Decoding-IT-Solutions

18/11/2024

On this glorious 54th National Day, let us celebrate Oman's rich heritage, unwavering progress, and the spirit of unity that binds us all. Wishing you and your family a joyous and prosperous National Day.

16/05/2024

It seems like BitLocker, Microsoft's software that protects your computer with encryption, might be causing a stir – and not in a good way.

Windows 11's upcoming 24H2 update could be auto-enabling BitLocker during installation, even for people who might not want or need it.

Why should you care? There are a few reasons…

BitLocker encryption can put the brakes on your PC's performance, slowing it down by up to 45%. How? Windows 11 is constantly juggling encryption and decryption processes with your data, which can really affect your computer's speed.

There is a silver lining. You can easily disable auto encryption by toggling off Device Encryption in your Privacy & Security settings. It's a simple fix that can save you a headache down the road.

Of course, encryption is a great security tool, and one that you should consider implementing if you haven’t already. The trick is to choose the right encryption for your business, without compromising your devices’ speed. My team and I can help. Get in touch.

Microsoft may enable auto-encryption for Windows 11

14/05/2024

Did you know that on this day back in 1946, something totally revolutionary happened in the world of audio? It's the anniversary of the first-ever demonstration of high-fidelity tape recording.

Picture this: Jack Mullin, an electrical engineer (and all-round cool guy) wowed a crowd of fellow engineers in San Francisco with his new invention.

Mullin used a German gadget called the AEG Magnetophon audiotape recorder (which he snagged as a "war souvenir"), and refined the electronics using American technology. He then showed off the magic of tape recording, making a jazz band sound like they were playing live right there in the room.

Fast forward to 1947, and Mullin's talents catch the attention of none other than Bing Crosby's tech team. They were on a mission to jazz up Crosby's radio show with some top-notch audio quality, and Mullin was just the man for the job.

With Mullin's expertise and a little help from the folks at Ampex, they whipped up the legendary Ampex Model 200A – a game-changer in the recording industry. And the rest, as they say, is history. Ampex went on to win a Technical Grammy Award, and the world of music was never the same again.

Who knew that a little tape and some creative tinkering could revolutionize the way we listen to music?

It makes you wonder what technological advancements are yet to come our way. Any guesses?

May 16, 1946 Jack Mullin, an electrical engineer and US Army Signal Corps veteran in World War II, gives the first demonstration of a high-fidelity tape recording in the United States at an Institute of Radio Engineers meeting in San Francisco. He was able to demonstrate that a recorded jazz band so...

13/05/2024

Uh oh, there’s another new type of malware on the prowl, and it's got your business's routers in its sights.

Let us introduce you to "Cuttlefish", the latest troublemaker. This little menace sneaks into your routers, sets up a secret tunnel (kind of like a VPN, but way more sinister), and starts stealing sensitive data like your login credentials.

How does it work? Well, it's either exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities (new bugs that no-one has yet come across or started fixing) or straight-up brute-forcing its way into your routers. Once inside, it's game over for your privacy. Cuttlefish slips past security measures like a ninja, making it a nightmare to detect.

Here are some quick tips to keep your routers locked down tight:

* Make your password more secure. No more "password123," okay?
* Keep your routers updated
* Block remote access to your router's management interface
* Stay vigilant for any logins from unknown sources
* Encrypt your traffic
* Inspect your devices for any unknown admin accounts

If you’re in doubt or you simply want to check your security is good, my team can help. Get in touch.

Cuttlefish is stealing your login data directly from your router

12/05/2024

Here’s some good news from Microsoft: They've just dropped new updates for File Explorer and Task Manager in the latest Insider Preview Build of Windows 11.

File Explorer is getting a facelift. Microsoft's heard your complaints and they're saying goodbye to clunky navigation. Now, you can duplicate tabs with a simple right-click, making it simple to juggle multiple folders at once. No more third-party tools needed.

They've taken care of the memory leaks that slow things down when you're digging through archive folders. And they've fine-tuned the spacing between your desktop icons - plus supercharged the search function for much faster results.

