Tutorials

Tutorials

• Step 4: Software restriction with Group Policy

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• Step 2: Use good information and good tools to get rolling

  The multitude of processes and services on your servers are ripe for exploitation. This step-by-step guide from vulnerability testing expert Kevin Beaver provides specific steps for testing the security of your servers' configurations.  Continue Reading

• Internet Information Services Security Journal

  IIS still may not be the most secure Web server on the market, but with some careful configurations you can lock down IIS against most attacks. Learn how to secure IIS and its many related services in this IIS security journal.  Continue Reading

• Active Directory Security Guide

  This guide offers plenty of must-know tips on maintaining a secure Active Directory environment, starting with the basics and moving on to more advanced practices.  Continue Reading

• Data recovery techniques for Windows administrators

  This guide outlines a step-by-step process for data recovery in a Windows environment. Topics include how to create boot disks, how to calculate disk cluster size, how to recover corrupt boot sectors and how to run Norton Disk Editor.  Continue Reading

• Step-by-Step Guide: Exchange Server capacity planning with Performance Monitor

  Don't let growth-related performance issues and outages catch you by surprise. This step-by-step guide will teach you how to use the Performance Monitor tool for Exchange Server long-term capacity planning and trend analysis.  Continue Reading

• Tutorial: How to protect Exchange Server from spam blacklists

  It is sometimes possible to get blacklisted by various antispam companies, even if your organization has never sent a spam message. This is a serious problem that can severely harm day-to-day business operations. This four-part tutorial explains how...  Continue Reading

• An administrator's guide to Exchange public folders

  Despite speculation on their impending demise, Exchange public folders are still widely used and aren't going away any time soon -- Microsoft plans to support them through the next version of Exchange Server. For the foreseeable future, most ...  Continue Reading

• Fast Guide: The ABCs of GPOs

  You can use Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to control almost every aspect of your computing environment. This guide breaks down the basics of GPOs, and offers helpful tips for managing them and keeping them secure.  Continue Reading

• Tutorial: How to set up a front-end Exchange Server cluster

  Front-end Exchange servers can become overloaded if too many users attempt to use Outlook Web Access simultaneously. In this tutorial, I explain how you can configure a Network Load Balancing Service cluster or DNS-based round-robin cluster to ...  Continue Reading

• Fast Guide: Group Policy

  Group Policy can be complicated. Make sure you understand how to implement it and how it affects security. Brush up on your Group Policy knowledge with this Fast Guide. This guide uses tips, webcasts and book excerpts to cover Group Policy design, ...  Continue Reading

• Step 1: Physical access

  Domain controllers control the keys to your Windows kingdom. They need to be even more secure than your other servers. Ensure their security by following these steps from Active Directory expert Derek Melber.  Continue Reading

• Securing Windows domain controllers

  Domain controllers control the keys to your Windows kingdom. They need to be even more secure than your other servers. Ensure their security by following these steps from Active Directory expert Derek Melber.  Continue Reading

• Phishing exposed -- 10 tips in 10 minutes

  A must read for programmers and administrators responsible for system security, this collection of 10 tips from Phishing Exposed, by Lance James, will teach you how to prepare for and defend against phishers and spammers. You'll learn tricks ...  Continue Reading

• Step 4: Location and desponsibilities of domain dontrollers in Active Directory

  Domain controllers control the keys to your Windows kingdom. They need to be even more secure than your other servers. Ensure their security by following these steps from Active Directory expert Derek Melber.  Continue Reading

• Step 3: Domain controller communications

  Domain controllers control the keys to your Windows kingdom. They need to be even more secure than your other servers. Ensure their security by following these steps from Active Directory expert Derek Melber.  Continue Reading

• Step 2: Network access

  Domain controllers control the keys to your Windows kingdom. They need to be even more secure than your other servers. Ensure their security by following these steps from Active Directory expert Derek Melber.  Continue Reading

• Tutorial: Exchange Server public folder permissions

  In this four-part tutorial, learn how to create a simple Exchange 2003 public folder tree structure, customize Exchange public folder roles and permissions, and automatically propagate Exchange parent public folder permission changes to all child ...  Continue Reading

• Step-by-Step Guide: How to repair Exchange-related IIS virtual directories

  Exchange Server depends on Internet Information Server (IIS) virtual directories for a number of functions related to Outlook Web Access, Outlook Mobile Access and ActiveSync. IIS virtual directories are generally stable, but can become corrupted by...  Continue Reading

