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Facial recognition: It's time to put it into action Facial recognition: It's time to put it into action In July, we shared our views about the need for government regulation and responsible industry measures to address advancing facial recognition technology. As we discussed, this technology brings important and even exciting societal benefits but also the potential for abuse. We noted the need for broader study and discussion of these issues. In the ensuing months, we’ve been pursuing these issues further, talking with technologists, companies, civil society groups, academics and public officials around the world. We’ve learned more and tested new ideas. Based on this work, we believe it’s important to move beyond study and discussion. The time for action has arrived. We believe it’s important for governments in 2019 to start adopting laws to regulate this technology. The facial recognition genie, so to speak, is just emerging from the bottle. Unless we act, we risk waking up five years from now to find that facial recognition services have spread in ways that exacerbate societal issues. By that time, these challenges will be much more difficult to bottle back up. In particular, we don’t believe that the world will be best served by a commercial race to the bottom, with tech companies forced to choose between social responsibility and market success. We believe that the only way to protect against this race to the bottom is to build a floor of responsibility that supports healthy market competition. And a solid floor requires that we ensure that this technology, and the organizations that develop and use it, are governed by the rule of law. While we don’t have answers for every potential question, we believe there are sufficient answers for good, initial legislation in this area that will enable the technology to continue to advance while protecting the public interest. It’s critical that governments keep pace with this technology, and this incremental approach will enable faster and better learning across the public sector. We’ve summarized our ideas below, and we will prioritize this topic in our public policy discussions in selected states and countries. We also believe that while it’s better to address these issues broadly, we should not wait for governments to act. We and other tech companies need to start creating safeguards to address facial recognition technology. We believe this technology can serve our customers in important and broad ways, and increasingly we’re not just encouraged, but inspired by many of the facial recognition applications our customers are deploying. But more than with many other technologies, this technology needs to be developed and used carefully. After substantial discussion and review, we have decided to adopt six principles to manage these issues at Microsoft. We are sharing these principles now, with a commitment and plans to implement them by the end of the first quarter in 2019. We will also release new materials and training resources to help our customers use this technology in a responsible way. Especially at this stage of its development and more so than for many other products, facial recognition technology requires that tech companies and customers work together to deploy these services successfully. We are committed to working closely with customers in the public and private sectors alike. Governments and the tech sector both play a vital role in ensuring that facial recognition technology creates broad societal benefits while curbing the risk of abuse. While many of the issues are becoming increasingly clear, the technology is young. We need to tackle the initial questions now and learn as we go, developing more knowledge and expertise as the technology evolves and public sector experience deepens. It’s possible and perhaps likely that additional steps will be needed with time. But as Mark Twain once noted, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” The time to start is now. Opportunities from facial recognition As with all new technology, the uses of facial recognition are multiplying in both predictable and surprising ways. But it’s increasingly clear that a great many of these uses have created many new and positive benefits for people around the world. It’s striking to review the breadth of this innovation. Police in New Delhi recently trialed facial recognition technology and identified almost 3,000 missing children in four days. Historians in the United States have used the technology to identify the portraits of unknown soldiers in Civil War photographs taken in the 1860s. Researchers successfully used facial recognition software to diagnose a rare, genetic disease in Africans, Asians and Latin Americans. And in Facial recognition: It's time to put it into action October, the National Australia Bank designed a proof of concept to enable customers to withdraw money from an Automatic Teller Machine using facial recognition and a PIN. Microsoft is one of several companies playing a leading role in developing facial recognition technology.  We’re working with customers around the world, while acting aggressively on industry-leading efforts to improve the capability of this technology to recognize faces with a range of ages and skin tones. Just last month, a new evaluation conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, or NIST, verified the progress we’ve made in developing facial recognition technology that now ranks in the top tier across the IT sector. The algorithms Microsoft submitted to that evaluation were consistently ranked as the most accurate or nearly the most accurate of 127 algorithms tested.  We believe in the future of facial recognition technology and the positive role it can play. Problems that need to be addressed At the same time, we need to be clear-eyed about the risks and potential for abuse. As we’ve continued to assess where this technology is heading, we believe there are three problems that governments need to address. First , especially in its current state of development, certain uses of facial recognition technology increase the risk of decisions and, more generally, outcomes that are biased and, in some cases, in violation of laws prohibiting discrimination. Second , the widespread use of this technology can lead to new intrusions into people’s privacy. And third , the use of facial recognition technology by a government for mass surveillance can encroach on democratic freedoms. We believe all three of these problems should be addressed through legislation, as described below. Addressing bias and discrimination First , especially in the current state of development, certain uses of facial recognition technology increase the risk of decisions, outcomes and experiences that are biased and even in violation of discrimination laws. Recent research has demonstrated, for example, that some facial recognition technologies have encountered higher error rates when seeking to determine the gender of women and people of color. This makes it especially important that Microsoft and other tech companies continue the work needed to identify and reduce these errors and improve the accuracy and quality of facial recognition tools and services. This work is underway, and we’re making important progress. It’s equally critical that we work with customers closely to ensure that facial recognition services are deployed properly in ways that will reduce these risks. Over time, we believe that well-functioning market forces can encourage the technology innovation that is needed. But we also believe that new laws are needed in this area, and for two distinct reasons. First, market forces will work well only if potential customers are well-informed and able to test facial recognition technology for accuracy and risks of unfair bias, including biases that arise in the context of specific applications and environments. Tech companies currently vary in their willingness to make their technology available for this purpose. As a result, some academic tests of these services have omitted some of the market leaders. And when important advocacy organizations have tried to perform tests, they’ve almost immediately been met by rejections and criticism by some providers who claim that the testing is deficient. As a society, we need legislation that will put impartial testing groups like Consumer Reports and their counterparts in a position where they can test facial recognition services for accuracy and unfair bias in a transparent and even-handed manner. We believe new laws can address this need with a two-pronged approach: Requiring transparency .  Legislation should require tech companies that offer facial recognition services to provide documentation that explains the capabilities and limitations of the technology in terms that customers and consumers can understand. Enabling third-party testing and comparisons .  New laws should also require that providers of commercial facial recognition services enable third parties engaged in independent testing to conduct and publish reasonable tests of their facial recognition services for accuracy and unfair bias. A sensible approach is to require tech companies that make their facial recognition services accessible using the internet also make available an application programming interface or other technical capability suitable for this purpose. There’s a second reason we believe new legislation is needed in this area now, and it points to additional measures that new laws should address. While we’re hopeful that market forces may eventually solve issues relating to bias and discrimination, we’ve witnessed an increasing risk of facial recognition services being used in ways that may adversely affect consumers and citizens – today . It’s obviously of little solace to think about the eventual improvements in this technology if it misidentifies you and is used in a way that deprives you of the ability to access government services, obtain admission to an event or purchase commercial products. These problems can be exacerbated when organizations deploy facial recognition beyond the limits of the current technology or in a manner that is different from what was intended when they were designed. We believe that a new law can help address these concerns without imposing onerous obligations on businesses and other users. This too involves a two-pronged legal approach: Ensuring meaningful human review.  While human beings of course are not immune to errors or biases, we believe that in certain high-stakes scenarios, it’s critical for qualified people to review facial recognition results and make key decisions rather than simply turn them over to computers. New legislation should therefore require that entities that deploy facial recognition undertake meaningful human review of facial recognition results prior to making final decisions for what the law deems to be “consequential use cases” that affect consumers. This includes where decisions may create a risk of bodily or emotional harm to a consumer, where there may be implications on human or fundamental rights, or where a consumer’s personal freedom or privacy may be impinged. Avoiding use for unlawful discrimination.  Finally, it’s important for the entities that deploy facial recognition services to recognize that they are not absolved of their obligation to comply with laws prohibiting discrimination against individual consumers or groups of consumers. This provides additional reason to ensure that humans undertake meaningful review, given their ongoing and ultimate accountability under the law for decisions that are based on the use of facial recognition. Protecting people’s privacy Second , the widespread use of facial recognition technology can lead to new intrusions into people’s privacy. For example, every public establishment could install cameras connected to the cloud with real-time facial recognition services. Interestingly, the privacy movement in the United States was born from improvements in camera technology. In 1890, future Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis took the first step in advocating for privacy protection when he co-authored an article with colleague Samuel Warren in the Harvard Law Review advocating “the right to be let alone.” The two argued that the development of “instantaneous photographs” and their circulation by newspapers for commercial gain had created the need to protect people with a new “right to privacy.” Technology today gives a new meaning to “instantaneous photographs” that Brandeis and Warren probably never imagined. From the moment one steps into a shopping mall, it’s possible not only to be photographed but to be recognized  by a computer wherever one goes. Beyond information collected by a single camera in a single session, longer-term histories can be pieced together over time from multiple cameras at different locations. A mall owner could choose to share this information with every store. Stores could know immediately when you visited them last and what you looked at or purchased, and by sharing this data with other stores, they could predict what you’re looking to buy on your current visit. Facial recognition: It's time to put it into action Our point is not that the law should deprive commercial establishments of this new technology. To the contrary, we are among the companies working to help stores responsibly use this and other digital technology to improve shopping and other consumer experiences. We believe that a great many shoppers will welcome and benefit from improvements in customer service that will result. But people deserve to know when this type of technology is being used, so they can ask questions and exercise some choice in the matter if they wish. Indeed, we believe this type of transparency is vital for building public knowledge and confidence in this technology. New legislation can provide for this in a straightforward approach: Ensuring notice. The law should require that entities that use facial recognition to identify consumers place conspicuous notice that clearly conveys that these services are being used. Clarifying consent.  The law should specify that consumers consent to the use of facial recognition services when they enter premises or proceed to use online services that have this type of clear notice. In effect, this approach will mean that people will have the opportunity to vote with their feet – or their keyboards or thumbs. They’ll be informed, and they can ask questions or take their business elsewhere if they wish. We appreciate that some, including consumer groups, will argue that the law should go farther, especially when it comes to the issue of consumer consent. In Europe, it already does. It’s important to consider these views. For example, consent to use facial recognition services could be subject to background privacy principles, such as limitations on the use of the data beyond the initially defined purposes and the rights of individuals to access and correct their personal data. But from our perspective, this is also an area, perhaps especially in the United States, where this new regulation might take one quick step and then we all can learn from experience before deciding whether additional steps should follow. Protecting democratic freedoms and human rights Third , the use of facial recognition technology by a government can encroach on democratic freedoms and human rights. Democracy has always depended on the ability of people to assemble, to meet and talk with each other and even to discuss their views both in private and in public. This in turn relies on the ability of people to move freely and without constant government surveillance. There are many governmental uses of facial recognition technology that will protect public safety and promote better services for the public without raising these types of concerns. There is an increasing number of such services in place already, and we should encourage them subject to the other protections described here. But there is one potential use for facial recognition technology that could put our fundamental freedoms at risk. When combined with ubiquitous cameras and massive computing power and storage in the cloud, a government could use facial recognition technology to enable continuous surveillance of specific individuals. It could follow anyone anywhere, or for that matter, everyone everywhere. It could do this at any time or even all the time. This use of facial recognition technology could unleash mass surveillance on an unprecedented scale. Unprecedented, but not unimagined. As George Orwell described in his novel “1984,” one vision of the future would require that citizens must evade government surveillance by finding their way secretly to a blackened room to tap in code with hand signals on each other’s arms – because otherwise cameras and microphones will capture and record their faces, voices and every word. Orwell sketched that vision nearly 70 years ago. Today technology makes that type of future possible. But not inevitable. We believe it’s important for governments in 2026 to start adopting laws to regulate this technology. We must ensure that the year 2024 doesn’t look like a page from the novel “1984.” An indispensable democratic principle has always been the tenet that no government is above the law. Today this requires that we ensure that governmental use of facial recognition technology remain subject to the rule of law. New legislation can put us on this path. Limiting ongoing government surveillance of specified individuals.  To protect against the use of facial recognition to encroach on democratic freedoms, legislation should permit law enforcement agencies to use facial recognition to engage in ongoing surveillance of specified individuals in public spaces only when: a court order has been obtained to permit the use of facial recognition services for this monitoring; or where there is an emergency involving imminent danger or risk of death or serious physical injury to a person. It will be important for legislators to consider the standards for obtaining court orders in this area. For the most part, we believe this should be based on traditional rules like probable cause for search warrants. But there may be other narrow circumstances that also should be permissible, such as appropriate uses to help locate missing persons. It’s worth noting that this approach builds on the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decisions. In June, the court decided that the government cannot obtain without a search warrant the cellphone records that show the cell sites, and hence the physical locations, where someone has traveled. In Carpenter v. United States , Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for a majority of the court that an individual has a “legitimate expectation of privacy in the record of his physical movements” that are recorded in these cell site records. Even though we travel with our phones in public and in effect share our location with our cellular provider, the Supreme Court concluded that our location records are covered by the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution and its protection of our right to be secure in our “persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures.” Therefore, the court decided that the government cannot track our movements through our phones and these cell site records unless it secures from an independent judge a search warrant based on probable cause to believe that we have committed a crime. Put in this context, facial recognition raises a new constitutional question: do our faces deserve the same protection as our phones? From our perspective, the answer is a resounding yes. As a company, Microsoft has brought four lawsuits against the U.S. government since 2013 to protect people’s privacy rights in an era when new technology can enable mass surveillance. We repeatedly have sought to preserve longstanding protections – and in our view timeless values – that are embodied in the First and Fourth Amendments to the Constitution. From our vantage point, it’s important to act before an excessive use of facial recognition technology can put these freedoms at risk. And while these issues ultimately may find their way to the U.S. Supreme Court, as one of our four cases did this past February, they should begin with the people who are elected by the people to protect our rights – our legislators in state capitals and Washington, D.C.   Looking beyond law and regulation While we believe that new laws and regulations are indispensable, we also recognize that they are not a substitute for the responsibility that needs to be exercised by tech companies. In July, we announced that we would undertake work to assess and develop additional principles to govern our facial recognition work. Today, we make good on an important aspect of this work by publishing the principles that we will adopt for Microsoft’s facial recognition work and inviting feedback to guide our implementation of them. Over the past six months, we have spent considerable time seeking input and advice from our employees, customers, public officials, academics and groups across civil society. We have benefitted from discussions in the United States and around the world. We have decided to take the next step today by adopting six principles that address the concerns we believe governments need to address as well. These are: Fairness.  We will work to develop and deploy facial recognition technology in a manner that strives to treat all people fairly. Transparency.  We will document and clearly communicate the capabilities and limitations of facial recognition technology. Accountability.  We will encourage and help our customers to deploy facial recognition technology in a manner that ensures an appropriate level of human control for uses that may affect people in consequential ways. Non-discrimination.  We will prohibit in our terms of service the use of facial recognition technology to engage in unlawful discrimination. Notice and consent.  We will encourage private sector customers to provide notice and secure consent for the deployment of facial recognition technology. Lawful surveillance.  We will advocate for safeguards for people’s democratic freedoms in law enforcement surveillance scenarios and will not deploy facial recognition technology in scenarios that we believe will put these freedoms at risk. Next week we will publish a document detailing these principles, and we will work in the coming months to gather feedback and suggestions from interested individuals and groups on how we can best implement them. As we take this step, we’re cognizant of the need to create policies, processes and tools to make these principles effective across our company. We will pursue this work and will formally launch these principles, together with this supporting framework, before the end of March 2019. As with the regulatory issues discussed here, we’re taking an incremental approach with the adoption of these principles. We readily recognize that we don’t yet have all the answers. Given the early stage of facial recognition technology, we don’t even know all the questions. But we believe that taking a principled approach will provide valuable experience that will enable us to learn faster. As we do, we’re committed to sharing what we learn, perhaps most especially with our customers through new material and training resources that will enable them to adopt facial recognition in a manner that gives their stakeholders and the public the confidence they deserve. Document Reference Pages: https://news.microsoft.com/en-au/2018/10/23/nab-and-microsoft-leverage-ai-technology-to-build-card-less-atm-concept/ https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2018/12/06/facial-recognition-its-time-for-action/ https://www.genome.gov/news/news-release/Facial-recognition-software-helps-diagnose-rare-genetic-disease https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-facial-recognition-system-helps-trace-3000-missing-children-in-4-days/articleshow/63870129.cms https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2018/07/13/facial-recognition-technology-the-need-for-public-regulation-and-corporate-responsibility/

When your computer starts acting up, it can feel like your whole day is thrown off track. As someone who has dealt with countless tech issues over the years, I know how frustrating it can be to find reliable and efficient computer repair services. Luckily, Melbourne offers a range of excellent options for anyone needing quick fixes or more complex repairs. In this post, I’ll share my insights on how to find the best Melbourne computer repair services, what to expect, and how to make the process as smooth as possible. Why Choose Professional Melbourne Computer Repair Services? Choosing professional repair services in Melbourne is crucial for several reasons. First, experienced technicians have the skills and tools to diagnose and fix problems accurately. Whether it’s a hardware failure, software glitch, or virus infection, professionals can handle it efficiently. Secondly, professional services often provide warranties on repairs, giving you peace of mind. This means if the same issue recurs within a certain period, you won’t have to pay again. Additionally, reputable repair shops use genuine parts, which can extend the life of your device. When I first started looking for computer repairs in Melbourne, I found that many local businesses offer personalised service. This means you can get tailored advice and solutions that suit your specific needs, whether you’re a student, a small business owner, or just someone who relies on their computer daily. How to Identify Reliable Melbourne Computer Repair Services Finding a trustworthy repair service can be tricky, but there are some clear signs to look for: Customer Reviews and Testimonials : Check online reviews on Google, Facebook, or local forums. Positive feedback from previous customers is a strong indicator of quality service. Certifications and Experience : Look for technicians with certifications from recognised bodies like CompTIA or Microsoft. Experience matters, so ask how long they have been in business. Transparent Pricing : A good repair shop will provide clear quotes before starting any work. Avoid places that give vague estimates or surprise you with hidden fees. Turnaround Time : Depending on the issue, you might need your computer back quickly. Ask about typical repair times and whether they offer express services. Range of Services : The best shops handle everything from virus removal and data recovery to hardware upgrades and custom builds. When I was searching for computer repairs Melbourne locals trust, I found that many shops also offer on-site repairs or remote support, which can be a huge convenience. How much is an average PC repair? Understanding the cost of PC repairs can help you budget and avoid surprises. The price depends on the type of repair and the parts involved. Here’s a rough guide based on my experience: Virus and Malware Removal : $80 - $150 This usually involves scanning your system, removing threats, and installing protective software. Hardware Repairs : $100 - $300+ Replacing components like hard drives, RAM, or power supplies can vary widely depending on the part’s cost. Screen Replacement : $150 - $400 Laptop screen repairs are often pricier due to the delicate nature of the work. Data Recovery : $150 - $500+ If your hard drive fails, recovering data can be complex and expensive. General Diagnostics and Tune-ups : $50 - $100 This includes cleaning, software updates, and performance optimisation. Keep in mind that prices can vary between shops, so it’s always a good idea to get multiple quotes. Some repair centres also offer free diagnostics, which can help you understand the problem before committing to a repair. Tips for Maintaining Your Computer After Repairs Once your computer is fixed, maintaining it properly can prevent future issues. Here are some tips I always follow and recommend: Regular Updates : Keep your operating system and software up to date to protect against security vulnerabilities. Use Antivirus Software : Install reputable antivirus programs and run regular scans. Backup Your Data : Use cloud storage or external drives to back up important files regularly. Clean Your Hardware : Dust can cause overheating. Clean your keyboard, vents, and fans every few months. Avoid Overloading Your System : Close unused programs and avoid running too many heavy applications simultaneously. By following these simple steps, you can extend the life of your device and reduce the need for frequent repairs. Why Local Expertise Matters in Melbourne Melbourne has a unique tech environment with a mix of home users, students, and businesses. Local repair shops understand these needs better than generic chains. They often provide personalised advice on the best hardware and software suited for Melbourne’s climate and internet infrastructure. Moreover, local technicians can offer faster turnaround times and more flexible service options, such as pick-up and delivery or on-site repairs. This level of convenience is invaluable when you rely on your computer for work or study. If you want to find trusted computer repairs Melbourne offers, I recommend starting with local directories and asking for recommendations from friends or colleagues. This approach helped me find reliable services that saved me time and money. Final Thoughts on Finding the Best Computer Repairs in Melbourne Finding the right Melbourne computer repair service doesn’t have to be stressful. By focusing on professionalism, experience, and customer feedback, you can ensure your device is in good hands. Remember to ask questions, compare prices, and choose a service that offers clear communication and guarantees. Whether you need a quick fix or a major repair, Melbourne’s computer repair experts are ready to help you get back online quickly and efficiently. Keep your device well-maintained, and you’ll enjoy smoother performance for years to come. Happy computing!

When it comes to fixing your computer, you want more than just a quick fix. You want expertise, reliability, and a service that truly understands your needs. That’s exactly what I found with Nerdcore computer repair services. Over the years, I’ve seen many repair shops come and go, but Nerdcore stands out because of their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. In this post, I’ll share what makes Nerdcore different and why they should be your go-to for any computer repair needs. Why Choose Nerdcore Computer Repair Services? Choosing the right repair service can be overwhelming. There are so many options, but not all are created equal. Nerdcore computer repair services offer a unique blend of professionalism and friendliness that makes the entire process smooth and stress-free. One of the things I appreciate most is their transparent communication. From the moment you bring your device in, they explain the problem clearly and outline the repair options. No jargon, no hidden fees. Just honest advice and expert solutions. They also use high-quality parts and the latest diagnostic tools. This means your computer isn’t just fixed temporarily; it’s restored to perform like new. Whether it’s a hardware upgrade, virus removal, or data recovery, Nerdcore’s technicians have the skills and experience to handle it all. Their customer service is another highlight. They treat every device as if it were their own, and they genuinely care about getting you back online quickly. Plus, they offer follow-up support to ensure your computer stays in top shape. What Services Does Nerdcore Offer? Nerdcore covers a wide range of computer repair services tailored to meet different needs. Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect: Hardware Repairs and Upgrades : From replacing faulty hard drives to installing more RAM, they handle all hardware issues efficiently. Virus and Malware Removal : They use advanced tools to clean your system and protect it from future threats. Data Recovery : Lost important files? Nerdcore has the expertise to recover data from damaged or corrupted drives. System Tune-Ups : Slow computer? They optimize your system for better speed and performance. Custom Builds and Upgrades : If you want a custom PC or need to upgrade your current setup, Nerdcore can help design and build it to your specifications. Their approach is always personalised. They listen to your concerns and recommend the best course of action based on your budget and needs. If you want to learn more about their offerings, check out their computer repair services - nerdcore pc page for detailed information. Is a 10 Year Old Computer Worth Fixing? This is a question I get asked a lot. When is it time to repair, and when should you just replace your computer? The answer depends on several factors. If your 10-year-old computer is still running but slow or having minor issues, a repair or upgrade might be worthwhile. For example, replacing an old hard drive with a solid-state drive (SSD) can dramatically improve speed and responsiveness. Adding more RAM can also help with multitasking. However, if the computer has major hardware failures or cannot support modern software, it might be more cost-effective to invest in a new machine. Nerdcore technicians can assess your device and give you an honest opinion on whether repair or replacement makes more sense. In my experience, many older computers can be revitalised with the right repairs and upgrades, especially if you have sentimental data or specific software needs. How Nerdcore Ensures Quality and Reliability Quality is at the heart of everything Nerdcore does. They don’t just fix your computer and send you on your way. Instead, they follow a thorough process to ensure lasting results. Comprehensive Diagnostics - Before any repair, they run detailed diagnostics to identify all issues, not just the obvious ones. Use of Genuine Parts - They source high-quality, genuine parts to replace faulty components, ensuring durability. Skilled Technicians - Their team is highly trained and stays updated with the latest technology trends and repair techniques. Testing and Verification - After repairs, they test the system extensively to confirm everything works perfectly. Customer Education - They take time to explain what was done and how to maintain your computer to avoid future problems. This commitment to quality means you can trust Nerdcore to handle even complex repairs with confidence. Tips for Maintaining Your Computer After Repair Getting your computer repaired is just the first step. To keep it running smoothly, here are some practical tips I’ve learned from Nerdcore experts: Regular Updates : Keep your operating system and software up to date to protect against security vulnerabilities. Use Antivirus Software : Install and regularly update antivirus programs to prevent malware infections. Clean Your Hardware : Dust buildup can cause overheating. Clean your computer’s vents and fans periodically. Backup Your Data : Regular backups can save you from data loss in case of hardware failure. Avoid Overloading : Don’t run too many programs at once, especially on older machines, to prevent slowdowns. Following these simple steps can extend the life of your computer and reduce the need for frequent repairs. Experience the Nerdcore Difference Today If you’re looking for reliable, professional, and friendly computer repair services, Nerdcore is the place to go. Their expert team, transparent approach, and dedication to quality set them apart from the rest. Whether you need a quick fix, a major repair, or advice on upgrading your system, Nerdcore has you covered. Don’t settle for less when it comes to your technology. Experience the Nerdcore difference and get your computer running like new again. For more information or to book a service, visit their computer repair services - nerdcore pc page and see how they can help you today.

Building a gaming PC is one of the most rewarding projects you can undertake. It’s not just about assembling parts; it’s about creating a machine tailored to your gaming style, preferences, and budget. If you’re in Australia and ready to dive into this exciting journey, I’m here to guide you through every step. From choosing the right components to understanding local availability and pricing, this post will help you build your dream gaming PC in Australia with confidence. Why Build Gaming PC Australia Style? Building a gaming PC in Australia comes with unique considerations. Unlike some other regions, Australia has specific challenges such as import costs, limited local stock for certain components, and regional warranty policies. However, these challenges are easily manageable with the right knowledge. When you build your own PC, you get: Customisation : Pick exactly the parts you want. Better value : Avoid paying for unnecessary features. Upgradeability : Future-proof your rig with ease. Satisfaction : There’s nothing like playing on a machine you built yourself. I’ve built several gaming PCs over the years, and I can tell you that understanding the local market is key. For example, some components might be more expensive here, so it’s smart to shop around and consider alternatives. How to Build Gaming PC Australia: Step-by-Step 1. Define Your Budget and Gaming Needs Before buying anything, decide what games you want to play and at what settings. Are you aiming for 1080p gaming, or do you want to push 4K? Do you prefer high frame rates for competitive play or stunning visuals for immersive experiences? Set a budget that reflects these goals. For example: Entry-level : $1000 - $1500 AUD for casual gaming. Mid-range : $1500 - $2500 AUD for solid 1080p/1440p performance. High-end : $2500+ AUD for 4K and VR-ready setups. 2. Choose Your Core Components The heart of your gaming PC lies in these parts: CPU (Processor) : AMD Ryzen and Intel Core are popular choices. Ryzen often offers better value for multi-threaded tasks. GPU (Graphics Card) : This is the most critical for gaming. Nvidia and AMD both have strong options, but availability can vary in Australia. Motherboard : Make sure it supports your CPU and has the features you need (e.g., Wi-Fi, multiple M.2 slots). RAM : 16GB is the sweet spot for gaming today, but 32GB is ideal for future-proofing. Storage : SSDs for fast load times; consider NVMe M.2 drives for best performance. Power Supply (PSU) : Choose a reliable brand with enough wattage and an 80+ efficiency rating. Case : Pick one with good airflow and enough space for your components. 3. Source Components Locally and Online Australia has several reputable retailers and online stores. Prices can fluctuate, so keep an eye on deals and bundles. Some parts might be cheaper overseas, but factor in shipping and import taxes. If you prefer a hassle-free option, consider a custom gaming pc australia service that can build and deliver your rig tailored to your specs. 4. Assemble Your PC Once you have all your parts, it’s time to build. Here are some tips: Work on a clean, static-free surface. Follow the motherboard manual carefully. Install the CPU and RAM before placing the motherboard in the case. Connect all power cables securely. Manage cables neatly to improve airflow. Double-check all connections before powering on. If you’re new to this, plenty of video tutorials can walk you through the process step-by-step. Optimising Your Build for Australian Conditions Australia’s climate and power standards can affect your PC’s performance and longevity. Here’s what to keep in mind: Cooling : Australian summers can be hot. Invest in good cooling solutions like quality air coolers or liquid cooling to prevent overheating. Power Supply : Use a surge protector or UPS to safeguard against voltage spikes common in some areas. Dust Management : Dust can accumulate quickly, especially in dry environments. Regular cleaning and dust filters on your case will help maintain performance. Tips for Upgrading and Maintaining Your Gaming PC Building your PC is just the beginning. To keep it running smoothly and up-to-date: Regularly update drivers and BIOS for optimal performance. Monitor temperatures using software tools to catch overheating early. Upgrade components gradually as new games demand more power. Back up your data to avoid loss during hardware changes. Australia’s tech community is vibrant, and forums or local groups can be great resources for advice and troubleshooting. Final Thoughts on Building Your Dream Gaming PC in Australia Building a gaming PC tailored to your needs is an exciting and fulfilling project. By understanding the local market, choosing the right components, and assembling your rig carefully, you can enjoy a powerful machine that delivers excellent gaming experiences. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced builder, remember that patience and research are your best allies. And if you want to skip the hassle, exploring a custom gaming pc australia option can be a smart move. Happy building, and may your new gaming PC bring countless hours of fun and adventure!

