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There are so many choices out there when looking to buy or build a computer.  There is no "right" choice, only the choice you make that is right for your needs.  When building or buying, you should look for speed of the CPU, RAM, whether you want a desktop, laptop, or tablet, and the size of screen you prefer.  Those are the things that I look for when I am looking to purchase or build a computer.  I own a MacBook Air right now, and really like it.  It's a little bit safer, at the moment, in respect to viruses, but that could change, as Mac's are becoming increasing popular.  The only downfall, is that Mac computers are not compatible with many of the PC programs.

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Buying a computer is no easy task, and with the cost of many of the machines out on the market today, you want to make sure you're making the right purchase so you don't blow your money on something that stops meeting your demands within a year. Not all machines are created equal, and unless you're pretty familiar with computer hardware, you might have a hard time determining just how unequal they are. Of course, not all computer users' needs are equal, so you might not need certain things included in a computer, especially not if those features are pushing up the price.

This guide should help you get a better understanding of what all the components of the computer will mean for you and make it easier to decide what you want, need, and which elements to prioritize. That way, you'll be better equipped to get the right computer for you, and to avoid spending any more money than you must.

1. Desktop or laptop?

This is probably one of the simplest choices to make, and one that can have a big impact on the overall cost of your computer, including expenses that might not come right at the time of the purchase. In general, if a laptop and desktop are boasting all of the same performance specs, the desktop will be cheaper. It might not make sense, since it's a bigger piece of hardware, but the ability to cram a lot of components into a small space and the need for a battery is what ups the price of the laptop - notice the premium paid for Apple's thinner devices.

If you plan on having a steady workstation and don't need to run around with your for-all-purposes device, consider getting a desktop and saving yourself some money, or spending what your budget allows and getting a computer with higher specs. An added benefit of a desktop is that it's easier to keep cool, since there is more room for powerful fans, which will help the machine have a longer lifetime and maintain optimum performance levels. Additionally, it's easier to change out parts and upgrade components in a desktop, which will keep your machine from falling behind the constantly increasing demands of the digital world.

If you often need your computer on the go, the choice is simple: laptop. If your need for portability is only occasional and you don't need much more than a browser or word processor, you may be able to find a cheap tablet or netbook to do the job, and could potentially afford it with the money you save by getting a desktop as your primary computer. Keep in mind that you'll still have to buy a monitor if one doesn't come as a bundle with the desktop.

(Note on laptop screens: If you're planning to use your laptop for mostly work, consider a matte screen, which will have less glare and be easier on the eyes. If your laptop will be a media device, a normal glossy LCD screen should do the job.)

2. Know the processor and what it means

The simplest way to explain the processor is that it's the brain of the machine. If you want a fast computer that boots up programs in a flash, completes tasks as soon as you start them, and doesn't keep you waiting, then you want the strongest processor available - and who doesn't? You just have to know what you're looking at when you see a processor's details.

Basic: the short and simple of processors is in the number of cores and the speed (labeled in GHz or Gigahertz) of the processor. The speed of the chip will tell you how much data it can process in how much time, so the bigger the number, the better. The number of cores functions as a multiplier, as the processor is actually a stack of cores that each run at the listed speed (e.g. a single-core 2GHz processor is a lot slower than a four-core 2GHz processor).

Multiple cores can also help with multi-tasking, as each can be working on different tasks. If you don't use a lot of programs at the same time, you may be content with just one or two cores and don't need to fork out the extra cash to snag a few more. Make sure to ask how many cores are on the chip and what the clock speed is. Two computers might both say they have an Intel i5 chip, but the number of models that go into the group are many, and their speeds and core counts can be leagues apart.

Advanced: If you want to get into really nitty-gritty bits of the processor, check out the benchmark tests at CPUBenchmark. You can compare a number of different CPUs to see if you're getting the best one, and even see if you're getting the best for your money. Also, check out the L1, L2, and L3 cache sizes - these are the closest and fastest memory spaces to the CPU and the bigger they are, the better. You can also see how many threads the core has - again, the more, the merrier.

3. RAM isn't just a type of goat

Just as the number of processor cores in a computer affects its speed and ability to multitask, the amount of Random Access Memory, or RAM, in a computer can affect just how much multitasking it can handle and how fast it will be. RAM is basically a small, extra-fast form of memory (like L1, L2, or L3 cache, but bigger and slower).