Task Manager hasn’t been left out either. Microsoft's rolled out a load of updates to make it faster, more reliable, and easier to use. You'll now get clearer information when looking into your system's performance.

They've addressed an issue where the Safely Remove Hardware option wouldn't function if Task Manager was open. Plus, they've made it quicker than ever to sort, prioritize and manage your tasks.

These updates aren't just about making things look pretty… they're about making your life easier. Microsoft's laser-focused on refining the Windows 11 experience and making sure it works like a dream.

While these updates are currently only available in the Windows Insider Preview program, the stable version release will be heading our way in the coming months.

If you want an improved File Explorer and Task Manager, perhaps switch to Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.3570 (KB5037008).

08/04/2024

Today it’s exactly 39 years since the first ever domain name, Symbolics .com, was registered. I didn’t know it was that long ago, did you?

Back in 1985, Symbolics .com made history as the pioneer of domain registrations.

Did you know that domain valuations are based on various factors, including the extension ( such as .com), how long it’s been registered, industry relevance, and how easy it is to spell and remember? It's not just about the name—it's about the whole package.

As for Symbolics .com, it holds a special place in internet history. Originally registered by Symbolics Inc., a computer manufacturer, the domain is now owned by Aron Meystedt, who transformed it into an online museum celebrating internet innovation, technology and science. He’s keeping the legacy alive.

What was the first domain name you bought? And do you still own it today?

March 15, 1985 The first Internet domain symbolics.com is registered by Symbolics, a Massachusetts computer company.  

01/04/2024

Is your website built in WordPress?

Here’s some important news you should be aware of. A popular WordPress plugin used on four million sites is vulnerable to something known as a cross-site scripting attack. I won’t explain the technicals of that, but trust me… it’s not good.

Check if your site uses LiteSpeed Cache, a website optimization plugin.

If you do, please update it ASAP (to version 5.7.0.1 or later).

If left unpatched, the vulnerability could allow cyber criminals to steal sensitive information and even gain control of your website.

While you're at it, it's always a good idea to keep all your plugins and themes up to date to minimize the risk of security breaches. You can automate this.

Remember, WordPress is a popular target for cyber criminals, but with the right precautions in place (and timely updates), you can keep your website safe and secure.

A WordPress plugin was found allowing attackers to elevate privileges

25/03/2024

You’re right to be on your guard for phishing attacks, but cyber criminals have upped their game yet again with the latest threat: QR code phishing, or "quishing".

Phishing is where criminals pretend to be a company you trust. They want you to enter your details on a fake login page.

And this quishing is sneaky. Scammers send emails with QR codes that lead to the fake websites.

With the right defenses and a bit of know-how, you can stay one step ahead of the game. Here's how:

1) Beef up your security with strong passwords, unique to each account, and tighten up access controls to minimize the risk of compromise.

2) Make sure your employees know about the latest phishing tactics and know what to do if they spot a suspicious QR code or email.

3) Keep an eye out for any unusual activity, like unexpected logins from new locations, and act fast to contain any potential breaches.

4) Consider investing in third-party extended detection and response (XDR) services to supercharge your threat detection and response capabilities - we can help with this, get in touch.

Did you already know about quishing, or is this a new one to you?

QR codes can bypass defenses and hack email accounts

17/03/2024

Microsoft's extended the lifeline for classic Teams to July, giving you longer to upgrade to the latest version. But why wait? New Teams has a bunch of cool productivity features you won't want to miss

Microsoft has extended the classic version of Teams' lifeline, giving users ample time to transition to the new client.

24/02/2024

Data Encryption Facts and Figures

05/01/2024

There's a new phishing scam in town. 'Quishing' uses QR codes to deliver malicious links that can steal your credentials or other sensitive data. Be vigilant, never scan a code you don't trust, and educate employees

https://zurl.co/jIT3

The FTC warns scammers are hiding harmful links in QR codes. Here's how you can stay protected.

22/03/2023

Ramadan Mubarak from Decoding IT family to our you and your family. May the celebrations of this month spread happiness and joys in your life.