Tag: Windows 7

How to remotely access you home or office PC

There is no shortage to the number of methods one can use to remotely access another computer.  Now I’m not talking about any kind of Spyware, but rather remote control software or services which are perfectly safe, legal, and on the up and up. Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.robertborges.us/2012/05/mobile-computing/how-to-remotely-access-you-home-or-office-pc-2/

Using BitLocker to Encrypt Computers without TPM Hardware

It is very common for laptops to be lost or stolen. When this happens any data on the laptop could fall into the wrong hands. That is unless you have encrypted your device using BitLocker or another drive encryption technology.

If you’re not already familiar with it, BitLocker is the drive encryption technology introduced with Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.  The latest version has increased functionality and security.  BitLocker is now available with Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 7 Ultimate, and some editions of Windows Server 2008 R2.

By default BitLocker requires that your computer have a TPM chip built-in. This is a secure component which can securely keep your encryption key information. But what if you don’t have a TPM chip built-in to your computer? Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.robertborges.us/2012/05/windows/using-bitlocker-to-encrypt-computers-without-tpm-hardware/

Recovering from a Spyware or Virus Infection

In my previous post (Preventing Spyware or Virus Infections) I explained how to help protect yourself from virus and spyware infections. If you still do contract a spyware or virus infection, there are a few things you can do to clean up your PC or laptop. Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.robertborges.us/2012/05/it-security/recovering-from-a-spyware-or-virus-infection/

Preventing Spyware or Virus Infections

The best way to fight malware or viruses is to prevent them from infecting your computer in the first place. You can help keep your computer protected by: Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.robertborges.us/2012/04/it-security/preventing-spyware-or-virus-infections/

Easy Steps to Increase your Computer’s Performance

Speed up your computerAs you may have noticed, even the fastest computers tend to get slower as they age. These performance issues could be because either the hardware is no longer sufficient for the programs now running on it, or because it needs a little maintenance. Here are a few steps you can take to help speed up your system. Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.robertborges.us/2012/04/windows/easy-steps-to-increase-your-computers-performance/

Learning Tools & Resources from Microsoft

On many occasions I have had people ask me “Where can I learn about Microsoft’s product X”, or “Is there anywhere I can go to get free training”. Well, here is a list of just a few of the resources Microsoft provides to us all so we can get educated and try out many software titles before making an investment. Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.robertborges.us/2012/04/learning-resources/learning-tools-resources-from-microsoft-2/

IT Security is Like an Onion – IT Security Basics – Part 3: End-User Security

In Parts 1 and 2 I discussed securing your network perimeter and server environment. But as I said in the beginning, IT security is like an onion. Let’s take a look at the 3rd layer of that onion… securing your end-user environment. Again, this is not meant to be a complete list, but instead a starting point to help you think through your own IT security strategy. Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.robertborges.us/2012/04/it-security/it-security-is-like-an-onion-it-security-basics-part-3-end-user-security/

IT Security is Like an Onion – IT Security Basics – Part 1: Perimeter Security

In this day and age, every organization should have a good firewall at the perimeter of their network. There are firewalls all over the spectrum and many good options for businesses small and large. For small businesses there are great firewall units designed for the SMB market from companies like Cisco, Sonicwall, and Astaro. For medium to enterprise size organizations, or if you just want that extra capacity, there are some really fantastic devices from Cisco, Fortinet, and Astaro that should give you the functionality and flexibility you need. Regardless of the manufacturer, there are key components which are critical to your network’s security. Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.robertborges.us/2012/03/it-security/it-security-is-like-an-onion-it-security-basics-part-1-perimeter-security/

IT Security is Like an Onion: The Basics of IT Security Blog Series

In many ways, IT security is like an onion comprised of many layers. As you work through each layer new layers are revealed. This blog series is not meant to be a complete list, but instead a starting point to help you think through your own IT security strategy. Long gone are the days where antivirus software alone is enough security! This is a 3 part series outlining Perimeter Security, Server Security, and End-User (client) Security.

Part 1, Perimeter Security will be available on Monday March 19, 2012.

Part 2, Server Security will be available the following Monday March 26, 2012.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.robertborges.us/2012/03/it-security/it-security-is-like-an-onion-the-basics-of-it-security-blog-series/

When is a computer too old? The Cloud may be changing how we think about this.

When is a computer too old? This question is getting harder and harder to answer. Traditional PC lifecycle thinking says that a PC is efficient to use up to 4 years old, and no longer cost effective to use beyond 5 years old. This is because the cost of maintaining the system is greater than the value of this old PC or laptop. Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.robertborges.us/2012/02/cloud-computing/when-is-a-computer-too-old-the-cloud-may-be-changing-how-we-think-about-this/

Closing a Crashed or Hung Application using the Windows Task Manager

Windows Task ManagerRegardless of how much time and money software companies put into writing their programs, we still have application crashes. An application crash is when a program or part of the operating system ceases to function properly. Preventing application crashes is usually difficult since the only way to permanently ensure you never get a crash again is to fix the bug in the software. We may not be able to prevent these crashes from happening but dealing with a crashed application, in Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008, is easier to deal with than many realize.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.robertborges.us/2012/02/windows/windows-7/closing-a-crashed-or-hung-application-with-windows-task-manager/

SP1 RC for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Released

microsoft-logoMicrosoft has released the Release Candidate (RC) of Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 to MSDN and TechNet subscribers.
Why is this so important, and why do I care? Within SP1 are two of my favorite feature updates: Dynamic Memory for Hyper-V, and the RemoteFX update for Remote Desktop Services.

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.robertborges.us/2011/02/windows/windows-7/sp1-rc-for-windows-7-and-windows-server-2008-r2-released/