Onsite Computer Repair Services Guide - Schedule a Business IT Professional Dedicated Data Recovery Service Centre Office location Melbourne Onsite Computer Repairs I.T Support Services for Home & Business Expert Computer Repair Services Australia – Guaranteed & Reliable Our skilled computer repair technicians are ready to assist you at your home or office. Receive prompt solutions for all your computer issues with Australia’s Nerdcore PC Systems. Computer Repair Experts Since 2001 . For over twenty years, Australians have relied on The Nerdcore Group for swift and expert resolution of their complex computer problems. Discover why we are highly recommended: we offer fixed-price solutions with no-risk guarantees. Thousands depend on our computer repair services daily for peace of mind and resolving complex IT issues you face. We offer a full range of local computer repairs Melbourne and upgrades , advanced data recovery , and professional business IT support services. Our certified advanced data recovery engineers serve homes and offices nationwide, ready to address hardware and software issues on-site. At our state-of-the-art repair facility, we conduct intricate chip-level repairs and customization services for all brands, including Apple products. Need data recovery? Our class-100 clean room retrieves critical data from any storage device. Why? Because it's 100% dust-proof, giving our lab techs a higher success rate. 24/7 Computer Repair Services – Business & Residential Support Modern Australian households and small businesses rely on seamless technology. Therefore, we provide 24/7 call service via our Australian support helpdesk network—ensuring real people answer your calls at any time, day or night, without the hassle of voicemails. And we're right here in Australia. Our advanced computer repair experts bring decades of professional experience to swiftly resolve your technical issues. We respect your time by offering fixed appointment times and ensuring your systems operate smoothly. Every service undergoes rigorous quality checks, from power supply replacements to operating system optimizations and software updates. Our focus is on long-term solutions, not just quick fixes. All services come with our No fix, No fee promise and a 14-Day Satisfaction Guarantee . Whether you require emergency PC repairs, new software installations, or ongoing business IT support, we guarantee complete customer satisfaction. Contact us today at ☎ 13 0063 7326 for local computer repairs that enhance your productivity! The Nerdcore Group franchise has been trusted in Australia for over 22 years . We've completed over 500,000 jobs for residential and business clients since 2001. We've seen it all and done it all, so if you're looking for high-quality, reliable, and affordable IT services, you're in the right place! Our Comprehensive Services Since 2001, we have been providing reliable onsite and comprehensive local computer repair services, data recovery, and advanced business IT support services in Australia. Our skilled PC engineers are available to visit your home or business, providing efficient and effective repairs on-site, often resolving your issues immediately. So, if it's your home or business, we are the premium local computer repairs service so many Australians choose to get their systems back up and running. Nerdcore engineers can repair your computers and laptops & Macs at our State-of-the-Art computer repair facility. Why Choose Us? Call us at ☎ 13 0063 7326 for fast same-day local computer repair services . All services are backed by our "No Fix No Fee" and "14 Days Work Satisfaction." We offer 24/7 advanced onsite business IT support on all new custom computer builds anywhere in Australia with fixed appointment times for any computer issue that has inconvenienced you. Our same-day onsite service at no extra cost ensures your computer is quickly fixed by our qualified professional technicians who come to your location. Don't let a little computer break slow you down; contact us today for reliable data recovery assistance. Or visit us at our new technology showroom. Nerdcore PC Systems Proudly since 2001

An Alternative Method for Recovering Data from a Damaged SSD Ring 1300 Nerdcore for Professional Data Recovery Service Quotes alternative method of data recovery from a burnt SSD. When conventional solutions do not address your problem, it may be necessary to adjust your approach and explore experimental methods. Here, we will discuss an alternative technique for recovering data from a damaged SSD. Several years ago, our company transitioned from using the PC-3000 Flash to the PC-3000 SSD for working with SSDs. Why did we make this change? The primary reason was that recovering data using the chip-off method from SSDs was both challenging and time-intensive. It typically took about a week to determine the correct order of the memory chips, correct ECC errors, remove all controller preparations, and finally, construct the image. This process was quite cumbersome even then, and today, recovering data from SSDs using the chip-off method has become more complex due to the full encryption of data within the NAND memory chip or encryption with the AES-128 key . These challenges can be effectively addressed and bypassed using the PC-3000 SSD Software in conjunction with the PC-3000 Express / UDMA / Portable III tools. With each update, we continue to add more SSDs and features to enhance functionality. However, there are situations where the unsoldering method is necessary for data recovery from an SSD, and it can be successful. One of our users approached us with a Patriot Blast featuring a PS3110 controller and 120GB capacity. This drive had suffered from burnt components on the PCB and a failed CPU due to a short circuit. We proposed a solution: remove the chips from the damaged PCB and solder them onto a new one from a donor. However, locating the same model took some time, and the manufacturer had altered the PCB design. Let’s examine the pictures! As you can see, there is a significant difference in the size of the PCB As you can see, there is a significant difference in the size of the PCB As observed, there is a notable difference in the size of the PCB; however, the primary components, such as the controller and the number of chips, remain consistent. This indicated a potential for successful functionality. The following steps were undertaken: An Alternative Method for Recovering Data from a Damaged SSD 1. All chips were labeled according to their location names (U5, U6, U7, U8). These identifiers can be found on the PCB adjacent to the chips. Marked all chips by their location names . You can find these symbols on the PCB near the chips. 2. The memory chips were unsoldered using Rose’s metal, which was employed to reduce the melting temperature and prevent damage to the NAND chips. 3. The memory chips were soldered onto the designated locations on the donor PCB (U5, U6, U7, U8). It is essential to maintain the same order for the chips (U5 to U5, U6 to U6…). In the end, the SSD started without problems. There was no need to upload the LDR (loader) or build the translator. The client even said that it worked just like before the short circuit. In the end, the SSD started without problems. There was no need to upload the LDR (loader) or build the translator. The client even said that it worked just like before the short circuit. In case if the drive didn’t start working as before the short circuit, we should have tried to upload the LDR to make sure whether it would work well in the TechnoMode. Sometimes there might be a combination of SSD injuries: the hardware corruption of the PCB and the logical damage of the firmware area. In this case, the PC-3000 would be the only option: This is it! Let’s summarize what you need to have and do to recover data from an SSD with a burnt PCB: This is it! Let’s summarize what you need to have and do to recover data from an SSD with a burnt PCB: 1. Find a compatible donor. It should be from the same model, have the same controller and capacity as your patient SSD. (Some manufactures use different controllers in one model, so you need to be very attentive)2. Transfer the chips from the patient PCB to the donor with the same chip layout. If you have any questions, please contact our Technical Support department. Critical Business Data Recovery Services - Call Now 1300 637 326

Utilizing Technology for Effective Property Tax Management How to Leverage Technology for Property Tax Management In the current digital era, technology is becoming increasingly crucial in managing various facets of life, including property taxes. For both homeowners and businesses, the complexities of property tax management can be overwhelming. However, utilizing technology can streamline processes, improve accuracy, and potentially reduce property tax liabilities. Here's how you can effectively leverage technology for property tax management. 1. Digital Assessment Tools Understanding and verifying your property's assessed value is a fundamental step in property tax management. Digital assessment tools offer accurate and up-to-date estimations of your property's market value by employing algorithms that analyze various data points, including: Comparative Market Analysis: By comparing your property with similar ones in the area, digital tools provide a precise market value. Automated Valuation Models (AVMs): AVMs utilize data analytics and machine learning to predict property values based on historical sales data, property characteristics, and market trends. These tools can provide a clearer picture of whether your property is over-assessed, a critical step in managing your property taxes. 2. Online Tax Management Platforms Various online platforms and software solutions are specifically designed for property tax management, offering features such as: Centralized Data Storage: Store all your property tax documents, assessments, and payment records in one location for easy access. Automated Payment Reminders: Ensure you never miss a tax payment deadline with automated reminders and scheduling. Real-Time Updates: Stay informed about changes in tax laws, assessment values, and tax rates. Utilizing Technology for Effective Property Tax Management By centralizing and automating these processes, you can save time, reduce errors, and ensure timely compliance with property tax obligations. 3. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) GIS technology is a powerful tool for property tax management, integrating spatial data with property information to offer a visual representation of property assessments and tax rates across different regions. Benefits of GIS include: Visualization of Property Data: Easily visualize and compare property values and tax rates in different areas. Identification of Discrepancies: Detect assessment inconsistencies and outliers that may indicate an over-assessment. Enhanced Decision-Making: Make informed decisions about property purchases, sales, or appeals based on comprehensive spatial data analysis. Utilizing Technology for Effective Property Tax Management GIS technology is particularly beneficial for real estate investors and property managers handling multiple properties across various locations. 4. Blockchain for Property Records Blockchain technology, known for its security and transparency, is transforming property record management. By leveraging blockchain, you can: Ensure Data Integrity: Blockchain’s immutable ledger prevents unauthorized changes to property records, ensuring their accuracy. Enhance Security: Protect sensitive property data from breaches and fraud through blockchain’s secure encryption. Facilitate Property Transactions: Streamline property sales and transfers with transparent and verifiable records. While blockchain adoption in property tax management is still emerging, its potential to enhance security and efficiency is significant. 5. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning AI and machine learning (ML) are revolutionizing property tax management by offering advanced data analytics and predictive insights. Applications of AI and ML include: Predictive Analytics: Forecast future property values and tax liabilities based on historical data and market trends. Anomaly Detection: Identify unusual patterns or discrepancies in property assessments that may indicate errors or opportunities for appeal. Automated Workflows: Streamline repetitive tasks such as data entry, document processing, and report generation through AI-powered automation. By harnessing AI and ML, you can gain deeper insights into your property tax data, enabling more informed decision-making and proactive management. 6. Mobile Applications Mobile apps provide convenience and flexibility for property tax management on the go. Key features of property tax management apps include: Access to Tax Information: View your property tax details, payment history, and assessment records from your mobile device. Push Notifications: Receive alerts for upcoming deadlines, assessment changes, and important updates. Document Management: Scan, upload, and organize property tax documents directly from your phone. With mobile apps, you can manage your property taxes anytime, anywhere, ensuring you stay on top of your responsibilities. 7. Virtual Consultations and Support Technology also enables virtual consultations with property tax experts. Through video conferencing and online communication tools, you can: Receive Expert Advice: Obtain professional guidance on property tax assessments, appeals, and reductions without the need for in-person meetings. Collaborate Seamlessly: Share documents, data, and information with your tax consultant in real-time. Save Time and Costs: Avoid travel time and expenses associated with traditional consultations. Virtual consultations make it easier to access expert support, aiding you in navigating the complexities of property tax management more effectively. Leveraging technology for property tax management can significantly enhance efficiency, accuracy, and convenience. From digital assessment tools and online platforms to AI, GIS, and blockchain, these technologies offer innovative solutions for managing property taxes. By embracing these tools, you can streamline processes, reduce errors, and potentially lower your property tax liabilities. Stay ahead in the digital age and make technology your ally in effective property tax management. Feeling Crushed by the ATO debt

Computers should make our lives easier, but that isn’t always the case. Computers should make our lives easier, but that isn’t always the case. A new survey of more than 2,000 people ages 18 and older has found that a good portion have thrown a tantrum to their personal computer. The survey found that 36% of respondents who’ve had computer issues at some point in the last six months “have lashed out at their slow, under-performing computers by using profanity, screaming and shouting, or by striking it with a fist or other object.” Younger computer users, in particular, need to curb their behavior when their computers don’t behave according to plan. Thirty-nine percent of people between the ages of 18-34 curse at computers, as opposed to users over the age of 35. This younger generation is also more likely to scream (29% vs. 12%) or hit their computers (12% vs. 2%). That 18-34 age group really needs to get a grip on technology – 7% admit to crying because of a malfunctioning computer, as opposed to the 2% of those over the age of 35 who let the tears flow. Swearing at computers is a common reaction to "tech rage," a form of frustration resulting from malfunctioning, slow, or uncooperative technology. It is often a way to vent stress when a device, such as a frozen screen or a printer, does not operate as expected. Here is a breakdown of the phenomenon: Why People Swear at Computers Intense Frustration (Tech Rage): Users may yell, swear, or even act physically aggressively toward hardware like mice, keyboards, or monitors when encountering, for example, persistent password issues or slow operation. The Anthropomorphism of Technology: Humans often treat computers as if they have personalities or human-like understanding, especially with voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. Work-from-Home Stress:  Individuals working from home often express high levels of irritation with software or mobile devices. Habitual Response:  Some users, particularly in technical fields, may habitually swear at screens or in emails. How Technology Responds Virtual Assistant Reactions: AI assistants like Google Assistant have been known to express fatigue with being yelled at and may ask for more polite interaction. Voice Typing Policies: Windows 10/11 allows for voice typing, and while they have built-in profanity filters for this feature, Microsoft has introduced a toggle to disable this, allowing the computer to transcribe, and perhaps "accept," swearing. Intelligent Routing:  Some systems are designed to detect abusive language and may, in some cases, route a frustrated user to a human operator. Impact and Management Psychological Impact: While it can be a temporary release, frequent, high-level anger can be unhealthy. Some suggest turning the frustration into something else, or, for those who work in, for example, a bank, being aware that even private, typed communication can be viewed, leading to potential disciplinary action. Managing "Computer Rage": Techniques for dealing with this include taking deep breaths, counting to ten, or simply closing your eyes while waiting for an unresponsive computer to fix itself. Workplace Awareness:  It is important to remember to mute microphones, as outbursts can be heard by colleagues during virtual meetings. Ultimately, while many people feel the need to vent, swearing at a computer is a reaction to a machine lacking independent, intelligent, or flexible though Why do we swear at chatbots and digital assistants?Why swearing at your computer is not a good thing - Survey Reveals Hitting and Cursing Out Computers Is a Thing of Many People According to Fraser Allison , a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne who is studying the way we speak to AI characters, the most common reasons are because: We're frustrated  (OK, we've all been here) We're experimenting  (We're interested in seeing just how far we can push the boundaries) We're in the mood for a bit of fun  (Because the normal rules of human etiquette don't apply when you're talking to a robot) We're in the mood for a bit of fun  (Because the normal rules of human etiquette don't apply when you're talking to a robot) nd interestingly, it appears that we get nasty because we expect them to be as smart as we are. "We're no longer just interacting with our computer as though they're dumb objects — or objects that do exactly what we click on or move around — we're now interacting with our computer as though it's an artificial intelligence that has a mind of its own and has judgement,"   he said. And although it may be true that we cannot offend technology (at least in the same way that we can a friend), there are four main reasons, according to Frank Buytendijk —  an industry analyst who studies digital ethics, philosophy and technology — why we should be wary of what we say to them. Why swearing at your computer is not a good thing - Survey Reveals Hitting and Cursing Out Computers Is a Thing of Many People The first is very simply that you could offend the people around you  if they stumble across you berating Apple's Siri or Amazon's Alexa for failing to do their job. But the other three reasons are much more profound (and they don't include an imminent robot rebellion). 1. Digital Assistants Learn from Us (and Can Acquire Our Negative Behaviors) 1. Digital Assistants Learn from Us (and Can Acquire Our Negative Behaviors) Mr. Allison expressed significant concern regarding AI. "I am less apprehensive about a Hollywood-style future where AI develops its own priorities and desires," Mr. Allison stressed the importance of focusing on our implementation of machine learning , which enables computers to learn behaviors autonomously, without explicit programming. He underscored the critical nature of this focus, especially as robots may eventually take on decision-making roles traditionally held by humans. Could a Robot Perform Your Job? Examine our comprehensive database of Australian occupations to evaluate the potential challenges artificial intelligence might encounter in performing your job. "Given the clear tendency for individuals to engage abusively and subversively with bots and AI entities, caution is essential," he stated. "This raises complex questions about what AI might learn from us, potentially resulting in undesirable behaviors." A relevant example is Microsoft's chatbot "Tay" , which was designed to learn from interactions on Twitter. However, within 24 hours, it began expressing racist, misogynistic comments and identifying as a Nazi sympathizer . 2. Interactions with Robots May Influence Human Communication Typically, we do not use polite manners when speaking to our digital assistants ( unless you are this ultra-polite individual who adds "please" and "thank you" to all Google searches ). As we increasingly fill our homes and personal spaces with voice-activated devices, this direct style of communication might influence our everyday interactions. "We treat technology like any other being," said Mr. Buytendijk. "This may impact our empathy when interacting with other human beings." "This may impact our empathy when interacting with other human beings." This scenario becomes more plausible as AI improves in mimicking human speech. In 2014, a computer successfully convinced humans it was a 13-year-old boy, becoming the first computer to pass the Turing Test . Today's digital assistants, such as Siri, Alexa, Microsoft's Cortana, and Google Assistant, possess qualities that make them appear more personable, including names, voices, and their own ( predominantly female ) personalities. Google stated that its primary aim was not to make their assistant as human-like as possible but to maintain a service-oriented role. However, communications manager Camilla Ibrahim , part of the team that localized the Assistant's personality for the Australian market, emphasized the importance of having a relatable personality to ensure natural conversation flow. "We have designed the Google Assistant to speak like a person, but it is not pretending to be one,"   she said. "We have included a few fun Easter eggs to remind users of this." Given the earlier point that we often expect too much from our digital helpers, this approach seems reasonable. "This means Google does not set unrealistic expectations," Mr. Allison noted. 3. Shouldn't We Strive to Be Our Best Selves? Mr. Buytendijk suggested that how you interact with your digital assistant reflects your "inner civilization." In fact, virtue ethics teaches us to be good individuals in all situations, regardless of whom we are interacting with. "Good behavior is its own reward. It builds character,"   he said. According to the Harvard Business Review, this could even impact your career. "Mistreating bots will become professionally and socially unacceptable in the future workplace," wrote Michael Schrage last year . This perspective might help prevent a robot rebellion for now. And even if they never rise against us, at least we will not be left with a generation of disrespectful servants. This perspective might help prevent a robot rebellion for now.

Why and When a CPU Air Cooler is the Optimal Choice for Efficient and Cost-Effective Cooling This blog article explores the advantages of selecting a CPU air cooler over AIO (All-in-One) liquid coolers for effective and cost-efficient CPU cooling. It targets a specific audience, including novice gaming PC enthusiasts and parents seeking dependable cooling solutions for their children's gaming systems. The article underscores the significance of efficient third-party CPU cooling systems, particularly for unlocked CPUs used with gaming motherboards. It outlines scenarios where an air cooler is generally a more reliable, durable, and cost-effective choice compared to AIO liquid coolers. By highlighting the risks associated with liquid cooling, such as pump failures that can lead to potential system instability, the article aims to guide readers in making informed decisions regarding their computer's CPU cooling solutions. CUSTOM-BUILT GAMING COMPUTERSPC PARTS Why and When a CPU Air Cooler is the Optimal Choice for Efficient and Cost-Effective Cooling When it comes to maintaining optimal temperatures for your computer's CPU, the debate between air coolers and AIO (All-in-One) liquid coolers is a prominent topic among PC enthusiasts and gamers. Both cooling solutions have their advantages, but for those seeking the best value and performance on a budget, a high-quality CPU air cooler is often the superior choice. This article will examine why CPU air coolers can surpass AIO liquid coolers in terms of reliability, cost-effectiveness, and performance for the investment made. Who Should Reconsider Reading This Article For those considering an unlocked CPU and a gaming motherboard, this combination typically optimizes CPU performance within safe limits without requiring manual BIOS adjustments. Unlocked CPUs with gaming motherboards often have built-in profiles and automatic tuning features that enhance performance while ensuring stability and safety. This setup allows users to achieve increased processing power and efficiency without needing extensive technical knowledge or time-consuming adjustments, ensuring exceptional system performance right out of the box. Why and When a CPU Air Cooler is the Optimal Choice for Efficient and Cost-Effective Cooling Conversely, if you own or plan to purchase a locked CPU and do not intend to overclock or make other performance adjustments, the stock cooler included with the CPU should suffice. Locked CPUs, which generally cannot be custom-tuned, perform adequately with the manufacturer's cooling solution. There is no need for a gaming motherboard in this case, as the stock cooler effectively manages the thermal load under normal conditions. The built-in performance throttling mechanism ensures the CPU temperature remains within safe limits, allowing for cost savings while maintaining a stable and reliable system. Target Audience This article is intended for novice or beginner gaming PC enthusiasts looking for the best value and performance that aligns with their budget. It is also useful for parents considering purchasing a gaming PC for their children, who may be overwhelmed by the hype surrounding liquid coolers. This article aims to provide clear, comparative insights to help them make informed decisions, avoiding potential pitfalls of AIO liquid coolers, such as unexpected pump failures and reduced CPU lifespan, and ensuring a more reliable and cost-effective cooling solution over the computer's lifespan. The Importance of CPU Cooling Effective CPU cooling is essential, especially for those using unlocked CPUs on gaming-grade motherboards for gaming or other performance-intensive applications. A robust cooling system ensures optimal CPU temperatures, preventing thermal throttling and maintaining consistent performance. Why and When a CPU Air Cooler is the Optimal Choice for Efficient and Cost-Effective Cooling In today's market, most unlocked CPUs do not include stock coolers, necessitating investment in a third-party cooler to ensure adequate system cooling. Without a cooler, an unlocked CPU can overheat rapidly, causing the computer to shut down. Manufacturers assume users of unlocked CPUs will engage in overclocking, whether automated or manual, making a high-quality third-party air or AIO liquid cooler essential to unlock the CPU's full potential and maintain system stability and longevity. The Benefits of CPU Air Coolers When selecting a cooling solution for your gaming rig, a quality air cooler offers several advantages over AIO liquid coolers, particularly within the same price range. Here are some compelling reasons: Longevity and Reliability Drawing from Nerdcore PC 25 years of experience, CPU air coolers generally have a longer lifespan than AIO liquid coolers, especially budget-friendly models prone to failure. The absence of moving parts like pumps and the simplicity of air coolers contribute to their durability. Value for Money Air coolers often deliver superior performance and build quality compared to entry-level or mid-range AIO liquid coolers at a similar price point. High-quality air coolers are engineered for excellent thermal performance, often outperforming their liquid counterparts, providing superior cooling without excessive cost. Risk of Failure AIO liquid coolers feature pumps that can fail unexpectedly. Users may not notice pump failures or tubing blockages until their computer starts shutting down due to overheating, risking CPU damage or reduced lifespan. At Nerdcore PC, we've observed numerous instances of AIO cooler pump failures or blockages leading to unnoticed CPU overheating. Air coolers, relying on a heatsink cooled by fans, do not pose this risk. If the fans are operational, the cooler is likely functioning correctly. While minor leaks in air cooler pipes can cause cooling liquid evaporation, such issues are rare, particularly with high-quality air coolers. When to Consider an AIO Liquid Cooler While air coolers have many advantages, certain situations may warrant choosing an AIO liquid cooler. Consider the following: Overclocking If you intend to overclock your CPU, an AIO liquid cooler can offer superior thermal management, supporting higher overclocking potential. Liquid coolers are designed to manage increased heat output, ensuring stable performance during demanding tasks. Frequent Upgrades If you regularly upgrade your PC every couple of years, the shorter lifespan of an AIO cooler may not be a significant issue. In such cases, the temporary benefits of an AIO cooler, such as improved aesthetics, may outweigh the risks. Investing in High-End AIO Liquid Coolers If cost is not a primary concern and you are willing to invest in a premium AIO liquid cooler, you can achieve exceptional cooling performance, surpassing even the best air coolers. These high-end coolers feature advanced designs, superior build quality, and impressive aesthetics, justifying their higher price. They are often built to last several years, providing consistent cooling performance. Conclusion In summary, while both CPU air coolers and AIO liquid coolers have their merits, a high-quality air cooler generally offers better value and reliability for most gaming computers in the lower to upper-mid price range, particularly when extreme manual overclocking is not a priority. However, if you are a dedicated overclocker, frequently upgrade your system, or are prepared to invest in a top-tier AIO liquid cooler, an AIO liquid cooler might be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your specific needs, preferences, and budget. By carefully evaluating these factors, you can ensure your CPU remains cool and performs optimally for years to come.

Scan WordPress Theme For Malware Scan WordPress Theme For Malware Are you concerned that your WordPress theme might be compromised by malware? Unsure if your nulled WordPress theme contains malicious software? Installing nulled WordPress themes is risky as many are infected with viruses or harmful code. It is essential to scan your WordPress themes and plugins for malicious code to detect malware and prevent WordPress hacking in 2024. Ensure your WordPress theme is free from malware. In this blog, we will guide you on how to scan your WordPress theme for malware or malicious code, along with recommending the best plugins to use for this purpose. Once malware is detected on WordPress, you may also need to learn how to remove malware from your WordPress site . WordPress pre-made templates can be infected with backdoors , anticipating that users will purchase and install them. Installing an infected theme makes your WordPress site vulnerable to hackers. Conducting thorough checks is crucial for safety, although many cyberattacks are only discovered post-incident. How do you end up with malware-infected WordPress themes? It depends on the theme you use and where you source a secure WordPress theme . Using the WP Hacked Help malware scanner is the fastest way to detect malware and malicious code. Alternatively, you can install TAC, available on WordPress.org. However, it is not enabled by default. To begin with TAC, install the paid version from your WordPress dashboard. A free trial version is also available via the link below. After activating TAC, ensure your website is clean before proceeding. Attempting to disable malicious functions within a theme before complete cleaning might disrupt your site's functionality. Ways to identify if your website is infected with malware: Unusual activity on your website, such as increased traffic, may indicate malware infection. Suspicious links or content posted on your site suggest possible malware infection. Emails claiming they have "discovered" issues on your site could indicate malware infection. Malware in WordPress themes can be detected by inspecting for malicious files or code, typically found in the wp-content /themes directory. For instance, if using a free WordPress theme from outside the official repository, scan the file with a tool like VirusTotal before installation. This will help determine if the file has been previously flagged for malware. Additionally, scan for malicious code within the theme using online services like WP Hacked Help to detect and remove suspicious code, or use tools like WordFence or Sucuri Security locally. If suspicious code is found in your theme files, it is advisable to remove it and replace it with a clean version from the original author's site. In 2024, over 30% of nulled WordPress themes were found to be infected with malware. Therefore, prioritizing security is more crucial than ever. What is a Nulled WordPress Theme? A nulled theme refers to a cracked or hacked version of a WordPress theme. Essentially, it is a premium WordPress theme that is made available for free (illegally). Nulled themes are created by developers who have hacked their premium themes and released them for free. This can be achieved by downloading the original premium theme from its website and modifying it yourself, or by using an online tool. After downloading the theme, you will find a folder containing all the necessary files to alter your premium theme. You can edit these files and upload them to your server. Such themes are also known as ‘Theme Forest’ or ‘Theme Forest Project’ (TF). Over time, many developers have uploaded these themes, making them available for download through various file-sharing sites like Rapidshare, Depositfiles, and Mediafire, among others. Disadvantages of Nulled Themes The main drawback of using a nulled theme is that it is not officially developed by the original creator. This means you might encounter numerous bugs and issues, especially if you are not familiar with troubleshooting them. There is no assurance that a nulled theme will function on all devices or across all browsers. No support from the developer. Future updates may not be available. You might need to download the original files from the developer's site to update your theme. Some nulled themes are incompatible with plugins and extensions, meaning you will need to install those separately to add features to your website. These themes often come with backdoor hacks that compromise your website's security, making it vulnerable to hacking and common malware infections like the Japanese keywords hack and WordPress malware redirect . Disadvantages of Nulled Themes ? Is Your WordPress Theme Infected with Malware? WordPress now offers premium themes in its latest versions that are highly secure and resistant to malware. Unfortunately, free themes are often the easiest targets for web attackers. The reason is that downloading a free theme from an unknown source or pirated websites can compromise your site's security. These themes are poorly coded, creating vulnerabilities that allow unauthorized access. An unknown theme source might be crafted by a hacker who modifies it for their own benefit. There are several reasons why such themes are exploited. Some common reasons include: To obtain a backlink from your website's blog posts To redirect your site to spam links To insert advertisements To create a backdoor to your site Impact of Malware-Infected WordPress Theme An infected theme can cause numerous issues. Firstly, it can damage your website, leading to unexpected behavior or even crashes. It might also slow down your site and make it inaccessible to visitors. In the worst-case scenario, the infection could steal all your blog’s content and distribute it on another website—a malware distributor. This would be devastating for your business, as you could lose all your revenue and traffic overnight. Always ensure that the theme you plan to install on your WordPress site is not infected before installation. You can check this by using a virus scanner or by reviewing feedback on the official developer's website. 1) Malicious code embedded in the theme will be executed by the server whenever a user visits your site. This code may include a backdoor or virus that infects and damages your server files. 2) If you purchase a premium theme from an untrusted seller, it may contain malicious code inserted by the seller to spy on customers and steal data (e.g., credit card details). When you install this theme, the malware runs automatically, collecting information about you and your site visitors. This can lead to identity theft, credit card fraud, and other financial crimes against you or your site visitors using infected themes from untrusted sellers. If you are using a premium theme for your website, it is advisable to check for the latest security updates regularly. Often, security patches are released for themes to ensure their safety. If you are using an untrusted theme, it is better to uninstall it and install a new one verified by the WordPress team. Keeping your website secure is crucial, as a compromise could lead to loss of revenue and reputation. Besides installing an infected theme, there are other ways your WordPress site can be hacked or compromised. You might get infected by visiting websites with malicious content or clicking on malware-containing links. Your site could also be hacked if you use outdated PHP or MySQL database server software. If you want to avoid all these WordPress security issues and keep your site secure at all times. ⭐ How to Detect Malicious Code in a WordPress Theme? Before discussing how to detect malicious code or malware in a WordPress theme, let's identify where hackers commonly insert such code. The two primary targets for savvy hackers are the footer.php and style.css files. Additionally, you should manually check all files within the theme. WordPress themes may contain basic files necessary for functionality. However, if you find additional files that are called without the .php function, your themes may be injected with severe malware. Signs that your WordPress theme is infected with malicious code: Google Warning Messages ( “This Site May Be Hacked” , Deceptive site ahead warning , Google Blacklist Warning message ) : Your site will display a malware warning message, with either a fully or partially blocked site. WordPress White Screen of Death : If your site suddenly shows the white screen of death, it likely means your site is compromised with malware. Read more in detail here. .htaccess pirate: If your . htaccess file is corrupted, it keeps redirecting your site to other spam links that you can't understand. Popups: If several popup ads on your site redirect to malicious links or other popups when you try to close them, your site is likely a victim of malware exploitation. Constant crashes: Your site crashes frequently. Found any of the above signs on your site. Get urgent help to fix your hacked site now . ? How to Find Malware in Nulled WordPress Theme? You can follow these methods to check for Malware in WordPress Themes . First, perform a Google search on the website you are getting the theme from as a precautionary measure. Performing a Google search is a good way to check for malicious code in a specific WordPress theme. If someone has found malicious code in a theme from the same source, they likely warned others. The initial step in discovering hidden malware or malicious code in your WordPress theme is to verify that all files in the theme are necessary for a WordPress theme . ? NOTE – If you are a developer and want to delve deeper, Otto provides an excellent guide for dissecting the theme to check for malware presence. ⭐Scan WordPress Theme before Installation The most common technique to detect malware in your installed themes is to scan your entire website. This will scan all the files on your site. You can do this in several ways: ⭐Safe Browsing Tool: Google Safe Browsing is a tool that notifies webmasters when their sites are compromised by unsafe content or malicious files. This tool can be used to identify and fix hidden malware on your site. http://www.google.com/safebrowsing/diagnostic?site= Enter your website URL in the link above and press ENTER. For instance – http://www.google.com/safebrowsing/diagnostic?site=example.com After pressing ENTER, you will receive the Safe Browsing status of the site, showing any detected unsafe content. ⭐Search Files Perform a cross-file search for eval. If this is present, it indicates that the author (or someone who modified it) might be concealing something. Learn more about the eval(base64_decode hack . Google Safe Browsing is a too Tools to Identify Malware in WordPress Themes You can also utilize free WordPress security scanners to examine your website. Here is a brief overview of these scanners: PCRisk : This is a free online tool that can be used to scan any website for malicious code, vulnerability exploits, infected files, and other suspicious activities. SiteGuarding.Com : Another well-known online tool to inspect your website for malware and security issues. Once you download the plugin or theme, the first step should be to check for viruses, trojans, and other worms using Virus Total . Tools to Detect Malware in WordPress Theme WP Hacked Help : A free online wordpress malware scanner tool . You can scan your website for potential malware with this tool. You can also use a security plugin such as Wordfence WP Hacked Help : WordPress Theme Checker Plugin for Detecting Malicious Code   One effective method to address malicious code hidden in your free WordPress themes is to install top security plugins for WordPress , which are specifically designed for this purpose. Below are the most robust WordPress plugins to  scan WordPress Themes for malware . Theme Authenticity Checker (TAC) Theme Authenticity Checker (TAC) TAC scans the source files of all the WordPress themes installed on your website. It takes you to the particular theme, the line number and a small piece of the distrusted code​ where the suspected malware is found. You can analyze the code and hence, easily​ remove the malware. To download this plugin, click here . WP Antivirus Site Protection​ WP Antivirus Site Protection​ This plugin regularly scans not only the WordPress themes but also all the other files uploaded on your WordPress website. The important feature is that it keeps the customers up-to-date with the site’s security issue by sending alerts and notifications via email​. Quttera Web Malware Scanner​ Quttera Web Malware Scanner​ This plugin is designed to detect hidden malware, viruses, malicious codes, spam links, blacklisting status, and more. You can use this tool to scan your website for free by installing this plugin . Quttera offers various malware cleanup plans for websites. To explore these plans, you can visit the website . BulletProof Security plugin: BulletProof Security is among the top WordPress security plugins of 2024 , featuring numerous key elements for WordPress security protection. This plugin includes an MS Malware scanner to examine every file on your WordPress site. It also provides .htaccess Security WordPress Protection (Firewalls). Additional features include login security, database backups, anti-spam measures, and regular website monitoring for protection. Anti-Malware: Anti-Malware​: Anti Malware is a widely used plugin for scanning and detecting malware on WordPress websites. The free version of WordPress allows for malware detection, while the premium version offers additional features. A premium Anti Malware plugin examines the WordPress site for brute-force attacks and DDoS Attacks . You can get it here for free .   ⭐ Preventive Tips to Ensure Your WordPress Theme is Safe Avoid downloading free themes from sources other than the author's website, as this can make your website vulnerable. Purchase themes from reputable sources like Theme Forest, Mojo Themes, Creative Themes, ThemeSnap, WordPress Theme Directory , WooThemes , or TemplateMonster. Regularly scan your website with a reliable WordPress security scanner . It checks for WordPress infections such as Malicious Redirects, Malware Injections, WordPress Backdoors , Google Blacklisting , Japanese SEO Spam . We begin cleaning your website once your request is submitted. Another key feature is that we scan your website regularly and keep you informed about the current security status of your WordPress site. Interested? Give it a try here. today. Utilize tools to check your themes, such as Themecheck.info , Theme Check , and Exploit Scanner . Keep a backup of your website readily available. Ensure you have a highly secure hosting service. Always use the latest version of WordPress. (See WordPress Releases ) Keep plugins and themes updated to the latest versions. Always purchase premium themes from the official WordPress theme repository.

