“”Tripwire announced SecureCheq, a free configuration utility that helps evaluate and repair the most common, critical configuration vulnerabilities in Windows desktops and servers.”"
Free tool repairs critical Windows configuration vulnerabilities
(By AddThis – NetSecurity.org)
This excellent tool scans your system for configuration errors. In the example below, we use a system that has NOT been secured.
It’s hard to beat Rick over at Whats On My PC. He is always finding some of the best tools you can use to keep your computer running like new. With IOBit’s Portable Free PC Repair ToolBox, this all in wonder tool can help you perform many tasks that usually takes many tools working together to thoroughly analyze and clean your computer. In its beta stage, this tool is worth looking at.
Some of the features -
More than 20 tools in a portable app that allows you
Rick’s excellent review shows how this Toolbox can be used with your computer. At 14 mb (29 mb unzipped), this tool easily fits on your flash drive.
This excellent post comes from MakeUseOf.
“Did You Know Windows 8 Has a Built-In Time Machine Backup?”
“We sometimes forget with all the focus on Windows 8′s new “Modern” interface, but Windows 8 has a variety of great desktop improvements. One of them is File History, a built-in backup feature that functions similarly to Apple’s much-loved Time Machine. Enable the Windows 8 “time machine” File History, and Windows will automatically back up your files to an external or network drive.” Read More
Secure your devices. Bottom-line, there are malicious users on the web that can find your device (webcams, IP cameras, routers, SCADA and other devices). Change the default passwords and update software/firmware when it is available. Disable UPNP and look for vulnerabilities that may affect your device.
CNN’s Money on “Hacking anything connected to the internet“
Microsoft’s Attack Surface Analyzer will take a quick snapshot of your computer’s state before and after the installation of software. IT Professionals can asses their organization’s applications. Other IT personnel can use this to look at the risk of software installed. Be sure to read Microsoft’s overview of this software.
Scanning (baseline)
Once this scan is ran, a new scan can be ran to compare the newly installed product changes to your computer.
The Report
Want to calibrate your batter on your laptop? Microsoft Joulemeter (.90 mb download) does just that.
From Microsoft Research:
“Joulemeter is a software tool that estimates the power consumption of your computer. It tracks computer resources, such as CPU utilization and screen brightness, and estimates power usage.”
Checklist :
Ready to calibrate
Phase One
Phase Two
Phase Three (Power Model)
The Windows System Control Center is an all in one tool that offers a ton (hundreds) of features. These features are compatible with Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8.
The installation can be made to a portable drive or installed on a computer. During the installation, new software can be installed allowing features to be added or updated.
During this installation process, you may get virus alerts but the software is safe. These alerts are false positives (the software accesses key areas that control Windows).
Click Allow or Safe in your anti-virus control panel.
Initially you will have 264 software installs.
Once the features are installed (This can initially take a few minutes), The control center opens to dozens of categories and hundreds of features allowing you to tweak Windows or to correct problems.
And after installing the updates, let’s reboot and get the rest….
Note: This is an isolated non-production lab server (an example of what happens when computers are ignored)
The Computer Information Technology class continues to receive advanced training on the Ubiquiti AF24 Airfiber. The Ubiquiti AF24 Airfiber is a hi-power, linear 2X2 MIMO radio with enhanced receiver performance and reliability. The AF24 has a breakthrough speed of 1.4+ Gbps real data throughput.
These devices are specifically designed for outdoor Point to Point bridging between buildings and provide hi-performance network backhauls. These dual-independent 2×2 MIMO 24GHz hi-gain reflector antenna systems, can operate in FDD and HDD modes providing speed and spectral efficiency in the 24GHz band.
Students learn how to configure advanced wireless devices for real world information technology and hands-on experience.
Justin, Josh and Theo’s results during a configuration of the AF24s.
Students also participate in a wireless shoot-off. This contest challenges the students to design an antenna that will make an association between a standard access point and a laptop that will connect at extreme distances. The contest will start the second week of April.
(L-R) Jay Matlock, Jonathan Laine, Scott Hess (designer of a parabolic dish with a helical transceiver), Tyler Clift and Kenny Cooper.
Photo by D. Babian
Great details about building the Airfiber below (from 03:17 forward)
Photos above (D. Babian)
Photo Credit: (Wil McKamey)
Mickey found a great site that gives the approximate time it will take to break your password. The site, howsecureismypassword.net gives the approximate time and a background color that indicates how secure your password is. There are other things to worry about. One of the things people don’t realize is that the code in your website may reveal even the most complex passwords. It is up to the webmaster of your site to keep you secure.
Usually when I resolve a problem, there seems to be an outbreak of the same problem. Lately I resolved issues with wireless networking on several laptops and a desktop by disabling the power settings. Apparently when the laptop woke, it would not connect or was extremely slow on connecting. Disabling the power settings in both areas resolved the issue on all of the laptops and the desktop.
Power under the Device Manager
- Right Click Computer, Manage, Select Device Manager, Double Click on Wireless card, Click the Power Management tab. Uncheck the All the computer to turn off this device to save power
Use the Advanced Power settings to turn off power settings on wireless adapters
Click on Change plan settings (above)
Click on Change advanced power settings (above)
Scroll down to Wireless Adapter Setting, click the + sign, click the + sign beside Power Saving Mode. Change the On battery setting to Maximum Performance and Plugged in to Maximum Performance. Apply the settings.
Spycar attempts to make changes to your registry and Windows system to test your anti-virus and malware protection software. Follow the links on Spycar’s website and click through the tests. Your antivirus should block any attempt of malicious activities. Spycar is free to use and is an excellent resource for quick testing your security.
BitDefender blocking Spycar’s attempts
EICAR has several files you can download and test your antivirus and malware software. Your antivirus should block the downloading of these files or quarantine the files immediately.
