Email Alerts
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Windows 8 Task Manager: Finding and using its updated features
Not many of the changes in Windows 8 Task Manager are obvious, but there are definite improvements. See which features are worth another look. Tutorial
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Assembling a Windows 8 migration toolbox
Whether your organization is refreshing or replacing PCs, you should be familiar with such Windows 8 migration tools as USMT. Feature
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How to handle legacy apps in a Windows 8 migration
Once your organization has decided on a Windows 8 migration, one of the first things to do is determine which legacy applications will run. Feature
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The changing face of endpoint device management
Smartphones and tablets and virtual desktops, oh my! Thanks to mobile devices, VDI and cloud computing, desktop admins aren't in Kansas anymore. partOfGuideSeries
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Top 5 enterprise desktop management tips of the year (so far)
Desktop backups, patch software and mobile devices ... oh my! These are just some of the top enterprise desktop management topics we've covered in 2012, which is only half over. Feature
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Patch management guide for Windows desktops
Routinely patching your Windows desktops is a necessary evil -- but patch management can be overwhelming. Get a grasp on the process with this learning guide. Learning Guide
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Top 10 desktop security tips of 2010
Our most popular security tips of 2010 will teach you how to block USB access on endpoints, track down temporary files and crack a password in Windows 7. Top Tips
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What's up with Microsoft's WSUS?
Microsoft managers provide insights into the latest updates and plans for the free Windows Server Update Services patch management tool. Q&A
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20 days to a more secure enterprise
Desktop administrators can improve the security of their organizations by doing a little each day. Learn how small steps can help you keep up. Step-by-Step Guide
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Windows security tools for the busy desktop administrator
Looking for Windows security tools, but don't have time to do the research? Learn about a few that come highly-recommended by one of our top security experts. Fast Guide
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Microsoft hints at Windows Blue agenda, speeds Windows updates
Microsoft finally acknowledges Windows Blue, but is not forthcoming with details on the initiative's operating system updates. News | 28 Mar 2013
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Application migration to Windows 8 might require third-party tools
Third-party Windows upgrade tools might be necessary for application migration to Windows 8. News | 17 Dec 2012
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Windows Intune helps strapped IT departments with desktop management
Small IT departments say it's better late than never for Windows Intune -- a cloud-based desktop management app for remote desktop access, patches, antivirus and software updates. News | 10 Feb 2012
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Microsoft to roll out 'critical' patches for Windows and IE
Microsoft delivered updates to patch 22 vulnerabilities across several of its core products, including Windows Server 2008, Internet Explorer and the .Net Framework. News | 10 Aug 2011
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Microsoft drops a holiday bomb on December's Patch Tuesday
Microsoft is ending the year with a bang. It released 17 security bulletins this Patch Tuesday -- the largest number ever. Article | 14 Dec 2010
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Weary Windows admins get a respite in November's Patch Tuesday
After a heavy two months, Microsoft released only three security bulletins for November. The patches affect PowerPoint and all versions of Office. Article | 10 Nov 2010
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Microsoft's 16 Patch Tuesday terrors include tricks, no treats
Microsoft has released a record number of security bulletins for October's Patch Tuesday, including fixes for Internet Explorer, Excel, Word and Windows. See what to apply first. Article | 13 Oct 2010
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Microsoft issues nine patches for September
Four of the security flaws that Microsoft addresses for September are rated "critical," and they affect Windows, Word and Outlook. Article | 15 Sep 2010
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Managing August's Windows desktop patches
With 14 security bulletins, Microsoft's August Patch Tuesday is the largest of the year so far. Install these seven fixes first, and avoid malicious websites. Article | 11 Aug 2010
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Microsoft's July security bulletins affect Windows, Office and Outlook
Three of Microsoft's four security bulletins for July 2010 are "critical." Make sure to apply them to systems running Windows, Office and Outlook as soon as possible. Article | 13 Jul 2010
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Microsoft addresses legacy apps with Windows 8 app compatibility tools
New operating systems are always accompanied by compatibility concerns. Windows 8 app compatibility is no different, or is it? Tip
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Securing Windows systems with Microsoft's free Attack Surface Analyzer
Attack Surface Analyzer, free Microsoft software, takes snapshots of Windows systems, giving admins a view into potential security vulnerabilities. Tip
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What's new with Windows 8 SSD storage management and defragmentation
How Windows 8 Storage Optimizer handles storage allocation and defragmentation has improved with Windows 8 SSD management. Tip
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Windows Server Update Services weaknesses you may not know about
Built-in tools such as WSUS can help with Windows patching, but you may still need other tools to verify that enterprise systems are safe. Tip
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Java malware, fileless malware pose threats to desktop security
Conventional antivirus software can't detect fileless malware, and recent attacks highlighted Java vulnerabilities on Windows and Mac OS machines. Tip
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Another look at Windows Sysinternals finds yet more useful tools
Our expert takes another look at Windows Sysinternals and finds more potentially useful tools for Windows management, troubleshooting and security. Tip
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Windows Intune gives desktop management a cloud-based facelift
Windows Intune helps offload administrator responsibility by placing desktop management in the cloud and, ultimately, into the hands of end users. Tip
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Patching Windows FAQ: Securing desktops as a Windows admin
Admins need to stay abreast of security vulnerabilities and ways to patch them. These tips for patching Windows can help IT assess what needs to be patched and various patch tools. FAQ
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Desktop patch management software features: A checklist
Desktop patch management is a critical function, but the amount of patch management software can be overwhelming. Focus on the most important patch management software features. Tip
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Windows desktop maintenance checklist for the holidays
With the holiday season upon us, IT pros may have some extra time on their hands. Here are a few Windows desktop maintenance items to take care of while the office is mostly empty. Tip
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How did a rootkit get on my Windows machine?
