Security Flaws in USB

USB or Universal Serial Bus was not designed with security in mind. Windows, Linux and OS X basically trust anything plugged in USB port. If a hacker has a very short, but private session with your laptop, this attack vector becomes very feasible. Before actual security threats, let’s analyze how USB works in general.

Every USB device has a controller chip and memory storage for firmware, both invisible to the user. Following picture shows it on a flash drive.

When a USB device is plugged into the computer, the chip executes firmware code. On a legit flash drive, firmware is programmed to first register itself as some device and load a driver to be installed. However, the firmware can be programmed to do a vast majority of stuff which makes a big range of possible USB attacks. Most devices are trusted by default – all user interaction needed for a keyboard is plugging it in.

Also, each operating system can be identified because of configuration information that is sent back to the chip. This makes the USB globally a widespread security threat targeting all major operating systems.

Here’s a partial list of realistic dangers, starting with the most popular and ending with the most badass.

Human Interface Device (HID)

We’re talking about keyboards, mice and other devices that are controlled by the user. Keyboards work as soon as you plug them in, which is very attractive to hackers. You might’ve heard of RubberDucky or BashBunny, devices that look like regular USB sticks, but they actually emulate pre-programmed keystrokes when plugged in, no questions asked. Such devices can download and execute a backdoor in 20 seconds. If you don’t like Ducky’s or Bunny’s price, I suggest using your Android phone or Arduino Digispark (less than $1.5).

If you lock your computer, those attacks are prevented, but following attack can do significant damage on a locked computer.

Ethernet device

My hero‘s PoisonTap is RasperryPi Zero device ($5) which emulates an Ethernet device over USB. PoisonTap produces a cascading effect by exploiting the existing trust in various mechanisms of a machine and network, including USB/Thunderbolt, DHCP, DNS, and HTTP, to produce a snowball effect of information exfiltration, network access and installation of semi-permanent backdoors. This type of attack works because computers automatically perform a DHCP request upon recognizing a new network card. Such a malicious device assigns an IP address to the computer and tells it that every single IP address in existence is inside of its local area network. From now on, when an infected computer sends a packet to any IP address, it will go through malicious USB-Ethernet device because LAN over WAN routing priority. From that point on, it is possible to poison a victim’s cache, DNS table, steal cookies and do more.

Android phones seem to be the simplest tools to perform this attack by taking advantage of a USB-Ethernet service, possibly by “charging” your phone on someone’s computer.

Killer

Looks like a USB stick, but packs a few capacitors that charge through the USB port and then release the charge at 200+V with the goal of frying the motherboard. Some new computers, e.g. Apple Macbooks, have hardware mitigation for this type of attack, but most computers’ motherboards can be destroyed with a USB Killer.

Infecting the World

This is a very time-consuming task, but reverse engineering the firmware is very powerful. Not only can we make our own rubber ducky out of regular flash drive (github), we can also change the drivers that get installed on the connected computer. An unpleasant scenario goes like this – someone patches the firmware to install malicious drivers which turn the computer in a spreading point. Each (compatible) USB plugged into the infected computer gets “firmware update” and becomes a spreading stick, resembling STDs perfectly. Combining this idea with identifying the OS and choosing the right payload, every major operating system is at danger.

How to secure yourself?

Most researchers talk about code signing and integrity protection for firmware updates but it’s not coming very soon. I recommend using software that disables your USB ports when you lock the screen so you can take your break without worries. As far as malicious firmware and drivers are concerned, there’s no feasible and easy patch so be careful what you insert into your USB port.

WINspect

Powershell-based Windows Security Auditing Toolbox.

WINspect is part of a larger project for auditing different areas of Windows environments. It focuses on enumerating different parts of a Windows machine aiming to identify security weaknesses and point to components that need further hardening. The main targets for the current version are domain-joined windows machines. Howerver, some of the functions still apply for standalone workstations.

This current version of the script supports the following features :

• Checking for installed security products.
• Enumerating World Exposed local filesystem shares.
• Enumerating domain users and groups with local group membership.
• Enumerating registry autoruns.
• Enumerating local services that are configurable by Authenticated Users group members.
• Enumerating local services for which corresponding binary is writable by Authenticated Users group members.
• Enumerating non-system32 Windows Hosted Services and their associated DLLs.
• Enumerating local services with unquoted path vulnerability.
• Enumerating non-system scheduled tasks.
• Checking for DLL hijackability.
• Checking for User Account Contol settings.
• Checking for unattended installs leftovers.