Basic: Nowadays most RAM is measured in gigabytes, and as is often the case, the more, the merrier. By having more RAM, your computer is able to keep more data close at hand, rather than having to go digging around through the slower hard drive for the information it needs. Of course, because RAM is smaller, there is only so much room for data. That's why it's useful to have more RAM if you want to keep multiple tasks going at the same time, and to be able to jump between them relatively quickly. If you're also guilty of having too many web browser windows open at the same time, more RAM will make that a lot easier.

Advanced: There is, of course, a bit more to RAM than just the size of it. If you check out the specifics of the RAM in a computer and see that it's DDR2-800, you can get a quick sense that this is a faster memory than one labeled DDR2-400, as that last number signifies how many millions of data transfers the RAM can make each second. RAM also has clock speeds, similar to processors, and the faster, the better. However, that speed is limited to the speed of your computer's motherboard, so if you're buying RAM separately from your computer, figure out the speed of your motherboard and don't buy RAM that's any faster - as it will probably cost you more for no reason - and don't buy RAM any slower - as it will force your motherboard to run at the slower speed. One final number you can note is in the module name, where you may see something like PC3-8500, which indicates that the memory can transfer around 8,500MB per second - once again, the bigger, the better.

4. Hard drives aren't hard choices

Every computer needs data storage, and though that is something RAM does, the majority of it will go onto your hard drive. There are typically a few different options you'll need to consider in the search for a hard drive, but what it really comes down to is how you plan to use your computer.

Basic: If you plan to just have your computer and no peripherals, you may want to opt for the biggest hard drive you can (measured in gigabytes, or terabytes for extra large drives), since all of your files and programs will be stored on the computer. If you don't plan to have many applications on your computer, and won't store media on it, then you can opt for a smaller hard drive and save yourself some money. If you can handle a small hard drive but want to it be extra fast and you have the cash, consider going for a solid-state drive, or flash hard drive.

Advanced: The size of your drive is one thing. If it's a disk drive, the spin speed is another. Naturally, the faster your hard drive disk is spinning, the quicker information can be gathered from it. So, between a 5400rpm drive and a 7200rpm drive, the second would be faster. If you can handle having only a few larger programs installed on your computer at a time, and plan to keep everything else stored on an external device, you can probably get a quick device with a solid-state drive to keep the computer zippy at all times, and still manage to stream high-quality media through a USB connection - some applications may even be able to run from an external hard drive. You'll also want to pay attention to data transfer bandwidth. The higher, the better.

5. Check your peripherals

The peripherals on your computer are going to be pretty specific to your needs, so you'll need to think about whether you'll need them, and just how many of them you want. You may want ten USB ports but not have a care in the world about having a DVD drive. On the other hand, you may do everything online and just want as few holes in your machine as possible for soda to spill into and frazzle the circuitry.

USB: There is, thankfully, a standard that most computer peripherals opt to use, and it can be for anything from mouses and keyboards to hard drives and monitors - heck, you can even plug a guitar in via USB if you've found the right cord. A modern version of USB, called USB 3.0, is faster than its predecessors, but there's an even newer version of USB, called USB Type-C, which offers gigabits of bandwidth and the ability to handle enough current to power a laptop. While USB Type-C will eventually become the single technology that you'll use to connect all your devices, and is a good thing to have on a new machine, you'll need to avoid off-brand cables that can fry your brand-new computer.

If you plan to transfer a lot of data, make sure you have a fast USB port- or a fast wireless network. An alternative for some major externals (like CD drives and hard drives) is to get a computer with an eSATA port, which will let you plug in those peripherals on the fly with high data transfer rates.

HDMI: If you're going to use your machine for entertainment, you'll probably want an HDMI output. This will allow you to connect it to most modern televisions for a high-quality visual display, and it will also run the audio out if you're planning to use the TV for sound.

SD slot: If you work a lot with photography, an SD slot can be a handy way to get the files from your camera over to your computer. For computers with small hard drives, an SD card can also function as a small, out-of-the-way addition to the computer's overall memory. For the slightly more savvy users, SD cards can even be used to speed up the system.

