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Guide to Microsoft BitLocker
Microsoft BitLocker and BitLocker To Go are encryption tools built into Windows operating systems. We've compiled some tips to help you understand how to effectively use the tools. Guide
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Microsoft licensing guide
Microsoft's licensing rules are difficult to understand. This guide can help you solve licensing mysteries, including those around virtual desktops and Microsoft Office. Guide
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Ten most common enterprise security mistakes that admins still make
Securing an enterprise is a never-ending task for desktop admins, but many are still making the same security blunders that have caused trouble in the past. Feature
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A desktop admin's guide to passwords in the enterprise
If password management causes headaches in your enterprise, don’t stress. This guide will get you back to basics and help heal your password woes. Guide
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Top 10 best and worst enterprise desktop developments of 2010
From the Apple iPad to Google Wave, there were a slew of desktop developments for IT admins to follow in 2010. See the best -- and the worst -- of the year in this slideshow. Slideshow
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The worst desktop developments of 2010: Predictable passwords
Imperva's worst password list kicked the year off on a bad note. See what else made our list of the 2010's best and worst desktop developments. Slideshow
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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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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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Step 3: How to secure a laptop
Laptops with sensitive data are getting stolen every day. Contributor Kevin Beaver says the best way to secure your laptops is to understand how they will be attacked. He provides the basic attack methods and a set of contingencies in this step-by-st... Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 2: How to crack a laptop
Laptops with sensitive data are getting stolen every day. Contributor Kevin Beaver says the best way to secure your laptops is to understand how they will be attacked. He provides the basic attack methods and a set of contingencies in this step-by-st... Step-by-Step Guide
- See More: Essential Knowledge on User passwords and network permissions
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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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Eight is too many characters for strong passwords
Passwords that are eight characters long are easily cracked. Learn how a seven-character complex password can provide better security, and passphrases can be stronger still. Article | 14 Sep 2009
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Managing single sign-on security burdens in Windows
Single sign-on came with the expectation that management activities in Windows systems would become easier, but that doesn't seem to be the case today. Column | 10 Nov 2008
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Learning Guide: Authentication
Without proper hardening defenses in place, Windows authentication quickly becomes a target for hackers and crackers. Learn about important Windows authentication credentials and protocols, and get help hardening authentication for user logon, remote... Article | 13 Mar 2005
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Too many users needlessly given admin privileges
Many of the security issues that IT administrators have to deal with happen because someone else is empowering their users, often for no good reason. Article | 02 Feb 2005
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8 tips in 8 minutes: Password authentication and protection
As part of the 25 password hardening tips in 25 minutes series, these eight quick tips offer best practices for password authentication and protection from SearchWindowsSecurity.com experts and contributors. Article | 13 Jan 2005
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7 tips in 7 minutes: Windows password creation
As part of the 25 password hardening tips in 25 minutes series, the the following seven quick tips offer best practices for creating strong passwords from SearchWindowsSecurity.com experts and contributors. Article | 13 Jan 2005
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10 tips in 10 minutes: Password policy considerations
The following 10 quick tips offer expert advice on password policy considerations, from educating users on the importance of a password policy to enforcing minimum length passwords. Article | 13 Jan 2005
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#7: How to manage multiple unique passwords
Do you really need to use unique passwords for every account? Get Roberta's answer to that question and her advice for managing multiple passwords in this expert response. News | 19 Dec 2004
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How to securely connect Windows NT Web server to SQL Server
Get best practices from your peers for connecting an NT Web server to SQL Server. Article | 04 Oct 2004
- See More: News on User passwords and network permissions
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What place do biometric passwords have in enterprise security?
Traditional passwords and smart cards alone may not be enough to protect data anymore, so biometric passwords could be the next big thing in enterprise security. Tip
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Mac OS X Lion security flaws no longer a reason to delay adoption
Mac OS X Lion security vulnerabilities have delayed adoption since Apple released the operating system. After some much-needed updates, is the OS finally enterprise-ready? Tip
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Targeted malware attacks, social engineering schemes threaten desktops
Targeted malware attacks and social engineering schemes such as phishing and whaling pose a growing security threat because cybercriminals are getting help from unwitting users. Tip
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Using Group Policy settings to lock down enterprise desktop security
Enterprise desktop security involves many moving parts, but Group Policy settings can help. Use them to manage IE and Outlook, as well as Windows 7's Control Panel and UAC. Tip
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The year's top 10 security news and tips
With increasing security threats, IT pros are always looking for ways to increase desktop protection. Find out which 10 security stories of 2011 were most popular among readers. Tip
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Managing client encryption with BitLocker To Go
Windows 7 Enterprise users have access to BitLocker To Go, Microsoft's encryption program for removable drives. Find out how to use it easily and automate with Group Policy settings. Tip
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BitLocker's improvements leave gaps to be aware of
Microsoft's BitLocker encryption tool is built into the Windows operating system, but is it completely free? Beware of some hidden costs that could outweigh improvements. Tip
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Full-system encryption with BitLocker vs. third-party alternatives
The BitLocker feature in Windows allows for full-system encryption, but it may not do everything you need. Consider third-party encryption products, but be aware of their costs. Tip
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Enterprise password protection checklist
Everyone should know by now that passwords are often the weakest link in enterprise security. Here's a password protection checklist for both end users and IT managers. Tip
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How much should employees know about Microsoft software licensing?
