:: Introduction Guide To VMware ::
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With VMware you can easlily create multiple virtual operating systems to use as a sacrificial test bed for malicious file analysis.
It's an extremely useful method for tracking & documenting the destruction created by malicious spyware , trojans and virus files without permanently damaging your own system and allows you to revert back to a previous state [snapshot] without any damage when needed.
Thanks to Paperghost for the helpful vmware install guide below:
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Vitalsecurity - Using VMWare / File Analysis Forum
http://makephpbb.com/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=21
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File Analysis Tutorial: The Basics - By Paperghost
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http://makephpbb.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=154
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VMWare:
The virtual network , by Paperghost
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Why bother to reinstall and reconfigure your anti-spyware lab every single time you want to try something new, when you can do away with all the machines, cables and messing about and swop it all for a virtual PC workstation?
Using the same machine, you can run as many virtual PC's as the system can handle - with NO ill effects on the host machine. You can also take system snapshots and roll back at any time.
Your virtual PC's install messed up beyond recognition? Simply delete and start afresh.
The following is a short guide to get you started....
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1) When first loading up VMware, you are presented with two choices - new machine, or open existing machine. As you might have guessed, choose New Virtual Machine!
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2) You are given the option of the kind of install you want - for now, pick typical.
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3) At this stage, select the OS of your choice and also the distribution:
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4) Almost there - choose how much space you want to devote to your virtual PC:
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5) Want to run your virtual machine on a network? You can configure this here:
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6) At this point, installing the OS of your choice is a case of inserting your CD into the drive, and clicking the Green Arrow. If you want to install a Linux package from an ISO, you can do this too by simply selecting the "Use ISO Image" option and finding the ISO on your machine:
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7) If all goes well, you will be presented with the install options and can now install as normal. Depending on your monitor setup and also the exact type of distro, the screen may appear strange until the install is finished, or you may end up with multiple screens.
This should correct itself when you restart:
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VMWARE SUPPORT GUIDES/LINKS
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Installing VMware Workstation 4 on a Windows Host
<> http://www.vmware.com/support/ws45/doc/ins...sa.html#1025548
Installing VMware Workstation 4 on a Linux Host
<> http://www.vmware.com/support/linux/doc/qu.../configure.html
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http://www.linuxhelp.ca/guides/vmware/
http://www.linuxhelp.ca/guides/ipmasq/
VMWare Reviews:
http://www20.tomshardware.com/howto/20040305/
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1134347,00.asp
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VMWARE SUPPORT :
http://www.vmware.com/
http://www.vmware.com/vcommunity/
http://www.vmware.com/support/ws45/doc/index.html
http://www.vmware.com/support/using/
http://www.vmware.com/support/resources/ws_resources.html
SELF SUPPORT LINKS :
http://www.vmware.com/support/kb/enduser/s...&p_sort_by=dflt
http://www.vmware.com/community/forum.jspa...=15&filter=NONE
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http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/
Installing XP Guest Operating System:
http://www.vmware.com/support/guestnotes/d...stos_winxp.html
Installing Windows 2000 in a Virtual Machine
http://www.vmware.com/support/kb/enduser/s...va=&p_faqid=252
Installing Windows XP in a Virtual Machine
http://www.vmware.com/support/kb/enduser/s...va=&p_faqid=245
Configuring Bridged Networking for Windows
How do I configure bridged networking for best use on a Windows host machine?
<> http://www.vmware.com/support/ws45/doc/net...ws.html#1029296
<> Installing Windows XP in a Virtual Machine
http://www.vmware.com/support/guestnotes/d...stos_winxp.html
<> Installing the VMware Software on a Windows Host
http://www.vmware.com/support/ws45/doc/ins...sa.html#1025548
<> Changing the Networking Configuration
http://www.vmware.com/support/ws45/doc/net...ws.html#1061905
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Using Shared Folders
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http://www.vmware.com/support/ws4/doc/runn...ws.html#1054286
With shared folders, you can easily share files among virtual machines and the host computer. To use shared folders, you must have the current version of VMware Tools installed in the guest operating system and you must use the Virtual Machine Control Panel to specify which directories are to be shared.
You can use shared folders with virtual machines running the following guest operating systems:
Windows Server 2003
Windows XP
Windows 2000
Windows NT 4.0
Linux with a kernel version of 2.4 or higher
To set up one or more shared folders for a virtual machine, be sure the virtual machine is open in Workstation and click its tab to make it the active virtual machine. Go to Edit > Virtual Machine Settings > Options and click Shared folders.
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Using Drag and Drop
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http://www.vmware.com/support/ws4/doc/runn...ml.html#1054295
With the drag and drop features of VMware Workstation 4, you can move files easily between a Windows host and a Windows virtual machine. You can drag and drop individual files or entire directories.
You can drag and drop files or folders from a file manager, such as Windows Explorer, on the host to a file manager in the virtual machine or vice versa. You can also drag files from a file manager to an application that supports drag and drop - or from applications such as zip file managers that support drag-and-drop extraction of individual files.
When you drag a file or folder from host to virtual machine or from virtual machine to host, Workstation copies the file or folder to the location where you drop it. This means, for example, that if you drop a file on the desktop icon of a word processor, the word processor opens with a copy of the original file. The original file does not reflect any changes you make to the copy.
Initially, the application opens using a copy of the file that is stored in your temp directory (as specified in the %TEMP% environment variable). To protect any changes you make, choose File > Save As from the application's menu and save the file in a different directory. Otherwise it may be overwritten or deleted by mistake.
To disable or enable drag and drop for a virtual machine:
Open the Virtual Machine Control Panel (Edit > Virtual Machine Settings), click the Options tab and select Guest isolation.
Select Disable drag and drop to and from this virtual machine to disable the feature. Deselect it to enable the feature.
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