Susan Bradley
Contributing Writer
Susan Bradley has been patching since before the Code Red/Nimda days and remembers exactly where she was when SQL slammer hit (trying to buy something on eBay and wondering why the Internet was so slow). She writes the Patch Watch column for Windows Secrets, is a moderator on the PatchManagement.org listserve and SBS2k, and was one of the authors of Windows Server 2008 Security Resource Kit. . In real life she’s the IT wrangler at her firm, Tamiyasu, Smith, Horn and Braun, where she manages a fleet of Windows servers, an Exchange Server, desktops, a few Macs, several iPads, a few Surface devices, several iPhones and tries to keep patches up to date on all of them. In addition, she provides forensic computer investigations for the litigation consulting arm of the firm. She blogs at www.sbsdiva.com and is on twitter at @sbsdiva. She lurks on Twitter and Facebook, so if you are on Facebook with her, she really did read what you posted. She has a SANS/GSEC certification in security and prefers Heavy Duty Reynolds wrap for her tinfoil hat.
How to manage Microsoft's BitLocker encryption feature
Enterprises with many Windows devices might struggle to know which have BitLocker enabled or where to find BitLocker recovery keys. These techniques can help.
How to set up Microsoft Cloud App Security
Microsoft's Cloud App Security add-on will alert you to suspicious sign-in activity in Office 365, Azure and other cloud apps using standard templates or custom policies.
How to tell which Microsoft Office patching process to use
How you download and deploy Microsoft Office patches depends on the version and license type you have. Here's how to determine which process to use.
How to use the new Microsoft 365 Business Conditional Access feature
Microsoft 365 Conditional Access lets you automate conditional access controls for cloud applications. If you haven't enabled it yet, you should.
8 steps to make sure Microsoft Windows 10 1903 is ready for deployment
Follow these steps to identify problems that might crop up when you update to the Windows 10 1903 release.
How to disable basic authentication in Microsoft Office 365
If you've implemented multi-factor authentication, you should disable the default basic authentication to make sure attackers can't exploit it.
How to set up password policies in Azure AD Password Protection
When was the last time you reviewed your password policy? It's probably time to update, and Microsoft Azure has a good tool to set up and manage that policy.
Updated
Best new Windows 10 security features: Windows Sandbox, more update options
Here's what you need to know about each security update to Windows 10 as they roll out from Microsoft. Now updated for the 1903 feature release.
How to update your Spectre, Meltdown mitigations for the Retpoline mitigation
Intel recently released a new mitigation for Spectre and Meltdown and some of their variants. Called Retpoline, it might not be enabled with the Windows 10 1809 update. Here's how to find out and implement.
How to isolate a Windows 7 machine from your network
If you have a business reason to keep a Windows 7 system active past its 2020 end-of-life date, here's how to keep it from being a security liability on your network.
5 tips for better backups with Azure Backup Agent
Both on-premises and cloud networks need backup solutions that allow you to recover from ransomware attacks quickly. One option is to use the Azure Backup Agent.
How to outwit attackers using two Windows registry settings
These Microsoft Windows registry settings will prevent attackers from scheduling tasks that will hide their activities or gain unauthorized access.
How to enable the Windows Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA) feature
Turning on the PUA setting helps avoid users falling prey to malicious drive-by downloads.
How to prep legacy Windows systems for the switch to SHA-2
Install these patches on Windows 7 and other legacy platforms now so you can continue to receive security updates.
How to protect yourself from PC hardware and hardware driver vulnerabilities
Attackers have hijacked PC motherboard update software and hardware drivers to install malware. Here's how to identify vulnerable systems and prevent driver-delivered malware.
How and when to set Windows logging to UTC time
As networks become more distributed and cloud-based, you should consider changing servers to UTC time to ensure proper syncing. This will help with forensics investigations.
How to prepare for the Microsoft Windows 10 1903 security feature update
Microsoft is changing the way it does Windows 10 feature updates, and that will affect how you schedule update deferrals. Here's what you need to know.
How to time-sync Windows systems
Incorrect time on a Windows device or server can prevent security updates or user authentication, and it can interfere with a forensics investigation.
How to audit Windows Task Scheduler for cyber-attack activity
Two recently discovered Windows zero-day attacks underscore the importance of monitoring for unauthorized tasks.
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