POST
Welcome to POST by ResTech Solutions
Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Every week we will bring you new content covering recent events and news related to technology, Microsoft, Apple, Google, tips & tricks, useful information, and more! To read the full articles in our newsletters you can either click on the image or article headline. We've had a great response each week to our newsletter and we've been hard at work to bring you even more great information this week. Please let us know what you've enjoyed thus far about our newsletter. To see past issues click on the archives link above.
Why the name POST? In the world of computers POST stands for Power On Self Test. This is the action computers take when they are first powered on to check their basic functionality prior to loading the operating system. We decided to take this same concept and to provide you with useful technology information at the beginning of your week to help get you started. POST is also a term associated with news as well and we felt this was an appropriate and fitting name.
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POST by ResTech Solutions
News
Report: Facebook Users Buying $300 Oculus Rift Headsets to Reset Hacked Accounts
Image from MUO
At one point or another, we have all experienced difficulties with getting customer support. Should it matter if the service/product is free or paid to determine the level of support a company will provide? In the tech world, there are many services, such as social media, that are free where technically you, the user, are the product. Even though the company will make money off of the information you generate or by selling ads they will not provide support since you have not actually paid the company any money.
This is an important fact to know when you start using certain services. What is interesting about the article is how as soon as the users make a purchase they were able to get help. What are your thoughts on this?
makeuseof.com
Cyber Security
How to Prevent Your Home Router From Being Targeted by Hackers
Image from MUO
When you buy a router and set it up without changing any of the default information you are leaving it and your network exposed. Many manufacturers have published, or others have published, the default device information online. It is important to always take the few extra steps to change the default login information and, if available, the wireless network information. These details are also usually on a label on the device itself. It is also important to keep the device updated to patch any security vulnerabilities as they are discovered. Limiting access to the router both physically and through remote access will also help to limit and chances of it becoming compromised.
Never wait for an incident to happen. Always ask yourself if you have done everything possible to secure your network and devices.
makeuseof.com
Can Deepfake Fool Facial Recognition? A New Study Says Yes!
Image from MUO
Deepfakes are becoming more common and easier to create. The main concern is the security issues they can pose. While we may not see much of this occurring today there is cause for concern about what can happen in the future. The more we start putting our photos and videos online the more data there will be to create more realistic looking deepfakes. The most successful deepfakes today are of celebrities since there is a multitude of photos and videos of them online.
As a general rule, you do not need to post everything online. The more attention you draw online and the more data you provide will make it easier to have a deepfake created of you.
makeuseof.com
Working From Home? 10 Essential Security Tips for Remote Workers
Image from MUO
As many of us continue to work from home it is important to keep up with best practices for staying secure. Working from home creates more security risks than working in the office. Check out the linked article for 10 security tips for working remotely.
makeuseof.com
Microsoft
5 ways Microsoft Edge is better than Chrome
Image from PCWorld
Are you still on the fence about making the change from Chrome to Edge for your web browsing needs? In addition to the performance improvements Edge has over Chrome there are additional features that Edge has and Chrome lacks. Since moving to Edge my browsing experience has been much improved since the performance is much better than Chrome. I can still use my favorite Chrome extensions with Edge. If you have yet to try Edge I encourage you to use it for a week to see how it works for you. It is also a simple process to bring over many of your settings, bookmarks, and history from Chrome.
pcworld.com
Windows
7 Beloved Windows Features That Are Sticking Around in Windows 11
Image from MUO
Previously we've covered many of the apps and features that will be dropped from Windows in Windows 11. This week we are looking at 7 features that are sticking around in Windows 11. Some features, such as Window Snapping are being enhanced in Windows 11. Check out the linked article for the full list.
makeuseof.com
10 Startup Programs You Can Safely Disable to Speed Up Windows
Image from MUO
If your computer is slow to boot chances are high that you may have several programs trying to start up at the same time with Windows. Many of these programs are not required or needed to run at boot. The good news is that disabling a program from running at boot is a simple process. Check out the linked article for full details.
makeuseof.com
Tips & Tricks
How to Free Up RAM and Reduce RAM Usage on Windows
Image from MUO
The amount of available memory on your computer is a finite resource. You can increase the amount of memory by installing additional RAM modules or higher-capacity RAM modules. RAM is the memory that is used to run the applications and files that are stored on your hard drive. When you are unable to physically increase the memory there are ways to free up the resources that you do have. Check out the linked article for more information.
makeuseof.com
Useful Information
What Is Dark Fiber, and Can It Make Your Broadband Faster?
Image from MUO
Dark fiber is when a fiber-optic connection isn't being put to use. It's called "dark fiber" because fiber-optic connections carry light signals to and from their destination.
As such, dark fiber doesn't have any light signals going through it, making it dark. This is the opposite of "lit fiber," when a fiber-optic cable is in use.
Dark fiber goes a little further than just "fiber that isn't being used," however. For example, if everyone on your neighborhood's fiber-optic network stopped using the internet all at once, it doesn't become a dark fiber network.
To be truly "dark fiber," the cables need to have no devices on either side of them. It's not just unused; it's unconnected and waiting for someone to come along and put it to use.
Essentially Dark Fiber is unused fiber connections that are not hooked up to anything. When used it becomes a private connection, primarily for a business, to set up their own internet connection. It can be a solution for a faster connection but the business becomes responsible for all devices and connections.
makeuseof.com
FAQ of the Week
Video Cable Types Explained: Differences Between VGA, DVI, and HDMI Ports
Image from MUO
Each week we will address a frequently asked question. This week we are looking at differences between the various video connections and ports.
Over the years there have been numerous video connection standards. This is due to the ever-changing technology landscape as well as the move from analog-based to digital-based connections. Each connection has its purpose and many have similar use cases but all have slight differences between them.
VGA & RCA connections are analog-based connections while the DVI, HDMI, Display Port, and Thunderbolt connections are all digital connections. Check out the linked article for more details and reasons for use for each connection type.
makeuseof.com