Software: Microsoft Security Tools

Microsoft now has a web page that contains links to all their IT security tools in one location. Some of these tools are new, or updated, and some or just old (but still useful).

Check it out and see if you can add any of the tools to your system security arsenal to help lock down your servers and protect them.

Some of the featured software includes:

• Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer
• Microsoft Security Assessment Tool
• Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)

Article: Microsoft Soups Up Internet Explorer 9 Performance

eWeek reports: "Microsoft has delivered a peek at the next version of its popular Web browser, Internet Explorer 9. The Internet Explorer 9 Platform Preview is the first look at what's coming in the next version of the world's most popular Web browser. Internet Explorer 9 has been designed to help the Web development community create rich, standards-compliant, interoperable Web applications by providing the platform, tools and features they need to build the modern Web."

Web Site: EasyPainter (Web Based Photo Editing)

EasyPainter is a web-based photo editing tool that you can upload your pictures to, and manipulate them. The types of manipulations are limited, but fairly robust considering its browser-based tool. All you do is upload your photos into the tool, and save them back to your local computer when you're done.

Note: This tool does require that the Microsoft's SilverLight plug-in is installed.

Software: Microsoft Security Essentials

Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) is a simple to use, real-time anti-malware (i.e.: viruses, spyware, etc.) protection software that is available for free. MSE was designed to replaces Windows Live OneCare, a commercial subscription-based antivirus service and the free Windows Defender, which only protected users from adware and spyware. MSE can run on Windows XP, and above (here is the list of minimum system requirements).

Other free anti-malware programs:

• avast! Free Antivirus
• AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition

Windows 7: Mount an ISO Image (Freeware)

Do you need free way mount ISO images in Windows 7, thankfully there’s program that does work. It called Virtual Clone Drive, it allows you mount .ISO, .CCD, .DVD, .IMG, .UDF and .BIN files.

After you install it you should be able to mount your ISO images by double-clicking or right-click on the file. To unmount the image, just right-click it file or virtual drive in the explorer.

Windows 7: Automatically Syncronzing Your System Clock

By default, Windows will automatically synchronize its clock with a time server on the Internet. If for some reason, your clock isn't automatically getting adjusted, here is how to fix it:

• In the Start menu search field type "Date and Time" and press Enter, this should be bring the Date and Time control panel
• In the Date and Time dialog box, click the Internet Time tab.
• Press the Change Settings button. Press the Continue button in the User Account Control dialog box (if it displays).
• In the Internet Time Settings dialog, click the Server drop-down arrow and select another time server. The default is time.windows.com, try using time.nist.gov and see it works for you.
• Press the Update now button to update your computer's clock, and test your computer's
  
• Press the OK buttons close the dialog boxes.