Hack Kali linux

As any other Operating System Kali Linux Is not an exception to attack. in this tutorial we will be using a tool called DEBINJECT-It is a script written in Python by Alisson Moretto. 

Let us assume that we have downloaded a file named update.deb which is an application installer for the system, now we need to inject our malicious code into the package such that when the installer runs it will automatically run the malicious code which is injected in the package for us. To inject the malicious payload into the real file we need DEBINJECT which will help us to inject a malicious Metasploit payload code into the valid installer package such that when the victim runs the installer we get a meterpreter season in our terminal.

To download debinject follow these steps:

• First, we need to download it. so, open up a terminal and type in “git clone https://github.com/UndeadSec/Debinject.git”
• this will attempt to download the repositories from the git hub link
• Now change your directory to the downloaded folder using the command “cd Debinject”
• to list the files in the directory using the command “ls”, where you will find a file named debinject.py which is our required python script to run the tool
• But first, we need to change the permission for the file using the command “chmod +x debinject.py”.
• To run the script type in the following “python debinject.py”

Running the script:

• After running the script you will be displayed with the interface, where your first need to provide the path to the file which we downloaded.

• Now it will ask you for LHOST and LPORT provides them accordingly, to know your IP address (lhost) open another terminal and type in “ifconfig”.
• Select the architecture of the system 32(x86)/64(x64) bit it would be better to select x86 (32 bit) as it can run on 64 bit too.
• Select the type of metasploit payload which you want to be injected into the .deb file, it will create a backdoor file with that payload
• If you want to allow persistence then type in “y”. now it will ask you if you want to start the listener automatically

 Attacking:

• We will have our payload created in the directory named “output” with the file extension of “deb”.rename the file to be non-suspicious.

• Send the .deb file to the victim using social engineering or MITM attack to replace the file. Manipulate him to install the malicious deb file. When he installs the file, we are prompted with meterpreter sessions in our system.

WiFi password Kracker

Router Password Kracker is a free program that allows you to crack your router password.

You can also use this tool to recover password from your internet modem or websites which are protected by HTTP BASIC/DIGEST Authentication.

Note:This tool only works on devices that are protected by HTTP BASIC/DIGEST Authentication.

Router Password Kracker uses Dictionary attack to recover passwords.

If you don’t know anything about dictionary attack, let me give you a short and simple description:

Dictionary attack is a method of breaking into password-protected computers by systematically entering every word in a dictionary as a password.

 

 

By default Router Password Kracker comes with sample dictionary file suitable for Routers. If you want bigger and better dictionary files, you can get that from the following locations for free:

• https://wiki.skullsecurity.org/Passwords
• http://www.outpost9.com/files/WordLists.html
• https://packetstormsecurity.com/Crackers/wordlists
• http://www.openwall.com/wordlists

How To Use Router Password Kracker 

First, download  Router Password Kracker onto your computer.

[the download link is at the end of this article]

Then extract the zip file, and then run “Setup_RouterPasswordKracker.exe“, install Router Password Kracker.

Run the Router Password Kracker, you will see a window as shown below.

Now enter the IP address, Username, and select a dictionary file, and then click on the “Start Crack” button.

The program will try all the passwords in the dictionary file until it finds the correct password.

Top Best RainMeter Skins for Windows 10/8.1/7

Rainmeter is the best known and most popular desktop customization program for Windows.

Enhance your Windows computer at home or work with skins; handy, compact applets that float freely on your desktop. Rainmeter skins provide you with useful information at a glance. It’s easy to keep an eye on your system resources, like memory and battery power, or your online data streams, including email, RSS feeds, and weather forecasts.

Many skins are even functional: they can record your notes and to-do lists, launch your favorite applications, control your media player – all in a clean, unobtrusive interface that you can rearrange and customize to your liking.

There are thousands and thousands of skins available, crafted by a large and ever-growing community of Rainmeter users.

Rainmeter is not just an application, it is a robust toolkit.

Create and modify your own skins in a simple language that’s easy to learn, with the help of our extensive documentation, getting started guide and skin tutorials. Skins call upon measures, a set of powerful built-in modules that do all the heavy lifting, and create interactive meters to display that information however you decide. In this way, Rainmeter brings productive innovation together with creative artistry like no other platform of its kind.

Rainmeter is a community.