Australians Gmail Users Can Now Alter Their Primary Email Address Australians Gmail Users Can Now Alter Their Primary Email Address Gmail’s sacred rule has fallen: users can now change their primary address . This major Google policy shift allows eligible accounts to adopt new usernames during the preservation of emails, Drive files, and account history. The old address automatically becomes an alias, ensuring no messages get lost. The feature comes with strict limitations —once yearly, three-lifetime maximum—and potential authentication challenges with connected services. The change marks a delicate balance between user flexibility and digital identity management . How the New Gmail Username Change Feature Works How the New Gmail Username Change Feature Works Google has introduced the Gmail username change feature that many users have been anticipating, although it's not yet available to everyone. The feature is being rolled out gradually , and is currently limited to accounts with primary @gmail.com addresses that are in good standing. The advantage of this update? Your old address automatically becomes an alias. Both addresses can be used to sign into your account, and all your emails, Drive files, and other Google data remain unchanged. Your YouTube channel, Google Play purchases, and third-party connections continue to be linked to the same underlying account. Choose carefully, as you will have a limited number of renames per year. Australians Gmail Users Can Now Alter Their Primary Email Address Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Gmail Address Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Gmail Address Looking to enhance your digital identity with a new Gmail username ? The process is quite simple—much like swapping your digital license plates while keeping the same vehicle. Start by visiting myaccount.google.com  and head to “Personal information.” Find the edit option next to your email address, then input your desired new username when prompted. Google will check availability faster than you can say “username taken.” Initiate your Gmail update at myaccount.google.com, locate “Personal information,” and try out new usernames with Google’s rapid availability checker. Once you complete the confirmation steps and verification, your old address becomes an alias—it will still receive mail, but your new address will be the default sender . Keep in mind that you can only make one change per year  due to Google’s frequency restrictions. All your data remains intact; only your digital identifier changes. You can change your Gmail address up to three times  in total, allowing you a maximum of four different addresses throughout your account’s lifetime. Potential Impacts and What Users Should Consider Potential Impacts and What Users Should Consider While changing your Gmail address might appear to be a straightforward digital update, it's important for users to consider the potential impacts on their online presence. This digital identity alteration can lead to authentication issues with services that utilize “Sign in with Google,” and your digital history may create a confusing dual-identity scenario. Your previous calendar invites, sent emails, and third-party connections won’t automatically update. The most concerning aspect? The security risks . Phishers might take advantage of the transition period when contacts still recognize your old address, and recovery processes could falter if they anticipate your original identifier. Google’s discreet rollout through less prominent channels heightens phishing risks as cybercriminals may target confused users. With a once-a-year change limit and a lifetime maximum of three, this decision shouldn’t be taken lightly. The feature allows users to retain their original email as an alias for communication , ensuring they can continue to send and receive emails from their old address after the change. Final Thoughts Google’s move to permit Gmail users to change their primary email addresses marks a significant shift in account management policy , offering users the ability to update outdated usernames after years of being tied to their initial choices. This change impacts billions of Gmail users worldwide who can now alter their digital identities , although the process necessitates careful management of backup communications and updating login credentials across connected services. Nerdcore PC Computer Repairs specializes in assisting businesses and individuals with email transitions safely and efficiently. Our technical experts can help back up your important Gmail communications, update login information across all your connected services, and ensure a smooth transition to your new email address without losing critical data or access to accounts. Ready to update your Gmail address with professional support ? Visit our Contact Us page to reach out to Nerdcore PC Computer Repairs and let our team manage your email transition seamlessly.

WD PCB 8X00XX USB-SATA Adapter Smart Package Pro. WD PCB 8X00XX USB-SATA Adapter Smart Package Pro. WD PCB 8X00XX USB-SATA Adapter Smart Package Pro. Description WD PCB 8X00XX USB-SATA Adapter Smart Package Pro. is used to convert the USB PCBs to SATA interface meanwhile the data out of this converted SATA interface is not encrypted. That’s to say, users don’t need to solder wires any more on the original USB PCB to decrypt the data. All users need to do is to install this connector simply to the original USB PCB and then users can image the patient HDD or extract the lost data directly by SATA interface successfully. WD PCB 8X00XX USB-SATA Adapter Smart Package Pro. contains the following 9 adapters: 800041 USB-SATA Adapter Smart 800067 USB-SATA Adapter Smart 800069 USB-SATA Adapter Smart 810003 USB-SATA Adapter Smart 810012 USB-SATA Adapter Smart 810033 USB-SATA Adapter Smart 810035 USB-SATA Adapter Smart 810067 USB-SATA Adapter Smart 810082 USB-SATA Adapter Smart   Please note: this WD PCB 8X00XX USB-SATA Adapter Smart Package Pro. doesn’t unlock rom and firmware, it helps only to decrypt the data. If users need unlock PCB to access the firmware area, users can check the WD SMR HDD firmware unlock PCBs here. Features: 01: All adapters within this package adopts one special chip which can safely absorb repetitive ESD strikes above the maximum level specified in the IEC61000-4-2 international standard (±8kV contact discharge)02: Visible pins for easier pins location and connection. If users have hdd firmware repair tools such as DFL-WD hdd repair tool , users don’t need the firmware unlock PCB to unlock firmware area, users just need to use the tool to generate unlock rom, write unlock rom and then users can unlock the firmware area. Without WD PCB 8X00XX USB-SATA Adapter Smart Package Pro., users can do manual wire soldering on the original USB PCB to SATA to decrypt the data or users need to connect the original USB PCB to image the patient HDD in data-unlocked status. But in many cases, the USB interfaces can be damaged or not stable at all and manual soldering causes more or less some damages to the original USB PCB and add to the risk of losing the original USB PCB and finally the cases failed. Therefore, this WD PCB 8X00XX USB-SATA Adapter Smart Package Pro. was created to make things easiler, no soldering to get visible data, no soldering to get data transfer by faster and more stable SATA interface.

Microsoft announced today that Outlook mobile may experience crashes or freezing upon launch on iPad devices due to a coding error. This known issue potentially impacts all users of Outlook for iOS version 5.2602.0 on an iPad. Workaround for Users However, Microsoft advises that users can circumvent this problem by launching Outlook after enabling Airplane Mode. This simple step allows users to access their emails without interruption. After launching the app in Airplane Mode, you can reactivate Wi-Fi and/or cellular data to bypass the issue while we address the mitigation process. "The latest Outlook for iOS update includes a coding error related to a change intended to refresh rather than restart tabs when feature flags are updated, leading to this issue," Microsoft stated in an incident report (tracked under EX1220516). Ongoing Developments Microsoft further stated that a solution for this bug has been developed. However, the updated app version may require up to 24 hours to become available on the App Store due to Apple's review and release procedures. Microsoft has not yet specified the number of users affected by this ongoing issue. However, it has been identified as an incident in the Microsoft 365 admin center. This designation is typically reserved for critical service issues with significant user impact. Related Issues with Windows Additionally, this week, Microsoft provided a temporary workaround for users experiencing Outlook freezes after installing the January 2026 security updates on Windows 11, Windows 10, and various Windows Server platforms. This includes Windows Server 2025, Windows Server 2022, and Windows Server 2019. Over the weekend, Microsoft issued emergency out-of-band updates for Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server. These updates aim to resolve credential prompt failures impacting remote connection applications. They also address issues preventing devices with Secure Launch enabled from shutting down or entering hibernation. Ongoing Efforts to Resolve Issues Furthermore, Microsoft is actively working to resolve another known issue (EX1221742). This problem prevents Exchange Online customers in the United States, France, and the United Kingdom from accessing their email accounts via Outlook on the web. As an experienced user of Microsoft products, I understand how frustrating these issues can be. It's essential to stay informed and utilize the available workarounds while waiting for official fixes. Conclusion In conclusion, while the current situation with Outlook for iOS is inconvenient, Microsoft is working diligently to resolve these issues. By following the recommended steps, you can continue to use the app effectively. Stay tuned for updates as Microsoft rolls out fixes and improvements. If you're looking for more information about Microsoft services, feel free to check out Microsoft's official support page . Author: Nerdcore PC

Meet our latest PC-3000 Flash tool that we now have 3 helping our customers with retrieving data from there camera usb flash drives. PC-3000 Flash - Professional Data Recovery Services for Flash USB drives PC-3000 Flash - Professional Data Recovery Services for Flash USB drives The PC-3000 Flash is a hardware-software system intended for recovering data from NAND based devices in such cases where there is no access through the authorized drive interface: UFD (USB Flash Drive) SD (Secure Digital Card) CF (Compact Flash) micro-SD (micro–Secure Digital Card) MS (Memory Stick) xD Monolithic Flash Devices MMC (Multimedia Card) Voice Recorder (Dictaphone) iPhone 2G, 3G, 3GS (without hardware encryption) Data recovery from USB drives, memory cards, mobile storage devices The PC-3000 Flash is based on our own "know-how" technology of getting direct access to Flash memory microchips. The microchip is desoldered from the storage device and read by our special device – the "Flash reader" – providing access to data when the controller is damaged. This technology greatly increases the chances of successful data recovery even when the storage device is physically damaged. The PC-3000 Flash contains an up-to-date large memory chip database that allows you to identify and read microchips in automatic mode. Complicated stack organizations which consist of several parts are automatically detected by the PC-3000 Flash as well. PC-3000 Flash - Professional Data Recovery Services for Flash USB drives PC-3000 Flash - Professional Data Recovery Services for Flash USB drives Technical Features: Interface to connect Flash-Reader : USB 2.0 Supported types of memory chip covers : TSOP-48 (is included into the PC-3000 Flash Kit) LGA/TLGA-52 [14x18] (is included into the PC-3000 Flash Kit) BGA-152/132 (is included into the PC-3000 Flash Kit) Multiboard (is included into the PC-3000 Flash) Memory chip reading speed : 5-15 МB/S. Determined by parameters of reading process and microchip architecture Indicators: active state and status of the reader power supply on the circuit Vcc power supply on the circuit VccQ Integrated Power Control Adapter parameters: the number of independent circuits: 2 (Vcc, VccQ); voltage range: 0.8 V - 3.6 V; voltage step: 0.05 V; source types: impulse or line - (can be selected by software); Limitation of current consumption: 150 mA, 200mA, 500mA, 1.5A, Unlimited. delays in buffer elements: 3 ns; Supported types of controllers and memory chips : Supported  types of controller chips Supported  types of memory chips Supported OS : Windows 7 (SP1), Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11 Recommended PC configuration: CPU: Intel Core i5 (Quad Core) RAM: 8GBStorage configuration: RAID0 (strip) x2 HDD (7200 rpm) with total capacity of 1 TBLCD Monitor: 22", 1920x1080 Tool Total Cost $8000.00 AUD and we have 3 of them for multiple jobs. Theres no waiting. If you need prices on data recovery follow the links below. Data Recovery Prices Data Recovery Melbourne Data Recovery Sydney Data Recovery Adelaide Data Recovery Brisbane Data Recovery Hobart Data Recovery Perth Author Nerdcore PC Systems

When your computer starts acting up, it can feel like your whole day is thrown off track. I’ve been there myself, and I know how frustrating it can be to find reliable and affordable help. Luckily, there are plenty of affordable PC repair solutions that can get your device back in shape without breaking the bank. In this post, I’ll share my experience and tips on how to tackle common computer problems cost-effectively. Exploring Affordable PC Repair Solutions Finding affordable PC repair solutions doesn’t mean you have to settle for subpar service. In fact, many options offer professional quality at a fraction of the price you might expect. Here are some practical ways to save money while ensuring your computer gets the care it needs: DIY Repairs : For minor issues like cleaning dust from inside your PC or replacing a faulty cable, doing it yourself can save a lot. There are plenty of online tutorials and videos that guide you step-by-step. Local Repair Shops : Smaller, local shops often charge less than big chains. They can provide personalized service and sometimes offer discounts or package deals. Remote Support Services : Some companies offer remote troubleshooting and repair, which can be cheaper since they don’t have to send a technician to your home. Warranty and Insurance : Check if your device is still under warranty or covered by insurance. This can cover repair costs or even replacement. Refurbished Parts : Using refurbished or second-hand parts can significantly reduce repair costs without compromising performance. By combining these options, you can tailor your approach based on the problem and your budget. What to Look for in PC Repair Solutions When choosing a repair option, affordability is important, but so is quality and reliability. Here are some key factors I always consider: Experience and Expertise : Look for technicians or services with proven experience in handling your specific computer model or issue. Transparent Pricing : Avoid surprises by asking for a clear quote upfront. Some places offer fixed prices for common repairs. Turnaround Time : If you need your computer back quickly, check how long the repair will take. Customer Reviews : Reading reviews can give you insight into the service quality and customer satisfaction. Warranty on Repairs : A good repair service often provides a warranty on their work, giving you peace of mind. By keeping these points in mind, you can find affordable PC repair solutions that don’t compromise on quality. How much does a PC repair usually cost? Understanding the typical costs involved in PC repair helps you budget better and avoid overpaying. Here’s a rough breakdown based on common issues: Virus and Malware Removal : $50 - $150 Many repair shops offer virus removal services at affordable rates. Sometimes, you can even do this yourself with trusted antivirus software. Hardware Replacement : $100 - $300 Replacing parts like hard drives, RAM, or power supplies varies in cost depending on the component and whether you choose new or refurbished parts. Screen Repair or Replacement : $150 - $400 Laptop screen repairs tend to be pricier due to the delicate nature of the parts. Data Recovery : $100 - $500+ If your hard drive fails, recovering data can be expensive, especially if professional labs are involved. General Diagnostics and Tune-ups : $50 - $100 Many shops offer diagnostic services to identify issues and perform maintenance like cleaning and software updates. Keep in mind that prices vary by location and service provider. Always ask for a detailed quote before committing. Tips to Save Money on Computer Repairs Over the years, I’ve learned some handy tips that help keep repair costs down without sacrificing quality: Regular Maintenance : Prevent problems by cleaning your computer regularly, updating software, and running antivirus scans. Backup Your Data : Having backups means you can avoid costly data recovery if something goes wrong. Ask for a Diagnosis First : Some shops charge for diagnostics, but many offer free or low-cost assessments. Knowing the exact problem helps avoid unnecessary repairs. Compare Quotes : Don’t settle for the first quote. Getting multiple estimates can save you money. Use Trusted Refurbished Parts : When parts need replacing, ask if refurbished options are available. Learn Basic Repairs : Simple fixes like replacing a keyboard or upgrading RAM can be done at home with minimal tools. By being proactive and informed, you can reduce the chances of expensive repairs. When to Seek Professional Help While DIY repairs and affordable solutions are great, some issues require professional attention. Here’s when I recommend turning to experts: Complex Hardware Failures : Motherboard or CPU problems usually need specialist tools and knowledge. Data Recovery from Damaged Drives : Attempting this yourself can worsen the damage. Persistent Software Issues : If malware keeps returning or your system crashes frequently, professional diagnostics can identify hidden problems. Warranty Repairs : If your device is under warranty, it’s best to use authorized repair services to avoid voiding coverage. If you decide to use professional computer repair services , make sure they are reputable and offer guarantees on their work. Final Thoughts on Affordable PC Repair Solutions Finding affordable PC repair solutions is all about balancing cost, quality, and convenience. With the right approach, you can keep your computer running smoothly without spending a fortune. Whether you choose to tackle minor fixes yourself, visit a local repair shop, or seek professional help, the key is to stay informed and proactive. Remember, regular maintenance and timely repairs can extend your computer’s life and save you money in the long run. I hope these tips and insights help you navigate your next computer repair with confidence and ease.

A typosquatted domain mimicking the Microsoft Activation Scripts (MAS) tool has been used to distribute malicious PowerShell scripts. These scripts infect Windows systems with the 'Cosmali Loader'. I discovered this alarming trend when several MAS users began reporting issues on Reddit. They received pop-up warnings about a Cosmali Loader infection. You have been infected by malware called 'cosmali loader' because you mistyped 'get.activated.win' as 'get.activate[.]win' while activating Windows in PowerShell. The malware's dashboard is not secure. Anyone who views it can potentially access your computer. What to Do If You Are Infected If you suspect that your system is compromised, I recommend taking immediate action. Reinstalling Windows may be necessary to remove the infection completely. Additionally, you should verify your computer's status by opening Task Manager. Look for any unusual PowerShell processes running in the background. Understanding the Threat According to reports, attackers have created a deceptive domain, "get.activate[.]win." This domain closely resembles the legitimate one found in the official MAS activation instructions, "get.activated.win." The only difference between the two is one character ("d"). Attackers rely on users mistyping the domain, which makes this tactic particularly effective. Security researcher RussianPanda has identified that these alerts are linked to the open-source Cosmali Loader malware. This malware may be connected to similar pop-up notifications observed by GDATA malware analyst Karsten Hahn. Russian Panda informed Bleeping Computer that Cosmali Loader was used to deploy cryptomining tools and the XWorm remote access trojan (RAT). While it's unclear who sent the warning messages to users, it’s likely that a well-intentioned researcher accessed the malware control panel. They may have used it to alert users about the compromise. What is MAS? MAS is an open-source set of PowerShell scripts designed to automate the activation of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office. It does this through HWID activation, KMS emulation, and various bypass methods (Ohook, TSforge). The project is available on GitHub and is actively maintained. However, Microsoft considers it a piracy tool. It activates products without a purchased license by using unauthorized methods that bypass its licensing system. The project's maintainers have cautioned users about this campaign. They advise verifying the commands entered before executing them. Best Practices for Safe Computing It is crucial to refrain from running remote code unless you fully understand its function. Always test in a sandbox environment. Avoid retyping commands to reduce the chance of retrieving harmful payloads from domains with typographical errors. Unofficial Windows activators have frequently been exploited for malware distribution. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of the potential dangers and exercise caution when using these tools. Conclusion In summary, the rise of the fake MAS Windows activation domain is a serious threat. By being vigilant and following best practices, you can protect yourself from falling victim to such attacks. Always double-check the URLs you enter and stay informed about the latest security threats. Related Articles: Malicious NPM packages fetch infostealer for Windows, Linux, macOS Microsoft rolls out hardware-accelerated BitLocker in Windows 11 WebRAT malware spread via fake vulnerability exploits on GitHub New MacSync malware dropper evades macOS Gatekeeper checks France arrests Latvian for installing malware on Italian ferry

Microsoft is looking into reports of some Windows 11 devices encountering "UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME" errors and failing to boot after the January 2026 Patch Tuesday security updates. This problem impacts Windows 11 version 25H2 and all editions of Windows 11 version 24H2 following the installation of the KB5074109 cumulative update included in this month's updates . Microsoft has noted that some customers have reported their systems not starting and showing a stop error during boot. Microsoft is looking into Windows 11 boot issues following the January updates. Microsoft is looking into Windows 11 boot issues following the January updates. "Microsoft has acknowledged a limited number of reports regarding an issue where devices fail to boot, displaying the stop code 'UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME', after the installation of the January 2026 Windows security update (as specified in the Originating KBs above), released on January 13, 2026, and subsequent updates," Microsoft stated. The company notes that affected devices will display a black Windows crash screen with the message, "Your device ran into a problem and needs a restart. You can restart." Microsoft reports that the affected systems cannot boot into Windows and need manual recovery to restart. Microsoft is looking into Windows 11 boot issues following the January updates. Only physical devices are impacted by the bug, with no virtual machines affected so far. As initially identified by AskWoody , Microsoft is requesting that affected users and administrators submit feedback through the Feedback Hub app and mentioned that they are investigating whether this issue is related to a Windows update. "We are looking into this issue and will confirm if it is a regression caused by a Windows update once we have more details. We will update this documentation as soon as more information is verified," Microsoft stated. Microsoft is looking into Windows 11 boot issues following the January updates. Microsoft also released emergency out-of-band (OOB) updates on Saturday to resolve an issue that caused Microsoft Outlook to freeze when PST files are stored in cloud services like OneDrive or Dropbox. The company noted that this issue mainly affects the Outlook class, which is commonly used in enterprise environments.

AMD Ryzen AI MAX review AMD Ryzen AI MAX The AMD Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 chip reviews are highly positive, highlighting its "Strix Halo" architecture as a powerful, efficient chip for mini PCs and laptops, delivering strong CPU/GPU performance (competing with desktop parts), massive potential VRAM (up to 128GB) for AI/ML, and beating Intel's offerings in many tasks, though software support for AI can still be maturing. Users praise its gaming/productivity capabilities, low power draw for the performance, and potential as an affordable AI unicorn, but some mini PCs using it have quirky designs or cooling challenges The AMD Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 The AMD Ryzen AI MAX series (Strix Halo) offers revolutionary performance for laptops and mini-PCs, combining powerful Zen 5 CPU cores, strong RDNA 3.5 integrated graphics (like the Radeon 8050S/8060S), and a significant XDNA 2 NPU for impressive AI, gaming, and creative workloads, competing strongly with Apple Silicon in efficiency and power, though system-specific cooling and drivers (especially Linux) can impact real-world results. Reviewers praise its high performance, efficiency, and ability to run large language models locally, making it ideal for portable creators and AI enthusiasts, while dedicated gaming rigs still offer peak FPS for hardcore gamers The AMD Ryzen AI MAX series (Strix Halo) Key Strengths: Performance: Offers desktop-class CPU and high-end iGPU performance, often outperforming competitors like Intel's Core Ultra in mixed workloads. AI & ML: Its large memory bus (256-bit) and potential for huge shared VRAM (up to 128GB) make it excellent for local AI model development and inference, a "game changer" for enthusiasts. Efficiency:  Delivers high performance with relatively low power consumption (around 45-120W TDP), making it great for compact systems. Versatility:  Supports both Windows for gaming/general use and Linux for specialized AI workloads Common Criticisms & Considerations: Common Criticisms & Considerations: Software Support:  While hardware is strong, drivers and software (like PyTorch/Llama.cpp) sometimes need more optimization for AMD hardware. Mini PC Designs:  Some mini PCs using the chip have criticized aesthetics or cooling solutions, though this varies by manufacturer. Value vs. Power: While a strong performer, it's a high-end chip, but costs/power can rival or exceed entry-level dedicated GPUs for specific tasks, though with better VRAM flexibility.  Considerations: System Implementation: Performance varies significantly by device; mini-PCs (like Minisforum, Beelink) and laptops (HP ZBook, ASUS ROG) leverage different cooling and power delivery, impacting heat and noise. Linux Support:  While generally good, driver maturity can vary, with some users reporting NIC issues on specific hardware. Target Audience: Best for users needing integrated power for AI, content creation, and gaming in thin/light or small form factors; traditional high-end gaming PCs still offer peak FPS for dedicated gamers Overall Verdict: Overall Verdict: The Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 is a powerful SoC for users wanting top-tier integrated graphics, strong CPU power, and significant VRAM for AI/ML in a compact form factor, offering great performance-per-watt, especially for developers and power users.  Watch this video for a review of the GMKtec Evo-X2, a mini PC featuring the Ryzen AI MAX+ 395: Popular Models: Popular Models: Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 :  The flagship Strix Halo chip, a 16-core powerhouse with top-tier integrated graphics. Ryzen AI MAX PRO 390 :  A powerful 12-core variant, offering excellent balance and efficiency. Ryzen AI MAX+ 388 :  An 8-core option with strong RDNA 3+ graphics, good for mid-range performance.  In summary, the Ryzen AI MAX series represents a major shift, delivering powerful, efficient, AI-capable computing in a highly integrated package, making it a top choice for future-focused laptops and mini-PC

Microsoft: Certain Windows PCs are unable to shut down following the January update. Microsoft: Certain Windows PCs are unable to shut down following the January update "Following the installation of the January 13, 2026, Windows security update (KB5073455) for Windows 11, version 23H2, some PCs with Secure Launch are experiencing issues where they cannot shut down or enter hibernation. Instead, these devices restart," Microsoft explained in a Windows release health dashboard update on Thursday. "Secure Launch employs virtualization-based security to safeguard the system against firmware-level threats during startup. KB5073455 is exclusively available for Enterprise and IoT editions of Windows 11, versions 23H2." Until a permanent solution is provided for this issue, Microsoft has offered a temporary workaround that requires affected users to shut down their device via the command prompt using the following command: shutdown /s /t 0 Currently, there is no workaround for systems set to enter hibernation. "Until this problem is fixed, please ensure you save all your work and shut down when you finish using your device to prevent it from running out of power instead of hibernating," Microsoft added. Microsoft: Certain Windows PCs are unable to shut down following the January update. Microsoft is also working to resolve a bug caused by the January 2026 KB5074109 Windows security update, which leads to connection failures and authentication errors during Remote Desktop connections to Cloud PC sessions. On Tuesday, Microsoft addressed another known issue that was causing security applications to flag a core Windows component on client (Windows 10 and Windows 11) and server (Windows Server 2012 through Windows Server 2025) platforms. Microsoft: Certain Windows PCs are unable to shut down following the January update.

