The Edge

Using Built-in Functions to Achieve Single Sign-on in Windows

2009-07-01T22:02:00Z

Password resets are more or less the bane of the help desk agent's existence. Carrying that through logically, they also represent a significant expense for the organization to pay for the lost productivity of the employees and the time and effort of the help desk agent to get the issue resolved. So, many organizations seek single sign-on (SSO) solutions to minimize the number of usernames and passwords that users have to keep track of and hopefully reduce the amount of help desk calls. This...(read more)

Take a Virtual Tour of Windows 7

2009-06-29T13:16:00Z

Windows 7 marches on and is projected to be on retail shelves this October. Microsoft is providing free upgrades from Windows Vista to Windows 7 for consumers and businesses who purchase computer systems right now (albeit with some limitations ). Microsoft has put together some animated video presentations to illustrate some of the new features and functions of Windows 7. You can view the Windows 7 videos on the Tour Windows 7 site. Follow me on Twitter...(read more)

Microsoft Windows RMS enables granular access control over sensitive data

2009-06-03T18:30:00Z

This article that I wrote for the Midmarket Security Strategies and Tactics site at TechTarget focuses on the file access control possibilities of Windows Rights Management Services. Traditional NTFS file and folder permissions are effective for preventing unauthorized users from accessing data, but provide no control over what authorized users can do with the data once they access it. With Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008 you can enable Windows Rights Managements Services (RMS) and be...(read more)

Understand the Basics of Microsoft BitLocker Encryption

2009-06-03T18:21:00Z

I recently wrote an article for TechTarget's SearchMidmarketSecurity site. The new Mimarket Security Strategies and Tactics site focuses on practical knowledge and advice for SMB organizations. The article covers the basics of BitLocker- the scope of what it can protect and how it works. It also explains how BitLocker works with TPM (Trusted Platform Module) chips to provide even better protection of data and how to work with BitLocker keys to ensure that you don't lock yourself out of your...(read more)

Is Windows 7 a Grand Slam Hit?

2009-04-17T15:11:00Z

Recent surveys suggest that businesses are ready to embrace and deploy Windows 7 en masse as soon as Redmond makes it available. Traditionally, businesses are slow to adopt new operating systems. Its like waiting for the second model year of a new automobile make. You want some other sucker to take care of the extended Beta testing affectionately known as the initial release. That philosophy has led many organizations to hang on to Windows XP and forego Windows Vista entirely. Some organizations...(read more)

Microsoft Assists Unemployed with Free Computer Training

2009-04-14T04:17:00Z

Do you live in Washington state? Are you one of the millions of Americans currently unemployed and desperately seeking a new career? Finding a new career is never easy, but given the state of the economy and the fact that it seems like for every new job opening there are three new layoffs, it is even more important to have skills that employers need and to set yourself apart from the crowd. Microsoft feels your pain and they want to do their part to help out. Microsoft announced that they will be...(read more)

Explore Windows 7 BranchCache

2009-04-13T02:06:00Z

Many organizations have branch and remote offices. They might be across town, across the country, or around the world. A common problem facing organizations like this is having all of the various sites share information and work with data. Each site can't maintain their own files, spreadsheets, databases or other files. That would be too cumbersome to correlate and try to ensure that everyone is on the same page. The solution for that is to house the data in a centralized data repository at the...(read more)

Application Compatibility Toolkit for Windows 7

2009-04-04T00:36:00Z

Windows 7 will be here before you know it. So far, Windows 7 is getting much attention and rave reviews in its Beta version. The improvements from Windows Vista to Windows 7 are exciting and the new features like DirectAccess and JumpLists have many enterprises and users chomping at the bit. Well, you don't need to sit by idly waiting. In fact, I recommend that you don't. Even if the operating system was available tomorrow there is a lot of planning and preparation that has to be done before...(read more)

Help Microsoft Help You With Windows 7

2009-04-02T16:56:00Z

Are you an IT Pro? Have you installed the Beta of Windows 7 and started to work with and begin to understand it so you can be prepared to support it in your organization or with your customers? If so, Microsoft is looking for your feedback. Click on the link below to go to the survey and provide your input to Microsoft regarding your Windows 7 experience and the kinds of support and resources they should create to help you do your job and to help you help your customers adopt and implement Windows...(read more)

Why Didn't You Exploit IE?