• Learning Guide: Printer Management

  Printer management is a fact of life for network administrators. Browse our tips, articles and expert advice for the ins and outs of setting up, fine tuning and troubleshooting these persnickety peripherals.  Continue Reading

• Exchange Server Backup and Recovery Learning Guide

  In today's business world, e-mail is a mission-critical application for almost every company. With increased business continuance standards and compliance regulations, downtime or lost e-mail is no longer an option. This SearchExchange.com learning ...  Continue Reading

• Step-by-step guide: Network Access Quarantine Control

  Windows Server 2003's Network Access Quarantine Control (NAQC), part of the Resource Kit, prevents remote users from connecting to your network with machines that aren't secure. Contributor Jonathan Hassell provides step-by-step instructions on how ...  Continue Reading

• Step 2: Create quarantined resources

  Windows Server 2003's Network Access Quarantine Control (NAQC) prevents remote users from connecting to your network with machines that aren't secure.  Continue Reading

• Step 6: Distribute the profile to remote users

  Windows Server 2003's Network Access Quarantine Control (NAQC) prevents remote users from connecting to your network with machines that aren't secure.  Continue Reading

• Step 4: Install the listening components

  Windows Server 2003's Network Access Quarantine Control (NAQC) prevents remote users from connecting to your network with machines that aren't secure.  Continue Reading

• Step 1: Learn how it works

  Windows Server 2003's Network Access Quarantine Control (NAQC) prevents remote users from connecting to your network with machines that aren't secure.  Continue Reading

• Step 3: Write the baselining script

  Windows Server 2003's Network Access Quarantine Control (NAQC) prevents remote users from connecting to your network with machines that aren't secure.  Continue Reading

• Migrating from Exchange Server 5.5 to 2003 -- 11 tips in 11 minutes

  Author Rand Morimoto discusses Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5 migration options and strategies and offers some best practices for migrating to Exchange 2003.  Continue Reading

• Step-by-step guide: Cracking network passwords

  Weak passwords can be a huge security vulnerability. You can mitigate this risk by attempting to find your weaknesses before a malicious hacker does. Contributor Kevin Beaver provides a step-by-step guide on how to crack your own network passwords.  Continue Reading

• Step 3: Password testing -- What good are your findings?

  Weak passwords can be a huge security vulnerability. You can mitigate this risk by attempting to find your weaknesses before a malicious hacker does. Contributor Kevin Beaver provides a step-by-step guide on how to crack your own network passwords.  Continue Reading

• Step 1: Ethical hacking methodology

  Weak passwords can be a huge security vulnerability. You can mitigate this risk by attempting to find your weaknesses before a malicious hacker does. Contributor Kevin Beaver provides a step-by-step guide on how to crack your own network passwords.  Continue Reading

• Step 2: Tools you should use for Windows password testing

  Weak passwords can be a huge security vulnerability. You can mitigate this risk by attempting to find your weaknesses before a malicious hacker does. Contributor Kevin Beaver provides a step-by-step guide on how to crack your own network passwords.  Continue Reading

• Tutorial: Indexing Exchange Server public folder content

  Exchange Server 2003 offers its own mechanisms for indexing public folder content. Public folder indexing allows users to more easily search for specific information across a public folder store. In this tutorial, SearchExchange.com contributor ...  Continue Reading

• Step-by-Step Guide: How to create a VPN for your wireless network

  With wireless networks proliferating it is a good idea to understand what it takes to build a VPN for a wireless gateway. Contributor and Microsoft MVP Brien Posey details the necessary steps in this step-by-step guide.  Continue Reading

• Step 6: Configuring wireless clients

  With wireless networks proliferating it is a good idea to understand what it takes to build a VPN for a wireless gateway. Contributor and Microsoft MVP Brien Posey details the necessary steps in this step-by-step guide.  Continue Reading

• Step 5: Configuring the VPN server

  With wireless networks proliferating it is a good idea to understand what it takes to build a VPN for a wireless gateway. Contributor and Microsoft MVP Brien Posey details the necessary steps in this step-by-step guide.  Continue Reading

• Step 4: Configuring the authentication server

  With wireless networks proliferating it is a good idea to understand what it takes to build a VPN for a wireless gateway. Contributor and Microsoft MVP Brien Posey details the necessary steps in this step-by-step guide.  Continue Reading

• Step 2: Server placement

  With wireless networks proliferating it is a good idea to understand what it takes to build a VPN for a wireless gateway. Contributor and Microsoft MVP Brien Posey details the necessary steps in this step-by-step guide.  Continue Reading