Wi-Fi: if you plan to connect to a lot of networks a lot of places and want to do it wirelessly, you're probably best off getting a built-in Wi-Fi receiver rather than working with some sort of external Wi-Fi device. If you're running a desktop computer, you can probably get away with running an ethernet cable straight into the computer without being constantly annoyed by the need for a wire to get internet.

Bluetooth: Just like Wi-Fi, you can get a built-in Bluetooth receiver with your computer, and that may be a smart move if you want to be a true wireless warrior. Whether it's for sending audio to headphones or to a 7.1 channel surround sound set up that will keep your neighbors on their toes, Bluetooth is a handy way to make those connections easy and tangle-free. It may be worth it for these types of uses, otherwise, you can probably save yourself a few bucks by not seeking it out.

6. Mac OS, Windows, and Linux, oh my!

The short and simple of it is that you should probably stick with what you're familiar with, as it can be hard to adjust to a new operating system unless you're ready to put in the work. If you know what Linux is, you probably don't need to read this section. If you don't know what Linux is, you almost definitely don't want it.

If you want an easy-to-use system that keeps most things basic for you, check out Mac. If you like a little bit more control of your computer's nitty-gritty, you'll probably have an easier time getting to do that on Windows. If you're comfortable with an operating system, stay with it. However, it's worth noting that not all software is available for every operating system; so, if you absolutely need Final Cut for that feature film you're shooting on the weekend, don't buy a Windows computer expecting it to run Mac-only software.

7. There's more to graphics than a sticker on your computer

Lately, computer makers have been tagging stickers on their computers to boast about the AMD or NVIDIA graphics cards they have included in their machines. Unfortunately, those mean thousands of different things, and it's pretty hard to tell just what.

Basic: If you just want to know whether the card in the computer on the left is better than the one in the computer on the right, you can do a quick search on PassMark's site for the graphics components in each. Some buzz words to be aware of are "integrated" and "dedicated." The former is built into the computer's processor and relies on the computer's memory - typically this is a lower performance graphics component. A dedicated graphics card will include its own processor and memory, and will tend to be higher-performing - though a very old card might not best modern integrated graphics.

Advanced: If you're looking into the specifics of graphics processors, you will have to think of them like their own pair of a processor and RAM. This is another case of the more, the merrier. Higher speed, higher capacity RAM in the graphics card will let it handle a more intense graphic load and do it quicker. This will allow for better, more fluid visuals. The card's processor speed will be similarly important and can be looked at much the same as a computer's processor. You can dig into the details and see how many shaders it has and what its core speed is, but in the end, it will probably be most valuable to check out a benchmark score that has evaluated its actual performance.

8. Oh, so you want to get into PC gaming?

To play the latest games with the graphics on high (or ultra) and keep a high frame-rate, you'll be needing to look into a truly high-performance machine. Modern games take up a lot of space, so a big hard drive is a must if you plan on having more than one game installed at a time - you'll want it to be a fast drive, too. Running those games also takes a lot of processing power, so a heavy-hitting processor will be important. You can do without too many cores in your processor if each is extra-fast, but if you're planning to play your games and keep other programs open in the background, consider bumping up the core count.

Integrated graphics? Forget about it. Unless you want to sputter out low-quality visuals on the newest games, you'll need a dedicated graphics card, and a good one at that. You can probably get by with something in the mid-range of graphics cards, but a high-end card is your best bet. Be sure to get plenty of VRAM on that card. When it comes down to making your choice, you'll still probably be best consulting the benchmarks mentioned on the last page.

Thinking about anything other than Windows? Reconsider. Some games are made available for Mac and Linux, but there will be a great number of games unavailable to you if you aren't running Windows - though there is the tricky option of dual-booting.

Thinking about a laptop? Reconsider again. As mentioned in the beginning, there is a premium to be paid for cramming high-end hardware into an extra small box, and a PC gaming rig requires a lot of high-end hardware. There are plenty of quality gaming laptops out there, but in most instances, they will be more expensive than an equal desktop. Then there's the problem of overheating, which a laptop will be much more prone to do. An added benefit of going with a desktop is that you will be able to swap out components or add more when the games' demands start to trump your computer - upgrading to a new graphics card is much easier in a desktop, and in some cases a second graphics card can be added to share the load. With a little careful shopping, you might be able to grab a gaming rig and a cheap netbook for the same price you would have paid for a gaming laptop.

