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Enable disk performance in task manager, Windows Server

Can’t see the disk performance in task manager on a Windows Server?

There is multiple factors for disk performance not showing up, including raid cards, the server being nested on a HV or running as a VM, there is a simple quick fix though;

Step 1)
Open Elevated Command Prompt

Step 2)
Start disk performance counters:
diskperf –y

disk in task manager

With any luck, that should be it now showing in Task manager, if it does not, close and re-open it for the disk performance indicators to appear.
On occasion, you may need to re-install/install the latest raid card drivers if they are missing in order for the disk performance indicators to read and run correctly.

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[SOLVED] Manually Register Acronis Backup Client for Backup Cloud

Manually Register Acronis Backup

Occasionally a backup client will disconnect, or cannot connect in the first place to obtain its backup set and process its jobs.
With pre-provisioning systems, this is often the case for certainly Mac and Linux machines.

Solution

(!) IMPORTANT: This method is NOT supported for registration of Agent for VMware (Windows)

Manually Register Acronis Backup client.
Use quotation marks, if your password contains special characters or spaces.

Windows OS
1. Open Command prompt and navigate to C:\Program Files\BackupClient\BackupAndRecovery: 
cd “C:\Program Files\BackupClient\BackupAndRecovery”
2. Issue this command to register the client machine: 
register_msp_mms.exe register https://cloud.acronis.com 

Linux OS
1. Open terminal as root user
2. Type in the following command to register the agent:
/usr/lib/Acronis/BackupAndRecovery/AmsRegisterHelper register https://cloud.acronis.com 

OS X
1. Open terminal.
2. Execute:
sudo -u root “/Library/Application Support/BackupClient/Acronis/BackupAndRecovery/AmsRegisterHelper” register https://cloud.acronis.com 

From

NB: if you are outwith the normal Acronis Data Centres, as i was, then replace the cloud.acronis.com URL with the URL you use to log into your dashboard. i.e. https://eu-cloud.acronis.com

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[Solved] Set up a Raspberry Pi as a window display (kiosk mode)

Kiosk mode, or running big display to show ads, or company info is a big field in IT.
Sure there are multiple services and companies who will come out and install you a fancy system that you email them to update and all, but what if you just want a low cost, low energy installation that you have full control of?

Well, this was my predicament.

Below is how i set up a Raspberry Pi to run a 4K TV which was then placed on a pole mount in the window of a customers shop. (in fact i have now installed over 13 of these at various locations, all of which require minimal interaction, and are very energy efficient.

The basis is this;
1) Create info/powerpoints/video’s or whatever you wish to display in/on a managed website/url.
2) Have a low powered RPi display that simply boots straight into the website/url of your choice.

The reasons i have chosen this path are many, but the pro’s include, being able to modify and push the content on the fly, without ever having to touch or reconfigure the display or Pi and having the Pi set up in a fool proof way that even if there is a power interruption, the pi automatically reboots and runs where it left off.

Set up a Raspberry Pi as a window display (kiosk mode)

Download Image & Install

Raspbian


Raspbian Latest (Stretch)

Necessary Software for Kiosk Mode
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
sudo apt-get install matchbox x11-xserver-utils ttf-mscorefonts-installer xwit sqlite3 libnss3

Then reboot : sudo reboot
Installation of libgcrypt11
wget http://ftp.acc.umu.se/mirror/cdimage/snapshot/Debian/pool/main/libg/libgcrypt11/libgcrypt11_1.5.3-5_armhf.deb
sudo dpkg -i libgcrypt11_1.5.3-5_armhf.deb

Installation of Chromium browser 48
sudo apt-get install chromium

# Download ffmpeg extra package
wget http://launchpadlibrarian.net/234969705/chromium-codecs-ffmpeg-extra_48.0.2564.82-0ubuntu0.15.04.1.1193_armhf.deb
sudo dpkg -i chromium-codecs-ffmpeg-extra_48.0.2564.82-0ubuntu0.15.04.1.1193_armhf.deb \
Chromium-browser_48.0.2564.82-0ubuntu0.15.04.1.1193_armhf.deb

Configure Chromium Kiosk autostart:

nano .config/lxsession/LXDE-pi/autostart


@lxpanel --profile LXDE-pi
@pcmanfm --desktop --profile LXDE-pi
@chromium-browser --kiosk --disable-session-crashed-bubble --disable-infobars http://YOUR WEBSITE URL
Hit ctrl+o , ctrl+x

Disable Screen Saver
apt-get install Xscreensaver
Set to disable screensaver

Hide Cursor
Get package:
Sudo apt-get install unclutter
Run unclutter:
Unclutter -display :0 -noevents -grab

Resolution Setup:
sudo nano /boot/config.txt

Add in just under: display_rotate=1 (Or “display_rotate=0” for vertical boards)

resolution 82 1920x1080 60Hz 1080p
Or whatever resolution your Video’s/display will be showing


hdmi_ignore_edid=0xa5000080
hdmi_force_hotplug=1
hdmi_boost=7
hdmi_group=2
hdmi_mode=82
hdmi_drive=1

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[Resolved] Find the startup folder in windows 10

Need to find the startup folder in windows 10?