People in our forums are always happy to help you get started or answer questions. Over the last few years, a thriving community has built up around Rainmeter, as average users freely contribute their own original skins, their generous knowledge and support, and their inspirational ideas to a project whose scope and capabilities are constantly expanding.

Rainmeter is designed for YOUR system.

Rainmeter uses very little CPU and RAM resources, has a tiny space footprint, and will run perfectly well on any hardware using Windows 7 through Windows 10.

Rainmeter is free and open source.

Rainmeter is open source software distributed free of charge under the terms of the GNU GPL v2 license. If you want to get involved, check the Rainmeter GitHub repository.

Installing Rainmeter

Rainmeter will run on Windows 7 (Service Pack 1 and Platform Update required) and above.

To install Rainmeter, download the latest final or beta version from rainmeter.net, then follow the instructions below.

If you are reinstalling or updating Rainmeter, you do not need to uninstall your existing copy before continuing. Your settings, skins and plugins will be preserved.

Standard Installation

The standard installation is recommended for most users. Simply run the installer and follow the instructions.

The installation will do the following:

• Install the program to the default or selected Destination folder.
• Create a Windows file association for the .rmskin file extension and the Rainmeter Skin Installer.
• Create Windows Start menu item for Rainmeter.
• Create Windows Start menu item for Startup/Rainmeter, so Rainmeter starts with Windows. This may be disabled by unchecking Launch Rainmeter on startup.
• Launch Rainmeter at the end of the installation.

Skins and settings folders will be created in the default file locations when Rainmeter is first run.

Note: Rainmeter can be uninstalled using the Add or Remove programs function in Windows.

Default File Locations

Program folder:
C:\Program Files\Rainmeter

Skins folder:
C:\Users\YourName\Documents\Rainmeter\Skins 1

Settings and Layouts folder:
C:\Users\YourName\Appdata\Roaming\Rainmeter 1

1. “YourName” is an example.

Portable Installation

To run Rainmeter from a single folder, so it can be copied to another computer or run directly from a removable drive, select Portable installation during the install process and browse to the desired installation folder. No changes to the Windows Registry or Start menu will be made. All program, skins and settings folders and files will remain in the selected program folder.

List of Top 25 RainMeter Skins 2017 for Windows 10/8/8.1/7

Battlefield 3

If you’re not sure whether you permanently deleted a file, be sure to look around for it first. In Windows, you’ll want to open the Recycle Bin and look for the file. You can search the Recycle Bin using the search box at the top-right corner of the window, which may help if you have a lot of files in your Recycle Bin. You can also right-click in the window, point to Sort By, and select Date Deleted to view files that were recently deleted.
However, if it comes to the point where you accidentally formatted your drive and/or want to recover files from your corrupted drive that’s been thrown in your closet (yes ,we all have done that) which is left to gain dust and have no specific reason, as to why you are still keeping it.
It’s still possible to get most of your data back from photos to files and even your media folders. Below i have listed the best software for these situations.

Recuva

Conveniently available in a portable version, Recuva Free is very easy to use. A wizard asks you what type of files you’re looking for, and where to search, then scans your system at speed (FAT, exFAT and NTFS file systems are supported).
Any files found are listed (with previews for images), and you can restore anything you need in a couple of clicks.

Running the program in Advanced Mode provides more options, though, like a Deep Scan (much slower, but recovers more files), the ability to locate files containing particular text, and even an option to securely wipe files containing sensitive information, ensuring that no-one else will be able to undelete them.Whatever mode you’re using, Recuva is an excellent recovery tool, effective and very easy to use.

Download here

Total Recall

The all-in-one recovery software. Total recall has been in the market since 1992 and i have found no problems with them. The fact that they have so many options is a bonus and a must have for any person wanting to retrieve their lost files. From email recovery to CD/DVD , drives and deleted files ,plus its ability to be compatible with MAC OS proves its the best in the market. Here’s what it can do.

	Drives and Partitions Lost or deleted partitions, formatted drives or corruption, Total Recall can recover data from numerous disk problems.
	Deleted Files Accidentally lost or deleted files that haven’t been overwritten with new data can be scanned and recovered with ease with the delete file recovery module.
	Lost Photo Recovery With our special photo recovery module, you can view thumbnails of photos and see them appear before your eyes. No more guessing what photo is which.
	CD & DVD Optical Disks Sometimes these fragile disks get scratched, or won’t mount due to a bad burn. Total Recall can often get your data back on these too! Try it and see for yourself.
	Deleted E-Mail If you use Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird, Total Recall can recover deleted emails and damaged mailboxes that may still be hidden on your computer.
	MacOS Support and More! Total Recall can recover just about anything that is normally mountable with a drive letter. It even recovers Mac HFS/HFS+ volumes from Windows!