9. Great, now how do we buy it?

One of the most important things to do when buying a new computer - as with any expensive purchase - is to be very patient. Technology evolves fast, and if you buy a new computer today, you might not have noticed a newer one was set for release tomorrow - and would have likely cost the same as the one you just bought, or made yours less expensive to buy. You could get into a logical loop that has you waiting indefinitely, but choosing the best time to pounce is key.

Check refresh cycles for products. If you know 'Computer Maker A' comes out with a new model around the same time every year, expect to get a discount on an old model just before a new one comes out, or wait until the new one is out so that you have the latest technology.

It can also be useful to get friendly with the computer maker's website, as they often allow you to customize a computer rig with the components you want. On top of it all, you're much more likely to stumble across an incredible sale if you shop regularly for a good stretch of time instead of just spending the better part of a day to make your pick and purchase it then and there. Also, don't be afraid to spend a few more bucks to nudge up your computer's specs - this can be helpful down the road, as it will ensure your computer can handle the more intensive tasks that will only start to show up months and years down the line. If you make the cheapest purchase, you might be looking at buying another new computer much sooner than you would otherwise.

One last tidbit: Go ahead and ask a salesperson to give you a deal. Maybe they won't bump down the price of the computer, but if you're going to need a mouse, a keyboard, a monitor, or any other device to go with your computer, see if they will cut off sales tax or give you some other discount for purchasing the items together. You will often be pleasantly surprised.

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9 Key Things to Know Before You Buy a New Computer

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Buying a computer is no easy task, and with the cost of many of the machines out on the market today, you want to make sure you're making the right purchase so you don't blow your money on something that stops meeting your demands within a year.

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Have you seen the Emmy and Golden Globe awarded TV show, Mr. Robot?

If you're a bit of a geek like I am then you'll wonder about the software and tools they use. If you're not a geek then maybe you want to know if the stuff is real or not?

Either way I am happy to say that yes, Mr. Robot, unlike so many hollywood tech TV shows and movies actually use real software that actually does work as depicted in the show. They hire tech consultants who ensure that all of the hacks they use are technically possible. Well I'm not about to hack a top tier datacentre with a Raspberry Pi, however the actual software and how they are used do actually work.

Before you read on - Warning Will Robertson, Warning!
THIS LIST CONTAINS SPOILERS UP TO AND INCLUDING SEASON 3, EPISODE 10

Operating Systems in Mr Robot

Kali Linux

Kali Linux is a Linux distro used by network security teams, penetration testers, intrusion analysts and of course hackers. Kali is featured throughout Mr. Robot as it is used by fsociety and others as their operating system of choice?

Why is it the go-to operating system? As it is fully loaded with hacking tools to sniff networks, WiFi injectors/penetrators, data discovery/recovery, iPhone backup analyzer, SSL hacking tools, the list goes on and on.

If you are a budding white hat, the tools in Kali will help you learn how networks, filesystems and the entire web actually work.

Slackware

Slackware is a Linux distribution created in 1993 that aims for design stability and simplicity and to be the most "Unix-like" Linux distribution. The first official release of the Linux kernel by Linus Torvalds was September 17, 1991.

Originally based on Softlanding Linux System, Slackware has been the basis for many other Linux distributions, most notably the first versions of SUSE Linux distributions. It is also the oldest distribution which is still maintained.

In season 3, episode 10 "shutdown -r" Elliot makes a deal with the Dark Army to save Darlene's life. Leon gives him a laptop with Slackware installed on it to move Dark Army's projects to the Congo.

Linux Mint

Linux Mint is an Ubuntu based distro. It is one of the most popular distributions due to its ease of use and "Windows like" interface. It is very stable, actually it's what I'm using right now writing this post.

In season 3, episode 3 "eps3.2_legacy.so" Elliot rightly suspects that a backdoor might be on his Linux Mint PC. He downloads a Kali ISO, writes it to a USB and boots off it so he can run rkhunter to scan for any nasties.

Below is what the FBI can see on Elliots computer.