Since Windows 8, the startup folder has been an elusive beast, but fear not, this simple command will force it to reveal itself in no time at all.

1) Win + R
2) shell:startup
3) Enter/OK

find startup folder location win 10 shell:startup

Or the path for the startup folder in windows 10:
"C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup"

startup folder in windows 10

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Powershell Migration Series | Setting bulk forwarding using powershell

Powershell Migration Series

Setting bulk forwarding using powershell

Whilst doing my migration, i want to set up the mailbox so that i can forward any new massages to O365 from the local exchange, after i have done the bulk of mail migration. In order to do this, we utilise the .onmicrosoft.com address space that O365 can provide each email user.

The plan is simple, forward mail from local exchange @contoso.com to O365 @contoso.onmicrosoft.com

Once you have created the contacts, the next step is Setting bulk forwarding using powershell

1) Create another CSV, this time in the following format,

DisplayName,MailAddress

DisplayName = the username in exchange, e.g. “Joe Bloggs”
Mail Address = Forwarding address @contoso.onmicrosoft.com address

Save it as “ForwardingAddresses.csv”

2) Run the following which creates the bulk forwarding using powershell

Import-Csv c:\scripts\ForwardingAddresses.csv | Foreach-Object{Get-Mailbox $_.DisplayName | Set-Mailbox -ForwardingAddress $_.MailAddress}

Now for me, i needed it to deliver to both the exchange mailbox and to forward to the O365 mailbox, if you need it to deliver to the mailbox AND forward, add the below switch to the end of the above before the last curley bracket }

-DeliverToMailboxAndForward $true

Final script i ran:

Import-Csv c:\ws\ForwardingAddresses.csv | Foreach-Object{Get-Mailbox $_.DisplayName | Set-Mailbox -ForwardingAddress $_.MailAddress -DeliverToMailboxAndForward $true}

Setting bulk forwarding using powershell

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Powershell Migration Series | Creating bulk contacts with powershell

Powershell Migration Series

Creating bulk contacts with powershell

Whilst doing my migration, i want to set up the mailbox so that i can foward any new massages to O365 from the local exchange, after i have done the bulk of mail migration. In order to do this, we utilise the .onmicrosoft.com address space that O365 can provide each email user.

The plan is simple, forward mail from local exchange @contoso.com to O365 @contoso.onmicrosoft.com

To do so, on the local exchange there is two steps,

1) create CSV with the following format and your contact data:

Firstname,LastName,ExternalEmailAddress

Save as external_users.csv

2) Run the following which creates the bulk contacts with powershell

Import-Csv “C:\scripts\external_users.csv” | ForEach {New-MailContact -Name $_.Name -Firstname $_.FirstName -LastName $_.LastName -ExternalEmailAddress $_.ExternalEmailAddress -OrganizationalUnit “DOMAIN.local/MyBusiness/Users/SBSUsers/Contacts”}

replace: “DOMAIN.local/MyBusiness/Users/SBSUsers/Contacts” with the OU you wish the contacts to be created in.

Creating bulk contacts with powershell

You then need to set up the forwarding within exchange, now you have already done the contacts using powershell, why not set forwarding with powershell also?

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Printer fix script – Quickly clear print queues and restart print spooler

printer fix script

Printers are the bain of any helpdesk engineer, or actually any one in IT in general!

Here is a quick printer fix script to help:

Whilst basic, (restart spooler and clear all print queues) it does in our office, at least, clear 99% of printer issues.

Copy and paste the below to a batch file (file extension .bat) and click away:

::Printer Fix Script @cannotdisplay.com
net stop spooler
pause
del /S /F “C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS\*”
del /S /F “C:\Windows\System32\spool\SERVERS\*”
net start spooler
pause
::end

It will prompt you several times to make sure you wish to delete queues and then pause at the end to show you how it went,
Any alterations or suggestions comment below!

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BGP vulnerable? – is the web as we know it at risk?

The BGP (protocol) has been on my mind the last few weeks.

It boggles my mind how fragile the web is that we all operate on, more specifically that we rely on BGP TCP/IP to maintain connections between two or more autonomous system routers.
BGP is simply put, is the Internet’s greatest weakness.

