think you've made some typos. Try exploit/windows/smb/ms08_067_netapi. The tab completion in msfconsole finished the line at ms08

There are differences between 5, 5r1, and 5r2. I'd try using 5r2, and see if that resolves your problem.

I've never run the Alfa card in a VM install of BackTrack. Thanks for the info, Snayler :)

As an aside, I usually have 2 installs of BackTrack: one in a virtual machine, and a dual-boot install...

That looks like a screenshot of the top command. I was actually referring to the process status (ps) command. If it's feasible for you, I'd backup what you need from your current BT install, blow...