Figuring out how a rootkit made its way onto your Windows machine is difficult, but not impossible. If you're lucky, you can trace that rootkit. Find out how here. Ask the Expert
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Patch management and Windows Update aid in network setup
Following patch management best practices and keeping up with Windows Update can help you during the network setup stages and improve Windows network security. Ask the Expert
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How can I run third-party antivirus software?
If you ever have trouble downloading and running antivirus software, this expert advice will teach you to use Internet Explorer security settings to allow the download. Ask the Expert
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Spoofed email addresses
Your email address can be spoofed by any person at any time. According to Windows security expert, Kevin Beaver, you should use digital signatures to prevent this. Ask the Expert
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Hunt down a hacker
If you have ever had a rogue user delete files from a server and want to find out who that person is, then piece of advice from Windows networking security expert Wes Noonan's might just be for you. Ask the Expert
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A proper set of antivirus tools?
Windows security threats expert Kevin Beaver analyzes a set of tools and their potential antivirus capabilities, and suggests that more is needed to keep viruses at bay. Ask the Expert
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Virus causing sound and video problems?
Are your sound and video problems a result of a virus? Even though anything is possible with malicious code, says site expert Kevin Beaver, that might not be the problem you're experiencing. Ask the Expert
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Unjoin a domain to avoid a virus
Windows hardening expert Jonathan Hassell explains how to unjoin a domain to avoid a menacing virus. Ask the Expert
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Fighting through troublesome malware
Some malware are nothing more than a pain in the butt. Others, however, can go as far as to prevent your most critical systems from opening properly. See what Windows security threats expert Kevin Beaver has to say about such malware here. Ask the Expert
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Is all spyware dangerous?
Windows security threats expert Kevin Beaver explains the problems with spyware and how to prevent it from infecting your computer. Ask the Expert
- See more Expert Advice on Patches, alerts and critical updates
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application monitoring (app monitoring)
Application monitoring, also called application performance monitoring, is an area of information technology (IT) that focuses on making sure software application programs perform as expected. Definition
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drive-by download
A drive-by download is a program that is automatically downloaded to your computer without your consent or even your knowledge. Unlike a pop-up download, which asks for assent (albeit in a calculated manner likely to lead to a "yes"), a drive-by down... Definition
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Critical patches for IE and Office released
The April 2008 installment of our "What's hot in Windows security" podcast focuses on this month's Microsoft patch release, the potential for new anti-rootkit technology and Windows Vista. Security expert Brien Posey discusses this month's most criti... Podcast
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What's hot in Microsoft Windows security
Keep up with the latest Microsoft patches, Windows network security strategies, Microsoft security best practices and more in our monthly podcast series. Podcasts
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What's hot in Microsoft security: Critical patches
August was a busy month for admins due to the flurry of patches released on Microsoft's Patch Tuesday. In this month's security expert podcast, Kevin Beaver talks about which vulnerabilities he feels are most important, the state of Patch Tuesday and... Podcast
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Microsoft addresses legacy apps with Windows 8 app compatibility tools
New operating systems are always accompanied by compatibility concerns. Windows 8 app compatibility is no different, or is it? Tip
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Securing Windows systems with Microsoft's free Attack Surface Analyzer
Attack Surface Analyzer, free Microsoft software, takes snapshots of Windows systems, giving admins a view into potential security vulnerabilities. Tip
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Microsoft hints at Windows Blue agenda, speeds Windows updates
Microsoft finally acknowledges Windows Blue, but is not forthcoming with details on the initiative's operating system updates. News
-
What's new with Windows 8 SSD storage management and defragmentation
How Windows 8 Storage Optimizer handles storage allocation and defragmentation has improved with Windows 8 SSD management. Tip
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Windows 8 Task Manager: Finding and using its updated features
Not many of the changes in Windows 8 Task Manager are obvious, but there are definite improvements. See which features are worth another look. Tutorial
-
Assembling a Windows 8 migration toolbox
Whether your organization is refreshing or replacing PCs, you should be familiar with such Windows 8 migration tools as USMT. Feature
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Windows Server Update Services weaknesses you may not know about
Built-in tools such as WSUS can help with Windows patching, but you may still need other tools to verify that enterprise systems are safe. Tip
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How to handle legacy apps in a Windows 8 migration
Once your organization has decided on a Windows 8 migration, one of the first things to do is determine which legacy applications will run. Feature
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Application migration to Windows 8 might require third-party tools
Third-party Windows upgrade tools might be necessary for application migration to Windows 8. News
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Java malware, fileless malware pose threats to desktop security
Conventional antivirus software can't detect fileless malware, and recent attacks highlighted Java vulnerabilities on Windows and Mac OS machines. Tip
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About Patches, alerts and critical updates
An understanding of Windows patch management best practices are vital to an IT admin who wants to keep his or her desktop machines up to date and protected from the latest security flaws. Learn about tools that can help you manage Windows patches, read tips about automating the patch management process and how to keep your organization protected against critical flaws, vulnerabilities and zero-day threats.