Download here

Undelete 360

Undelete 360 is the free version of a commercial product, and so leaves out some useful features (file filtering, previews and so on). These still appear in the interface, though, and suggest you upgrade if you ever click on them, which can be annoying.
There are no restrictions on the amount or size of the files you can recover, though, and otherwise the program is very simple to use: point it at a drive, it’ll scan for deleted files, then you can view particular file types (JPGs, PDFs, videos and more) by choosing them from a tree.
Scanning speed isn’t great, but Undelete 360 can recover files that other programs miss , and so it’s definitely worth considering.

Download here

Avoiding Deleted File Scares

The best way to ensure you’ll never have to recover a deleted file is to perform regular backups. Even just enabling the File History or Windows Backup functionality in your version of Windows will give you some peace of mind. If you store your documents in Dropbox or a similar service or have them backed up to an online location, you’ll also have a backup. All these backup options also allow you to restore previous versions of files.
It’s still possible for a file to be deleted, but if you’re performing regular backups, you won’t lose much data. You’ll have much more luck restoring backups than recovering deleted files. Backup services are cheaper than professional data recovery services, too.
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This is gaming theme in which you can find the custom side bar on the right side of the window. On that side bar, you can insert your favorite app or shortcut which you need always. Get custom clock and date widget on the screen with live weather updates and all. Besides that, you can access all the best shortcuts which you regularly need from the desktop screen only. Those users who need to custom their PC into an original gaming console then they can definitely use this theme to give the proper visual effect.

Download

JARVIS And SHIELD

if you are an Iron Man fan then you’ll definitely like this rainmeter skin. JARVIS Rainmeter is one of the best rainmeter skin for windows 7, 8 or windows 10. It will make your computer desktop look like iron man’s JARVIS computer.

Download

Windows 2019

Popular RainMeter skin for Windows is  Windows 2019. It provides one best icon pack with the customizable quick notification bar. Get news, feeds, weather updates, Music control in a single screen only. The main advantage of using this skin is that it gives you the proper arrangement to decorate your desktop screen and access get your apps in a finger tip. Choose the customised icon to change the look of your default icons of Windows. If you keep connecting your PC to the internet then you can get live notification of mail, weather, events etc.

Download

Darkness Falls

This a night view skin with a dark scenery besides your interface. If you always like the dark interface in your PC screen then definitely you can go for this skin only. Starting from the wallpaper, widget, icons everything you can change into the dark mode only. Also get the instant on/off button in the below panel with icon notification and more. The new interface provides every user a best visual experience at all. This skin really makes the work of user so much easier than before with customised widgets and all.

Download

Obsidian

To convert a very user-friendly interface for accessing your PC then definitely go for Obsidian RainMeter skin. It creates a step like structure on the PC screen by arranging the useful icons and widgets on your main screen. The main visual of the screen looks like an architecture model in which every apps or shortcut remain arranged in a block like structure. Pick any one of your apps and arrange in this block to get access them instantly. One of the best extra ordinary looks will you get while using the Obsidian Rainmeter skin on your PC.

Download

Mass Effect Skin

The main focus of creating this skin is to provide one Aero effect on your desktop screen. Apply this skin once to get the actual aero theme based visual experience. Earlier we need to use various aero wallpapers or back grounds on our PC. But only the backgrounds do not fulfill the actual need of the user. As user need to change the overall looks like an icon, background, folder style, etc. So by using the Mass Effect skin you can able to change all the user needed items in your desktop. Get the time, date, music player, weather etc, widgets on a single screen also.

Download

End of the World

One of the imagination theme to change your desktop visuality then use the End of the World theme. This looks like an imagination scenery that what it may look while the World will get destroyed for ever. This is not based on any real scenario. So the whole skin pack is built under the imaginary scenario of the end of the world. Thus here you will see the half ended background of the earth with effective looks on your screen. Besides the background, you can also get change the customised icons, widgets, clock etc.

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Pog Pack

This skin provides you an instrument cluster type design on your desktop screen. All the needful things you can get access directly from that cluster screen. This is a type of digital cum analog view which mixed in a single screen to provide the custom look of your screen. So install this theme on your PC and feel the awesome using experience and also the visual effects on the screen. This skin pack is free to download for using on your desktop and laptop also. Sometimes this desktop screen looks like the dashboard of any sports car also.