Raspbian

Raspbian is a hybrid of Raspberry Pi hardware plus the Debian OS. Raspbian is a distribution specifically made for the Raspberry Pi, a minature PC.

More on the episode details further down below under "Raspberry Pi".

KVM - Kernel Based Virtual Machine

KVM is a hypervisor, which is a software that can run other operating systems via virtual machines. Elliot uses KVM to virtualize Windows 7 inside of Kali Linux. In season 1, episode 6 "eps1.5_br4ve-trave1er.asf" Elliot uses KVM to run Metasploit and Metapreter and in season 1, episode 8 "eps1.7_wh1ter0se.m4v" he uses KVM to run DeepSound.

Phone Tools & Software

Wikr

Wikr is an end-to-end encrypted chat app which has a configurable time out of messages once they are read. Throughout season two Fsociety members use "Wikr Me" to communicate with each other. Often they will read a message, then it disappears seconds later.

Why? Just in case the feds or anyone else gets hold of thier phones, all messages sent through Wikr are not retrievable, gone forever.

Pwnix

Pwnix, otherwise known as "Pwnie Express" is an Android ROM built for penetration testers for network hacking and security.

In season 2, episode 9 "eps2.7_init_5.fve" Elliot uses a Pwnie Express Pwn Phone which is a pre-built phone with Pwnie Express installed, so that he and Darlene can tap into the Dark Army's phone calls.

FramaRoot

Framaroot, called RooterFrame in the episode. Tyrell Wellick in season 1, episode 3 "eps1.2_d3bug.mkv" uses Framaroot to root a co-worker's Android phone so that he can covertly install the FlexiSpy spyware on it. So he can get access to secret messages regarding who is going to be announced as the next CTO of Evil Corp.

Kingo Root

Kingo Root was used in conjunction with Framaroot above by Tyrell for the same hack.

FlexiSpy

License: Commercial

Android, iPhone, Blackberry, iPad
Website

Again, this was used by Tyrell in the FramaRoot hack to get mesages about the next CTO of Evil Corp.

SuperSU

SupeSU is an app that can be installed on rooted Android devices to manage superuser privileges. Again (last one I promise!) this app was used by Tyrwell Wellick when he compromised his work mate's phone in season 1, episode 3.

Other Software & Websites

can-utils

This package, can-utils is suite of executables specifically for computers in cars. In Mr. Robot one of the utilities called candump was used to hack into a car.

radare

This is a framework used to reverse engineer code. radare2 was used by Tyrell Wellick in season 2, episode 12 "eps2.9_pyth0n-pt2.p7z".

PyCharm

PyCharm is a Python and Djano IDE (Integrated Developer Environment). An IDE is what developers/programmers use as an interface to write code. In season 1, episode 4 "eps1.3_da3m0ns.mp4" you can see Trenon using it.

TOR

TOR stands for "The Onion Router" which is a protocol that has many layers such as that of peeling each each layer of an onion. It routes a user's traffic via multiple computers around the world to make it extremely difficult to trace the actual user's ip address / location.

It's widely considered to be the best anonymizing tool available. It will make your Internet activity very hard to trace and this edition, unlike Tor Browser - can be used to host Hidden Services commonly referred to as the "DarkNet" which are sites that are only accessible through Tor and that have their physical server location concealed by the Tor anonymity network.

TOR, even though already quite well known at the time was made rather famous by Edward Snowden who used TOR to transfer documents regarding Prism and communicate privately.

Ray runs a Silk Road inspired Tor Hidden Service, it's a market for nefarious buyers looking for illicit products and services. Ray asks, well forces Elliot migrate and fix his market site for him in season 2, episode 5 "eps2.3_logic-b0mb.hc".

PuTTY

PuTTY is a client used to connect to Unix like servers, such as Linux. Elliot uses PuTTY in season 2, episode 4 "eps2.2_init_1.asec" and 5 "eps2.3_logic-b0mb.hc" to connect to his own VPS (virtual private server) running Kali Linux, so that he can use an IRC client installed on the VPS to chat privately with Darlene while on Ray's computer.

He also uses PuTTY in season 2, episode 5 to do a site migration on Ray's Silk Road inspired Tor market website (Tor Hidden Service).