Here are some guidelines for what Microsoft licensing information that employees -- from line-of-business managers to systems administrators -- should be familiar with. Tip
- See More: Tips on User passwords and network permissions
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Is a GPO blocking my VPN security scan?
Learn how you can circumvent problems with your VPN security scans with this expert advice. Ask the Expert
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How can I use a GPO to manage Windows user rights?
There are several ways to manage Windows user rights. Learn how to manage these rights with GPOs and NTFS permission settings. Ask the Expert
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Set write permissions in Windows network folders
Learn the steps to take for setting write permissions for users in Windows network folders while maintaining Windows security. Ask the Expert
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Password security in Group Policy for Windows networks
Managing password security in Group Policy is not always as easy as you'd like. Learn how to reduce errors caused by complex passwords in Windows networks here. Ask the Expert
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Allow Windows network access, but not admin rights
How can you grant Windows network access without giving users administrator rights and posing a threat to Microsoft security? Ask the Expert
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Data protection on Microsoft networks
For the sake of data protection, sometimes you want to allow folder access only to certain users. Learn how to manage folder permissions in Microsoft networks. Ask the Expert
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Correctly configure admin rights on Windows networks
Learn how to determine if your users have only the Windows admin rights that they need with this expert advice from Wes Noonan. Ask the Expert
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How to grant Microsoft Windows network permissions
Jonathan Hassell explains how to grant Microsoft Windows network permissions and how to give users admin rights in Windows Server 2003. Ask the Expert
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Set network user rights for Active Directory security
Learn how to improve Active Directory security and manage network user rights with this expert advice. Improve network security by controlling users' logon rights. Ask the Expert
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Selectively set read and write permissions
Manage the read and write permissions of certain hardware devices like Bluetooth headsets and external drives with this advice from Jonathan Hassell. Ask the Expert
- See More: Expert Advice on User passwords and network permissions
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BIOS password
A BIOS password is a security precaution that requires a computer user to log into the machine's basic input/output system (BIOS) before a computer will boot up. Definition
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key-value pair (KVP)
A key-value pair (KVP) is a set of two linked data items: a key, which is a unique identifier for some item of data, and the value, which is either the data that is identified or a pointer to the location of that data. Definition
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Windows desktop endpoint security challenges podcast series
Planning desktop virtualization and cloud computing in your environment? Get a heads up on Windows desktop endpoint security challenges by listening to this expert podcast. Podcast
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What place do biometric passwords have in enterprise security?
Traditional passwords and smart cards alone may not be enough to protect data anymore, so biometric passwords could be the next big thing in enterprise security. Tip
-
Mac OS X Lion security flaws no longer a reason to delay adoption
Mac OS X Lion security vulnerabilities have delayed adoption since Apple released the operating system. After some much-needed updates, is the OS finally enterprise-ready? Tip
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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
-
Targeted malware attacks, social engineering schemes threaten desktops
Targeted malware attacks and social engineering schemes such as phishing and whaling pose a growing security threat because cybercriminals are getting help from unwitting users. Tip
-
Using Group Policy settings to lock down enterprise desktop security
Enterprise desktop security involves many moving parts, but Group Policy settings can help. Use them to manage IE and Outlook, as well as Windows 7's Control Panel and UAC. Tip
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BIOS password
A BIOS password is a security precaution that requires a computer user to log into the machine's basic input/output system (BIOS) before a computer will boot up. Definition
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The year's top 10 security news and tips
With increasing security threats, IT pros are always looking for ways to increase desktop protection. Find out which 10 security stories of 2011 were most popular among readers. Tip
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Guide to Microsoft BitLocker
Microsoft BitLocker and BitLocker To Go are encryption tools built into Windows operating systems. We've compiled some tips to help you understand how to effectively use the tools. Guide
-
Managing client encryption with BitLocker To Go
Windows 7 Enterprise users have access to BitLocker To Go, Microsoft's encryption program for removable drives. Find out how to use it easily and automate with Group Policy settings. Tip
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BitLocker's improvements leave gaps to be aware of
Microsoft's BitLocker encryption tool is built into the Windows operating system, but is it completely free? Beware of some hidden costs that could outweigh improvements. Tip
- See More: All on User passwords and network permissions
About User passwords and network permissions
Passwords have long been a tried and true authentication method on Windows systems, but as malicious hackers have evolved and the network perimeter has expanded with all sorts of mobile devices like PDAs, mobile phones and laptops, the need for passwords has only grown. Learn how to manage Windows passwords and password policy in this section. Also, learn how you can manage network user rights and permissions on Windows desktop systems.