Download

My Rainmeter Desktop

Get the universe effect on your current desktop screen by replacing the old screen now. So download and apply this my rain meter desktop on your Windows PC. The universe is consists of various planets, stars, sun, moon etc. Altogether the whole universe content you can get to apply for changing the visual effects of your PC. Besides that, you can change or customise the screen icons, widgets, player, etc. through a single Rainmeter skin only.

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Horde

Horde is a simple classic theme to decorate your PC interface. There is nothing extra ordinary in this skin pack. Those users who want a simple classic style view on their PC then they can definitely go for this Rainmeter skin. This theme has a quick app launching feature with user-friendly interfaces. The simple customising feature is also available in this skin pack only. Change the style of your clock, date, weather widgets through this skin pack only.

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Space

From the name of the Skin may you get to know that this theme will provide the universe and space-related visual effect on your screen. This is a very cool and beautiful skin which gives you the best look while you watch your screen in the dark or in the night time especially. The effects which are provided by this theme really feels like you are in a space only. Including the background, icon, folder style, widget style, clock, weather etc. also get transformed into the space style only.

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Galaxy Suite Rainmeter

This theme also provides one of the best galaxy backgrounds with visual interface effects on Windows. This is also a type of universe related theme which provides the same effects like the whole galaxy in general. From the name of this skin you can guess that this is n over all theme suite for your desktop. Yes, you are right as Galaxy Suite Rainmeter will change the over all looks of the desktop including the icon, folder, widgets etc.

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Switchin

This is also a type of classic theme with simple and best user view interfaces. Install it on your PC and use the best performance provide by this skin. Users who need to get the simple style for a user-friendly look and use it comfortably then go for this theme definitely. Here you will get one whitish customize task bar on the top of your screen from where you can view your tasks instantly. This bar also shows the current notification of battery, wifi, on off etc. in one place.

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Eker Lina Rainmeter

The greenish effect provide by the eker lina rainmeter theme will give you a crystal clean visuality on your desktop items. The widgets which you will get on the screen is fully customizable. The special black color of the widget provides a very nice look when you apply some light color wallpaper in the back ground. The main feature is that you can time, live weather, CPU status etc. on one screen. You can also change or customize the color and combination of the widgets with your background also.

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Encoded

The four color black, white, gray, red interface will give a most eye-catching interface for the Windows users. This is some what extra ordinary skin as you can avail the same widget with four different color scheme.  It comes with music player widget from where you can play, pause, change the track instantly.If you want you can add more widget in the same place to access them easily.

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Pileus Suite

Pileus suite is a type of artistic theme with various color effects on the widgets and icons on your PC. The whole screen is converted into a painted view. Like you can access the apps from the icons which really looks like a prismatic picture. The CPU usage is showing a graph effects to give the extra ordinary look on your PC screen. No body can explain in words the whole features of this theme. SO once you need to install it feel the visual effect of the skin.

Download

Moon Glow

Get a beautiful natural effect on your PC screen with the help of Moon Glow Rainmeter skin. The back ground of this default rainmeter meter screen is so cool that all the on screen widgets looks very attractive while you use this rainmeter skin. You can get the outer temperature widget, weather condition, date, time etc, in a live notification system. Save your favorite notes on the main screen so that you can access it very easily.

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Morph

Classic effect with an abstract icon and widget design is created with the help of Morph skin. It arranges your desktop items in a sequence with a shelf and tray like structure. The default structure which is created in this skin is very nice and beautiful. If you need to change the structure then you can also customize it according to your own choice. Every needful widget for controlling is present on the single screen only.

Download

Before dawn

The coolest and fresh effect you will get through this before dawn skin. This skin is very simple and easy to use. The all in one bar gives you all the notification and information about the live widgets on your desktop screen. Even you can get to know about the system status, memory space all in all from this single bar on the desktop only. This is very easy to handle this screen on your desktop and laptop too.

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ABP

One exceptional theme which gives you block type of interface with all live notifications on your screen. All the information, notifications, icons are categorized in a tabular segmented form. So any beginner or an advanced user can easily get to access his/her PC very easily. You can get the live notification on this screen only. So ABP helps you to replace your boring screen with the new one and thus use the most beautiful interface of this skin.

