Email Alerts
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Windows 8 Enterprise offers admin capabilities absent in Windows 8 Pro
Desktop admins should carefully consider OS editions -- Windows 8 Enterprise provides options for connectivity and control that Windows 8 Pro lacks. Feature
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Chapter excerpt: Defending the enterprise from password hacking
In this excerpt from 'Hacking for Dummies, Fourth Edition,' author Kevin Beaver looks at the dangers of password hacking and how to respond to them. Book Excerpt
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Microsoft unified communications tool Lync-Skype gets updated
The Microsoft unified communications roadmap combines Lync and Skype to ease work and home interactions. But do employees need this connectivity? Cool Tool
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Guide to managing passwords in the enterprise
Creating password policies for users should be a regular task for IT admins. Having them in place will help you monitor passwords to ensure the security of your desktops. Must-read tutorial
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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
- See more Essential Knowledge on User passwords and network permissions
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Windows 8 Companion Subscription License may lower BYOD costs
Microsoft's Companion Subscription License with Windows 8 accommodates BYOD and may turn out to be more economical for some enterprises. News | 25 Mar 2013
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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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Stripping a Microsoft Office password from a document with DocRecrypt
DocRecrypt, an Office 2013 tool, allows an admins to get into an otherwise inaccessible file by stripping it of its Microsoft Office password. Tip
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Using Windows 8 AppLocker and application sideloading in Windows 8
Windows 8 AppLocker, which IT can use to set policies for which apps can run on enterprise desktops, should be in every administrator's toolbox. Tip
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Microsoft RemoteFX and BranchCache add functions to Windows 8
Notable features in Windows 8 Enterprise Edition include Microsoft Remote FX for virtual desktops and BranchCache for satellite locations. Tip
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Windows 8 Enterprise has notable features not in Windows 8 Pro
Windows 8 Enterprise has features absent in the Windows 8 Professional edition, including Windows To Go and DirectAccess. Tip
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Examining what's new in Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack 2012
The Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack aids with Windows management and virtual apps. MDOP 2012 includes updates to User Experience Virtualization. Tip
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Microsoft Office 2013 crackable, so look to Office password recovery
Microsoft Office 2013 may have improved protection, but third-party tools have already cracked passwords. See how to use Office password recovery. Tip
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Don't ignore Windows 8 security when reviewing desktop vulnerabilities
Microsoft Windows 8 security may not be at the top of IT admins' to-do lists, but they should pay attention to the OS's features and flaws. Tip
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How to manage portable passwords with storage apps and devices
Tracking multiple passwords is a hassle. Our expert takes a look at encrypted files and a password management app for portable password use. Tip
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What type of Windows user profile should you use?
Windows user profiles come in a few flavors: local, roaming and mandatory. Each one offers different availability and performance to IT and users. Tip
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Full-disk encryption can save IT grief from lost laptops
Full-disk encryption can help enterprises comply with data security regulations, but it can hurt performance. See if the pros outweigh the cons for this laptop protection measure. Tip
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How to protect Windows startup from a compressed Boot Manager file
This week, our expert answers a question on how a hidden file can hinder the Windows startup process and how to restore the Windows Boot Manager. Answer
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Understanding the errors behind a temporary Windows profile
A Windows user finds that he has been issued a temporary Windows profile. Our expert shows how that can happen and how to fix the underlying problem. Answer
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How to delete a file or folder when the Windows path is too long
Our expert answers a question on how to delete a file or folder when its Windows file name is beyond the Windows path length limit. Answer
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Finding free alternatives for remote desktop apps and services
Our expert takes a look at free software and infrastructure alternatives for Windows Remote Desktop for remote desktop access. Answer
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Ways to detect and delete duplicate files in Windows systems
Our enterprise desktop expert answers a question about some third-party tools for eliminating duplicate files in Windows desktops. Answer
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Copying Windows Explorer files without slowing down a system
Our expert explains how to avoid overtaxing processors when copying Windows Explorer files. Process priority and a command should do the trick. Answer
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How to resolve Windows file-sharing problems
Windows file sharing isn't as easy as it sounds. Our expert explains how to deal with different OS versions, classic problems and Windows HomeGroup. Answer
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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
- See more Expert Advice on User passwords and network permissions
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desktop personalization
Desktop personalization is the process of adjusting the look, feel and organization of a Windows end-user experience. Definition
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prefetch folder (PF)
A Windows prefetch folder is a specific location within Windows XP and later computers that contains a series of small files detailing the startup activities and frequently-used applications. Definition
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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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How to protect Windows startup from a compressed Boot Manager file
This week, our expert answers a question on how a hidden file can hinder the Windows startup process and how to restore the Windows Boot Manager. Answer
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Understanding the errors behind a temporary Windows profile
A Windows user finds that he has been issued a temporary Windows profile. Our expert shows how that can happen and how to fix the underlying problem. Answer
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Windows 8 Enterprise offers admin capabilities absent in Windows 8 Pro
Desktop admins should carefully consider OS editions -- Windows 8 Enterprise provides options for connectivity and control that Windows 8 Pro lacks. Feature
-
Stripping a Microsoft Office password from a document with DocRecrypt
DocRecrypt, an Office 2013 tool, allows an admins to get into an otherwise inaccessible file by stripping it of its Microsoft Office password. Tip
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Using Windows 8 AppLocker and application sideloading in Windows 8
Windows 8 AppLocker, which IT can use to set policies for which apps can run on enterprise desktops, should be in every administrator's toolbox. Tip
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Chapter excerpt: Defending the enterprise from password hacking
In this excerpt from 'Hacking for Dummies, Fourth Edition,' author Kevin Beaver looks at the dangers of password hacking and how to respond to them. Book Excerpt
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How to delete a file or folder when the Windows path is too long
Our expert answers a question on how to delete a file or folder when its Windows file name is beyond the Windows path length limit. Answer
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Windows 8 Companion Subscription License may lower BYOD costs
Microsoft's Companion Subscription License with Windows 8 accommodates BYOD and may turn out to be more economical for some enterprises. News
-
Microsoft RemoteFX and BranchCache add functions to Windows 8
Notable features in Windows 8 Enterprise Edition include Microsoft Remote FX for virtual desktops and BranchCache for satellite locations. Tip
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desktop personalization
Desktop personalization is the process of adjusting the look, feel and organization of a Windows end-user experience. Definition
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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.