Mozilla Firefox

I'm sure you've heard of this one already. Used throughout all seasons, Firefox is Elliot's default web browser. Trenton also uses Firefox in season 2, episode 8 "eps2.6_succ3ss0r.p12".

FFmpeg

License: Free

Mac OS X, Windows , Linux
Website

FFmpeg is a utility to convert different video and audio formats. In season 2, episode 8 "eps2.6_succ3ss0r.p12" Trenton uses FFmpeg to encode a video file containing a leaked FBI conference call where they discuss illegal mass surveillance and uploads it to Vimeo via Tor Browser (to upload it anonymously).

VLC Media Player

Here's another one you're likely familiar with. VLC Media Player was used in season 2, episode 4 "eps2.2_init_1.asec" when Elliot and Darlene watched a VHS rip of the fake horror movie Careful Massacre of the Bourgeoisie together.

VLC is also used in season 2, episode 8 when fsociety preview the video they are about to upload a leaked FBI conference call about illegal mass surveillance.

Wayback Machine

The Wayback Machine, which is operated by the Internet Archive, is a database containing a history of most websites. You can use it to see what a website looked like back through time. Just for fun, check out what Microsoft's site looked like in 1996!

The FBI Agent Dominique DiPierro explains to Mobley in season 2, episode 8 "eps2.6_succ3ss0r.p12" that the FBI used the Wayback Machine in order to find his hacker handle and connect it with an old fanpage he created for a DJ called DJ Mobley.

John the Ripper

John the Ripper, named cutely after Jack The Ripper is a brute force dictionary password cracker. It's included in Kali Linux. Made by OpenWall security. Given a password file it makes thousands of password guesses a second and reports when a successfull attempt is made.

Elliot used John the Ripper against Evil Corp's interim CTO, Tyrell Wellick in season 1, episode 2 "eps1.1_ones-and-zer0es.mpeg"

µTorrent

µTorrent is a very popular bittorrent client. In season 2, episode 4 Darlene downloaded a VHS rip of the fake horror movie Careful Massacre of the Bourgeoisie using µTorrent. Even though it is fake, you can actually watch all 8 minutes, 35 seconds of it below.

FileZilla

FileZilla is an extremely easy to use FTP client and one of the most popular in the world.

In season 1, episode 4 "eps1.3_da3m0ns.mp4", Trenton uses FileZilla to upload an exploit to fsociety's FTP server for the Raspberry Pi Elliot would soon install in Steel Mountain's climate control system to destroy all of E-Corps data, including much of the consumer debt records held in the US.

Nginx

Nginx, pronounced "Engine X" is a webserver engine like Apache which serves the pages of a website to your browser. Nginx is touted as the fastest, most efficient web server. Between both Apache and Nginx they run about 80% of the websites in the world.

Elliot configures the website for Ray's Tor Market site using PuTTY in season 2, episode 5 "eps2.3_logic-b0mb.hc" to do a site migration on Ray's Silk Road inspired Tor market website.

DeepSound

DeepSound is a quite a clever bit of software which makes a data CD look like tracks on an audio CD, and encrypts the data. This technique is called steganography

Most notably Elliot uses it in season 1, episode 8 "eps1.7_wh1ter0se.m4v" to hide files on a CD among regular music tracks so that the hidden files are only viewable using the DeepSound software.

However you see it throughout early season 1. After he completes a hack on someone he writes all the data using DeepSound to a CD and writes a band and album on it. Then usually wipes his whole PC and fries the hardware in his microwave.

HDShredder

In the final episode of season 1 (episode 10) "eps1.9_zer0-day.avi" after Elliot and Tyrell Wellick execute the Evil Corp hack, the Fsociety team use the Enterprise Edition of HDShredder to securely wipe all the hard drives. Shortly after they take incinerate all the hardware in the crematory of a dog pound.

wget

Licence: Free

Mac OS X, Windows Linux, BSD
Website

Wget is a command line tool that makes webpage requests. It can download and store pages, check for webpage errors such as "404 not found" etc. It is used in Mr. Robot to hack an Android phone using the Shellshock bug in combination with John the Ripper.