• Step 3: Setting up the certificate authority

  With wireless networks proliferating it is a good idea to understand what it takes to build a VPN for a wireless gateway. Contributor and Microsoft MVP Brien Posey details the necessary steps in this step-by-step guide.  Continue Reading

• Learning Guide: How to fight spam on Exchange Server

  Spam. Everybody has it, nobody likes it. The Spam Learning Guide explains the basics of spam and offers techniques and tools to battle it. You'll find spam-related tutorials, tips, tools, white papers, expert advice and more that will help you ...  Continue Reading

• Active Directory Planning and Design Guide

  This guide offers tips and resources on how to develop a plan to implement and design Active Directory.  Continue Reading

• Backing up Exchange Server with Microsoft VSS

  Learn about how the Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) backup process works for Exchange Server and the pros and cons of implementing it.  Continue Reading

• Step 4: Tools you can use to test if you're vulnerable

  Wireless laptops are a huge security risk, especially when they connect to public hotspots.Contributor Kevin Beaver provides a step-by-step guide for locking down your laptops using a variety of firewalls, encryption and security protocols.  Continue Reading

• Step 1: Understand what there is to lose and who's stealing the loot

  Wireless laptops are a huge security risk, especially when they connect to public hotspots.Contributor Kevin Beaver provides a step-by-step guide for locking down your laptops using a variety of firewalls, encryption and security protocols.  Continue Reading

• Step 3: Secure your communications link

  Wireless laptops are a huge security risk, especially when they connect to public hotspots.Contributor Kevin Beaver provides a step-by-step guide for locking down your laptops using a variety of firewalls, encryption and security protocols.  Continue Reading

• Step 2: Secure your computer to prevent attacks in the first place

  Wireless laptops are a huge security risk, especially when they connect to public hotspots.Contributor Kevin Beaver provides a step-by-step guide for locking down your laptops using a variety of firewalls, encryption and security protocols.  Continue Reading

• How to use ISA Server as an SMTP filter

  Learn how to direct your inbound SMTP traffic to an ISA Server first to nab certain types of malicious messages and reduce the overall volume of SMTP mail that your Exchange server must process.  Continue Reading

• Step 6: Configuring the message screener

  Step-by-Step Guide: How to use ISA Server as an SMTP filter, step 6: Configuring the message screener.  Continue Reading

• Step 5: Creating a DNS publishing rule

  Step-by-Step Guide: How to use ISA Server as an SMTP filter, step 5: Creating a DNS publishing rule.  Continue Reading

• Step 4: Creating an SMTP publishing rule

  Step-by-Step Guide: How to use ISA Server as an SMTP filter, step 4: Creating an SMTP publishing rule.  Continue Reading

• Step 7: Changing your DNS server's MX record

  Step-by-Step Guide: How to use ISA Server as an SMTP filter, step 7: Changing your DNS server's MX record.  Continue Reading

• Step 1: Installing the SMTP service

  Step-by-Step Guide: How to use ISA Server as an SMTP filter, step 1: Installing the SMTP service.  Continue Reading

• Step 2: Configuring Internet Information Server

  Step-by-Step Guide: How to use ISA Server as an SMTP filter, step 2: Configuring Internet Information Server.  Continue Reading

• Step 3: Installing ISA Server 2004

  Step-by-Step Guide: How to use ISA Server as an SMTP filter. step 3: Installing ISA Server 2004.  Continue Reading

• Exchange Server Performance Learning Guide

  This guide introduces you to Exchange Server performance, explains best practices and pitfalls to avoid and provides troubleshooting help and advice. You'll find performance related articles, tutorials, tips, tools, white papers, expert advice and ...  Continue Reading

• Step 4: Handle e-mail and phone calls in batches

  In the hustling bustling world of IT, one thing Windows computing managers never have enough of is time. How often have you arrived at work in the morning with an ambitious agenda, only to find yourself sitting at your desk eight to ten hours later ...  Continue Reading

• Step 1: Getting started

  In the hustling bustling world of IT, one thing Windows computing managers never have enough of is time. How often have you arrived at work in the morning with an ambitious agenda, only to find yourself sitting at your desk eight to ten hours later ...  Continue Reading

• Step 3: Keep an activity log

  In the hustling bustling world of IT, one thing Windows computing managers never have enough of is time. How often have you arrived at work in the morning with an ambitious agenda, only to find yourself sitting at your desk eight to ten hours later ...  Continue Reading

• Step 2: Set clear goals and objectives

  In the hustling bustling world of IT, one thing Windows computing managers never have enough of is time. How often have you arrived at work in the morning with an ambitious agenda, only to find yourself sitting at your desk eight to ten hours later ...  Continue Reading