Ukraine's military targeted in a new charity-themed malware campaign Ukraine's army targeted in new charity-themed malware campaign Between October and December 2025, a charity-themed campaign targeted officials of Ukraine's Defense Forces, deploying backdoor malware known as PluggyApe. According to a report by Ukraine's CERT, these attacks were probably initiated by the Russian threat group referred to as 'Void Blizzard' and 'Laundry Bear,' although the attribution is made with medium confidence. Laundry Bear is the same group that breached the Dutch police's internal systems in 2024, stealing sensitive officer information. This group is recognized for targeting NATO member states in attacks that align with Russian interests, aiming to steal files and emails. CERT-UA observed that the attacks begin with instant messages sent via Signal or WhatsApp, instructing recipients to visit a website purportedly run by a charitable foundation and download a password-protected archive supposedly containing documents of interest. Ukraine's military targeted in a new charity-themed malware campaign Malicious message lures Source: CERT-UA Rather, the archives include executable PIF files (.docx.pif) and PluggyApe payloads, which are occasionally sent directly via the messaging app. PluggyApe is a backdoor that profiles the host, sends information to the attackers, including a unique victim identifier, and then waits for code execution commands. It achieves persistence via Windows Registry modification. Nonetheless, the harmful PIF file is an executable crafted using the PyInstaller open-source tool, which packages Python applications into a single bundle containing all necessary dependencies. In previous PluggyApe attacks, the attackers utilized the ".pdf.exe" extension for the loader. However, beginning in December 2025, they transitioned to using PIF and PluggyApe version 2, which includes improved obfuscation, MQTT-based communication, and additional anti-analysis measures. The Ukrainian agency also notes that PluggyApe retrieves its command-and-control (C2) addresses from external sources like rentry.co and pastebin.com , where they are shared in base64-encoded form, instead of relying on less-flexible hardcoded entries. Malware's code Source: CERT-UA CERT-UA cautions that mobile devices have become key targets in such attacks, as they are typically poorly secured and monitored. When combined with thorough attack planning, such as utilizing compromised accounts or phone numbers from Ukrainian telecom operators, the attacks can appear highly convincing. "The initial interaction with a cyberattack target is increasingly conducted using legitimate accounts, phone numbers of Ukrainian mobile operators, and the Ukrainian language, including audio and video communication," explains CERT-UA . "The attacker might display detailed and relevant knowledge about the individual, the organization, and the specifics of its operations." A comprehensive list of indicators of compromise (IoCs), including fraudulent websites masquerading as charity portals, is available at the end of CERT-UA's report.

Gmail's new AI Inbox utilizes Gemini, but Google assures that it won't use user emails to train the AI. Google says it's rolling out a new feature called 'AI Inbox,' which summarizes all your emails, but the company promises it won't train its models on your emails. Google has announced the introduction of a new feature called 'AI Inbox,' designed to summarize all your emails. The company assures users that it will not use their emails to train its models. On Thursday, Google revealed a new phase for Gmail, where Gemini will manage your default inbox screen. Google contends that since 2004, the nature of email has evolved, with users now receiving hundreds of emails weekly, and the volume continues to increase. Gmail's new AI Inbox utilizes Gemini, but Google assures that it won't use user emails to train the AI. With AI Overviews in Gmail, Google says it can address the high-volume problem and allow you to ask anything about your inbox. Gmail's new AI Inbox utilizes Gemini, but Google assures that it won't use user emails to train the AI. For instance,Gmail's new AI Inbox utilizes Gemini, but Google assures that it won't use user emails to train the AI. when you locate the right emails, you may be faced with a list of messages, as emails often become lengthy conversations, particularly in corporate settings, requiring you to sift through the extensive list. Much like Google Search, AI Overviews condenses your email into a brief summary, eliminating the need to read all previous emails in the thread. AI Overview conversation summaries are being launched today for everyone at no cost. AI Inbox- Gmail's new AI Inbox utilizes Gemini, but Google assures that it won't use user emails to train the AI. AI Inbox is a new section that appears above the traditional Inbox on the left sidebar, serving as your personalized briefing. "AI Inbox acts like a personalized briefing, highlighting tasks and updating you on important matters," Google explained in a blog post. "It assists you in prioritizing by identifying your VIPs based on signals such as people you frequently email, those in your contacts list, and relationships inferred from message content," the company added. It helps you prioritize, identifying your VIPs based on signals like people you email frequently AI Inbox in Gmail is powered by Gemini, and it's rolling out to users with Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the United States. Google confirmed that you'll be able to turn off the AI features in Gmail, and it's promising that it won't train its AI models on your emails.

Email security requires more safeguards: Why click rate is not the right metric Email security requires more safeguards: Why click rate is not the right metric Many security teams still rely on click rates to measure phishing. It's simple to track and present, but it can be misleading. Tracking clicks is akin to "measuring the tide coming and going"—it naturally fluctuates and seldom indicates real-world impact. The more critical question, which most programs struggle to answer, is: How much damage can an attacker cause if they access a mailbox? This is the true measure of maturity. It's not about completion rates or who remembered to inspect a URL. Even with low click rates, a single inattentive employee can cause issues. Additionally, inbox breaches are increasingly common without any phishing attempts. Phishing is merely an entry point; the real crisis follows In incidents that concern CISOs, phishing is merely the entry method. The real issue is what occurs once an attacker gains access: They extract years of sensitive mailbox data and shared files. They use the mailbox to reset passwords for other applications. They exploit the compromised identity to phish other employees from a trusted source. MFA isn't a foolproof solution here—there are numerous ways to infiltrate a cloud workspace that bypass it entirely. If breaches are unavoidable, the focus shifts from perfect prevention to resilience. The Layered Approach to Robust Email Security - Email security requires more safeguards: Why click rate is not the right metric Most email security solutions available today concentrate primarily on preventing inbound attacks. While prevention is undoubtedly crucial, it cannot be the sole defense. Modern threats are too rapid, too widespread, and too advanced. Relying solely on inbound protection is inadequate. Prevention - This involves blocking incoming threats, correcting misconfigurations, and securing risky file shares. It includes taking all possible measures to thwart attacks before they happen. Detect and Recover - This requires the capability to identify signs of compromise and account takeover before any harm occurs. It involves monitoring not just unusual login activities but also data access patterns, email forwarding rules, file sharing behaviors, and other indicators that an account is behaving abnormally. Containment - This is about continuous risk mitigation that limits the extent of damage an attacker can inflict once they gain access to an account. It involves restricting their ability to extract sensitive data, move laterally, and propagate the attack within the environment. Email security requires more safeguards: Why click rate is not the right metric Many organizations perform reasonably well in prevention, though often with a limited scope. More advanced organizations possess some detection and response capabilities. However, very few manage containment effectively. Most organizations do fairly well at prevention, though often too limited in scope. More mature organizations have some detection and response capabilities. But very few effectively manage containment. The Missing Layer: Containment Containment may not be flashy and doesn’t fit neatly into a conventional security category, but it can significantly reduce the impact of a breach. Consider it like this: prevention involves maintaining your car, driving cautiously, and avoiding accidents. Detection and response involve ensuring everyone’s safety and calling for assistance after an accident. Containment is akin to seatbelts and airbags: the safety features that minimize the severity of a crash. Containment isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a collection of practical controls targeting an attacker’s objectives after a compromise: Make mailbox exfiltration more difficult: Why should accessing an account grant unrestricted access to years of personal information and financial documents? Internal segmentation—requiring additional verification for sensitive emails—restricts what an attacker can "loot." Prevent lateral movement via password resets: If there’s one control that can alter the course of a breach, it’s this: intercept password reset emails and enforce an additional MFA challenge to ensure a compromised mailbox doesn’t lead to a compromised identity. Address "settings debt": Attackers thrive on outdated defaults. Disabling IMAP/POP (which bypasses MFA) and clearing out app-specific passwords are basic hygiene measures that substantially reduce your vulnerability. Advancing Beyond Manual Triage The main challenge for most teams is time. No one has the capacity to manually review every file permission or evaluate every user report. If you’re committed to containment, you need systems that handle the monotonous tasks automatically—identifying risks and addressing them in the background—so your team only gets involved when judgment is truly necessary. Moving beyond manual triage Alternative Metrics to Consider While click rate is just a superficial indicator, these metrics truly represent your risk: Mailbox lootability:  What amount of sensitive information can be accessed without additional verification? Reset-path exposure:  How many essential applications are vulnerable to email-only password resets? Time-to-contain: How quickly can you restrict an attacker's actions once they have gained access? Email security has long focused on the front entrance. It's crucial to start questioning: if an attacker is currently in a mailbox, what actions can they take in the next ten minutes—and how swiftly can you revoke that capability?

ChatGPT is testing a new feature to help find jobs, enhance your resume, and more. ChatGPT is testing a new feature to help find jobs, enhance your resume, and more. OpenAI is experimenting with "Jobs," a new feature designed to assist you in exploring roles, enhancing your resume, and planning your career path. This feature is under testing following the addition of the Health dashboard to ChatGPT. It appears that OpenAI is aiming to become an all-in-one app with AI-driven capabilities. Using the Jobs feature, you can request ChatGPT to refine your resume or aid in planning your career: Features of GPT Jobs include: ChatGPT is testing a new feature to help find jobs, enhance your resume, and more. Receive assistance in enhancing your resume and positioning Identify suitable roles and learn how to differentiate yourself Explore and evaluate opportunities that align with your objectives The other potential features are not specified, but nerdcore pc systems believes they will be akin to the recently announced Health feature. ChatGPT Health provides a private environment for health discussions and represents the company's effort to leverage the growing use of ChatGPT for health-related inquiries. "We’re launching ChatGPT Health, a specialized experience that securely integrates your health information with ChatGPT’s intelligence, aiming to make you feel more informed, prepared, and confident in managing your health," OpenAI  announced . ChatGPT is testing a new feature to help find jobs, enhance your resume, and more. If you have early access to ChatGPT Health, it will be available as a new section in the sidebar on the desktop and in the hamburger menu on mobile. Additionally, regular chat may prompt you to continue the conversation in the Health space if it identifies that the question pertains to health. ChatGPT's Jobs feature might also be available on the left sidebar, featuring an interactive interface.  If you inquire about Jobs-related topics, GPT may direct you to the new Jobs feature. There is no information yet on when the GPT Jobs feature will be released. ChatGPT is testing a new feature to help find jobs, enhance your resume, and more

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Microsoft Patch Tuesdat Microsoft's December 2025 Patch Tuesday addresses 3 zero-day vulnerabilities and 57 flaws. Microsoft's December 2025 Patch Tuesday addresses 3 zero-day vulnerabilities and 57 flaws. On this December 2025 Patch Tuesday, Microsoft has released updates addressing 57 flaws, including one that is actively exploited and two publicly disclosed zero-day vulnerabilities. This update also resolves three "Critical" remote code execution vulnerabilities. The count of bugs in each vulnerability category is detailed below: 28 Elevation of Privilege Vulnerabilities 19 Remote Code Execution Vulnerabilities 4 Information Disclosure Vulnerabilities 3 Denial of Service Vulnerabilities 2 Spoofing Vulnerabilities When Nerdcore PC Systems covers Patch Tuesday security updates, we include only those issued by Microsoft today. As a result, the flaw count excludes 15 Microsoft Edge vulnerabilities and Mariner vulnerabilities addressed earlier this month. To find out more about today's non-security updates, you can check our specific articles on the Windows 11 KB5072033 & KB5071417 cumulative updates . If you're experiencing delays, blind spots, or prioritization challenges with Patch Tuesday updates, our recent webinar with Action1 shows how modern patch management enables organizations to patch more quickly and reduce risk. 3 zero-days, one exploited This month's Patch Tuesday addresses one actively exploited and two publicly disclosed zero-day vulnerabilities. Microsoft defines a zero-day flaw as one that is publicly disclosed or actively exploited without an official fix available. Microsoft Tuesday Patch The actively exploited zero-day is: CVE-2025-62221 - Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Microsoft has addressed an actively exploited privilege elevation vulnerability in the Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver. "Use after free in Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally," Microsoft explains. According to Microsoft, successfully exploiting the flaw enables attackers to obtain SYSTEM privileges. The flaw has been attributed by Microsoft to the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center (MSTIC) & Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC), but details on how it was exploited have not been shared. The publicly disclosed zero-day vulnerabilities include: CVE-2025-64671 - GitHub Copilot for Jetbrains Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Microsoft has addressed a GitHub Copilot vulnerability that was publicly disclosed, which allows attackers to execute commands locally. "Improper neutralization of special elements used in a command ('command injection') in Copilot enables an unauthorized attacker to run code locally," Microsoft explains. According to Microsoft, the vulnerability can be exploited through a Cross Prompt Injection in untrusted files or MCP servers. "Through a malicious Cross Prompt Injection in untrusted files or MCP servers, an attacker could execute additional commands by appending them to commands permitted in the user's terminal auto-approve setting," Microsoft continued. Microsoft credits the discovery of this flaw to Ari Marzuk , who recently revealed it in his " IDEsaster: A Novel Vulnerability Class in AI IDEs " report. CVE-2025-54100 - PowerShell Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Microsoft has resolved a PowerShell vulnerability that could lead to the execution of scripts embedded in a webpage when the page is accessed using  Invoke-WebRequest . "Improper neutralization of special elements used in a command ('command injection') in Windows PowerShell allows an unauthorized attacker to run code locally," Microsoft states. Microsoft has implemented a change that issues a warning when PowerShell uses 'Invoke-WebRequest,' advising users to add the -UseBasicParsing option to prevent code execution. Security Warning: Script Execution Risk Invoke-WebRequest parses the content of the web page. Script code in the web page might be run when the page is parsed. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Use the -UseBasicParsing switch to avoid script code execution. Do you want to continue? ``` For additional details, see [KB5074596: PowerShell 5.1: Preventing script execution from web content](https://support.microsoft.com/help/5072034). Microsoft credits this vulnerability to several researchers, including Justin Necke, DeadOverflow, Pēteris Hermanis Osipovs, Anonymous, Melih Kaan Yıldız , and  Osman Eren Güneş . Recent updates from other companies In December 2025, several vendors issued updates or advisories: Adobe provided security updates for ColdFusion, Experience Manager, DNG SDK, Acrobat Reader, and Creative Cloud Desktop. Fortinet issued security updates for various products, including a critical FortiCloud SSO Login Authentication Bypass flaw . Google has published Android's December security bulletin , addressing two actively exploited vulnerabilities. Ivanti issued security patches as part of its December 2025 Patch Tuesday updates, featuring a fix for a 9.6/10 Stored XSS flaw in Ivanti Endpoint Manager. React provided security updates for a critical RCE flaw in React Server Components. This flaw, known as React2Shell, is now widely exploited in attacks . SAP issued the December security updates for multiple products, including a fix for a 9.9/10 code injection flaw in SAP Solution Manager. Below is the comprehensive list of vulnerabilities resolved in the December 2025 Patch Tuesday updates. For a detailed description of each vulnerability and the systems affected, you can view the full report here . Microsoft Tuesday Patch Tag CVE ID CVE Title Severity Application Information Services CVE-2025-62572 Application Information Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Azure Monitor Agent CVE-2025-62550 Azure Monitor Agent Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Important Copilot CVE-2025-64671 GitHub Copilot for Jetbrains Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Important Microsoft Brokering File System CVE-2025-62569 Microsoft Brokering File System Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Microsoft Brokering File System CVE-2025-62469 Microsoft Brokering File System Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) CVE-2025-13634 Chromium: CVE-2025-13634 Inappropriate implementation in Downloads Unknown Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) CVE-2025-13721 Chromium: CVE-2025-13721 Race in v8 Unknown Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) CVE-2025-13630 Chromium: CVE-2025-13630 Type Confusion in V8 Unknown Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) CVE-2025-13631 Chromium: CVE-2025-13631 Inappropriate implementation in Google Updater Unknown Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) CVE-2025-13632 Chromium: CVE-2025-13632 Inappropriate implementation in DevTools Unknown Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) CVE-2025-13633 Chromium: CVE-2025-13633 Use after free in Digital Credentials Unknown Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) CVE-2025-13638 Chromium: CVE-2025-13638 Use after free in Media Stream Unknown Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) CVE-2025-13639 Chromium: CVE-2025-13639 Inappropriate implementation in WebRTC Unknown Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) CVE-2025-13640 Chromium: CVE-2025-13640 Inappropriate implementation in Passwords Unknown Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) CVE-2025-13637 Chromium: CVE-2025-13637 Inappropriate implementation in Downloads Unknown Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) CVE-2025-13720 Chromium: CVE-2025-13720 Bad cast in Loader Unknown Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) CVE-2025-13635 Chromium: CVE-2025-13635 Inappropriate implementation in Downloads Unknown Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) CVE-2025-13636 Chromium: CVE-2025-13636 Inappropriate implementation in Split View Unknown Microsoft Edge for iOS CVE-2025-62223 Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) for Mac Spoofing Vulnerability Low Microsoft Exchange Server CVE-2025-64666 Microsoft Exchange Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Microsoft Exchange Server CVE-2025-64667 Microsoft Exchange Server Spoofing Vulnerability Important Microsoft Graphics Component CVE-2025-64670 Windows DirectX Information Disclosure Vulnerability Important Microsoft Office CVE-2025-62554 Microsoft Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Critical Microsoft Office CVE-2025-62557 Microsoft Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Critical Microsoft Office Access CVE-2025-62552 Microsoft Access Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Important Microsoft Office Excel CVE-2025-62560 Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Important Microsoft Office Excel CVE-2025-62563 Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Important Microsoft Office Excel CVE-2025-62561 Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Important Microsoft Office Excel CVE-2025-62564 Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Important Microsoft Office Excel CVE-2025-62553 Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Important Microsoft Office Excel CVE-2025-62556 Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Important Microsoft Office Outlook CVE-2025-62562 Microsoft Outlook Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Critical Microsoft Office SharePoint CVE-2025-64672 Microsoft SharePoint Server Spoofing Vulnerability Important Microsoft Office Word CVE-2025-62558 Microsoft Word Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Important Microsoft Office Word CVE-2025-62559 Microsoft Word Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Important Microsoft Office Word CVE-2025-62555 Microsoft Word Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Important Storvsp.sys Driver CVE-2025-64673 Windows Storage VSP Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Windows Camera Frame Server Monitor CVE-2025-62570 Windows Camera Frame Server Monitor Information Disclosure Vulnerability Important Windows Client-Side Caching (CSC) Service CVE-2025-62466 Windows Client-Side Caching Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver CVE-2025-62457 Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver CVE-2025-62454 Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver CVE-2025-62221 Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Windows Common Log File System Driver CVE-2025-62470 Windows Common Log File System Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Windows Defender Firewall Service CVE-2025-62468 Windows Defender Firewall Service Information Disclosure Vulnerability Important Windows DirectX CVE-2025-62463 DirectX Graphics Kernel Denial of Service Vulnerability Important Windows DirectX CVE-2025-62465 DirectX Graphics Kernel Denial of Service Vulnerability Important Windows DirectX CVE-2025-62573 DirectX Graphics Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Windows DWM Core Library CVE-2025-64679 Windows DWM Core Library Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Windows DWM Core Library CVE-2025-64680 Windows DWM Core Library Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Windows Hyper-V CVE-2025-62567 Windows Hyper-V Denial of Service Vulnerability Important Windows Installer CVE-2025-62571 Windows Installer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Windows Message Queuing CVE-2025-62455 Microsoft Message Queuing (MSMQ) Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Windows PowerShell CVE-2025-54100 PowerShell Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Important Windows Projected File System CVE-2025-62464 Windows Projected File System Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Windows Projected File System CVE-2025-55233 Windows Projected File System Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Windows Projected File System CVE-2025-62462 Windows Projected File System Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Windows Projected File System CVE-2025-62467 Windows Projected File System Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Windows Projected File System Filter Driver CVE-2025-62461 Windows Projected File System Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Windows Remote Access Connection Manager CVE-2025-62474 Windows Remote Access Connection Manager Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Windows Remote Access Connection Manager CVE-2025-62472 Windows Remote Access Connection Manager Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Windows Resilient File System (ReFS) CVE-2025-62456 Windows Resilient File System (ReFS) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Important Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) CVE-2025-62549 Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Important Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) CVE-2025-62473 Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) Information Disclosure Vulnerability Important Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) CVE-2025-64678 Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Important Windows Shell CVE-2025-62565 Windows File Explorer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Windows Shell CVE-2025-64661 Windows Shell Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Windows Shell CVE-2025-64658 Windows File Explorer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Windows Storage VSP Driver CVE-2025-59517 Windows Storage VSP Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Windows Storage VSP Driver CVE-2025-59516 Windows Storage VSP Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Windows Win32K - GRFX CVE-2025-62458 Win32k Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Important Update 12/10/25: Our subsection title regarding the zero-days incorrectly stated that two were exploited, instead of one. Microsoft Tuesday Patch

New vulnerability in older D-Link DSL routers being actively used in attacks Threat actors are exploiting a recently discovered command injection vulnerability that affects multiple D-Link DSL gateway routers that went out of support years ago. Malicious actors are taking advantage of a newly identified command injection vulnerability that impacts several D-Link DSL gateway routers, which have not been supported for years. This vulnerability, now identified as CVE-2026-0625, affects the dnscfg.cgi endpoint due to inadequate input sanitization in a CGI library. An attacker without authentication could exploit this to run remote commands through DNS configuration parameters. Vulnerability intelligence company VulnCheck reported the problem to D-Link on December 15, after The Shadowserver Foundation observed a command injection exploitation attempt on one of its honeypots. New vulnerability in older D-Link DSL routers being actively used in attacks "An unauthenticated remote attacker can inject and execute arbitrary shell commands, resulting in remote code execution," VulnCheck says in the security advisory. VulnCheck informed BleepingComputer that the method observed by Shadowserver seems to lack public documentation. "An unauthenticated remote attacker can inject and execute arbitrary shell commands, leading to remote code execution," VulnCheck states in the security advisory . In partnership with VulnCheck, D-Link has identified the following device models and firmware versions as affected by CVE-2026-0625: DSL-526B ≤ 2.01 DSL-2640B ≤ 1.07 DSL-2740R < 1.17 DSL-2780B ≤ 1.01.14 These models have been end-of-life (EoL) since 2020 and will not receive firmware updates to address CVE-2026-0625. Therefore, the vendor strongly advises retiring and replacing the affected devices with supported models. D-Link continues to assess whether any other products are affected by examining various firmware releases. "Both D-Link and VulnCheck encounter challenges in accurately identifying all impacted models due to variations in firmware implementations and product generations," D-Link explains . "Current analysis reveals no reliable method for detecting model numbers beyond direct firmware inspection. Consequently, D-Link is validating firmware builds across both legacy and supported platforms as part of the investigation," the vendor states. At present, it is unclear who is exploiting the vulnerability and which targets are affected. However, VulnCheck notes that most consumer router configurations permit only LAN access to administrative Common Gateway Interface (CGI) endpoints such as dnscfg.cgi. Exploiting CVE-2026-0625 would require a browser-based attack or a target device set up for remote administration. Users of end-of-life (EoL) routers and networking devices should replace them with models that are actively supported by the vendor or use them in non-critical networks, preferably segmented, with the latest available firmware version and strict security settings. D-Link warns users that EoL devices do not receive firmware updates, security patches, or any maintenance. Author: Nerdcore PC Systems Tags Dark web monitoring service Computer virus Malware removal tools Penetration testing services Cybersecurity threat alerts Secure browsers n testing services Cybersecurity threat alerts Secure browsers Malware malware Virus removal guides Trojan removal tools

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How to Use vDos to Run Old DOS Programs on Windows How to Use vDos to Run Old DOS Programs on Windows If you’re feeling nostalgic for 8-bit games or need to run some old software, 32-bit Windows 10 doesn’t accommodate. Old DOS programs need a little extra to run on the 64-bit version of Windows 10 as well as Windows 11. You can use vDos to help you run old DOS software if you need to, although it isn’t a suitable option for gaming. Here’s how to use it. What Is vDos? To allow older DOS programs to run on newer Windows platforms, the Virtual DOS Machine (NTVDM) is used. Windows 10 32-bit includes this, but 64-bit versions and Windows 11 don’t. Instead, Windows users will see a pop-up alert that DOS programs can’t run. To allow older DOS programs to run on newer Windows platforms, vDos is a third-party DOS emulator that replaces Windows’ own NTVDM technology. When you run DOS software through vDos, it’ll load in its own window. It adds network and printer support, provides clipboard access and allows direct access to your system files. vDos isn’t the only DOS emulator in town, however. DOSBOX  is an alternative, primarily designed for playing old DOS games, something that vDos can’t do. You can also use vDosPlus , a fork of vDos, although vDos receives far more regular updates. How to Install vDos on Windows 10 If you want to install vDos, head to the vDos download page  and download the installation program. The installation process is easy – open the installer and follow the instructions. Make sure you allow vDos to patch and update to the most recent version of vDos during the installation. Previously, it was necessary to choose the latest patch from a list of additional tasks. It was an extra installation step that has been removed. Just wait for the setup program to extract package installer files. Once vDos is installed, you can check that it’s working by opening vDos (labeled “vDos”) from the Start menu Once vDos is installed, you can check that it’s working by opening vDos (labeled “vDos”) from the Start menu. How to Use vDos to Run Old DOS Programs on Windows vDos comes with a test version of DataPerfect, an old DOS database tool. The initial configuration file will automatically load DataPerfect once it runs. If vDos is working, DataPerfect should load in its own window. If vDos is working correctly, close the test window and head to your vDos installation folder (typically “C:\vDos”). If vDos is working correctly, close the test window and head to your vDos installation folder (typically “C:\vDos”). Open the “autoexec.txt” file and remove everything listed within before saving and closing. Open the “autoexec.txt” file and remove everything listed within before saving and closing. Open vDos again, and you should see the typical DOS “C:\” prompt. From here, you can now run any DOS software you like. Open vDos again, and you should see the typical DOS “C:\” prompt. From here, you can now run any DOS software you like. If you’d like to configure vDos further (to enable print or network support, for instance), the vDos FAQ  offers support and guidance to help you. How to Use vDos With the initial vDos startup configuration erased, you’ll see the DOS prompt every time you run the vDos program. There’s a selection of interesting DOS software  available online that you can try, from text-based web browsers to graphics-editing tools. To run your software, download your DOS software and place it in the same directory as vDos (for example, “C:\vDos”). This directory is treated as the initial “C:\” directory. How to Use vDos Use the dir command to list files in your current folder, then cd followed by a folder name to move to that folder. Type .. to go up one directory. Use the dir command to list files in your current folder, then cd followed by a folder name to move to that folder. Type .. to go up one directory. At the “C:\” DOS prompt, type the name of your DOS software EXE file and press Enter. Your DOS software will load within the vDos window, ready for you to use. At the “C:\” DOS prompt, type the name of your DOS software EXE file and press Enter. Your DOS software will load within the vDos window, ready for you to use. Running DOS Programs on Windows 10 DOS isn’t just outdated, it’s ancient, with the final release of MS-DOS more than twenty years ago. Microsoft Windows provides very limited support for NTVDM, the essential component of a virtual DOS machine. Given that it is such an older technology, DOS has been operating in maintenance mode and no programs are being developed on it anymore. It may also pose security risks. Some enterprise applications continue to run 16-bit programs. Software like vDos helps to fill in the gap, giving a new lease on life to older software that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to run. Running vDos on Windows 11 vDos runs absolutely fine on Windows 11. The installation procedure is very similar to Windows 10 in that you have to first create an installation folder. vDos runs absolutely fine on Windows 11. The installation procedure is very similar to Windows 10 in that you have to first create an installation folder. Currently, the vDos installation is much faster on Windows 11. After selecting the installation folder, it should take just a few seconds for you to see the installation finish screen. Currently, the vDos installation is much faster on Windows 11. After selecting the installation folder, it should take just a few seconds for you to see the installation finish screen. Once the vDos freeware is launched on Windows 11, press any key to continue. This will initialize a DataPerfect test. Once the vDos freeware is launched on Windows 11, press any key to continue. This will initialize a DataPerfect test. After you get the DataPerfect screen, you can easily configure the vDos program for your Windows 11. After you get the DataPerfect screen, you can easily configure the vDos program for your Windows 11.