ProtonMail

ProtonMail is one of the most secure email available for end/home users. It is a secure, end-to-end encrypted e-mail service based in Switzerland that is used by Elliot in season 1, episode 8 "eps1.7_wh1ter0se.m4v".

An interesting point,: The researches behind Mr. Robot searched for secure e-mail services to decide which one to use in the show. They even contacted the ProtonMail developers and asked if it was possible for users to monitor their own e-mail activity in ProtonMail, much like Gmail, Yahoo! and Outlook do now.

The ProtonMail developers were so interested in the idea for this kind of monitoring, that they ended up implementing it in their v2.0 release of ProtonMail.

You can read more about it on this post by ProtonMail.

Social-Engineer Toolkit

As Elliot says, it's much easier to hack a person than it is to hack anything else. The Social-Engineer Toolkit is a pentesting framework which focuses on social engineering attacks such as phishing for eg sending emails to targets to get them to perform an action like reset their webmail password. Or calling tech support on the phone to determine versions of software the target company may be using etc.

In a nutshell social engineering is tricking someone to give sensitive information in order to perform a hack.

Elliot's team uses this toolkit's SMS spoofing function to get a supervisor to leave Steel Mountain so he can get around the datacentre without staff supervision. He needed to get around on his own in order to install the Raspberry Pi onto the facility's air conditioning system network.

OpenWRT

OpenWrt is a router firmware that Elliot & Darlene setup on a rogue router and installed on the floor of Evil Corp which the FBI took over by Angela in season 2, episode 6 "eps2.4_m4ster-s1ave.aes". In doing so Elliot can hack the FBI with his malware installed on the FBI's Android phones.

mimikatz

mimikatz is a post-exploitation tool package including some useful tasks that hackers may want to perform such as extract plaintext passwords, hash, PIN code and kerberos tickets from memory on computers running Windows.

Angela is given this by FSociety in season 2, episode 6 "eps2.4_m4ster-s1ave.aes" on a USB Rubber Ducky as a contingency plan in case she is unable to successfully perform the femtocell hack.

btscanner

btscanner is a tool that is included in Kali Linux that can obtain a suprising amount of information about a bluetooth device without pairing with it.

Elliot uses btscanner in season 1, episode 6 "eps1.5_br4ve-trave1er.asf" in combination with Bluesniff and Metasploit so he can connect to a nearby police car's computer that has a USB bluetooth Dongle.

Using this Elliot successfully compromises the prison network so he can free a drug dealer who's companions are holding his kinda-girlfriend Shayla hostage.

Bluesniff

Elliot uses Bluesniff in conjunction with the other tool above to hack a police car's bluetooth device to get access to the prison network so he can open all the cell doors and free drug dealer, Vera out of prison.

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Have you seen the Emmy and Golden Globe awarded TV show, Mr. Robot? If you're a bit of a geek like I am then you'll wonder about the software and tools they use. If you're not a geek then maybe you want to know if the stuff is real or not?

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Building a computer from scratch gives you the perfect machine for your needs, but it can be daunting the first time around. Here's our complete guide, from picking the parts, to putting it together and installing your OS.

This Night School series was originally published in 2011. We've gone through and given it some much-needed updates: we changed outdated references, added some new resources and tools, and expanded a few sections. Enjoy!

For our first lesson in building your own PC, we start with a little computer hardware basics.

In this lesson, we'll show you how to most effectively pick out and shop for your parts.

Assembling your computer can seem daunting, but it's actually pretty easy. In lesson 3, we show you step-by-step how to put everything together.

Once you've put it together, you're past the difficult portion. Lesson 4 deals with installing your operating system and get everything up and running.

There's a lot more computer-building info out there than we can fit into one Night School. In our final lesson, we share some other resources that should help you in both the building and post-building steps.

If you'd like all of these lessons in a printable format, I recommend sending each article to a service like Readability or Pocket. That way, you can print out a clean, readable version that you can reference as you build. Thanks for learning with us this week!

Check out the full Lifehacker Night School series for more beginners lessons covering all sorts of topics.

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How to Build a Computer: The Complete Guide

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Building a computer from scratch gives you the perfect machine for your needs, but it can be daunting the first time around. Here's our complete guide, from picking the parts, to putting it together and installing your OS. This Night School series was originally published in 2011.