How to find your Windows product key

 Type this command at the prompt:

wmic path softwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey

 

  Type this command at the PowerShell:

 powershell "(Get-WmiObject -query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey"

 

 

 

 

Type regedit into the Windows 10 desktop search, and select the appropriate item in the results. Navigate to this key:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform

 

 the BackupProductKeyDefault key will reveal a valid Windows key ( Windows 10)

Fix issues related to windows. SFC and DISM commands

 

Commands that I use at least once a week.

Perform SFC Scan and Repair Windows Image
-This process will perform scan for any corrupted system files or integrity violation and will attempt to repair it along with the Windows Image.

1. Open command prompt with administrator access
2. Type each command below and wait until scan is completed.

SFC /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth 

 

Please see other article about Optimal Order for Running DISM and SFC

HOW TO DISABLE THE SEND YOUR SEARCH HISTORY FEATURE IN MICROSOFT EDGE

Microsoft Edge can silently send search queries, demographics, and other data to Microsoft servers. Moreover, not only search data in Bing, but also search data in Google, DuckDuckGo, 
StartPage and other search engines.  

Typically, Edge warns the user about this literally in plain text. 

Or rather, a separate notice that states that the user now has the opportunity to help Microsoft improve its products and services, and that for this purpose it will collect his (the user’s) search data, but as if anonymously, that is, they “will never will be associated with the data of the user himself or his computer." The option that the user allows the company to collect this data is present in the open part of the Edge settings (in the “Optional diagnostic data” subsection) and is active by default. Simply put, if you use Microsoft Edge, you are already helping, and volunteering at that. 

WHERE TO CHECK AND HOW TO DISABLE THE FUNCTION OF SENDING YOUR SEARCH HISTORY IN MICROSOFT EDGE 

Taking into account the fact that in the mentioned notification there is a button that redirects to the browser settings, but you can only get to the main Settings page, we do the following: open Edge and continue: or copy the address into the search bar 

edge://settings/privacy#searchServiceImprovement 

and press Enter (at this address the subsection we need “Optional diagnostic data” should open automatically); 

 or open “Settings” Edge (3 buttons in the upper right corner of the screen > “Settings”), go to the “Privacy” section. search and services" and simply scroll down the screen to the Optional diagnostic data subsection: Turn off the option Send us optional diagnostic data about your browser usage, websites visited, and crash reports to help us improve Microsoft products ; and restart the browser. 

 WHAT DATA DOES EDGE SEND TO MICROSOFT? 

In response to this question, we can only quote an excerpt from the explanation, which was published on the official Edge Support page: We collect and use data from your searches in Microsoft Edge. We use your search results to make everyone's online experience more convenient, relevant and useful. We collect data from your online searches, including from sites that Microsoft does not own or control. The data collected may include your search query, the search results displayed, and your interaction with those search results, such as what links you click on. We may also collect demographic information. Of course, there is a strong suspicion that this is not all. But Microsoft support, as we see, clearly identified four elements: search queries, searching results, search interaction data (including links you click) and your demographics. And the company needs this information “To improve your experience in Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Bing, Microsoft News and other Microsoft services.”

Now even a light bulb can steal your Wi-Fi password.

Recently, vulnerabilities were discovered in TP-Link Tapo L530E smart bulbs and the TP-Link Tapo application. These vulnerabilities can pave the way for any malicious actor to access Wi-Fi credentials.

The vulnerabilities are related to unreliable authentication and a lack of random elements in symmetric encryption.

With the help of these vulnerabilities, a malicious actor can obtain the Wi-Fi credentials of the victim's network and control all devices connected to that network.

Until the vulnerabilities are fixed, I recommend not using these light bulbs and their associated application. 

Source: AntiHaker Blog  

Unlock / Delete File or Folder, Locked by a System or Applications

Choose the right tools

 Tested, works

 

 https://emcosoftware.com/unlock-it

Reconciling the DHCP Database

When inconsistencies in the DHCP database are detected, reconciliation of data across all scopes can resolve the problem. Lease information is stored in the database in two forms: detailed and summary. During reconciliation, these details are compared for contradiction. If found, the DHCP server either reverts the addresses  in question to the original owners or creates temporary reservations for them, valid for the assigned lease time. 

Access the DHCP console and select the relevant server from the console tree to perform reconciliation. 

On the 'Action' menu, click 'Reconcile All Scopes', then 'Verify'. 

Any inconsistencies are reported and can be fixed by clicking 'Reconcile'. 

If the database is found to be consistent, click OK.

To perform this process for an individual scope, click the applicable scope in the console tree, and from 'Actions', click 'Reconcile', and then 'Verify'. Any inconsistencies detected can be corrected by selecting the discrepancies and clicking 'Reconcile'.

AI helps to prevent accidental data exposure

 Hornetsecurity releases 365 Total Protection Plan 4 for Microsoft 365 with AI Recipient Validation that prevents misdirected emails.

AI Recipient Validation is one of 365 Total Protection’s newest features, providing security and compliance managers with true visibility into how often employees are exposed to potentially misdirected emails and how they respond to them. It protects the end user by providing a warning when an email they are about to send appears to be misguided or contain sensitive information. The user can decide to either adjust their email or continue to send without modification.

Additionally, this new AI-based service continuously updates its understanding of the user’s email communication patterns by learning user behaviour and responses. It then automatically adjusts warnings for outgoing emails and prevents users from receiving similar warnings multiple times.

Read more:

https://www.hornetsecurity.com/en/press-releases/launch-of-365tp-plan4-with-airv

Reminder
Tips for identifying malicious emails

Professional cyber attacks via email are very difficult to detect, but there are a few clues for detecting fraud. First of all, if a fraudulent email is suspected, Verify whether the sender address actually matches the original domain. Consider carefully whether the sender is really an acquaintance or business partner of yours or whether the email address only resembles that of the actual person. Check for spelling and grammar mistakes, especially if the email is supposed to come from a reputable company. An impersonal form of address in the cover letter, such as “Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,” is another clue. Be careful with links or buttons placed in emails, because as a “normal user” it is very difficult to check whether the apparent link target is actually correct. In case of doubt, it is safest not to click on any attached link.