OK, so what is BGP?

According to he RFC (last pub 2006)

The primary function of a BGP speaking system is to exchange network
reachability information with other BGP systems.

GP-4 provides a set of mechanisms for supporting Classless Inter-
Domain Routing (CIDR) [RFC1518, RFC1519]. These mechanisms include
support for advertising a set of destinations as an IP prefix and
eliminating the concept of network “class” within BGP. BGP-4 also
introduces mechanisms that allow aggregation of routes, including
aggregation of AS paths.

Attacking it?

Acording to Sean Convery (cisco) from his blackhat talk in 2003 below is how you shoudld go about it (kindof, we will go into more detail later):
Reset a single BGP session to control a block of IP’s and corrupt other BGP routers. The easiest way to do this would be to gain lawful access to a BGP backbone, e.g. become an engineer for a site, or befriend someone who has access.
BGP Vulnerable

OK, so?

Well from all my readings and research, it seems like this is where the bottom foundational layer of trust the WHOLE internet lies. Without the BGP, there is no CIDR, without CIDR there is no IP’s, without IP’s there is no DNS, without DNS there is no websites, without websites many services simply die and cue end of the world scenarios.

Why was this on my mind? Well i’ve been curious about it before, but recently i have been thinking about the unseen weaknesses in CryptoCurrencies. If the internet breaks, or a government decides to hard fork/cut access and limit it, then crypto as we know it is valueless. It simply looses ALL value.
Crypto other than a few projects all works from HTTP, ip, tor, IPFS etc.. which relies on IP addressing. When the very foundation of these protocols is in question, then the whole behemoth is in danger. BGP simply is the biggest threat to modern crypto economies.

tl;dr: An old protocol (BGP) run by potentially vulnerable companies, could break the internet by issuing bad or malicious commands.

Further reading:
BGP RFC
on wired
Cisco press
techopedia
Network computing.com

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Install multiple programs with Chocolatey

Ever had the need to install multiple programs on a new or existing PC?

We have all been there; a brand new PC out the box, a relative who needs some software installed, a re-install of windows on your own PC.
So how do we go about collating all our software, is there a nice quick way to re-install everything and get us up to date quickly. Well today we are going to go over the basics of how to install multiple programs using Chocolatey.

What is Chocolatey?

From its own site:

Chocolatey is a package manager for Windows (like apt-get or yum but for Windows). It was designed to be a decentralized framework for quickly installing applications and tools that you need.

How can I install chocolatey?

Very easily. Chocolatey is built for windows and use through Powershell, so as long as you have been updating windows, you should be able to install it seamlessly.
Either head over to the chocolatey install page, or use my favorite method of install – using Powershell itself:

iex ((New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadString('https://chocolatey.org/install.ps1'))

install multiple programs with chocolatey

How to create a multiple install script:

Simply now open powershell and with your new chocolatey powers run the choco install script as follows:
choco install notepadplusplus googlechrome atom 7zip

You can find the full list of programs supported from either running a choco search in powershell, or by visiting the package repository here: https://chocolatey.org/packages

Hope this is of some help. If you are not wanting to install multiple programs, don’t want to mess with powershell as mentioned in previous posts, perhaps Ninite will be better suited for you.

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What is Ransomware & how do i stop it?

Ransomware is upon us, but what is this thing, and how can i protect myself or my business from it?

So the definition and description according to Wikipedia is the below:

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that blocks access to the victim’s data or threatens to publish or delete it until a ransom is paid. Any action is possible once device or system is infected and there is no guarantee that paying the ransom will return access or not delete the data.

So how to i prevent and stop Ransomware?

Patch,
Secure,
Backup

>Patch

Patching it often the most overlooked defense in anyone’s arsenal. Patching is as simple as making sure that your windows updates are current and installed, and also checking over other software that you use on a regular basis for updates. Things to keep a keen eye out for, and PDF viewer (Adobe Acrobat, Foxit, Reader DC), Adobe Flash, M$ Office, Web browsers.

>Secure

Securing your PC from Ransomware is as easy as installing a known, tried and trusted AntiVirus software.
Other steps to look into include, adding a firewall to your network, or tighten your current routers firewall settings. Adding Malware protection, using a VPN, locking down user permissions, and a whole lot more.

>Backup

The key to recovering from an infection is a good backup strategy. Backing up is the single most useful thing you can do to prevent falling victim to a ransomware attack. With a good offline backup – or at least a backup to another PC, cloud or server location – the whole process of being infected is alot less of an issue.

There you have it, a very short and simple overview of ransomware in 2017 – if you want to know more on any of the three above steps, feel free to get in contact, or leave me a comment below.