04May2017
27Apr2017
How to enable 2-factor or multi-factor authentication (2FA or MFA)
Enabling a second factor for authentication is an important (and often very easy) thing to do. Usually this can be accomplished in just a few clicks for most websites and cloud services. It is highly recommended that you take the time to do this, especially for any accounts that are tied to...
20Apr2017
What is Windows Hello, and how to enable it
Windows 10 introduced a new security feature called "Hello," which allows a computer to be unlocked via different means than a traditional username/password prompt. The marketing around this sells it as a more "personalized" login experience--more "human" or whatever. But it's really just extra security in disguise. Why is a PIN...
13Apr2017
How to enable BitLocker in Windows 10, with or without TPM
BitLocker used to require an Enterprise or Ultimate copy of Windows 7. These days, it is included with Windows 10 Pro, which many people get OEM with their computer. This is great news, because it means that you will be able to fully encrypt your hard drive, making it much...
11Apr2017
New ransomware variant also finds & deletes backups?!
I recently came across this forum thread on Veeam's website, which scared the crap out of me. Coincidentally, Veeam published this article the same day. If these reports are accurate, then it means most organizations have some work to do to better secure themselves against the latest emerging rasomware /...
06Apr2017
Bug with Essentials Integration for Azure Site Recovery
Awhile back, I had written a series on all the neat integrations available with Windows Server Essentials (or Essentials Experience, if installing it on top of Standard as a role). You may have noticed that I never published an article regarding one of the most exciting features--integration with Azure Site...
06Apr2017
Warning: Domain Renames are Not Recommended (or Supported)
I have recently run into a couple of different scenarios wherein I've been asked to fix domain rename operations gone awry. After having worked through this process extensively twice now, I thought I'd post about my experience, in case this helps anyone else avoid the same troubles. To begin, you should know...
30Mar2017
Why you need UAC (and how to enable it)
I don't know why it has come to this, but here it is. Here we are. We need to review why it is that you need User Account Control (UAC), and how to go about turning it on. I know! Like, why is this even necessary, right? I'll tell you why. Laziness...
16Mar2017
Why You Should Avoid Single Label Domains
What is a Single Label Domain (SLD)? This is a term that Microsoft uses to describe domains which have only a single name, and no suffix such as ".local" or ".com." For example, your Active Directory domain might have a name like "company.local," but if it were Single Label, it might...
09Mar2017