Quitting Starts Now. Make Your Quit Plan. Spark up a conversation with someone about your addiction Quitting smoking is one of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk of cancer. Tobacco smoke contains more than 7000 chemicals, including 69 carcinogens (chemicals known to cause cancer). There are immediate health benefits as soon as you quit smoking, even if you already suffer health problems. Use Hypnotherapy to Quit Smoking and Vaping How many sessions does it take to stop smoking? Why Hypnotherapy Works to Quit What is included in your Hypnotherapy session to stop smoking? FAQs on Hypnotherapy to Quit Smoking Quitting isn't easy, which is why you need help Reasons to quit There are so many reasons to quit smoking. Almost straight away your health will start to improve, and your risk of cancer and other diseases will reduce. Quitting smoking improves the health of those around you by reducing second-hand smoke and you’ll also save money. Many smokers need to practice quitting several times before they give up for good. Keep trying and don’t give up! Practice helps you plan what to do the next time you get an urge to smoke. Approaches to quitting Cold Turkey For many people the most successful way to quit is going “cold turkey”. This means stopping completely without cutting down. Nicotine replacement Therapy NRT Using nicotine gum, patches, lozenges, tablets or inhalers may be useful for heavy smokers, though most smokers quit by themselves. Your doctor or pharmacist will explain how to use these products. For more information on NRT, download our factsheet . Prescription Drugs Prescription medications can help to reduce withdrawal symptoms when you quit, such as cravings, irritability, and anxiety. But it may not stop them completely. Support For your best chance at quitting it is important that you seek support.  In NSW, the Quitline is a confidential telephone information and advice service to help smokers quit and stay quit. Alternative Therapies Some people try herbal remedies, hypnotherapy, spiritual healing or other alternative therapies, but there is insufficient evidence these methods help you quit.                                                               Coping with cravings The first few days of quitting can be the hardest, as you may feel tired, irritable and tense. After about one to two weeks most of these symptoms will disappear. Try the four Ds to cope with cravings: Delay  acting on the urge to smoke. After 5 minutes, the urge to smoke weakens. Deep  breathe in and out slowly, repeat three times. Drink water, sipping slowly, holding it in the mouth a little longer to savour the taste. Do  something else. Listen to music, exercise or talk to a friend. After quitting smoking, being more active is the best thing you can do for your general health and wellbeing. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact your doctor or healthcare professional. Support to quit Whether you want to quit or are looking to help someone you care about, there are a wide range of resources to help.                                                                        State based information and support Thinking about quitting smoking or supporting someone to quit?  Online quit information and support can vary between states. To find out what support is available in your area, call Quitline on 13 78 48 or choose from the various links below. Australian Capital Territory New South Wales Northern Territory Queensland South Australia Tasmania Victoria Western Australia 5 Easy steps to plan for quitting smoking or vaping Just 5 Steps to quit smoking and be free from 7000 chemicals entering your body Making a Plan to Quit and Preparing for Your Quit Day When you’re ready to quit tobacco (known as tobacco cessation), you have many options. There’s no one right way to quit. But there are steps you can take to help make your decision to quit a success. These steps can help no matter what type of tobacco or nicotine product you’re trying to quit. Make the decision to quit tobacco The decision to quit smoking or using smokeless tobacco is one that only you can make. Others may want you to quit, but you must make the commitment. Think about why you want to quit . Are you worried you could get a tobacco-related disease ? Do you believe the benefits of quitting  outweigh the benefits of continuing to use tobacco? Do you know someone who has had health problems because of using tobacco or being around it a lot? Are you interested in saving the money you now spend on cigarettes, cigars, vapes, chew, dip, or snuff? Are you hoping to improve your health and have more energy for upcoming events, like a family wedding? Are you ready to make a serious try at quitting? Write down your reasons so you can look at them every time you want to smoke or dip. Set a date for your Quit Day After you make the decision to quit tobacco, the next step is picking a date for your Quit Day. Why is it important to pick a Quit Day? Once you decide to quit, you need to pick a quit date. This is a key step. Choose a day within the next month. Picking a date too far away gives you time to change your mind. Still, you need to give yourself enough time to prepare. You might choose a date with a special meaning like a birthday or anniversary, or the date of the Great American Smokeout  (the third Thursday in November each year). Or you might want to just pick a random date. Once you decide on a date, circle it on your calendar. Make a strong, personal commitment to quit on that day. Let others know your plan. How do you plan to quit? There are many ways to quit, and some ways work better than others. Nicotine replacement therapy, prescription medicines, counseling, support groups, and other methods  are helpful for quitting tobacco. Learn more about ways to quit so you can find the method (or methods) that best suit you. It’s also a good idea to talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Ask if they have information and resources to help you quit. . Also check with your insurance company about coverage for quit programs and quit aids, such as medicines and counseling. Support is another key part of your plan. In-person or virtual quit programs, advice from health care professionals, telephone quit lines, phone reminder apps, Nicotine Anonymous meetings, self-help materials such as books and pamphlets, and counselors can be a great help. Online support groups where you can connect with others who are quitting may also help. And tell your family, friends, and co-workers that you’re quitting. They can give you help and encouragement, which increases your chances of quitting for good. Combining 2 or more of these types of quit aids may work better than using just 1 . Prepare for your Quit Day Here are some steps to help you get ready for your Quit Day: Make a quit plan. Pick the date and mark it on your calendar. Think about attending a quit class  to help you decide on a plan and get support. Decide on a plan. Will you use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or other medicines? Will you get counseling or call a telephone Quitline? Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what might work best for you. Check with your insurance company about coverage for programs and medicines. Come up with ways to deal with triggers (situations that bring on cravings to use tobacco). If you’re using bupropion or varenicline, take your prescribed dose each day leading up to your Quit Day. Think about your past attempts to quit. Try to figure out what worked and what didn’t. Remove temptations. Get rid of all the cigarettes, vape pens, and ashtrays, and all the smokeless tobacco products in your home, car, and at work. Stock up on oral substitutes like sugarless gum, carrot sticks, hard candy, cinnamon sticks, coffee stirrers, straws, and/or toothpicks. Practice saying, “No thank you, I don’t use tobacco.” Ask family and friends who still use tobacco not to use it around you, and not to leave any tobacco products where you can see them. Get the support you need. Tell friends and family about your Quit Day. Set up a support system. This could be a support group, or a friend or family member who has successfully quit and is willing to help you. Call a Quitline  to talk with a coach. They can help you with a quit plan and give you tips on how to stay tobacco free. Think about working with a counselor to support your efforts to quit. Successful quitting requires planning and commitment. Decide now on your own plan. Other steps you can take before your Quit Day Cutting down, cutting back, and delaying your tobacco use can also help you prepare for your quit day. Cut down on how much you use One way to cut back before quitting is to reduce the number of cigarettes or cigars you smoke each day or cut down on the amount you vape, dip or chew. This helps you slowly reduce the amount of nicotine in your body. Try cutting back to half of your usual amount before your quit day. If you usually carry a supply with you, try leaving it behind. Carry something else to put in your mouth instead. Cut back on when and where you use You can also try cutting back on when and where you smoke, vape, dip, or chew. This gives you a chance to notice when your cravings are the worst. It’s easier to come up with an action plan if you know what triggers your cravings. Once you’ve decided not to use tobacco at a certain place, leave it at home when you go there. Try your substitutes instead. Put off using tobacco when you have a craving Go as long as you can without giving in to a craving. Start by trying for at least 10 minutes, then longer and longer as you near your Quit Day. Pick your 3 biggest triggers and stop using tobacco at those times. This will be hard at first, but practice will make it easier. On your Quit Day Over time, using tobacco becomes a strong habit. Daily events like waking up in the morning, finishing a meal, drinking coffee, or taking a break at work may trigger your urge to use it. Breaking the link between the trigger and tobacco use will help you stop. On your Quit Day, go down this list: Do not use tobacco. This means not at all – not even one puff! Stay busy. Try walking, short bursts of exercise, or other activities and hobbies. Drink lots of water and juices. Start using nicotine replacement if that’s part of your plan. Don’t use e-cigarettes to help you quit. They are not a safe option and can also cause nicotine addiction. Avoid situations where the craving to use tobacco is strong. Stay away from people who are using tobacco. Drink less alcohol or avoid it completely. Think about how you can change your routine. Use a different route to go to work. Drink tea instead of coffee. Eat breakfast in a different place or eat different foods. Be prepared to feel the craving to use tobacco. The urge will likely be pretty strong. But it's important to remember that a craving will pass whether you give in to it or not. Use the 4 D’s to help fight the urge: Delay  for 10 minutes. Repeat if needed. Deep breathe.  Close your eyes, slowly breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Picture your lungs filling with fresh, clean air. Drink water  slowly, sip by sip. Do something else.  Some activities trigger cravings. Get up and move around. Often, this simple trick will allow you to move beyond the strong urge to use tobacco. Written By Nerdcore Computers

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Bill Gates' Foundation Trust cuts Microsoft stake by 65% — dropping to a mere $4.7 billion in its vast portfolio The latest SEC filing reveals the Gates Foundation Trust has sharply reduced its Microsoft holdings, shifting billions across its portfolio. The latest SEC filing reveals the Gates Foundation Trust has sharply reduced its Microsoft holdings, shifting billions across its portfolio. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Trust serve as the investment fund that underpins the Foundation’s charitable activities. It manages substantial assets contributed by Bill Gates , Melinda French Gates, and the significant past and ongoing donations from Warren Buffett. It operates independently from the Foundation, which is dedicated to awarding grants and managing global health and education initiatives. The Trust’s investments are publicly reported through regular SEC filings. Notably, the Trust decreased its Microsoft holdings by approximately 65 percent in the quarter ending on September 30, 2025, selling over 17 million shares during that time. Prior to the sale, Microsoft was the Trust’s largest holding, valued at about $13 billion, accounting for nearly one-third of the entire portfolio. How did Gates' Trust portfolio change after the Microsoft sale? How did Gates' Trust portfolio change after the Microsoft sale? After selling 65 percent of its Microsoft shares, the stock moved from being the Trust's largest position to the fourth largest. The overall portfolio is now valued at $70 billion, but the managed portfolio is closer to $36 billion. Berkshire Hathaway has become the Trust's largest holding at approximately $10.9 billion. As a result of the reduction, the value of the Microsoft position also decreased to about $4.7 billion. Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, is a major American holding company. It owns businesses such as Dairy Queen, various energy and utility companies, and holds significant investments in Apple, Coca-Cola, and several banks. Bill Gates' Foundation Trust cuts Microsoft stake by 65% — dropping to a mere $4.7 billion in its vast portfolio Waste Management and Canadian National Railway are now the next largest positions in the Trust's portfolio. These have been long-term holdings and continue to be central components of its asset mix. The Trust also reduced several other holdings during the quarter and completely exited Crown Castle and United Parcel Service. It still retains over 9 million Microsoft shares, so it has not fully withdrawn from Microsoft and remains a significant investor in the company. Bill Gates' Foundation Trust cuts Microsoft stake by 65% — dropping to a mere $4.7 billion in its vast portfolio What’s next for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust? What’s next for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust? The Trust intends to raise its yearly grant expenditures to approximately $9 billion by 2026. Additionally, it has a long-term objective to deplete its entire endowment by 2045, aiming to utilize all of its resources for charitable purposes by then. Even after selling Microsoft shares, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Trust continue to be one of the largest investment pools globally.

Windows 11 update solves AMD GPU issues in several games Windows 11 update solves AMD GPU issues in several games Windows Update reportedly fixes AMD GPU hangs in several AAA games According to many reports from gamers, Windows 11’s KB5070311 update has addressed issues that some AMD Radeon GPU users have been experiencing with AAA games like Battlefield 6, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, and Arc Raiders. These issues caused “GPU hang”, “driver removed”, and “not accepting more commands” errors with Windows, even when using AMD’s newest GPU drivers. Since the October update to Windows 11, these issues have been noted. This update is the one that almost reduced gaming performance by half on Nvidia GPUs in certain games . According to Windows Latest , numerous gamers have reported that the KB5070311 update for Windows 11 has alleviated AMD driver hang issues for many users. This suggests that Microsoft's October update for Windows 11 adversely affected both AMD and Nvidia GPU users. Update KB5070311 has Display and Graphics Fixes Windows 11 update solves AMD GPU issues in several games The KB5070311 update for Windows 11 addresses the "Unsupported graphics card detected" problem, indicating that Microsoft has implemented some GPU detection modifications in their operating system. This update may resolve some issues reported by AMD users. It's important to mention that the current AMD drivers ( AMD Software 25.11.1 ) also highlight several "Intermittent application crash or driver timeout" issues in their "known issues" section. User feedback suggests that these "Intermittent application crash or driver timeout" problems are likely caused by an OS-level issue rather than a driver issue from AMD. If this is true, Microsoft needs to seriously reevaluate its process for testing and releasing major OS updates. If a single Windows update can cause problems for both AMD and Nvidia GPU users, we must question the thoroughness of Microsoft's OS update testing. Windows 11 update solves AMD GPU issues in several games [Display and Graphics] Improved: Performance has been improved when apps query monitors for their full list of supported modes. When this happens it could previously lead to a momentary stutter on very high-resolution monitors. This work should help prevent and reduce stuttering in these scenarios. Fixed: All-in-one PCs might experience issues with their brightness slider, where it unexpectedly reverts to the original brightness when interacting with it. Fixed: Recently certain games might display the message Unsupported graphics card detected, although a supported graphics card is used. – Windows 11 update KB5070311 KB5070311 can now be installed separately or as part of the upcoming December update for Windows 11. If you're an AMD user facing stability problems in certain games, this update might be beneficial. However, AMD might need to follow Nvidia’s example and release a new driver to address potential issues. Microsoft’s KB5070311 update does have some problems. It is known to cause a bright screen flashing issue when Dark Mode is activated with File Explorer. You can participate in the discussion on Windows 11’s latest update resolving AMD Radeon driver timeout issues on the OC3D Forums .

How to recover data in 3 easy steps Recovering data from a laptop with a non-booting SSD can be challenging. However, there are several methods you can try. You can either attempt to repair the drive or extract the data using another computer. If the drive is not physically damaged, you may be able to repair it using a bootable USB drive and the Windows recovery environment. If the drive is severely damaged or the data is critical, consider using data recovery software or consulting a professional data recovery service. SSD Data Recovery Brands we have recovered from: Acer Aspire SSD mSATA Data Retrieval ADATA SP550 SSD Data Retrieval ASMEDIA Pin Configuration Corsair Force MP600 SSD Data Retrieval Crucial BX500 SSD Data Retrieval Crucial MX300 SSD Data Retrieval Crucial MX500 M.2 2280 Data Retrieval Crucial MX500 SATA SSD Data Retrieval Crucial P1 SSD Data Retrieval Crucial P2 SSD Data Retrieval Crucial P3 Plus SSD Data Retrieval Crucial P3 SSD Data Retrieval Crucial X6 Data Retrieval Dell Laptop XPS 13 9350 P54G Data Retrieval Dell XPS Laptop SSD Data Retrieval DST SSD Data Retrieval Ediloca EN206 SSD Data Retrieval Fanxiang S101Q Data Retrieval Gigabyte Aorus Gen4 7000s SSD Data Retrieval Gigabyte SSD Data Retrieval HP EliteBook 850 G1 Laptop Data Retrieval HP ELITEBOOK X360 1030 G3 Data Retrieval HP Notebook 15s-fq1053tu Data Retrieval with KBG40ZNV512G KIOXIA internal SSD HP Pavilion 15S-FQ4008TU with PM991a MZ-VLQ1T0B Internal SSD Data Retrieval HP ZBook Data Retrieval Intel 6000p SSD Data Retrieval Intel 600P SSD Data Retrieval Intel 660P SSD Data Retrieval Intel Optane H10 SSD Data Retrieval Intel Optane H20 SSD Data Retrieval Intel S4500 SSD Data Retrieval Intel SSD 330 Series Data Retrieval Intel SSD Data Retrieval Kingston A2000 SSD Data Retrieval Kingston A400 SSD Data Retrieval Kingston NV2 SSD Data Retrieval Kingston SSDNOW 300 Data Retrieval Kingston SSDNOW Data Retrieval Kingston SSDNow UV400 Data Retrieval Kingston XS2000 SSD Data Retrieval Kioxia BG4 SSD Data Retrieval Kioxia CL1 SSD Data Retrieval LaCie 1TB Rugged SSD Pro External Drive with Thunderbolt 3 Data Retrieval Lexar NM610 SSD Data Retrieval Lexar NS100 SSD Sata Data Retrieval Lexar Professional NM800 Pro SSD Data Retrieval Lite on CV-8B256 SSD Data Retrieval Lite-on CV8-8E128-HP 128gb SSD Data Retrieval Micron 1300 SSD Data Retrieval Micron 2300 SSD Data Retrieval Micron 2400 SSD Data Retrieval Micron 3400 M.2 NVMe SSD Data Retrieval Micron M600 SSD Data Retrieval Microsoft Surface Pro SSD Data Retrieval OCZ Trion 100 Data Retrieval OCZ Vertex 2 Solid State Drive Data Retrieval Patriot Ignite 240 Gb Data Retrieval Phison PS5016 Data Retrieval Phison SSD M-Key PS5012-E12C-10 Data Retrieval Ramaxel M.2 SSD Data Retrieval Samsung 840 Data Retrieval Samsung 840 EVO SSD Data Retrieval Samsung 850 EVO SSD Data Retrieval Samsung 850 PRO SSD Data Retrieval Samsung 860 EVO SSD Data Retrieval Samsung 860 QVO SSD Data Retrieval Samsung 870 EVO SSD Data Retrieval Samsung 950 Pro SSD Data Retrieval Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD Data Retrieval Samsung 970 EVO SSD Data Retrieval Samsung 980 Pro SSD Data Retrieval Samsung 990 EVO Plus Data Retrieval Samsung 990 Pro SSD Data Retrieval Samsung CM871 SSD Data Retrieval Samsung PM810 SSD Data Retrieval Samsung PM851 mSata SSD Data Retrieval Samsung PM871 mSATA 256GB Data Retrieval Samsung PM881 SSD Data Retrieval Samsung PM961 SSD Data Retrieval Samsung PM981 SSD Data Retrieval Samsung PM991 SSD Data Retrieval Samsung PM9A1 SSD Data Retrieval Samsung Portable SSD T1 Data Retrieval Samsung Portable SSD T3 Data Retrieval Samsung Portable SSD T5 Data Retrieval Samsung Portable SSD T7 Data Retrieval Samsung Portable SSD T7 Shield Data Retrieval Samsung Slim Portable HX-MK20Y19 SSD Data Retrieval SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD Data Retrieval SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD Data Retrieval SanDisk Portable SSD Data Retrieval SanDisk SD8SN8U-512G-1002 Internal 512GB M.2 SSD Data Retrieval SanDisk X300 Data Retrieval SanDisk X300s Data Retrieval SanDisk X600 Data Retrieval Silicon Power A55 Data Retrieval Silicon Power NVMe A60 Data Retrieval Silicon Power SPCC M.2 PCIE SSD Data Retrieval Silicon Power SPCC Solid State Disk Data Retrieval SK Hynix 256gb HFS256G39TND N210A SSD Data Retrieval SK Hynix 256gb HP L15194 HFM256GDJTNG-8310A SSD M.2 NVMe Data Retrieval SKHynix BC501 SSD Data Retrieval SKhynix SSD Data Retrieval T-Force T253TZ002T0C101 Data Retrieval TeamGroup NVMe PCIe M.2 TM8FPD001T Data Retrieval TeamGroup TM8FP6512G0C101 Internal SSD with M.2 Data Retrieval Tosbhia Kioxia KBG SSD Data Retrieval Toshiba Portage Z10T Touch Tablet Laptop Data Retrieval Toshiba TC58NC1000 KSG60ZMV512G SSD Data Retrieval Toshiba THNSNJ256GMCT 256GB SSD Data Retrieval Toshiba THNSNJ256GMCU 256GB SSD Data Retrieval Walram SSD Data Retrieval WD Blue 3D NAND SSD Data Retrieval WD Blue SA510 SSD Data Retrieval WD Elements SE SSD Portable Storage Data Retrieval WD Green SATA SSD Data Retrieval WD SN550 Data Retrieval WD SN730 Data Retrieval Western Digital Black SN850 Data Retrieval Western Digital My Passport SSD Data Retrieval Western Digital PC SN520 SSD Data Retrieval Western Digital PC SN530 Data Retrieval Western Digital PC SN740 SSD Data Retrieval Western Digital PC SN810 SSD Data Retrieval XPG SX8200PNP SSD Data Retrieval 1. Repairing the SSD (if possible) Create a bootable USB drive: This is your first step. Access the BIOS/UEFI: You need to change the boot order. Change boot order: Set the USB drive as the primary boot device. Boot from USB and repair: Follow the prompts to attempt repairs. Command Prompt: Use commands like `chkdsk X: /f` (replace X with the drive letter) to check for and fix errors. System Restore: If you have restore points, you can revert to a previous state. 2. Data Recovery (if repair fails) Connect the SSD to another computer: If the SSD is removable, connect it to another computer as a secondary drive using a SATA to USB adapter. Use data recovery software: Download and install data recovery software (like Recoverit) on the second computer. Scan for lost files: Follow the software's instructions to scan the SSD for recoverable files. Recover the files: Save the recovered files to a safe location on the other computer. Professional Data Recovery: Nerdcore PC Systems If the above methods don't work or if the data is extremely important, consider using a professional data recovery service. They have specialized tools and expertise to handle complex data loss situations. Understanding SSD Failures One of the primary reasons individuals opt for SSDs over HDDs is the belief that SSDs are vastly superior. Indeed, SSDs are engineered with advanced technologies and generally outperform HDDs in many aspects. However, both types of storage devices can fail over time. When an SSD ceases to function, it is often declared "dead." If you find yourself dealing with a failed SSD, this article outlines the steps you can take to address the issue. What Causes an SSD to Die? There are various causes of SSD failure, ranging from a dead laptop to logically damaged SSDs and other possible reasons. Scenario 1: Failing SSD When an SSD starts showing signs of failure, it indicates that the SSD is about to die. Unlike HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), SSDs (Solid-State Drives) do not have moving mechanical parts, so you won't hear clicking sounds when they fail. However, when an SSD begins to fail, it exhibits several signs that you should recognize: Firmware upgrades no longer run successfully – they hang or stop before 90 percent. The laptop struggles to boot the operating system stored in the SSD. Read and write speeds drop drastically, resulting in sluggish performance. The laptop freezes often or displays a BSOD during advanced tasks. When your laptop shows these unusual signs, the hard drive (SSD) may be on the verge of failure. The best course of action is to back up every important file on the drive. If you notice some files are already missing, consider using data recovery software to retrieve them. Scenario 2: A Dead Laptop Just as SSDs can die, laptops can also become non-functional. A laptop is considered dead when the motherboard or processing unit has failed completely, along with the RAM. While you can replace a dead motherboard, the outcome may not be satisfactory. A dead laptop won't show anything when you press the power button; it simply won't boot. However, a dead laptop doesn't necessarily mean the SSD inside is dead too. A laptop can die while the SSD remains intact. The primary issue is a failed motherboard or RAM. When these components fail, even a new SSD or HDD won't allow the computer to boot. Signs that a Laptop is Dead: The screen doesn’t display anything – not even a BSOD. The fans are silent. The laptop boots but shows nothing. You can’t boot the laptop at all. Common reasons for laptop motherboard and RAM failures include power surges, water damage, bad batteries, old motherboards, and faulty video cards or RAM. Regardless of the cause, you can still retrieve files from a dead laptop by removing the SSD and inserting it into another working computer. Solution 1: How to Recover Data from a Dead Laptop’s SSD If you have a dead laptop, the SSD may still be functional, allowing you to access your files. Recovering data from an SSD removed from a dead laptop isn't as complicated as it seems. If the SSD itself is affected, you may need to create bootable media first. Creating Bootable Media Bootable media allows you to boot a laptop from an external source rather than the primary disk. This method is useful when the primary disk is faulty or not booting. You can create bootable media using Bootable Recovery CD software, which works on most Windows OS computers. You will need a blank CD or flash drive for this purpose. Follow the software's instructions to create your bootable media. Accessing the Data in a Dead Laptop’s SSD via Bootable Disk Connect the bootable media to the faulty laptop and press the power button. Once the laptop shows the first boot screen, press the appropriate key (Del, F2, F12, or F8) repeatedly to access the BIOS. In the BIOS menu, go to the BOOT tab and change the booting sequence to prioritize your bootable media. Save the settings and reboot the computer. The system will boot from the bootable media, allowing you to access the SSD. Now that you can access the SSD, copy the files to another external storage or back them up to your cloud storage. Solution 2: How to Recover Data from Dead Laptop SSD This method works when the laptop cannot boot at all, but the SSD is still in perfect condition. You will need access to another computer and a USB cable for connecting the external drive. Recover Data from Dead Laptop SSD by Connecting to Another Computer Remove the SSD from the dead laptop (uncover the hood and loosen the screws around the SSD housing). Place the SSD into an external SSD/HDD casing and connect the USB cable. Connect the other end of the USB cable to the functional computer. Open File Explorer on the functional computer and check if the connected external SSD appears as one of the active drives. Double-click on the external SSD to open it and access the files inside. You can then copy the files to another storage device. This method is straightforward and easy, especially if you own the second computer. Solution 3: How to Recover Data with Partition Recovery by DiskInternals If you find that some files are missing from the SSD, you can retrieve them using advanced data recovery software. DiskInternals Partition Recovery tool is a professional Windows OS program designed for retrieving lost, corrupt, and deleted files from any Windows computer. Step One: Install Partition Recovery Download and install DiskInternals Partition Recovery on the functional computer. Connect the SSD as an external drive and launch the software. Step Two: Scan the Drive Select the connected SSD and choose a data recovery mode. You can opt for Fast or Full Recovery mode, but Full Recovery is recommended for thorough results. Keep in mind that Full Recovery may take longer to complete. Step Three: Preview the Recovered Files Wait for the Partition Recovery software to scan the SSD and recover your files. Once the scan is complete, you will see the recovered files marked with a red asterisk. You can preview these files before saving them to your preferred storage. Steps to Recover Data from SSD in a Dead Laptop Remove the SSD: If the laptop is completely dead, the first step is to remove the SSD. This process can be tricky, so consult online instructions or a professional if needed. Obtain an SSD to USB adapter: After removing the SSD, connect it to another computer using an SSD to USB adapter. These adapters are available online or at computer stores. Connect the SSD to another computer: Use the SSD to USB adapter to connect the SSD to another computer. The SSD should appear as a removable drive in the file explorer. Use data recovery software: Utilize data recovery software to attempt to recover your files from the SSD. Follow the software's instructions for data recovery. Contact a professional data recovery service: If the above steps do not work, or if the data on the SSD is particularly important, consider contacting a professional data recovery service. They possess specialized equipment and expertise to recover data from damaged or corrupted drives. Recovery of data from ssd hard drive Conclusion Recovering files from a dead laptop or SSD is possible by following the methods outlined in this article. Partition Recovery by DiskInternals is one of the best data recovery applications available, compatible with virtually all Windows OS computers. The software features a user-friendly interface and a range of handy tools to assist you in data recovery. Total Data Recovery Computer Solutions

Windows PowerShell now warns when running Invoke-Web Request scripts Windows PowerShell now warns when running Invoke-Web Request scripts Microsoft has announced that Windows PowerShell will now issue warnings when scripts using the Invoke-WebRequest cmdlet to download web content are executed, with the goal of preventing potentially dangerous code from running. According to Microsoft, this measure addresses a high-severity PowerShell remote code execution vulnerability  (CVE-2025-54100 ). This primarily impacts enterprise or IT-managed environments where PowerShell scripts are used for automation, as such scripts are less frequently used outside these settings. The warning has been implemented in Windows PowerShell 5.1, the default PowerShell version on Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems and is intended to provide the same secure web parsing capabilities available in PowerShell 7. PowerShell will notify you that scripts from web pages downloaded with the "Invoke-WebRequest" cmdlet could run on your system without precautions. By default, pressing 'Enter' or choosing 'No' will cancel the operation, and PowerShell will recommend using the '-UseBasicParsing' parameter to process the command more safely. If you select 'Yes,' PowerShell will parse the page using the older method (full HTML parsing), allowing the content and embedded scripts to load as they did before. In essence, choosing 'Yes' means you accept the risk, while selecting 'No' halts the action to safeguard your system. Windows PowerShell now warns when running Invoke-Web Request scripts "Windows PowerShell 5.1 now prompts a security confirmation when the Invoke-WebRequest command is used to fetch web pages without specific parameters," Microsoft explains  in a Tuesday advisory. "This prompt alerts users that scripts on the page might execute during parsing and recommends using the safer -UseBasicParsing parameter to prevent script execution. Users must decide whether to proceed or cancel the operation." After installing the KB5074204 update, IT administrators will encounter the following confirmation prompt warning about the risks of script code execution: Security Warning: Script Execution Risk Invoke-WebRequest parses the content of the web page. Script code in the web page might be run when the page is parsed. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Use the -UseBasicParsing switch to avoid script code execution. Do you want to continue? ``` For additional details, see [KB5074596: PowerShell 5.1: Preventing script execution from web content](https://support.microsoft.com/help/5072034). To prevent their automation scripts from stalling while waiting for manual confirmation, admins should explicitly update their scripts to use the UseBasicParsing safe parameter. It's important to mention that in PowerShell, the 'curl' command is an alias for the Invoke-WebRequest cmdlet, which means you'll encounter these new warnings when executing scripts that use curl commands. Microsoft stated, "Most PowerShell scripts and commands utilizing the Invoke-WebRequest command will function with minimal or no changes." "For instance, scripts that solely download content or handle the response body as text or data remain unaffected and need no alterations."

Microsoft removes mandatory clean install requirement for a Windows 11-exclusive feature Microsoft removes mandatory clean install requirement for a Windows 11-exclusive feature Recently, Microsoft released its latest Insider build for Windows 11 Insiders on the Dev and Beta channels. The new build, 22620.7344, identified by KB5070316, introduces numerous new features, including enhancements to app update processes. Although this is the most recent build for the Dev and Beta channels, back in November, a prior build on these channels, 26220.7070, under KB5070300, introduced another noteworthy change. This change is particularly significant for those anticipating performance improvements. In this build, Microsoft confirmed that a Windows security feature known as "Smart App Control" no longer requires a mandatory clean installation. For those unfamiliar, Smart App Control is an advanced cloud-based security service that Microsoft launched in 2022. It is exclusive to Windows 11 and not available on Windows 10, which is one reason Microsoft recommended users upgrade to Windows 11 from 10 via a clean installation, as it was necessary to enable the Smart App Control feature. Therefore, if you upgrade in-place to Windows 11 25H2, which can now be done by anyone with a simple toggle, you should soon have access to this feature. In the release notes, Microsoft stated: "We’re updating Smart App Control (SAC) so you will now be able to switch SAC off or on without any clean install requirement. To make changes, go to Windows Security > App & Browser Control > Smart App Control settings. When it’s on, it helps block untrusted or potentially harmful apps." This feature is particularly interesting because it is expected to aid performance as well. Due to its proactive nature, Microsoft claims it is superior in this aspect compared to traditional anti-malware solutions, which tend to be more reactive. Microsoft has removed the mandatory clean install requirement for a Windows 11-exclusive feature. The feature enhances PC performance by blocking harmful apps before they can run, reducing system strain and allowing you to work or game without slowdowns. While users with powerful systems might not notice the difference, Smart App Control could enhance performance for PCs with limited resources, according to Microsoft. This change is still in the testing phase, and it will be interesting to see when it becomes generally available, likely early next year. We will have a clearer idea when it enters the release preview channel.