2009-03-21T01:33:00Z

At the CanSecWest Security Conference in Vancouver this week, Charlie Miller made headlines by exploiting a Safari vulnerability on a fully patched Mac OS X system with a fully patched Safari web browser in mere seconds to claim the Pwn2Own prize. Ryan Naraine interviewed Charlie Miller for a ZDNet article and asked him why he exploited Safari- why not exploit Internet Explorer or Firefox. His answer? "It’s really simple. Safari on the Mac is easier to exploit. The things that Windows...(read more)

Forefront Security for OCS

2009-03-19T03:57:00Z

Forefront Client Security and other Forefront Server Security products, such as Forefront Security for Exchange Server and Forefront Security for Sharepoint , have been around for some time now. Microsoft's Forefront Security for Office Communications Server seems to have taken a painstakingly long time to get developed, make it through Beta testing, and finally now released to manufacturing (RTM) . But, that day has finally arrived. Check out this post for more details about the new Forefront...(read more)

IE8 Compatibility

2009-03-14T16:21:00Z

I have been using Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) almost exclusively since the first Beta became available. Now, my primary OS is the Windows 7 Beta, so IE8 is built-in as my default browser. I have run into my share of page compatibility issues. The most notable for me- which has since been addressed by Microsoft, Google, or both- was that Google Maps just flat out did not work in native IE8 or in compatible mode. I guess that should have been a red flag clue that IE8 compatibility mode does not equal...(read more)

Paving The Way for DirectAccess

2009-03-14T00:19:00Z

Windows 7 has a lot of exciting features both for consumers and enterprises. One of the most promising features for enterprises is DirectAccess . DirectAccess makes VPN connections obsolete and provides seamless connectivity between the internal enterprise network and remote clients roaming wherever they may be. As long as the remote computer has an Internet connection it is able to access network resources as if it was connected directly to the enterprise network. Conversely, the IT admin can manage...(read more)

SP2 Release Candidate Available for Vista / Windows Server 2008

2009-03-04T21:36:00Z

The next major Service Pack release for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 is one step closer to its official release. Service Pack 2 (SP2) has moved from Beta to RC (Release Candidate). You can download the SP2 RC from the Microsoft Springboard site . SP2 will only work with Windows Vista SP1 or Windows Server 2008 SP1, so if you have either of these operating systems and have not yet installed SP1, you should download and install that first. If you're curious what changes you can expect...(read more)

Windows 7: Overview of DirectAccess

2009-03-03T19:03:00Z

For businesses with remote users that rely on VPN connections to securely access data and resources on the corporate network, DirectAccess offers a very compelling business case for Windows 7. VPN connections can be complex and cumbersome for users. Conversely, the organization can not effectively manage or maintain remote computers. DirectAccess provides a seamless connection between the internal network and the remote computer no matter where it may be as long as there is an Internet connection...(read more)

Windows 7 Manageability Overview

2009-03-02T16:51:00Z

Combined with Windows Server 2008, Windows 7 will provide enterprises with unprecedented manageability and whole new methods for networking and administering clients. Microsoft has put together a white paper providing a detailed look at the new management features with Windows 7. Here is an excerpt from the white paper providing an overview of the information you can find in the white paper: Windows 7 introduces a number of manageability improvements that can reduce total cost of ownership by helping...(read more)

Upcoming Windows 7 RC Has a LOT of Changes

2009-02-27T19:34:00Z

Granted, Windows 7 will still be Windows 7. So, moving from Windows 7 Beta to Windows 7 RC will not fundamentally change your operating system. Still, the whole point of Beta testing is to identify problems and gather user feedback to incorporate changes into the final product. The Engineering Windows 7 blog posted a detailed look at 36 different changes we will see from Beta to RC once the Release Candidate becomes available. You can read the post on the Engineering Windows 7 blog to get the complete...(read more)

Windows 7 Walkthroughs

2009-02-21T03:08:00Z

The Microsoft Springboard program is leading the way in evangelizing for the Windows 7 operating system and providing the types of resources and information that IT pros and end-users need to understand the new features and capabilities and get the most out of the new OS. Toward that end, they have developed a series of screencast 'walkthroughs' providing in-depth looks at various features and functions of Windows 7. Currently the series includes the following instructional videos: AppLocker...(read more)

Attend Windows 7 Kickoff Event

2009-02-20T18:57:00Z

On February 28 Stephen Rose and Joey Snow will be presenting an event in Irvine, CA kicking off Windows 7 and providing a comprehensive look at the new features and functions. You can check out the details of the session (titled TechNet and MSDN Unleashed: Windows Vista to Windows 7) below to see the topics that will be covered in this 5 1/2 hour event. The live event is already maxed out, but the session will also be broadcast via LiveMeeting. You can register to attend the LiveMeeting event here...(read more)

Windows 7 Beta Test Updates

2009-02-20T15:43:00Z

Don’t get too excited. These updates won’t add any new features or functionality to Windows 7. You’ll have to wait for the Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) for those kinds of changes. However, Windows 7 will be getting updates next week, February 24, but they will just be test updates. It is a drill more or less just to make sure that Windows 7 is communicating properly with Windows Update and able to download and apply the updates. It is important to note though that these will...(read more)