Windows 7 Article Categories

Display a Login Message

Posted in Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7 by Steve Sinchak

Would you like to display an information or legal message to your users before they can login to Windows?  "Do not shut down this computer," or how about, "By logging into this computer you are accepting the use policy. Unauthorized use is prohibited. "  All of these message can be displayed with the help of a simple security policy edit.

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Creating a System Recovery USB Flash Drive

Posted in Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7 by Steve Sinchak

The System Recovery feature in Windows 8 and 10 is a great feature that enables you to fix your computer if it ever gets stuck in a state in which it will not boot properly. A number of tools are included, such as Automatic Repair, System Restore, Refresh your PC, System Image Recovery, and Memory Diagnostics, along with a way for you to access the command prompt. 

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Safe Tweaking with System Restore

Posted in Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7 by Steve Sinchak

The System Restore feature has matured over the years into a very valuable tool for any enthusiast who tweaks their computer. Every time you make a change, there is a risk that something could go wrong. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could easily undo any change with just a few clicks? System Restore provides the solution to that problem by enabling you to jump back in time to an earlier state.

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How To Protect IE, Chrome and Firefox from the POODLE SSL v3 Exploit

Posted in Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP by Steve Sinchak

Google security researchers have published details about a major security flaw found in the SSL protocol that is used to encrypt data transferred between your browser and a web server. SSL is typically used in situations where logon credentials are validated or when other confidential information is exchanged (e.g. online banking). The exploit Google discovered works by taking advantage of two vulnerabilities.  1. Manipulate your web browser into using an old version of the SSL protocol. 2. Using a known exploit in the old version to essentially decrypt the encrypted traffic.

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Enable Two-Factor Authentication on your Microsoft Account

Posted in Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP by Steve Sinchak

Enabling two-factor authentication is a great way to add an additional level of protection to your Microsoft account.  Even if your password is stolen, your account is still protected because two-factor authetication requires an additional level of verification to log in. Microsoft calls their version of two-factor authentication "two-step verification" and it works by providing you with a random code that must be entered in additional to your password when you log in.  Microsoft offers three ways to generate the verification code.  It can be sent via e-mail, SMS message or using a token generator app on your mobile phone. 

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