• Step 6: Prioritize tasks

  In the hustling bustling world of IT, one thing Windows computing managers never have enough of is time. How often have you arrived at work in the morning with an ambitious agenda, only to find yourself sitting at your desk eight to ten hours later ...  Continue Reading

• Step-by-Step Guide: Time Management

  In the hustling bustling world of IT, one thing Windows computing managers never have enough of is time. How often have you arrived at work in the morning with an ambitious agenda, only to find yourself sitting at your desk eight to ten hours later ...  Continue Reading

• Step 10: Know when you need time management help and where to get it

  In the hustling bustling world of IT, one thing Windows computing managers never have enough of is time. How often have you arrived at work in the morning with an ambitious agenda, only to find yourself sitting at your desk eight to ten hours later ...  Continue Reading

• Step 5: Divide larger tasks into groups of smaller ones

  In the hustling bustling world of IT, one thing Windows computing managers never have enough of is time. How often have you arrived at work in the morning with an ambitious agenda, only to find yourself sitting at your desk eight to ten hours later ...  Continue Reading

• Step 8: Don't overwork yourself

  In the hustling bustling world of IT, one thing Windows computing managers never have enough of is time. How often have you arrived at work in the morning with an ambitious agenda, only to find yourself sitting at your desk eight to ten hours later ...  Continue Reading

• Step 9: Learn when to say no

  In the hustling bustling world of IT, one thing Windows computing managers never have enough of is time. How often have you arrived at work in the morning with an ambitious agenda, only to find yourself sitting at your desk eight to ten hours later ...  Continue Reading

• Step 7: Set aside chunks of time to do nothing

  In the hustling bustling world of IT, one thing Windows computing managers never have enough of is time. How often have you arrived at work in the morning with an ambitious agenda, only to find yourself sitting at your desk eight to ten hours later ...  Continue Reading

• Step 8: Prepping for individual exams (The self-study prep approach)

  When it comes to pursuing Microsoft certifications, nothing beats well-rehearsed preparation and practice. Though the details involved in pursuing the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification differ somewhat from those involved...  Continue Reading

• Step 6: Complete outstanding electives (optional)

  When it comes to pursuing Microsoft certifications, nothing beats well-rehearsed preparation and practice. Though the details involved in pursuing the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification differ somewhat from those involved...  Continue Reading

• Step-by-Step Guide: Prepping for MCSA and MCSE certification

  When it comes to pursuing Microsoft certifications, nothing beats well-rehearsed preparation and practice. Though the details involved in pursuing the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification differ somewhat from those involved...  Continue Reading

• Step 10: Best exam prep practices

  When it comes to pursuing Microsoft certifications, nothing beats well-rehearsed preparation and practice. Though the details involved in pursuing the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification differ somewhat from those involved...  Continue Reading

• Step 9: Prepping for individual exams (The class-driven prep approach)

  When it comes to pursuing Microsoft certifications, nothing beats well-rehearsed preparation and practice. Though the details involved in pursuing the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification differ somewhat from those involved...  Continue Reading

• Step 2: Establish exam choices and order

  When it comes to pursuing Microsoft certifications, nothing beats well-rehearsed preparation and practice. Though the details involved in pursuing the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification differ somewhat from those involved...  Continue Reading

• Step 3: Deal with the desktop first

  When it comes to pursuing Microsoft certifications, nothing beats well-rehearsed preparation and practice. Though the details involved in pursuing the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification differ somewhat from those involved...  Continue Reading

• Step 1: Choose your target Windows version

  When it comes to pursuing Microsoft certifications, nothing beats well-rehearsed preparation and practice. Though the details involved in pursuing the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification differ somewhat from those involved...  Continue Reading

• Step 7: Completing the Core Exam (MCSE only)

  When it comes to pursuing Microsoft certifications, nothing beats well-rehearsed preparation and practice. Though the details involved in pursuing the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification differ somewhat from those involved...  Continue Reading

• Step 5: Digging into server and admin requirements

  When it comes to pursuing Microsoft certifications, nothing beats well-rehearsed preparation and practice. Though the details involved in pursuing the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification differ somewhat from those involved...  Continue Reading

• Step 4: Security options may appeal next, specialization or not

  When it comes to pursuing Microsoft certifications, nothing beats well-rehearsed preparation and practice. Though the details involved in pursuing the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification differ somewhat from those involved...  Continue Reading