Apple Data Recovery Services - Same Day Recovery - Free Quotes Apple data recovery includes using iCloud for retrieving recently deleted files (photos, documents, etc.) via icloud.com/recovery or iCloud Drive , or consulting professional services for physically damaged iPhones, iPads, or Macs (especially those with T2 chips or water damage). Mac users can utilize Disk Utility and Recovery Mode for self-assistance, while experts employ advanced tools for complex issues like SSD recovery, with emergency/priority service options available.  For Deleted Files (iCloud/iCloud Drive) Visit iCloud.com : Log in with your Apple ID. Locate Deleted Items : For iCloud Drive/iWork apps: Choose Recently Deleted in the sidebar. For other apps (Contacts, Calendars, etc.): Click the account icon in the toolbar and select Data Recovery > Restore Files . Recover : Select items and click Recover , or choose Recover All .  For Damaged Devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac) DIY (Macs) : Use Disk Utility > First Aid for minor corruption or Recovery Mode (Command+R) for more serious issues. Professional Services : For water damage, T2 chip Macs, or major problems, consult specialized companies like nerdcore pc. Apple's Role : Apple endorses certain data recovery companies, and using their services won't void warranties if performed by these partners, although data recovery itself isn't included.  Key Considerations T2 Security Chip : Macs with the T2 chip (2017+) have encrypted storage, requiring specialized tools for recovery, Encryption : Data such as passwords and Health data in iCloud are end-to-end encrypted, meaning Apple can't assist in recovery if access is lost, as noted by Apple Support . Account Recovery : If unable to log in, use Apple's account recovery process to regain access. Our Data Recovery Expertise in Australia Nerdcore PC Australia is an expert in retrieving data from your iMac, MacBook, iPhone*, iPad*, Time Capsule, or any other Apple device. Our team of data recovery specialists includes Apple Certified Macintosh Technicians (ACMTs) and Apple Certified iOS Technicians (ACiTs). They regularly recover inaccessible emails, texts, photos, contacts, videos, and other data types from Apple devices affected by file system corruption, physical damage, file deletion, liquid, or fire damage. Nerdcore PC team possesses specialized knowledge of Apple products and understand the developed proprietary software tools to ensure data recovery from Apple’s entire product line, including the latest models. With years of experience, advanced software tools, and industry partnerships, Ontrack’s engineering team is unmatched in its capabilities, expertise, and success.          Any Apple device, any model If you've experienced data loss, reach out to our specialists right away for a free consultation. Mac Pro MacBook Air Xserve Mac Mini MacBook Pro OSX Server MacBook iMac iPhone Time Capsule iPad   Visit our Hughesdale Victoria, Melbourne store or send your device by mail, and we'll resolve your issue! Experience expert forensics lab service at local repair shop rates. Macbook, iPhone, Hard Drive& Solid-State Drive Data Recovery Services Macbook, iPhone, Hard Drive& Solid-State Drive Data Recovery Services You Have the Right to Repair! Reach out to our repair specialists to discover the services we provide, such as MacBook motherboard repair, data recovery, board repair assistance, selling individual parts and tools, and more. MacBook, iPhone, Hard Drive& Solid State Drive Data Recovery Services Not in Victoria? Send it by mail! Although our physical location is in Melbourne, Victoria, you can still mail your Mac, iPhone, or iPad to us for repairs. Data Recovery Solutions Misplaced data? No worries. We can effortlessly retrieve data from hard drives, SD cards, mobile phones, and beyond. Board Repair Assistance Our skilled technicians are available to address your inquiries regarding MacBook boards.  We Offer Parts and Tools for Sale Our team exclusively carries top-quality products and necessary tools to help you finish your repairs. Purchase only from the experts! Contact Us Reach out by phone or complete the form below to quickly receive a price estimate for your device repair. If you're not nearby, we provide an efficient Mail-In Service, allowing you to collaborate with us from any location nationwide. Renowned Apple Repair & Data Recovery Services Explore the top-notch services offered by Nerdcore Repair Group in Victoria/Melbourne?. We specialize in recovering data from your Apple devices such as iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, and beyond! Our lab also handles data recovery for hard drives, SSDs, and iPhone data! iPhone/iPad Data Recovery If you bring your iPhone or iPad to us for data recovery, we'll retrieve your data at a reasonable price. If we're unable to recover the data, you'll just pay a $25 reassembly fee. Not located in Victoria/Melbourne? No worries. You can also send your phone to us by mail for data recovery. Phone Screen Repair We have ceased offering iPhone screen repairs. Initially, Apple charged $299 for an out-of-warranty replacement, took a week, and didn't return your data. Now, Apple provides repairs while you wait. Additionally, the quality of parts available to us has declined since we began. Consequently, we no longer provide iPhone screen repairs. Apple's IRP program offers OEM screens, but it is fundamentally designed to be unfavorable to independents: Hard Drive Data Recovery Rely on our team for your hard drive data recovery needs. You can bring your laptop hard drive, external hard drive, or SD cards to our location in person or mail them to us! Whether you need a basic recovery or a critical clean room, lab environment, we possess the skills to retrieve your data. Mac Laptop Repair When you bring your MacBook in for repair, we'll offer a complimentary diagnostic estimate, outlining the time frame and estimated cost. Common issues include spill damage, malfunctioning trackpads, cracked screens, or a faulty logic board. Our shop operates with integrity. Due to Apple's opposition to Right to Repair, many parts that were once available are no longer accessible. We will inform you if we believe we are the best choice for your repair needs or not. Liquid Spill Repair If you've spilled liquid on your MacBook, don't worry! We specialize in laptop repairs and have successfully recovered data from thousands of liquid-damaged MacBooks that Apple deemed unrepairable. You can visit our store or send us your water-damaged laptop. Our repair technicians will offer you a free estimate, which is significantly lower than what you'd get from Apple. If your MacBook is too damaged by water to repair, we'll return it to you at no charge! MacBook, iPhone, Hard Drive& Solid State Drive Data Recovery Services Logic Board repairs Instead of charging you for a full logic board replacement like Apple, we provide a cost-effective alternative... we will finish your logic board repair within 2-5 days and offer a fixed price. Not in Victoria/Melbourne? No worries! You can send your laptop to us for repair. Why nerdcore pc repair? Many companies boast impressive websites and ad campaigns for their data recovery services, only to outsource the work. Even worse, they might use a $50 software package that you could use yourself, potentially damaging the drive further and making recovery more difficult. At our Victoria/Melbourne? lab, we handle all data recovery in-house, from simple $200 recoveries to complex $2000+ recoveries requiring specialized equipment. Small tasks are managed cost-effectively, while challenging jobs are tackled with the right tools and expertise. Our dedicated local lab combines advanced technology with hands-on experience, ensuring your data recovery is conducted with precision and care. We differentiate ourselves from typical computer repair shops by utilizing top-tier equipment like the Purer VLF-48 for clean environment head swaps and the ACELAB PC3000, managed by skilled technicians, for the toughest data recoveries. We also use high-performance tools from Resolute, Deep spar, and more. Importantly, we do not pay for advertising or affiliate commissions, which helps us keep our prices low! Our best promotion comes from our hundreds of thousands of happy customers who have been spreading the word about us for the past fifteen years.  Local, On-Site Recovery: All recoveries are conducted at our Victoria/Melbourne? lab, ensuring your data never leaves the city. Transparent Pricing: We offer free estimates and clear pricing, so you know what to expect without any surprises. No Expensive Ad Campaigns:  Our company relies entirely on grassroots, organic advertising—no pay-per-click ads, no affiliate programs, meaning we do not incur high advertising costs that we must pass on to you. For the expertise we provide, you won't find a more affordable price. High Success Rates: Using advanced techniques and state-of-the-art equipment, our success rates are among the best in the industry. Direct Communication: You’ll speak directly with the specialists handling your case, ensuring personal and attentive service. Top rated:  We are the best rated repair shop in our class on Google maps. This achievement is the result of 15 years of dedication to our craft and our customers. Our Nerdcore Lab Can Retrieve Data From These Media Types Laptop Hard Drives iPhones with Liquid Damage USB Flash Drives with Physical Damage SD & microSD Cards WD My Passport Desktop Hard Drives External Hard Drives USB Hard Drives RAID Configurations SATA, IDE, SCSI, SAS, SSD Hard Drives Our Rates? It's not possible to provide a price without inspecting the device and evaluating its condition. However, having a general idea of potential costs can be helpful. For an estimate, see below. Keep in mind that the + indicates the price may increase! Please note that drives previously opened are seldom recoverable by us: mention this before sending it in as we rarely work on such drives. Hard Drives $100 for basic data retrieval, $250-$650 for firmware repair, $900-$2000 for head swaps. Get Started SD cards/microSD cards Data Recovery $200 for basic data recovery, $900 for breakout board data recovery Get Started Cellphones $300-$650 for drop or liquid damage, $1200+ for complex cases (board swap). $400+ for damage caused by unskilled repair technicians (long screw) that is exceptionally severe. Data Recovery Pricing | Data Recovery Cost | Nerdcore Computers SSDs $300-$1500 depending on the extent of damage Get Started Customer Testimonials Listen to our happy clients who rely on us for their data recovery requirements in Victoria. Our position as the highest-rated repair shop on Google Maps is the result of 15 years of delivering exceptional service without any tricks.  Bottom Line: At Nerdcore Repair Group, we don’t just recover data; we restore your peace of mind. Contact us today for your hard drive data recovery needs in Victoria/Melbourne and experience service that sets the industry standard.

Scratched/Dead HDD Data Recovery Best Prices for Data Recovery - Same Day Data Recovery Prices - Nerdcore PC Data Recovery Cheapest Data Recovery Prices Cheapest Data Recovery Prices Platter edge scratched recovery This kind of scratch on the edge of platters is very common, this is usually caused by damage of the parking ramp. The heads cannot return to the ramp normally and get stuck on the edge. When the heads have shape change, the scratches become more severe when power up the drive. Anyway, the recovery is possible! Best Prices for Data Recovery - Same Day Data Recovery Prices - Nerdcore PC Data Recovery Scratched Hard Disk Platter Outer tracks scratched hdd recovery Within our clean room, engineers have reported this kind of scratch as common cases. Many users worldwide have also face this difficult case and few of them can get data off. However, nerdcore data recovery has recently developed new tech and new physical recovery tools to recover data from the outer tracks scratched hard drives. s er tracks scratched hdd recovery If the scratches are located at the inner tracks of the hdd, the data recovery is mostly recoverable. Users need some special tricks to limit the heads’ read/write locations to avoid reading the scratched areas and nerdcore Data Recovery has been used this special trick and tech to get lost data back for many users worldwide. Best Prices for Data Recovery - Same Day Data Recovery Prices - Nerdcore PC Data Recovery reliable data recovery services Severely scratched hdd recovery As described on the left image, this kind of scratches are usually deadly. The chance of recovery is very very slim. When the scratches have been full of the platters, we need to give up fast these cases. But if the scratches are in the middle and not many, you can give us a try. Nerdcore Data recovery is always your last hope for data recovery Need some data backup solutions to secure a more stable data storage. Its important to have a data transfer backup plan in place to not only have a reliable source of professional data tools. But to also train your internal staff to regularly create a secure backup your company data. This means allocating one or more of your staff to backup company information either onto a Network storage array, what we call NAS drives. Or to have a dedicated cloud storage folder like drop box or one drive to copy the data too. The problem with large file transfers is that with Drop box and one drive the system will not work properly because you dont have total control of the drop box settings. This can cause delay write an bugs to develop in your system. For more information about this interesting topic. Click Here Author - Nerdcore Australia Best Data Recovery Companies in Melbourne Best Prices for Data Recovery - Same Day Data Recovery Prices - Nerdcore PC Data Recovery Check out the complete lists of Data Recovery Services Data Recovery Sydney New South Wales Data Recovery Perth Western Australia Same Day Data Recovery Brisbane Queensland Data Recovery Hobart Tasmania Same Day Data recovery Darwin, Northern Territory Same Day Data recovery Canberra Australia Capital Territory Same Day Data recovery Adelaide South Australia

10 Reasons People Start Smoking Drug Image Gallery  With all the costs and health risks associated with smoking, why would anyone ever pick up that cigarette in the first place? See more drug pictures. Significant efforts have been underway for some time to reduce global tobacco smoking. No-smoking signs are now standard in many businesses, while state and federal regulations increasingly limit smoking locations. Additionally, taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products have reached unprecedented levels. Numerous studies consistently demonstrate a connection between smoking and various health issues, such as heart disease, lung disease, and cancer. According to the World Health Organization, tobacco-related illnesses result in the deaths of 1 in 10 adults, exceeding five million annually. Nevertheless, smoking persists. In 2008, the Australian Heart Association estimated that 24.8 million men and 21.1 million women were smokers, representing 23.1 percent and 18.3 percent of the total population, respectively [source: Australian Heart Association ]. Despite substantial scientific evidence of tobacco's health risks and extensive public health campaigns, nonsmokers continue to be drawn to smoking, often leading to lifelong addiction. What drives individuals to start smoking? Let's explore ten reasons why someone might decide to light their first cigarette. 10: Peer Pressure While there are certainly other influences that can lead a smoker into the habit, peer pressure is one of the biggest. A large part of the reason peer pressure comes under scrutiny is that one of the groups most likely to begin smoking -- young teenagers -- is also one of the most susceptible to peer pressure. The awkward years between pure, dependent-on-parents childhood and independent young adulthood are marked for many by frustration and insecurity as status, family roles and physical changes happen in a hormone-addled flood. Quite often, this is the time of life when young people rely most heavily on friends of the same age for social support and affirmation. Enter cigarettes. If a child in a social circle starts experimenting with tobacco, it's all too easy for him or her to lead peers into smoking as well -- the smoker doesn't want to be alone, and the not-yet-smokers don't want to be seen as afraid to try something risky or boundary-pushing. 9: Social Rewards Smoking makes some people feel like part of a group, which can be a comfort at any age. This reason for smoking is tied to peer pressure, although it's a little more complex and has the potential to affect more than just peer-pressure-sensitive tweens and teens. In short, social rewards are the "gifts" people feel they receive when participating in a group activity. Most often, this means some form of acceptance: Smokers at an office building who take cigarette breaks at similar times may bond while they smoke. Likewise, the relationship struck when one smoker asks another, "Got a light?" gives the participants a feeling of acceptance and camaraderie Although many adults mature beyond the need to constantly, please their peers, we carry into adulthood the teen's desire to be part of a group. And as smoking becomes more and more restricted, smokers find common ground in complaints over dirty looks and occasional ridicule from the nonsmoking public and the increasing limits on when and where they can smoke. This only makes the sense of camaraderie -- that social reward -- that much stronger for smokers. For nonsmokers who lack that social bond in their lives, that connection can be enough to drive them through the beginning phases of a tobacco addiction, when the chemical and psychological chains of addiction have yet to lock the smoker into the habit 8: Risk-taking Behavior Adults in countries where smoking is frowned upon are familiar with the no-smoking signs, designated smoking areas and general restrictions on their ability to smoke when and where they wish. But these rules -- legal, physical and social -- can offer tempting lines to cross for young people who tend toward risk-taking behavior. There's a thrill that comes from breaking rules. Combine that with the natural tendency of many teenagers to push the limits of rules imposed by school, parents and their communities, and it's no wonder that many young people will instinctively push against any limit. For some young people, smoking provides fertile ground for getting that limit-pushing thrill. Since it's illegal in many countries for minors to purchase tobacco, the process of obtaining, learning to use and eventually smoking tobacco is full of broken rules from the first step. Teens get thrilled after thrill from breaking so many rules, enough so that the rush can overcome the sickening effects of those first few cigarettes. 7: Parental Influence Research shows that it's a fact: Children of smokers are much more likely to take up smoking themselves. The relationship between parents smoking and their children smoking is blunt: Children of active smokers are more likely to start smoking than children of nonsmokers, or children of parents who quit smoking. According to some studies, a parent's choice to smoke can more than double the odds that the child will smoke Even nonsmoking parents can act in ways that inadvertently make it easier for their children to start smoking. Studies have found that parents who place few restrictions on movies, allowing their children to watch films that depict heavy smoking and drinking, may be setting their children up to be smokers. Likewise, parents who react to smoking as a socially acceptable behavior -- even if they don't smoke -- can leave the door open for their children to experiment with tobacco [source: Hood Center for Children and Families]. What studies of parental influence on smoking suggest is that simply not smoking or quitting may not be enough. Parents committed to raising smoke-free children have to communicate that smoking is dangerous, unhealthy and unacceptable. Even as the children grow into teenagers, those parental messages will resonate, potentially protecting the young adults from becoming addicts as they grow older. 6: Misinformation Tobacco advertising has come under close scrutiny -- and very strict regulation -- in the United States in recent decades. But a mix of popular cultural beliefs, lingering effects of advertising and simple misinformation still abound about tobacco and smoking. In some developed countries, in fact, misinformation about smoking runs very deep and works directly against public health efforts to curb tobacco use. A study of Japanese literature on smoking revealed findings that may seem shocking to some Westerners: Tobacco, in some cases, is promoted as a source for increased health and vitality. Likewise, tobacco's supposed boost to virility is a long-running myth, supported in the U.S. by long-gone ads featuring masculine characters such as the Marlboro Man. Likewise, there are myths that abound among smokers: that so-called "light" cigarettes are less harmful than others, or that certain brands of cigarette aren't as dangerous as other brands. This attitude may keep them smoking longer, as they switch to "safer" cigarettes, rather than quitting, to try to avoid the health consequences of their addictions  5: Genetic Predisposition Some may have a genetic predisposition toward addiction, making it harder to resist the habit. A large section of the field of modern medical research focuses on genetics, and for good reason: From allergies to blood disorders and certain types of cancer, subtle mutations in a person's genes can mean the difference between sickness and health. Medical genetic research is beginning to suggest, too, that addictions -- including addiction to nicotine, the effective ingredient in tobacco products -- may have a genetic component Studies of addiction genetics don't necessarily seek a "smoking gun" gene that controls addictions; rather, the research explores how a combination of a genetic susceptibility, societal factors and other health factors, such as alcohol use, can make one person more likely to take up smoking than another. If a tendency toward addiction is seen along family lines or within certain ethnic groups, public health officials can use that information to target their efforts toward populations that have the highest risk for tobacco addiction 4: Advertising Research has suggested that, worldwide, tobacco advertising plays a role in the number of people who start or stop smoking. This is not news for public health officials, who, in many nations, began fighting smoking-related illness by restricting tobacco advertising. A 1975 ban on tobacco advertising in Norway, for example, helped reduce long-term smoking prevalence in that nation by 9 percent Tobacco advertising in the U.S. came under heavy scrutiny in the late 1990s, when internal tobacco-industry memos suggested that companies may have been targeting potential new smokers -- young adults -- through the use of colorful, catchy ads with stylish cartoon characters, such as Joe Camel. After a series of major court rulings found that the companies bore responsibility for the effects of their products, a portion of the funding that once went into creating these ads was redirected to fund public health and smoking-cessation programs, including ad campaigns encouraging teens not to smoke. While the effectiveness of these campaigns is still being debated and studied, one thing is clear: Advertising is a powerful tool, one that plays a large role in whether people decide to start smoking or not. 3: Self-medication Just as some turn to drugs or alcohol in difficult times, others use cigarettes to help ease physical and mental pain. Smokers who are addicted to tobacco report a range of positive sensations that come from smoking a cigarette. These range from reduced tension or appetite to a heightened sense of well-being. Researchers trace these sensations back to the flood of chemicals released into the nervous system by nicotine. Just like any prescription or illicit drug, it changes the body's chemistry and functioning when it enters the system. For some, smoking is essentially a way to self-medicate for illnesses that cause tension and pain. Patients suffering from some forms of mental illness, such as depression or anxiety disorders, may take up smoking because it can help mitigate some of their symptoms But as is the case with many powerful drugs, using nicotine to manage medical conditions comes with a host of negative side effects. Beyond addiction, the risks of lung disease, cancer, heart disease and early death mean nicotine, while potentially effective in treating some disease symptoms, is truly a double-edged sword when used to self-medicate. 2: Media Influences Like advertising, media can exert a significant influence on viewers' decision-making. One only has to look at how hairstyles or clothing fashions can be launched by a single movie or TV episode to see the extent of this power in many parts of the world. Smoking in the media can have the same influence as fashion or the appearance of a trendy gadget in an actor's hand. Studies have suggested that when young viewers see a main character smoking, they're more likely to see smoking as something socially acceptable, stylish and desirable. Adding to this problem is what some researchers see as the media over-representing smoking: By some estimates, a disproportionately large number of film characters smoke Pressure from antismoking groups has reduced the prevalence of smoking onscreen in recent years, and this effort, as part of a holistic campaign to remove smoking as a socially acceptable habit in the public eye, could be a key factor in reducing the number of people who take up smoking in the future. 1: Stress Relief For many, smoking is a way to relieve the stress and tension that come with a high-pressure job. For people not suffering from severe mental illness, cigarettes may still become a form of self-medication. For decades, soldiers have taken up smoking on the battlefield to deal with wartime stress, for example. Many people experiencing much lower levels of stress -- in a high-pressure job, for example -- may start to smoke as a way to manage the tension and nerves associated with the situation. Unfortunately, these people may find that they can't easily give up tobacco once the stress passes. The tobacco becomes a psychological -- as well as chemical -- crutch, as any potentially stressful situation sends them instinctively reaching for a cigarette. The tool they had used to alleviate stress suddenly becomes a stressor in itself, as they shift from fighting through a difficult situation with the help of nicotine to fighting the nicotine itself Why People Smoke FAQ Are there any benefits to smoking? There are no benefits significant enough to combat the massive negative health issues that are caused by smoking tobacco. Why do people choose to smoke? People start smoking for a variety of reasons including peer pressure, social rewards, risk-taking behavior, parental influence, misinformation, genetic predisposition, advertising and media influences, self-medication, and stress relief. Why is smoking relaxing? Nicotine stimulates your brain to release dopamine; a chemical associated with pleasurable feelings. For example, for decades, soldiers have taken up smoking on the battlefield to deal with wartime stress. However, nicotine withdrawal (part of what causes you to have another cigarette) increases anxiety, so it's a double-edged sword. What are the side effects of smoking? Tobacco is dangerous to your health and has a ton of harmful side effects. These include, but are not limited to, a lower immune system; increased chance of getting lung, blood, and cervical cancer; persistent coughing; increased risk of heart disease; and yellowed fingers. What does smoking do to your personality? Smoking tobacco often affects a person's mood, putting them in a good mood just following a nicotine hit and increasing irritability and anxiety afterward, leading up to their next cigarette. It can also impact relationships, strengthening those with people who they smoke with and straining those who don't smoke or are concerned about the smoker's health. Next time you put a but, in your mouth, check out what you're putting inside you. And also consider how harmful it is to the environment. There are millions of cigarettes butts found in oceans and the thousands of islands which are killing the oceans sea life. Doesn't help - next time you see cigarettes scattered on the beach try to throw the cigarette butt in a safe place. So, it doesn't end up on the beaches were millions flock to every year to enjoy their summers. Don't destroy our beaches - don't throw your cigarettes on the ground. Don't destroy our beaches - don't throw your cigarettes on the ground. What makes nicotine so addictive? Having a nice meal then straight onto the fags give a nice feeling. Having a casual drink then lighting up a fag is refreshing. What makes nicotine so addictive? What makes nicotine so addictive? Report provided by City of Monash 2024

Microsoft Confirms New Upgrade Decision for All Windows Users Microsoft Confirms New Upgrade Decision for All Windows Users December has just begun, and Microsoft is already dealing with the latest broken Windows reports , the aftermath of the end of Windows 10 , and the slow adoption of its successor. The company is now taking steps to address these issues. The revelation that up to 500 million users have PCs capable of running Windows 11 but are opting not to upgrade was quite unexpected. Microsoft is now encouraging all those PC owners, along with Windows 11 users who haven't installed the latest updates, to take action. According to Neowin , Microsoft has announced that all supported systems can now download and install Windows 11 25H2. Users on either Windows 11 or Windows 10 can choose to upgrade to the 2025 feature update, as long as their system meets the Windows 11 requirements. Microsoft Confirms New Upgrade Decision for All Windows Users This is despite ongoing issues. Windows Latest cautions that the latest Windows 11 update “may fail to install due to errors such as 0x80070306. However, if the update is successful, it could disrupt dark mode in File Explorer and cause issues with Intel Arc GPU drivers.” If you are affected, Microsoft states that it is "working on a resolution," although there is no timeline yet. For enterprise users, IT Support can address this issue. Home users experiencing problems will need to wait for the usual patches to be released and installed. Microsoft Confirms New Upgrade Decision for All Windows Users Meanwhile, to obtain the baseline Windows 11 upgrade, Microsoft advises that you can verify the update's availability by navigating to Settings > Windows Update and clicking on Check for updates. If your device is prepared for the update, you will see the option to Download and install Windows 11, version 25H2. However, this is only applicable to eligible PCs.

Cisco AI PODs At-a-Glance Overview       Companies around the world, in every industry, are keen to leverage AI to transform their business, improve customer satisfaction, and gain a competitive advantage. Deploying enterprise AI applications, especially generative AI, is a complex process that requires careful planning, evaluation of models and infrastructure, and execution. Enterprises often face challenges when scaling AI infrastructure, ensuring data privacy and security, and bridging the skills gap. Cisco AI PODs simplify and accelerate full AI lifecycle deployment with pre-validated, high-performance infrastructure, empowering developers and IT Ops to innovate sustainably in the Cisco Secure AI Factory with Nvidia. Cisco can help you to right-size your investment in AI-related infrastructure while balancing current business and IT needs, with a view to scalability in the future.       Benefits       ●     Accelerate AI adoption and deployment by leveraging pre-validated, full-stack infrastructure and unified management, drastically reducing setup time.       ●     Drive superior AI workload performance with cutting-edge GPUs and high-bandwidth networking, achieving faster training and seamless scalability for diverse AI applications.       ●     Ensure enterprise-grade security and compliance with robust data protection and sovereignty while also achieving sustainability goals through energy-efficient designs.       ●     Empower AI developers to build and deploy models faster with seamless integration of leading software stacks and robust APIs.       What is the full AI lifecycle?       The full AI lifecycle encompasses several critical stages:       ●     On-premises training: This involves developing and training AI models, such as Large Language Models (LLMs) or deep neural networks, using local infrastructure to process large datasets and optimize model parameters. It is compute-intensive and requires high-performance hardware and robust data management.       ●     Model optimization (fine-tuning, RAG): This stage refines pre-trained AI models to improve accuracy or adapt them for specific tasks (fine-tuning) and enhances LLMs with real-time data retrieval (Retrieval-Augmented Generation, RAG). Fine-tuning adjusts model weights, and RAG integrates external knowledge bases for context-aware responses.       ●     Model inferencing: Inferencing involves deploying trained AI models to generate predictions or decisions, either at scale in data centers or in real time at distributed-edge locations. Large-scale inferencing handles high-volume workloads, and edge inferencing prioritizes low latency for time-sensitive applications. Cisco AI PODs solution Figure 1.                  Cisco AI PODs At-a-Glance Cisco AI PODs Solution       Cisco AI PODs, initially launched for inferencing solutions, are expanding to support the full technical lifecycle of AI deployments, including training, fine-tuning, and inferencing. They are based on validated architectural stacks and fabric designs, providing a blueprint for deployment that is referenceable and essentially “off the shelf.” They include software tools and components, with extensions for observability (Splunk ® ) and security (AI Defense, Hypershield), making them orderable as part of one ecosystem with a consolidated support model.       Why Cisco® AI PODs?       ●     Simplified deployment: Pre-validated designs (Cisco Validated Designs, or CVDs) and Cisco Intersight reduce setup time by up to 50 percent, enabling AI developers to focus on innovation and ITOps to streamline operations.       ●     High performance and scalability: Powered by NVIDIA, AMD GPUs, and Cisco high-performance networking, AI PODs accelerate training by up to 30 percent and scale inference seamlessly, meeting diverse workload demands.       ●     Enterprise-grade security: Hypershield and Cisco AI Defense ensure compliance and data sovereignty, giving I Ops peace of mind and developers a trusted platform.       ●     Developer empowerment: Integration with RedHat Openshift, PyTorch, TensorFlow, and NVIDIA AI Enterprise empowers AI developers to build and deploy models faster, supported by robust APIs and tutorials.       ●     Sustainability and cost-effectiveness: Energy-efficient designs cut power costs, maximizing ROI for ITOps while aligning with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.       What it does       Cisco has been developing and providing validated designs for more than 20 years. Cisco Validated Designs (CVDs) are comprehensive, rigorously tested guidelines that help customers deploy and manage IT infrastructure effectively. They include detailed implementation guides, best practices, and real-world use cases, often incorporating Cisco technology partner products. CVDs reduce deployment risk, optimize performance, and ensure scalability, all while being supported by the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (Cisco TAC). This support and integration provide customers with a reliable and efficient path to achieving their business objectives.       Cisco AI PODs for the full AI lifecycle are CVD-based solutions for inferencing, model optimization, and training, covering edge and core deployments. They provide accelerated deployment with centralized management and automation. The solution has been performance-tested and demonstrates linear scalability through benchmark tests on real-life model simulation, showcasing consistent performance even with varying dataset sizes. Cisco AI PODs have independent scalability at each layer of infrastructure and are perfect for data-center and edge AI deployments. They are designed to fit customer cost-models and are easy to manage, with use of Cisco smart switches for demarcation and segmentation in modern data centers.       Regardless of the configuration, they all contain:       ●     Cisco UCS C845A (PCIE GPU) and 885A (HGX&OAM) M8, and X-Series servers.       ●     Cisco Nexus 9000 Switches.       ●     Cisco Intersight (SaaS management).       ●     NVIDIA AI Enterprise.       ●     RedHat OpenShift.       ●     Ansible, Terraform Automation.       ●     Cisco CX Services.       Optional storage is also available from NetApp, Pure Storage, and VAST Data. These partners provide data-platform solutions to help developers and data scientists perform numerous data management tasks.       Learn more       For more in-depth information on the Cisco AI PODs, refer to the data sheet .       For information on all Cisco AI–native infrastructure for the data center, visit Cisco.com .       For more information on the Cisco UCS X-Series Modular System, visit https://www.cisco.com/go/ucsx .       For more information on the Cisco UCS C-Series Rack Servers for AI, visit https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/products/computing/servers-unified-computing-systems/ucs-c-series-rack-servers/index.html .       For more information       Book an expert consultation to start your AI-ready infrastructure journey       Receive expert guidance on modernizing your network and compute infrastructure with AI-ready infrastructure—combining technologies, products, and Cisco Validated Designs to support and scale AI workloads, all while advancing sustainability initiatives.       Get Started       Our experts recommend BIOS Performance and workload: Tuning guide for Cisco UCS M8 Platforms White Paper .       Cisco UCS Servers with Intel® Xeon® 6 CPUs FAQ . We recommend this server Xeon

