Category: Security

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HetrixTools

HetrixTools has several software applications that are quite useful for monitoring your server IP Addresses and Domain Names easily and cost-effective for up-time and outages or blacklisting.

HetrixTools also offers a single-use scan on your server checking it against many popular blacklists.

Any number of Contact Lists can be created, which can be assigned to your Blacklist Monitors in order to be notified of changes. Configure notifications via Email, SMS, PushBullet, Pushover, Twitter, Slack, Discord, HipChat, PagerDuty, Telegram, and Webhooks.  Many other features are available so it’s worth checking out this software.

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Microsoft Windows Troubleshooting

Many issues with your Microsoft Windows computer or laptop can be resolved with a few troubleshooting steps.

  • Ensure all Microsoft security updates are installed.  
    • For Windows 10, verify the security update settings. 
    • Click here to check for Microsoft Windows Updates now.
Choose “Open Settings” to automatically check for updates.

Hint: Search for “check for updates” in the Windows search box, 

and choose “check for updates” system settings when displayed.

  • We suggest several changes from Microsoft’s default settings to ensure you have the best experience with your computer.
  • Choose “Advanced Options” in the Windows Updates dialog box, then ensure the options are “on” for “other Microsoft products” as well as to “show a reminder” when Microsoft will restart your computer.
  • Then scroll near the bottom of the screen and choose “Delivery Optimization”, and verify the option to “Allow downloads from other PCs” is turned “off”.  This is typically not desired as this can typically cause performance issues on other computers at inopportune times.
  • Run a virus and malware scan as often times clicking on a malicious email link or browser link when searching online can install unsuspected software or changes to your software configurations.
  • Restart your device at least weekly to ensure that the latest software and operating system security updates have been installed as well as to clear any problematic application issues.
  • Are you backing up your important files to protect from hardware failures, theft, loss, or damage?  Make sure that you have a data backup plan before something disastrous happens to you!

If you need assistance on any of these steps contact us for additional service.