Download

Razor

If you want to need a simple clear desktop with a customizable live view then go for razor Rainmeter skin. The crystal clear screen gives you a fresh look which you use your PC anytime in any mood. Get the top view dock with time and date  and also get the status of your PC instantly. All the default windows icons will get changed into a new look and thus you feel more comfortable while using your System.

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Orange Glow

This is a Rainmeter theme which looks like orange in color with dark effects. The whole desktop screen is get arranged with the frequently used apps and widgets also. The default color combination which is provided in this skin is very excellent. But still if you want to change the color scheme then also you can go for it easily.

Download

Raleway Skin

This is nature based theme with a simple interface and gets all the important widgets on your screen. Simple and classic view of this skin gives you a fresh mood while using it on your PC. The weather and other live notification is available on a single screen only. All the useful icons you can tag on the middle of your desktop screen.

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Simple Dock

Simple Dock creates on a dock on your desktop screen from where you can select your favorite apps to launch instantly. This skin provides a customizable dock to hold you most frequently used important apps on a single bar only. So that you need to jump here and there to find the apps every time. Besides this you can get the clock and date widget in a very wide view on the middle of the screen.

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i2 bar

This is abstract category theme which gives you great visual effects with white and black combination skin. It comes with stylish top and bottom task bar. Both the bar you can customize with various themes and icons too. The bar provides you the battery status, wifi status, temperature etc in a single place.Directly access your needful app from the main screen only.

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Rising Reflection Interface

The rising reflection interface gives one early morning themes with this skin pack. It also comes up with side bar panel having all the needful app launching icons. The early morning view is provided while you use this skin. Besides the backgrounds, you can get change all the folder view style, icons, status bars, widgets etc. in you screen. Overall the whole system view get changed after using this theme.

Download

Installing Skins

There are two ways of installing Rainmeter skins downloaded from the internet:

• Automatically : If the skin is in the .rmskin format.
  In short : Double-click the .rmskin file, click Install.
• Manually : If the file is a .zip/.rar/.7z archive.
  In short : Unzip the archive to the Rainmeter Skins folder. Refresh Rainmeter.

Installing Automatically

Skins in the Rainmeter Skin Packager (.rmskin) format can be easily and automatically installed with the Rainmeter Skin Installer. During a normal Rainmeter installation, the .rmskin extension is associated in Windows with the Skin Installer program, and simply double-clicking the file will install it in Rainmeter.

This dialog lists each component that will be installed. These may include:

• Skins : At least one skin will always be included and installed in the Rainmeter\Skins folder. The author of the package may indicate that one or more skins will automatically be loaded when the installation is complete.
• Layouts : If the author has added a layout to the package it will be installed in the Rainmeter\Layouts folder. If Apply included layout is selected, the layout will be applied to Rainmeter following installation.
• Plugins : If the author has added custom plugins to the package the appropriate 32bit/64bit architecture version of the plugin .dll files will be installed to the Rainmeter\Plugins folder.

Legacy .rmskin format components. No longer supported in new Rainmeter 2.4 .rmskin files:

• Fonts : If an author has included font files with the package, they will be installed in the Windows\Fonts folder. This may be disabled by unchecking Install fonts to system in the Advanced pull-down menu.
• Addons : If an author has included addon executable files with the package, they will be installed in the Rainmeter\Addons folder.

If any of the skins to be installed already exist, they will be moved to a Backup folder before installation. This may be disabled by unchecking Backup skins in the Advanced pull-down menu.

Click Install to complete the installation of the package.

______________
Note: If Rainmeter is being run as a portable installation, start SkinInstaller.exe from the Rainmeter program folder, and browse to the .rmskin file to install it.

Installing Manually

Before Rainmeter 1.3, most skins had to be unzipped and moved to the Skins folder by hand. All versions of Rainmeter are 100% backwards-compatible, so these older skins will still work just fine. Here is how to install them:

First of all, if a skin comes in an archive, such as a ZIP, RAR or 7Z file, software is needed to “extract” them. 7-Zip is one of the popular choices, since it can handle almost any archive type. After installing the software, right-click the archive in Explorer to extract it.

The archive may include a readme.txt file with further instructions. If not, look for a folder with the same name as the skin – it might be inside another folder that is actually called “Skins”. Move the folder to the Rainmeter “Skins” folder:

C:\Users\YourName\Documents\Rainmeter\Skins 1

1. “YourName” is an example.

Finally, right-click the Rainmeter Windows Notification area icon and select Refresh all. The new skins will now be available to load from the Manage window or context menus.