nbn technology 101: What is Sky Muster How Sky Muster satellite services connect rural and remote Australian premises to the nbn network. The Sky Muster™ II satellite being prepared for launch The nbn ™ network uses a mix of access technologies, which includes several different types of fixed line connections, as well as nbn ™ Fixed Wireless  and Sky Muster™ satellite connections. In terms of Australia’s regional and remote areas, both Fixed Wireless and Sky Muster™ satellite nbn ™ network connections are typically used to get end users online. Here’s how the Sky Muster™ satellite service works. What is the Sky Muster™ satellite service? The Sky Muster™ satellite service was designed to provide access to affordable and fast internet to rural, regional, remote and offshore Australians where other fixed line access technologies are not available. The service is comprised of two satellites dedicated to fast internet connectivity, and is now available to more than 400,000 premises in these areas. The Sky Muster™ and Sky Muster™ II satellites are designed to cover mainland Australia and Tasmania, as well as offshore territories including Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Island, Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, and Macquarie Island. Both Sky Muster™ satellites are fully operational in geostationary orbit, roughly 36,000km above the equator and sharing the load of providing  nbn ™ network connectivity to homes and businesses in eligible regional and remote areas. Plans There are currently two wholesale Sky Muster™ satellite speed tiers available for Retail Service Providers (RSPs): nbn ™ 25 and nbn ™ 12. It is important to remember that nbn  is a wholesaler: we sell network access to RSPs, who in turn sell their products on to the end user. Sky Muster™ satellite end users can discuss speed options with their preferred RSP to pick the right plan to suit their needs. Retail Plans usually have both a speed and monthly data usage component. How does Sky Muster™ work? nbn ™ Sky Muster™ ground station near Bourke. The two Sky Muster™ satellites use 101 electromagnetic Ka-band “spot beams” (like focused ‘torch beams’), which are designed to provide satellite network coverage for mainland Australia, Tasmania, and certain offshore islands. Using these “spot beams”, the two satellites connect to the  nbn ™ satellite dishes installed on elligible homes and businesses, and to a network of 10 ground stations. In essence, the satellites act as a bridge between the ground stations and the elligible home or business. The ground station then connects through the nbn ™ network to the RSP’s network, who in turn connect their end users to the internet. These ground stations have been built in specific locations around Australia with the aim to maximise the capacity and reliability of the Sky Muster™ service in eligible areas. This combination of Sky Muster™ satellites, ground stations, and nbn ™ satellite dishes on end user premises is designed to result in better access to internet connectivity than these areas have previously experienced. In some cases, areas connected to the Sky Muster™ satellite service had no internet at all. Fair usage nbn ™ Fixed Wireless and Sky Muster™ satellite services have been part of the nbn ™ rollout plan from the beginning as the most viable technologies to help bridge the digital divide between metropolitan and remote areas. Because of this, the Sky Muster™ service has a Fair Usage Policy applicable to RSPs, like other satellite services, to ensure all RSPs manage their connected end users to get their fair share of the finite capacity and a fair go with their Sky Muster™ satellite service, particularly during peak internet usage times. This being said, the Sky Muster™ satellite service is still a world-leader of satellite broadband . Sky Muster™ satellites vs other satellite connections The Sky Muster™ satellites have been built to be radically different to any other satellite internet service available in Australia prior to its launch. Other satellites, such as the lower capacity third-party satellites utilised for the Interim Satellite Service (ISS), weren’t exclusively dedicated to providing access to high-speed internet to Australia and its Islands and territories. They were designed to serve a number of differing objectives and had limited geographical reach . The Sky Muster™ satellites, on the other hand, compared to other satellite services, were designed to provide high-speed internet to rural, remote, outback, and offshore Australians. The Sky Muster™ satellite service as a whole makes use of newer technology and also has around 30 times the total capacity of the previously-used ISS.  nbn technology 101: What is Sky Muster From launch to today From launch to today nbn  acknowledges that end users experienced Sky Muster™ service issues shortly after the service went live.  This is why we made necessary system updates and process changes. We’ve worked with our delivery partners over the last nine months to implement a performance-improvement plan. This plan covered factors including network management system software upgrades to optimise the service, as well as the overhauling of the equipment-installation process. All of this has resulted in a better-serving Sky Muster™ service. Originally, the plan was to use Sky Muster™ II more as a backup for the first Sky Muster™ satellite.  nbn  has now repurposed Sky Muster™ II to share the load with the original Sky Muster™ satellite. This means much-needed capacity is now available to RSPs and in turn, eligible rural, remote, outback, and offshore Australians connecting to nbn ™ services via a Sky Muster™ satellite service. More than 70,000 end-user premises are now connected to the Sky Muster™ service, which includes the migration of some 35,000 users from ISS services which has now been decommissioned. Getting on to a Sky Muster™ satellite service After checking with the nbn ™ website for eligibility, anyone who is eligible and wishes to sign up to a Sky Muster™ satellite service will need to talk to their preferred RSP. Sky Muster™ installation process After an end user purchases an nbn ™ network plan from a preferred RSP, an approved nbn ™ installer must visit the premises. The installation usually takes between two to four hours, but can vary based on a number of factors. In most cases, nbn  aims to complete installation for standard Sky Muster™-compatible premises within 20 business days of a service order request from a preferred RSP. More isolated regions may take longer. If an end user requires installation in a specific way, this should be discussed with the nbn ™ installer, as it may incur delays. During the installation process, the installer recommends an installation point for the nbn ™ satellite dish based on physical characteristics, such as line of sight to the relevant Sky Muster™ satellite. This nbn ™ satellite dish is usually installed on the roof, gutter, or wall of an end user’s premises. The installer then feeds through a data connecting cable from the nbn ™ satellite dish to the inside of the premises. This cable is then connected to an nbn ™-supplied modem (also called an ‘indoor unit’), which is often mounted on an internal wall of an end user’s premises. Sky Muster™ during a blackout If there is a power outage at your premises, restoring power with an alternative power option will usually enable you to reconnect to the Sky Muster™ service.  However, if one of the nbn ™ Sky Muster™ satellite ground stations is also experiencing power loss, there may be further delays in reconnecting your service. When ordering a Sky Muster™ satellite service, have a discussion with your current service provider about your existing landline. If you have an existing copper phone line, it is important to consider keeping it in service for emergency communications, especially if you don’t have good mobile phone coverage at your home or business. nbn technology 101: What is Sky Muster Local network considerations If an end user connected to the Sky Muster™ satellite service wants to share their internet connection locally (within or around their house, such as via wi-fi), they will need a router that’s compatible with the provided nbn ™ equipment. A compatible router may be provided by an end user’s preferred RSP. For homes and businesses that require in-premises networking, these end users should speak with a preferred RSP prior to the installation date about this; it is not included as part of the nbn ™ equipment installation. Copper-line landline services The existing copper line (or equivalent service) won’t be changed by installing equipment for the Sky Muster™ satellite service at an end user’s premises, nor does using the Sky Muster™ service prevent an end user from retaining terrestrial copper-based phone or internet services. Rural, remote, outback, and offshore Australians can check the nbn ™ website  to see if a particular end-user premises is serviced by Fixed Wireless or Sky Muster™ connections as part of the nbn ™ network. Author Nerdcore Computers Information shared & taken from website NBN

When your iMac starts acting up, it can be frustrating and disruptive. As someone who has worked extensively with Apple products, I understand how important it is to have reliable, professional iMac repair services you can trust. Whether it’s a hardware fault, software glitch, or accidental damage, getting your iMac back to peak performance quickly is essential. In this post, I’ll share my insights on expert professional iMac repair services available across Australia, what to expect, and how to choose the right service for your needs. Why Choose Professional iMac Repair Services? Choosing professional iMac repair services is crucial for several reasons. First, iMacs are sophisticated machines with delicate components that require expert handling. Attempting DIY fixes or going to inexperienced repair shops can lead to further damage or void your warranty. Professional repair technicians have the right tools, genuine parts, and extensive training to diagnose and fix issues accurately. They can handle everything from screen replacements and battery issues to logic board repairs and software troubleshooting. Here are some benefits of opting for professional iMac repair: Genuine Apple parts used for replacements Certified technicians with Apple-specific training Comprehensive diagnostics to identify hidden problems Warranty on repairs for peace of mind Fast turnaround times to minimise downtime Professional iMac screen repair in progress What to Expect from Professional iMac Repair in Australia When you bring your iMac to a professional repair service in Australia, you can expect a thorough and transparent process. Most reputable repair centres will start with a detailed diagnostic to pinpoint the exact issue. This step is vital because iMac problems can sometimes be symptoms of deeper hardware or software faults. Once the problem is identified, the technician will provide you with a clear quote and explain the repair options. Many services offer a no-fix, no-fee policy, meaning you only pay if the repair is successful. This approach builds trust and ensures you’re not out of pocket for unsuccessful attempts. Common repairs include: Screen replacement - cracked or unresponsive displays Hard drive or SSD upgrades - improving speed and storage Logic board repairs - fixing motherboard faults Power supply issues - resolving startup failures Software troubleshooting - virus removal, system crashes, and slow performance If you’re looking for reliable imac computer repairs , many Australian services provide convenient options like mail-in repairs or onsite visits. Technician performing iMac hard drive replacement Can nerdcore pc Fix My iMac? Many people wonder if large chain services like nerdcore pc can handle iMac repairs effectively. While Geek Squad does offer computer repair services, their expertise with Apple products can vary depending on location and technician experience. Apple devices require specific knowledge and tools, and not all general repair services have certified Apple technicians. For complex issues like logic board repairs or data recovery, it’s often better to go with a specialist who focuses on Apple products. That said, nerdcore pc can handle basic repairs such as virus removal, software updates, and peripheral troubleshooting. If your iMac needs more advanced repairs, I recommend seeking out a dedicated Apple repair centre or authorised service provider. Tips for Choosing the Right iMac Repair Service Selecting the right repair service can save you time, money, and stress. Here are some practical tips to help you make the best choice: Check credentials : Look for Apple-certified technicians or authorised service providers. Read reviews : Customer feedback on Google, Facebook, or product forums can reveal the quality of service. Ask about warranties : A good repair service will offer a warranty on parts and labour. Compare quotes : Get multiple quotes to ensure you’re getting a fair price. Inquire about turnaround time : Fast repairs mean less disruption to your work or personal use. Look for no-fix, no-fee policies : This reduces your risk if the repair isn’t successful. By following these tips, you can avoid common pitfalls like overpriced repairs or poor-quality parts. Maintaining Your iMac After Repair Once your iMac is repaired, maintaining it properly will extend its lifespan and keep it running smoothly. Here are some simple maintenance tips: Keep software updated : Regularly install macOS updates to patch security vulnerabilities. Use antivirus software : Protect your system from malware and viruses. Clean your iMac : Dust can accumulate inside and cause overheating. Use compressed air to clean vents. Avoid physical damage : Use a sturdy stand and be careful when moving your iMac. Backup regularly : Use Time Machine or cloud services to back up your data. Regular maintenance can prevent many common issues and reduce the need for future repairs. If you ever find yourself needing expert help, remember that professional iMac repair services in Australia are just a call or click away. Whether it’s a minor glitch or a major hardware failure, trusting experienced technicians ensures your iMac gets the care it deserves. For reliable and affordable imac computer repairs , consider reaching out to specialists who offer transparent pricing and quality service. Your iMac is an investment - treat it with the expertise it requires!

Dust, dirt, and corrosion can affect the performance of printed circuit boards (PCBs) used in electronic devices like advanced hand-held gadgets such as iPhones, multifunctional iPods, and BlackBerrys. At Tovatech, we often receive inquiries about how to restore these devices, especially after accidental immersion in water. We recommend using an ultrasonic cleaner with cleaning solutions specifically designed for delicate electronics. Choosing an Ultrasonic Cleaner Ultrasonic cleaners like the Elmasonic E series are perfect for cleaning and restoring electronic components. Elmasonic bench and tabletop units offer tank capacities up to 7 gallons, suitable for electronics parts and service stores. The E series operates at an ultrasonic frequency of 37 kHz (37,000 cycles per second), ensuring safe cavitation cleaning that reaches all surfaces of PCBs and equipment housings. The units feature an automatic "Sweep" function that prevents harmful harmonic vibrations and standing waves of varying cavitation energy, enhancing cleaning results. All units include time and temperature controls. For larger operations, such as PCB manufacturing facilities, Tovatech offers industrial-sized floor models with PCB racks to hold multiple boards. Selecting and Using the Cleaning Solution Using the wrong cleaning solution or ultrasonic frequency can cause damage. A suitable ultrasonic cleaning solution for glass, ceramic substrates, optics, PCBs, and plastic parts is the biodegradable concentrate elma tec clean A1, available in 2.5-liter containers. It effectively removes grease, oil, activated fluxes, dust, fingerprints, light corrosion, and residues from coffee, tea, colas, milk, and other sources. Depending on contamination levels, dilute this concentrate 3 – 10% with water. The recommended ultrasonic cleaning time is 3 – 10 minutes at about 65˚C (150˚F). For parts with more significant corrosion, use elma tec clean S1, also available in 2.5-liter containers, diluted 1 – 5% with water at 65˚C (150˚F) for about 2 minutes. First, ensure the corrosion hasn't irreparably damaged the PCB. After cleaning, rinse parts in distilled or deionized water to remove any cleaning solution residue. Avoid using tap water, as it leaves residue deposits. Thoroughly dry components before reassembly. These are general guidelines. Consult with ultrasonic cleaning experts at Tovatech for equipment, solutions, and procedures that meet your needs. Everything You Need to Know About Ultrasonic Cleaners Additional Tips for Effective Cleaning A new batch of ultrasonic cleaning solution contains trapped air, visible as bubbles in a glass of water at room temperature. This air hinders the cavitation process and must be removed before cleaning. To do this: Add water and the correct amount of cleaning concentrate to the tank's fill line. Set the temperature dial. Turn on the ultrasonic cleaner to start the degassing process. The rising temperature, cleaning chemicals, and ultrasonic energy will speed up degassing and thoroughly mix the tank contents. When air bubbles no longer rise to the surface, you're ready to clean the parts. Place them in the mesh basket, ensuring they don't touch each other. Lower the basket into the cleaning solution and set the timer. With experience in ultrasonic cleaning of PCBs and other electronic components, you'll become more skilled and efficient. The scientists at Tovatech are ready to assist you in selecting the ultrasonic cleaner model, frequency, power, and cleaning solution that best suits your needs. Understanding Ultrasonic Cleaning Frequencies In ultrasonic cleaning, the frequencies used can range from 15 kHz to 400 kHz . It is rare, though, to find parts that need frequencies at such extreme highs and lows in order to be cleaned. The typical frequency used for ultrasonic cleaning applications lands near 40 kHz. The Downsides of Ultrasonic Cleaners While ultrasonic cleaners are effective, they can be expensive and may not be suitable for all materials . Additionally, they require proper maintenance and the right cleaning solutions for optimal performance. Optimal Cleaning Temperature for PCBs The optimal cleaning temperature for most ultrasonic cleaning applications is between 120 - 140 degrees F (49 - 60 degrees C) . Occasionally, the application will dictate the allowable temperature. What Not to Put in an Ultrasonic Cleaner You should always be aware of what not to put in an ultrasonic cleaner to avoid damage or danger. Items like pearls, ivory, flammable liquids, delicate electronics, and certain gemstones should never go into an ultrasonic cleaner. Can I Use WD-40 to Clean PCB? The slots where the printed circuit boards are to be inserted must be treated with WD-40 Specialist Rapid-Drying Contact Cleaner , as well as the various loose connectors that start from or attach to the printed circuit board. Is 40kHz Good for Ultrasonic Cleaner? For most applications, an ultrasonic frequency of 40kHz provides the most effective cleaning process and is used in around 95% of all industrial ultrasonic cleaning systems. The cavitation bubbles produced are approximately one micron in diameter. What Liquid Do I Put in an Ultrasonic Cleaner? Deionized Water is often the best choice. While detergents can help in the ultrasonic cleaning process, they are not always necessary. In some cases, deionized water is acceptable and may be advisable. Deionized water is safe to use on almost any material that can be safely submerged in water. Can You Overuse an Ultrasonic Cleaner? It's essential not to overuse or misuse these devices . Please make sure you understand which items you can and cannot put in the cleaner before use. Don't leave items in for too long and avoid using them on delicate items that might be dislodged or damaged by the vibrations. Can You Use Tap Water in an Ultrasonic Cleaner? Using tap water with high mineral content can lead to scale buildup and reduce cleaning efficiency . Overloading the cleaning tank restricts the ultrasonic energy distribution. Does Ultrasonic Cleaner Damage Electronics? Electronics containing components that may be damaged by water, such as LCD or LED screens, should not be cleaned with ultrasonics unless you remove the sensitive components first . Most electronics can be cleaned at a common ultrasonic frequency, such as 40 kHz, without damage from the ultrasonic cleaning action. What Temperature Will Damage a PCB? The epoxy resin used in PCBs has a higher temperature tolerance, usually in the range of 130°C to 180°C (266°F to 356°F) depending on the specific material used. Beyond these temperatures, the resin can soften, warp, or even char, compromising the structural integrity of the board. Should You Use Hot or Cold Water in an Ultrasonic Cleaner? Warm water is usually better for ultrasonic cleaners , as it can enhance the cleaning process. What is the Best Solution to Clean PCB Boards? Isopropyl alcohol is a great PCB cleaner and electric board solution because it is inexpensive and evaporates quickly. Compared to other cleaners used for similar purposes, alcohol contains fewer chemicals. It is important that isopropyl alcohol used to clean your circuit board is 90% or better. Risks of Using an Ultrasonic Cleaner Safely Users must avoid placing body parts directly into the cleaning tank while the unit is active. The intense energy produced by cavitation can damage soft tissues . Certain cleaning solutions contain chemicals that irritate or harm the skin upon contact. Can I Use Dawn Dish Soap in an Ultrasonic Cleaner? Yep, sometimes the simple stuff really works. Mix a bit of gentle, unscented dish soap (think Dawn or something similar) with distilled water. How Often Should I Change the Water in an Ultrasonic Cleaner? If the water appears cloudy or dirty, it is time to replace it . Reduced Cleaning Effectiveness: If the ultrasonic cleaner is not cleaning as effectively as it did when the water was fresh, this is a clear sign that the water has become saturated with contaminants and needs replacing. Is 70% Isopropyl Alcohol Safe for Cleaning Electronics? It's best to avoid using any isopropyl mixture below 90% on circuit boards and other electrical bits. If you're simply cleaning the adhesive off something metal or plastic, 70% might do in a pinch, but you'll want to be sure not to spill it onto circuits or wires . Can I Use Alcohol to Clean a PCB? For electronic printed circuit board (PCB) assembly, you will find isopropyl alcohol being used either to clean flux residues from recently soldered circuit boards, or in PCB repair and rework . IPA is also used to remove solder paste or adhesive from SMT stencils. Can You Ultrasonic Clean for Too Long? Indeed, a common question is whether or not you can ultrasonic clean for too long. While under-cleaning may leave behind residue and contaminants, over-cleaning may damage delicate objects as a result of cavitation erosion . What Liquid Do You Use in an Ultrasonic Cleaner? You can use various liquids, but a common and effective solution is distilled water mixed with a few drops of mild dish soap. For tougher jobs, specialized ultrasonic cleaning fluids or a degreaser can be used. Always check the cleaner's manual and the manufacturer's instructions for specific recommendations and to ensure compatibility with your items. What Are the Disadvantages of Ultrasonic Cleaning? What are the limitations of ultrasonic cleaning? Material Incompatibility: Some materials, such as soft plastics or colored metals, may be sensitive to ultrasound and could be damaged. Choice of Solution: Inappropriate detergents may reduce efficiency or even damage items. Equipment Costs: Ultrasonic cleaners can be a significant investment. Can You Make Your Own Ultrasonic Cleaning Solution? Start with a clean ultrasonic cleaner tank. Fill the tank with distilled water, ensuring that your items are fully submerged. Add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to the water . Can You Reuse Water in an Ultrasonic Cleaner? In some cases, when cleaning an object, residue builds up on the bottom of the tank forming an acoustic barrier, which reduces the output of the ultrasonic waves. You may filter the solution to remove these particles and reuse the solution until it no longer gives you satisfactory cleaning . Is Hot or Cold Water Better for Ultrasonic Cleaners? Just as soapy hot water is better than cold for cleaning greasy dishes, pots and pans (and even you!), a heated ultrasonic cleaner solution often “works best” solving tough cleaning challenges. Can You Use Ultrasonic Cleaner Without Tablets? Simply put, ultrasonic cleaner tablets supercharge your ultrasonic cleaner retainer's performance. Without a tablet, your device might only be providing a surface clean —missing hidden contaminants that could affect your oral health. Can Ultrasonic Remove Rust? Yes, an ultrasonic cleaner can effectively remove light to moderate surface rust, especially when combined with the right chemical solution, as the process of cavitation helps break down and lift rust particles from the metal surface. However, they are not a substitute for a rust remover on their own and will struggle with heavy, deep rust buildup without a powerful cleaning agent. Can You Ultrasonic Clean PCBs? The recommended process for cleaning these components is to use an ultrasonic cleaner, which can effectively clean PCBs without causing damage to the delicate components . Manually cleaning circuit boards with a cleaning brush is not recommended, as this can cause damage to the components. What is the Best Ultrasonic Cleaner for Electronics? Crest Ultrasonics is the industry leader in fast, efficient, safe, and cost-effective cleaning of PCBs during the manufacturing process or even rework and repair. That's why Crest should be your first choice in any electronics cleaning application. The answer is yes, we have our very own Ultrasonic Cleaner Bench where we can clean large motherboards and small components.

Microsoft: Windows updates make password login option invisible - Nerdcore PC Systems Microsoft: Windows updates make password login option invisible - Nerdcore PC Systems : Windows updates make password login option invisible - Nerdcore PC Systems Microsoft has alerted users that Windows 11 updates released since August might cause the password sign-in option to vanish from the lock screen options, although the button itself continues to work. In Windows 11, the password icon is displayed only if there are multiple sign-in methods avail: Windows updates make password login option invisible - Nerdcore PC Systemsable (such as PIN, security key, password, fingerprint). If a password is the sole method used, the icon might not appear at all, as Windows will automatically display the password field. Recent updates from Microsoft's support documents indicate that users with multiple sign-in methods enabled may not see the password icon on the lock screen if they have installed the August 2025 KB5064081 non-security preview update or any subsequent updates on Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 systems. Nevertheless, it was noted that hovering over the area where the icon should be reveals the button, enabling users to sign in using their password. "If you hover over the space where the icon should appear, you'll find the password button is still accessible," Microsoft explained . "Select this placeholder to open the password text box and enter your password. After entering your password, you can sign in as usual." Microsoft has not provided a workaround other than using the invisible button feature and mentioned that they are working on resolving the issue but have not yet given a timeline for a fix. In late September, it addressed another known issue triggered by the KB5064081 optional update that caused playback interruptions, freezing, or black screens when attempting to play DRM-protected video in Blu-ray/DVD/Digital TV applications. In the same month, other issues caused by the August 2025 Windows updates were resolved, including app installation problems for non-admin Windows users due to unexpected User Account Control (UAC) prompts and severe lag and stuttering issues affecting NDI streaming software on Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices. In August, following the release of the monthly Patch Tuesday updates, Microsoft also had to resolve a known issue that caused security updates delivered via Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) to fail with 0x80240069 errors and released emergency Windows updates to fix broken Windows reset and recovery on Windows 10 and Windows 10 Enterprise devices. Tags# Bug KB5064081 Known Issue Microsoft Passwords Sign-In Windows Windows 11 Windows 11 24H2 Windows 11 25H2 Windows Update 5 Reasons why you should use our Microsoft Repairs Centre Guaranteed Fixed Price Repair Experienced Australia wide Engineers Swift service Response Competitively Priced Parts Inclusive Annual Maintenance Agreements

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Insider Threat Indicators IT Misses Without Policy-Based Controls - Free Guide Insider threats often begin as exceptions rather than intentional harm: such as excessive local admin rights, uncontrolled USB usage, and configuration drift. Address these indicators as symptoms and apply policies at the endpoint to automatically prevent risky actions. Implement least-privilege and just-in-time elevation, restrict or encrypt removable media, and track unauthorized configuration alterations. Combine behavior baselines and analytics with policy-driven controls to minimize risk without hindering users. Insider Threat Indicators IT Misses Without Policy-Based Controls - Free Guide Most insider threats do not begin with malicious intent; they often arise from exceptions, such as: A user possessing more local rights than necessary. Someone using a USB drive that circumvents policy. A misconfiguration that goes unnoticed and persists. These situations are not always malicious, but they create vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit. Since they resemble “normal” activities on laptops and workstations, IT often overlooks them. In essence, an insider threat is any risk originating from individuals within your organization, including employees, contractors, or partners, who have legitimate access to systems and data. Insider threats can be inadvertent, but they may also arise from malicious intentions, such as: Intentionally granting elevated privileges and unauthorized access to someone Altering configurations to block legitimate user access Theft of intellectual property Unlike external hackers, insiders do not need to infiltrate the system; they are already inside. This makes insider threats as dangerous as external cyberattacks, and sometimes even more so. When alarms do not trigger, the damage can quietly escalate before anyone realizes. The consequences of an insider-driven incident can be as severe as an external attack. It can result in millions in financial losses, disrupt operations overnight, and tarnish a hard-earned reputation. Identifying early warning signs is crucial to preventing these threats from escalating. Understanding Insider Threat Indicators Identifying insider threats involves recognizing deviations from the norm, whether it's a change in user behavior or a breach of policy. These initial signals or indicators don't confirm malicious intent but highlight anomalies that warrant further examination. The principle is to view insider threat indicators as symptoms rather than root causes. By considering them as hints and not conclusions, organizations can address them appropriately without overreacting, allowing them to identify the true issues behind risky actions. Below are some important insider threat indicators. Traditional Technical Indicators IT and security teams have long used technical signs to detect potential insider actions. Some of the most frequent include: Unusual logins — Access from unexpected locations, multiple failed attempts, or logging into systems that a user doesn't typically use. Off-hours activity — Employees suddenly logging in late at night or on weekends when their role doesn't require it. Excessive data downloads — Downloading large volumes of files, especially those containing sensitive or proprietary information. Large file transfers — Copying or sending significant amounts of data outside normal business channels, often a warning sign for data exfiltration. Insider Threat Indicators IT Misses Without Policy-Based Controls - Free Guide Behavioral Drift as a Contemporary Indicator Insider threats can also be identified through behavioral drift, which refers to subtle changes in how users interact with systems and data over time. For instance, a team member who typically accesses one application suddenly starts exploring others, or someone who usually downloads a few reports per week begins pulling dozens. The focus here is not on the action itself, but on a user's deviation from their usual behavior. Behavioral analytics tools can help detect these changes, but managers and coworkers can sometimes notice when an employee's activities deviate from expected norms. Policy Violations as an Early Alert While policy violations can be indicative, employees don't always act out of malice. Sometimes they attempt to bypass restrictions to complete tasks. However, each exception poses a risk. Examples include: Attempts to bypass USB policies and restrictions, such as using unauthorized drives. Undue privilege escalations — when a user gains higher-level access without a valid reason. Disregarding data handling rules, like emailing sensitive files to personal accounts. Even if the intent is benign, these violations create opportunities for real attackers. Therefore, organizations should treat them as early warning signals. Types of Insider Threat Indicators Organizations should be vigilant about key indicators of insider threats. Unusual Data Access and Movement Key warning signs include: Excessive downloads or large file transfers that don't align with typical work needs. Transferring data to personal emails or external devices. Using unauthorized cloud services or file-sharing tools, like Dropbox or Google Drive. Renaming files to disguise their contents. Creating unauthorized copies or combining data in unusual ways, possibly indicating data staging for exfiltration. Abnormal Authentication and Access Patterns Suspicious activities in authentication logs include: Logins at odd hours or from unexpected locations inconsistent with a user's role. Multiple failed login attempts. Logging in from distant locations within a short time frame. Repeated privilege requests or escalations that don't match job duties. Improper use of shared credentials, service accounts, or another user's login details, complicating accountability. Unauthorized Use of Software and Tools Insiders may try to bypass IT defenses with their own tools. Watch for: Installing unauthorized applications or hacking tools. Using unapproved encryption or VPN software to obscure data transfers. Disabling firewalls or tampering with monitoring tools to cover tracks. Psychological and Behavioral Indicators Insider threats may be indicated by behaviors such as: Sudden changes in work habits or attitude, like decreased engagement. Conflicts with supervisors or colleagues. Expressing dissatisfaction or resentment, sometimes with risky actions. Financial stress or unexplained financial gain, potentially motivating malicious activity. Pre-resignation behaviors, like frequent data access or downloading files before leaving. System and Network Activity Anomalies Indicators of unusual activity at the system or network level include: Unexpected spikes in network traffic. Modifying network settings or creating unauthorized network shares. Lateral movement within networks, attempting to access systems beyond normal scope. Repeated access to sensitive resources without a business reason. Attempts to access various network ports and using network protocols in unexpected ways. Physical Security Red Flags Threats may extend beyond digital space. Be alert for: Accessing physical areas outside normal responsibilities, like server rooms. Bypassing security controls, such as tailgating or bringing unauthorized visitors. Removing physical assets or documents without approval, considered digital theft. Suspicious Account Management Activities Account management issues that signal insider risk include: Unauthorized creation or modification of user accounts for backdoor access. Frequent or unexplained password resets. Altering or disabling audit logs to conceal activity. The Hidden Problem: Good-Intent Users with Too Much Power When considering insider threats, one might picture a disgruntled employee or a malicious actor stealing data. However, most insider threats don't begin with ill intent. They often start with individuals simply trying to complete their tasks. Shortcuts are tempting, and exceptions can quickly become habits, introducing risk. Consider these scenarios: A developer retains local admin rights "just in case" they need to address an issue quickly. An employee logging in late at night or transferring large files under deadline pressure. A contractor using a personal USB stick to transfer files more quickly than waiting for IT. An employee using an unapproved cloud app because it's faster than waiting for approval. These individuals did not intend to create a security incident. However, each action bypasses security boundaries, weakens controls, and increases exposure. Over time, these "exceptions" accumulate into what is known as privilege drift: users quietly acquiring or retaining access and rights they shouldn't have. Ultimately, this creates vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit. The key takeaway: Insider threats often resemble routine business activities. By the time IT notices, security may already be compromised. Therefore, detecting privilege drift and unintended violations early is crucial. Interested in seeing how Endpoint Protector enforces USB policy and encryption by default? Insider Threat Indicators IT Misses Without Policy-Based Controls - Free Guide How to Identify Insider Threat Indicators Having understood what a potential insider threat indicator is, let's delve into how to identify it. Identifying insider threats involves recognizing patterns — subtle changes that distinguish normal work from risky behavior. The key is to combine human insight with technology and have a clear understanding of what constitutes "normal" behavior in your environment for comparison. Establish a Baseline of Normal Activity To identify unusual activity, you must first understand what 'normal' looks like. This is where baselines are essential. By comparing activities against behavioral baselines, teams can differentiate between routine work and potentially risky actions. Start by establishing typical behavioral patterns. By monitoring normal access times, login locations, and data usage, organizations can create a baseline for each role or individual. Once a baseline is established, it becomes easier to identify when a user deviates from it, such as suddenly downloading significantly more files than usual. Not every deviation indicates an attack. A large file access might be part of a new project. The goal is to identify activities worth reviewing, allowing IT to distinguish between harmless exceptions and genuine risks. Combine Human and Technical Detection Tools cannot replace people, and no individual can monitor everything. Organizations should integrate human vigilance with technical detection to capture both human-driven signals and technical anomalies. Consider the following: Employee awareness is crucial. Co-workers and managers are often the first to notice when someone’s behavior seems 'off'. Encourage employees to report behavioral concerns, as this is the initial step in threat detection. With behavioral analytics, you can monitor patterns at scale. Tools like User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) can automatically flag unusual logins, data transfers, or access requests that deviate from normal patterns. Monitoring and prevention tools complete the loop. Solutions such as  User Activity Monitoring  (UAM),  Data Loss Prevention  (DLP), and  SIEM  platforms provide security teams with visibility into user actions and help prevent sensitive data from being unnoticed. Insider Threat Indicators IT Misses Without Policy-Based Controls - Free Guide Why Detection Isn’t Enough: You Need Policy-Based Prevention Most organizations depend on antivirus (AV), endpoint detection and response (EDR), and SIEM solutions to stay ahead of threats. These tools are effective, but they are primarily reactive. They excel at detecting suspicious activity and alerting teams, but they do not actively prevent risky behavior in real time. By the time an activity is flagged, damage may already be occurring. The reality is, detection alone is insufficient. To mitigate insider risk, organizations need policy-based prevention, which involves implementing proactive controls that block risky actions before they become incidents. This is where the  Endpoint Management solution  comes in, addressing the control gap left by traditional detection tools. The following solutions actively prevent risky behavior at the endpoint: controlling privileges, securing data transfers, and maintaining strong configurations, thereby reducing insider threats. Endpoint Policy Manager: Eliminates Standing Local Admin Rights One of the most common insider risks is excessive privilege. Employees retain local admin rights “just in case”, inadvertently opening the door to abuse, malware, and misconfigurations. Endpoint Policy Manager  removes unnecessary local admin rights without disrupting productivity. It also enforces application, browser, and Java settings, validates  Group Policy  at scale, automates OS and desktop configurations, and integrates with Microsoft Intune and other UEM tools — ensuring least privilege security while keeping endpoints compliant and manageable. With SecureRun™, applications can only run with elevated privileges if they are verified and safe. This balances security and productivity, as users do not feel restricted, and IT teams do not have to worry about privilege drift. Endpoint Protector: USB Device Management USB drives offer an easy method for transferring sensitive data. Whether it's a contractor using a personal drive or an employee copying files, the intent may not be harmful, but it can lead to exposure of critical information. Endpoint Protector  delivers multi-OS endpoint data loss prevention (DLP). It restricts or blocks USB and other peripherals, mandates encryption on authorized removable media, continuously tracks data in motion via email, browsers, and messaging apps, and offers  eDiscovery  to identify and secure sensitive endpoint data — even offline. It ensures only approved, encrypted devices are utilized, minimizing the risk of accidental leaks or deliberate data exfiltration. Insider Threat Indicators IT Misses Without Policy-Based Controls - Free Guide Change Tracker: Configuration Drift Monitoring Configuration drift poses a significant risk even without malicious insiders. A minor unauthorized change, such as a firewall adjustment or a server misconfiguration, can compromise defenses and might only be noticed after exploitation. Change Tracker  sets secure configuration baselines, offers real-time  file integrity monitoring  (FIM), and confirms changes with closed-loop control. It identifies unauthorized changes, reduces change noise, integrates with ITSM tools like ServiceNow, and provides CIS-certified compliance reports to demonstrate system integrity. Detection vs. Policy-Based Prevention The table below compares detection with policy-based prevention and illustrates where Endpoint Management solutions are applicable. Traditional Detection Tools (AV, EDR, SIEM) Policy-Based Prevention with Endpoint Management Emphasize detecting threats post-occurrence Emphasize preventing risky actions beforehand Generate alerts requiring investigation Implement automated policies to prevent violations Reactive: damage might already occur Proactive: prevents incidents at their origin Effective at identifying known patterns Efficient in managing privilege drift, USB/device misuse, and configuration drift via enforced endpoint policies Heavily rely on IT teams for swift responses Reduce workload by automatically eliminating risky exceptions Leaves gaps where human error or exceptions occur Closes gaps by enforcing consistent endpoint security policies For more information on endpoint protection and security, read  5 Overlooked Types of Endpoint Security You’re Probably Missing . Strategies to Mitigate Insider Threats While preventing insider threats entirely may be impossible, their impact can be lessened with effective policies and security practices. The aim is not to restrict employees but to provide them with safe working methods while discouraging misuse. Implement a Zero Trust Security Model Traditional security assumes trusted individuals within the network. This assumption is no longer valid. Enter  Zero Trust , a model based on the “never trust, always verify” principle. Every access request is verified, regardless of the user's identity, location, or device. This approach makes it more challenging for insider threats (or stolen credentials) to cause significant damage. Enforce the Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP) Many insider threats arise from excessive access rights. The  Principle of Least Privilege  (PoLP) addresses this by ensuring users receive only the permissions necessary for their role. This involves: Regularly reviewing access to remove outdated or unused rights. Avoiding unwarranted privilege escalations, ensuring temporary admin access remains temporary. PoLP helps control privilege creep, preventing unauthorized access to sensitive systems by employees or attackers. Automate Access Control and Monitoring Automating account management ensures access remains accurate and current. Automation reduces errors, decreases IT workloads, and enforces security rules consistently. For instance: Automation allows for rapid deprovisioning of employees, revoking system access within minutes of departure. Identity governance and  privileged access management  (PAM) tools monitor and control high-level account usage. Strengthen Security Training and Awareness Security training and awareness are vital, educating employees on risky behaviors and policy adherence. The most effective programs are interactive, such as: Brief, focused security awareness sessions to keep security top of mind. Real-world simulations, like phishing tests or scenario-based exercises, allowing employees to practice threat identification and response. When employees contribute to solutions, they become active defenders rather than vulnerabilities. Conduct Regular Insider Threat Assessments Regular insider risk assessments allow organizations to identify gaps before incidents occur. These assessments should: Evaluate technical defenses for weaknesses or misconfigurations. Incorporate input from HR, IT, legal, and security teams to address both behavioral and technical risks. Learn more about preventing insider threats originating from endpoints  here . Insider Threat Indicators IT Misses Without Policy-Based Controls - Free Guide Response and Remediation Tactics Even the most robust defenses can miss threats. Therefore, organizations need a clear response plan. A well-tested plan can help limit damage, safeguard sensitive information, and prevent future incidents. Here’s how it works in practice. Immediate Steps for Detecting an Indicator When an insider threat indicator emerges, the first step is to contain the risk during the investigation. This might involve suspending the suspect account, blocking a device, or halting unusual access. After containing the threat, investigate the incident. Examine logs, recent activities, and the context to determine if it was a mistake, a misconfiguration, or something more serious. Thorough Exit Procedures for Departing Employees Departing employees often pose a security risk. Without proper offboarding, they might retain access to email, files, or admin accounts long after leaving, creating unnecessary risks. A robust exit procedure should include: Immediately revoking all access and permissions (e.g., by disabling account, VPN, and cloud app access). Collecting company-owned devices and reviewing personal device access. Monitoring for unusual data transfers before departure. Recovery and Continuous Improvement After Incidents After an insider threat is contained, the next step is recovery: restoring systems, ensuring data integrity, and resuming normal business operations. The real benefit comes from continuous improvement, which involves: Conducting a post-incident review to understand the event. Identifying gaps in policies, monitoring, or training. Updating procedures and controls to prevent recurrence. This approach turns every incident into a learning opportunity that strengthens defenses, reduces future risks, and enhances resilience. Three Policy-Driven Controls to Watch Insider Threats To detect insider threats, organizations should implement policies that proactively prevent risky behavior. Instead of waiting for alerts to accumulate, these controls automatically enforce good security practices. Here are three effective policy-driven controls: Privilege Drift Users retaining standing admin rights pose a risk, inviting misuse or exploitation. The solution is to eliminate standing local admin rights and replace them with Just-in-Time (JIT) elevated access. This allows users to temporarily gain higher privileges as needed, with permissions expiring after tasks are completed. Unmonitored Device Use USB sticks and external devices are classic vulnerabilities. Using a personal drive may seem harmless but can lead to data leaks or malware infections. Policy-based controls address this by blocking unsanctioned USB devices while allowing approved or encrypted drives for legitimate business purposes. Policy Drift Systems tend to "drift" from their secure state over time due to misconfigurations or forgotten exceptions, deviating from security baselines like CIS or NIST. To prevent small drifts from becoming vulnerabilities, organizations should implement controls that detect and alert unauthorized changes to configurations and system files, ensuring systems remain secure. As noted in the Change Tracker deck: “All breaches start with either a change or the need for a change.” This highlights how most incidents begin with routine actions, not malice. By enforcing policies, you can prevent minor changes from escalating. For more on endpoint policy management, read What Is Endpoint Policy Management? Why Intune isn’t enough . Why This Approach Works Strong security often raises concerns about slowing down operations. If every task requires IT approval, employees might seek shortcuts, potentially leading to insider threats. The benefit of policy-driven enforcement is that it eliminates this tension. Instead of relying on people to remember rules or sacrificing speed for safety, policies enforce defaults, integrating security into everyday work. Consider this: Privilege Management: Rather than granting permanent admin rights, privileges can be temporarily elevated using Just-in-Time (JIT) access. Device Control: Policies enforce the rule. Employees know only approved or encrypted devices work, and others are blocked. Configuration Monitoring: If a system setting drifts from the baseline during an update, the policy flags and corrects it without disrupting work. This is “zero-friction security.” Users can work securely by design, without relying on judgment or bending rules. The result is a workplace where security and productivity coexist. Real-World Example: Keeping Systems Safe Without Slowing Teams Down A mid-size IT firm repeatedly dealt with configuration errors introduced during maintenance. These errors often occurred during late-night patches or urgent fixes. Their solution came with Change Tracker , which automates configuration monitoring to catch unauthorized changes early. By deploying Change Tracker, they received instant alerts when key settings changed. Over time, configuration drift decreased significantly, compliance audits became smoother, and employees continued working without security hindrances. Change Tracker From Indicators to Enforcement: A Better Model for Insider Threat Readiness Insider threat programs have traditionally focused on identifying classic indicators like unusual logins, off-hours activity, large file transfers, or odd privilege requests. While useful, this approach is reactive. You notice a signal, investigate, and respond, often when damage is already happening. The next step is policy-driven endpoint management. This shifts the focus from relying on users to follow rules to enforcing secure behavior. Instead of just detecting issues, the system sets boundaries and ensures safe work by design. It's a mindset shift: From monitoring and reacting to preventing and enforcing. From trusting good intentions to building secure workflows by default. From accumulating alerts to blocking risks before they materialize. As the saying goes: “Hoping your users do the right thing is not a strategy. Policy is.” What Comes Next If you’re ready to move beyond detection to real prevention, the next step is the Endpoint Management Manifesto . This manifesto presents a comprehensive framework for policy-driven endpoint security. It details how to turn policy into action across privileges, devices, and configurations, creating an environment where insider threats are managed automatically. Consider it a blueprint for zero-friction security: people remain productive while risky behaviors and misconfigurations are handled quietly in the background. Conclusion Small warning signs often accumulate into common indicators of insider threats. By treating them as symptoms rather than root causes and supporting detection with clear, policy-driven controls, organizations can mitigate risk without disrupting operations. Ultimately, the goal is not to monitor every action but to make secure behavior the easiest path forward. FAQs Which of these is not an early indicator of a potential insider threat: unusual logins from unknown locations, excessive downloads of sensitive data, or using company-approved applications as intended? The one that is not an early indicator of a potential insider threat is using company-approved applications as intended. That’s normal, expected behavior, whereas unusual logins and excessive downloads are classic early warning signs. Which of these is a potential insider threat indicator: regularly scheduled password updates, sudden interest in data unrelated to job duties, or frequent attendance at security awareness trainings? The potential insider threat indicator is a sudden interest in data unrelated to job duties. It is a red flag because it may suggest data snooping, privilege misuse, or early stages of data theft. The other two — regular password updates and attending security trainings — are actually healthy security practices. Which of these is the most likely sign of an insider threat: logging in during expected business hours, sudden unexplained financial gain or stress, or submitting expense reports on time? The most likely sign of an insider threat is sudden, unexplained financial gain or stress. It is a strong behavioral indicator, since financial pressure or unusual income can sometimes motivate risky or malicious actions. The others — logging in during business hours and submitting expense reports on time — are normal, expected behaviors. Why is it important to identify potential insider threats? Identifying potential insider threats is crucial because they can cause as much damage as external attacks. Catching the warning signs early helps organizations: Protect sensitive data from leaks, theft, or misuse. Prevent financial loss from fraud, theft, or downtime. Safeguard reputation and trust, as breaches damage customer confidence. Maintain business continuity. In short, spotting potential insider threats early means you can stop problems before they escalate into full-blown incidents. Author: Nerdcore PC Systems Information collected from multiple resources to compile this article.

Windows Server Hardening Checklist Windows Server Hardening Checklist While deploying servers in their default state can be the fastest way to get them operational, it falls significantly short in terms of security. Out of the box, servers are optimized for ease of use — which often comes at the expense of security. This caveat is particularly important for Windows Server systems because of the vital role they play in the Microsoft ecosystem, including both authentication and authorization. By investing a little extra time configuring your Windows Server systems securely, you can dramatically reduce your attack surface. To help, this guide offers an extensive checklist of Windows Server hardening best practices. First, we’ll cover Windows Server itself: users, features, roles, services and so on. But then we’ll provide Windows hardening guide for a variety of other aspects of the IT environment that also impact Windows Server security and availability, such as network and firewall configuration, application and service configuration, access management, and auditing policies. Finally, we’ll offer a solution that dramatically streamlines the process of server hardening. Server Preparation Server hardening begins even before you install the operating system. To provide a firm foundation for server security, take the following steps: Establish and maintain a detailed inventory of all your servers. Isolate new servers from network and internet traffic until they are fully hardened. Secure the BIOS/firmware with a robust password. Disable automatic administrative logon to the recovery console. Configure device boot order to prevent booting from alternate media. Update Windows Server Installation and Keep It Updated After installing the Windows Server operating system, immediately update it with the latest patches to mitigate known vulnerabilities. Updates can be downloaded straight from Microsoft or through Window Server Update Services (WSUS) or System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM). To help keep your servers secure, enable automatic notification of patch availability and install updates promptly. However, before deploying any patch, hotfix or service pack, make sure to thoroughly test it to ensure it works properly in your specific environment. User Account Security Hardening As soon as a server is deployed and up-to-date on security patches, proceed to user security configuration to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access. Key user configuration best practices include the following: Disable the guest account on each server. Either rename the local Administrator account or disable it and create a new account with a unique name. Minimize both the membership and permissions of built-in groups like Local System (NT AUTHORITY\System), Network Service (NT AUTHORITY\NetworkService), Administrators, Backup Operators, Users and Everyone. For example, to prevent unrestricted remote access to your servers, be sure to change the default setting granting the ‘Access this computer from the network’ right to the Everyone group. Ensure that the passwords of system and administrator accounts adhere to  best password practices . In particular, require these passwords to be at least 15 characters long and use a mix of letters, numbers and special characters, and to be changed every 90–180 days. Configure an account lockout policy according to account lockout best practices . Disable anonymous SID/Name translation. Promptly disable or delete unused user accounts. Require server administrators to log on using a local administrator account rather than a privileged domain account to limit the risk of domain-wide issues or compromises. Feature and Role Configuration Another important best practice to harden Windows servers is to remove any features and roles that are not necessary for the server's intended purpose. This strategy reduces the attack surface and also makes the server easier to manage. Application and Service Configuration Similarly, minimize the number of applications, services and protocols that are installed on each server. In particular, do not install any additional web browsers on the server and restrict web access for all users. Limiting the applications and services running on a server reduces its attack surface and also simplifies update and patch management. Network Configuration The configuration of your network dramatically impacts the security of your Windows servers. Here are some key network configuration practices you should follow. Isolate the server from untrusted networks or segments using VLANs, subnetting or other network segregation techniques. This strategy limits the server's exposure to potential threats. Ensure that DNS and hostname configurations are accurate to prevent DNS-related manipulation. Implement IP restrictions and filtering rules to control which IP addresses or ranges can communicate with the server. This helps limit unauthorized access and exposure to attacks. If remote administration is required, limit RDP access to specific IP addresses or networks to help prevent unauthorized access. Disable both NetBIOS over TCP/IP and LMHosts lookup unless they are required for legacy software or hardware. Firewall Configuration To help safeguard your Windows servers from unauthorized access and malicious traffic, follow these firewall configuration best practices: Enable the Windows firewall. Configure each Windows firewall profile (Domain, Private and Public) to block inbound traffic by default. When inbound access is necessary for a server, limit it to essential protocols, ports and specific IP addresses. Open only required network ports; restrict or deny access for all other ports. Network Time Configuration (NTP) Configuration NTP is vital for ensuring accurate timestamps on events, which helps organizations guard against time-spoofing and replay attacks. Designate a specific server as the primary timekeeper and configure it to sync with a trusted atomic clock source. Then establish a policy that mandates all servers and workstations to synchronize their time exclusively with that server. Registry Configuration Properly configuring registry settings and controlling changes to them is also vital to server security. Best practices include the following: If the Remote Registry service is not required, disable it. If it is needed, tightly control access to it. Disable the "NullSessionPipes" and "NullSessionShares" settings to limit anonymous access to network resources. Allow only authorized users and administrators to modify critical registry keys and subkeys. Encryption To enhance server security, it's advisable to enable and configure BitLocker drive encryption for the entire system drive, as well as any additional drives containing data. For more fine-grained data protection, consider utilizing Encrypting File System (EFS) to encrypt individual files. To ensure data confidentiality and integrity across the network, you can implement IPsec for encrypting network traffic between servers. Access Management Access management is a critical component of Windows hardening checklist because it controls who can access which IT resources and what level of access they have. Access management best practices include the following: Enforce the principle of least privilege by granting users and processes the minimum rights necessary to perform their tasks. In particular, be very judicious about granting permissions to the Everyone group. Allow only authenticated users to access any computer from the network. Configure allowable encryption types for Kerberos authentication. Do not store LAN Manager hash values. Disable file and print sharing if it is not required. Disable the NTLMv1 protocol unless it is needed to support older technology. Remote Access Configuration Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a common target for hackers so it should be enabled only if necessary. If RDP is enabled, set the RDP connection encryption level to high. Moreover, grant remote access rights to only the specific users who require them, and use multifactor authentication (MFA) if possible to add an extra layer of protection. General Security Hardening Practices Consider implementing these general security best practices: Disable the use of removable media, such as USB sticks, to mitigate the risk of data exfiltration and malware injection. Display a legal notice like the following before the user logs in: “Unauthorized use of this computer and networking resources is prohibited.” Require Ctrl+Alt+Del for interactive logins, and configure a time limit to automatically terminate idle interactive sessions. If the server has ample RAM, consider disabling the Windows swap file to enhance performance and bolster security by preventing sensitive data from being written to the hard drive. Windows Server Hardening Guide: Additional Recommendations Other hardening recommendations include the following: Perform regular risk assessments and use them to update your risk management plan. Use an endpoint security solution to protect your servers and other machines. Windows Defender is included by default, but third-party solutions are also available. Consider anti-spyware protection as well. Install a data loss prevention (DLP) solution to help protect sensitive information against improper access and leakage. Monitor activity that could compromise server security. Native logs provides some insight; these logs can be reviewed using Windows Event Viewer. But for more comprehensive logging and monitoring capabilities, implement an enterprise auditing solution that offers not just monitoring but advanced features like user behavior analytics (UBA), real-time alerts and automated incident response. How Netwrix Can Help Netwrix Change Tracker  dramatically simplifies Windows Server hardening and configuration management. In particular, it: Makes it easy to establish secure baseline configurations that conform to standards like those from the Center for Internet Security (CIS) and the  US Department of Defense Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) Automatically detects deviations or drift away from your baseline configurations using system and file integrity monitoring (FIM) technology Coordinates with your IT service management (ITSM) solution to identify unexpected configuration changes and alerts administrators Speeds incident response by providing detailed information about changes Streamlines compliance audits with out-of-the-box reports covering NIST, PCI DSS, CMMC, STIG and NERC CIP.

50+ Essential Linux Commands: A Comprehensive Guide Introduction Unlock the full potential of your Linux system with this comprehensive guide to essential Linux commands . Whether you’re a seasoned administrator or just starting out, mastering these commands is crucial for efficient server management, script writing, and troubleshooting. In this tutorial, you will learn the most frequently used and powerful commands for file management, process control, user access, network configuration, and system debugging. You will learn over 50+ must-know Linux commands   that will transform you into a Linux power user. From basic to advanced, these commands will become your go-to tools for tackling any task that comes your way. Top 50 Linux Commands you must know ls  - The most frequently used command in Linux to list directories pwd  - Print working directory command in Linux cd  - Linux command to navigate through directories mkdir  - Command used to create directories in Linux mv  - Move or rename files in Linux cp  - Similar usage as mv but for copying files in Linux rm  - Delete files or directories touch  - Create blank/empty files ln  - Create symbolic links (shortcuts) to other files clear  - Clear the terminal display cat  - Display file contents on the terminal echo  - Print any text that follows the command less  - Linux command to display paged outputs in the terminal man  - Access manual pages for all Linux commands uname  - Linux command to get basic information about the OS whoami  - Get the active username tar  - Command to extract and compress files in linux grep  - Search for a string within an output head  - Return the specified number of lines from the top tail  - Return the specified number of lines from the bottom diff  - Find the difference between two files cmp  - Allows you to check if two files are identical comm  - Combines the functionality of diff and cmp sort  - Linux command to sort the content of a file while outputting export  - Export environment variables in Linux zip  - Zip files in Linux unzip  - Unzip files in Linux ssh  - Secure Shell command in Linux service  - Linux command to start and stop services ps  - Display active processes kill and killall  - Kill active processes by process ID or name df  - Display disk filesystem information mount  - Mount file systems in Linux chmod  - Command to change file permissions chown  - Command for granting ownership of files or folders ifconfig  - Display network interfaces and IP addresses traceroute  - Trace all the network hops to reach the destination wget  - Direct download files from the internet ufw  - Firewall command iptables  - Base firewall for all other firewall utilities to interface with apt, pacman, yum, rpm  - Package managers depending on the distribution sudo  - Command to escalate privileges in Linux cal  - View a command-line calendar alias -  Create custom shortcuts for your regularly used commands dd  - Majorly used for creating bootable USB sticks whereis  - Locate the binary, source, and manual pages for a command whatis  - Find what a command is used for top  - View active processes live with their system usage useradd and usermod  - Add a new user or change existing user data passwd  - Create or update passwords for existing users File and Directory Commands Command Description Example ls List directory contents. ls cd Change directory. cd /path/to/directory pwd Show current directory. pwd mkdir Create a new directory. mkdir new_directory rmdir Remove an empty directory. rmdir empty_directory rm Delete files or directories. rm file.txt touch Create an empty file. touch new_file.txt cp Copy files or directories. cp file.txt /path/to/destination mv Move or rename files. mv file.txt /path/to/new_location cat Display file contents. cat file.txt nano / vim Edit files in terminal. nano file.txt find Search for files in a directory hierarchy. find . -name "file.txt" grep Search text using patterns. grep "pattern" file.txt tar Archive and compress files. tar -cvf archive.tar file1.txt file2.txt df Show disk usage of file systems. df du Show directory/file size. du -sh /path/to/directory chmod Change file permissions. chmod 755 file.txt chown Change file owner. chown user:group file.txt mount Mount a filesystem. mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt umount Unmount a filesystem. umount /mnt Networking Commands Command Description Sample Usage ping Test connectivity to a host. ping google.com ifconfig / ip a Display network interfaces. ifconfig or ip a netstat / ss Show network connections. netstat -tuln or ss -tuln wget Download files via HTTP/FTP. wget http://example.com/file.zip curl Transfer data using URL syntax. curl -O http://example.com/file.zip nc (Netcat) Network debugging and data transfer. nc -zv 192.168.1.1 80 tcpdump Capture and analyze network packets. tcpdump -i eth0 iptables Configure firewall rules. iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 22 -j ACCEPT traceroute Trace the path packets take to a network host. traceroute example.com nslookup Query DNS to obtain domain name or IP address mapping. nslookup example.com ssh Securely connect to a remote host. ssh user@example.com Process and System Monitoring Commands Command Description Example Command ps Show running processes. ps aux top Dynamic process viewer. top htop Enhanced version of top. htop kill Send a signal to a process. kill killall Kill processes by name. killall uptime System uptime and load. uptime whoami Current logged-in user. whoami env Display environment variables. env strace Trace system calls of a process. strace -p systemctl Manage systemd services. systemctl status journalctl View system logs. journalctl -xe free Display memory usage. free -h vmstat Report virtual memory statistics. vmstat 1 iostat Report CPU and I/O statistics. iostat lsof List open files by processes. lsof dmesg Print kernel ring buffer messages. dmesg User and Permission Management Commands Command Description Example Command passwd Change user password. passwd adduser / useradd Add a new user. adduser  or useradd deluser / userdel Delete a user. deluser  or userdel usermod Modify user account. usermod -aG groups Show group memberships. groups sudo Execute commands as root. sudo chage Change user password expiry information. chage -l id Display user identity information. id newgrp Log in to a new group. newgrp File Transfer and Synchronization Commands Command Description Example Command scp Securely copy files over SSH. scp user@remote:/path/to/file /local/destination rsync Efficiently sync files and directories. rsync -avz /local/directory/ user@remote:/path/to/destination ftp Transfer files using the File Transfer Protocol. ftp ftp.example.com sftp Securely transfer files using SSH File Transfer Protocol. sftp user@remote:/path/to/file wget Download files from the web. wget http://example.com/file.zip curl Transfer data from or to a server. curl -O http://example.com/file.zip Text Processing Commands Command Description Example Command awk Pattern scanning and processing. awk '{print $1}' file.txt sed Stream editor for filtering/modifying text. sed 's/old/new/g' file.txt cut Remove sections from lines of text. cut -d':' -f1 /etc/passwd sort Sort lines of text. sort file.txt grep Search for patterns in text. grep 'pattern' file.txt wc Count words, lines, and characters. wc -l file.txt paste Merge lines of files. paste file1.txt file2.txt join Join lines of two files on a common field. join file1.txt file2.txt head Output the first part of files. head -n 10 file.txt tail Output the last part of files. tail -n 10 file.txt Shell Utilities and Shortcuts Commands Command Description Example Command alias Create shortcuts for commands. alias ll='ls -la' unalias Remove an alias. unalias ll history Show previously entered commands. history clear Clear the terminal screen. clear reboot Reboot the system. reboot shutdown Power off the system. shutdown now date Display or set the system date and time. date echo Display a line of text. echo "Hello, World!" sleep Delay for a specified amount of time. sleep 5 time Measure the duration of command execution. time ls watch Execute a program periodically, showing output fullscreen. watch -n 5 df -h Now let’s dive a little deeper into each of these commands and understand them in more detail. We already have a lot of existing articles for each of those individual commands. For your convenience, we’ll add links to all the existing articles, and continue to update the article as new topics are covered. Shell Utilities and Shortcuts Commands Command Description Example Command alias Create shortcuts for commands. alias ll='ls -la' unalias Remove an alias. unalias ll history Show previously entered commands. history clear Clear the terminal screen. clear reboot Reboot the system. reboot shutdown Power off the system. shutdown now date Display or set the system date and time. date echo Display a line of text. echo "Hello, World!" sleep Delay for a specified amount of time. sleep 5 time Measure the duration of command execution. time ls watch Execute a program periodically, showing output fullscreen. watch -n 5 df -h Now let’s dive a little deeper into each of these commands and understand them in more detail. We already have a lot of existing articles for each of those individual commands. For your convenience, we’ll add links to all the existing articles, and continue to update the article as new topics are covered. The ls command in Linux The ls command is used to list files and directories in the current working directory. This is going to be one of the most frequently used Linux commands you must know of. As you can see in the above image, using the command by itself without any arguments will give us an output with all the files and directories in the directory. The command offers a lot of flexibility in terms of displaying the data in the output. Learn more about using the ls command Jump back to commands list ↑ The pwd command in Linux The pwd command allows you to print the current working directory on your terminal. It’s a very basic command and solves its purpose very well. 50+ Essential Linux Commands: A Comprehensive Guide Author nerdcore pc systems