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Messages - masud895

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2
Internet Risk / What is Ransomware Attack? Example of Ransomware Attack
« on: August 24, 2023, 08:29:23 AM »
Ransomware is a type of malware attack in which the attacker locks and encrypts the victim’s data, and important files and then demands a payment to unlock and decrypt the data.
This type of attack takes advantage of human, system, network, and software vulnerabilities to infect the victim’s device—which can be a computer, printer, smartphone, wearable, point-of-sale (POS) terminal, or other endpoint.


WannaCry
WannaCry is an entrypting ransomware that exploits a vulnerability in the Windows SMB protocol, and has a self-propagation mechanism that lets it infect other machines. WannaCry is packaged as a dropper, a self-contained program that extracts the encryption/decryption application, files containing encryption keys, and the Tor communication program. It is not obfuscated and relatively easy to detect and remove. In 2017 WannaCry spread rapidly across 150 countries, affecting 230,000 computers and causing an estimated $4 billion in damages.

Cerber
Cerber is ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS), and is available for use by cybercriminals, who carry out attacks and spread their loot with the malware developer. Cerber runs silently while it is encrypting files, and may try to prevent antivirus and Windows security features from running, to prevent users from restoring the system. When it successfully encrypts files on the machine, it displays a ransom note on the desktop wallpaper.

Locky
Locky is able to encrypt 160 file types, primarily files used by designers, engineers and testers. It was first released in 2016. It is primarily distributed by exploit kits or phishing—attackers send emails that encourage the user to open a Microsoft Office Word or Excel file with malicious macros, or a ZIP file that installs the malware upon extraction.

Cryptolocker
Cryptolocker was released in 2017, and affected over 500,000 computers. It typically infects computers through email, file sharing sites, and unprotected downloads. It not only encrypts files on the local machine, but can also scan mapped network drives, and encrypt files it has permission to write to. New variants of Crypolocker are able to elude legacy antivirus software and firewalls.

NotPetya and Petya
Petya is ransomware that infects a machine and encrypts an entire hard drive, by accessing the Master File Table (MFT). This makes the entire disk inaccessible, although the actual files are not encrypted. Petya was first seen in 2016, and was spread mainly through a fake job application message linking to an infected file stored in Dropbox. It only affected Windows computers.

Petya requires the user to agree to give it permission to make admin-level changes. After the user agrees, it reboots the computer, shows a fake system crash screen, while it starts encrypting the disk behind the scenes. It then shows the ransom notice.

The original Petya virus was not highly successful, but a new variant, named NotPetya by Kaspersky Labs, proved to be more dangerous. NotPetya is equipped with a propagation mechanism, and is able to spread without human intervention.

NotPetya originally spread using a backdoor in accounting software used widely in the Ukraine, and later used EternalBlue and EternalRomance, vulnerabilities in the Windows SMB protocol. NotPetya not only encrypts the MFT but also other files on the hard drive. While encrypting the data, it damages it in such a way that it cannot be recovered. Users who pay the ransom cannot actually get their data back.

Ryuk
Ryuk infects machines via phishing emails or drive-by downloads. It uses a dropper, which extracts a trojan on the victim’s machine and establishes a persistent network connection. Attackers can then use Ryuk as a basis for an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT), installing additional tools like keyloggers, performing privilege escalation and lateral movement. Ryuk is installed on each additional system the attackers gain access to.

Once the attackers have installed the trojan on as many machines as possible, they activate the locker ransomware and encrypt the files. In a Ryuk-based attack campaign, the ransomware aspect is only the last stage of the attack, after the attackers have already done damage and stolen the files they need.

GrandCrab
GrandCrab was released in 2018. It encrypts files on a user’s machine and demands a ransom, and was used to launch ransomware-based extortion attacks, where attackers threatened to reveal victims’ porn-watching habits. There are several versions, all of which target Windows machines. Free decryptors are available today for most versions of GrandCrab.

3
All in One Smart Board / Troubleshooting FAQ for All in One
« on: September 20, 2021, 06:21:26 PM »
AIO Troubleshooting
A Complete Guide to Troubleshoot ALL in One Smart Interactive Board


Issue: No display
Solution: Power Connection Checkup
Issue: Booting from Android (OPS)
Solution: Using Physical buttons to select OS
Issue: OPS firmware upgrade
Solution: Upgrading the Firmware using the internet, in the meantime using the panel as a monitor
Issue: OPS Stopping Suddenly
Solution: Reboot & Clean Cache
Issue: OPS slowing down
Solution: Reboot & Clean Cache with RAM
Issue: Windows Not Found
Solution: Checking each input medium
Issue: Video Not Playing / Most Video related issues
Solution: Checking the physical cable line and wiggling slightly at both ends, Replace the cable with a known working cable, If the video cable is longer than 20' (6 m), use a shorter cable, Confirm the cable and source work by trying them with a different display, Remove any intermediate devices and connect the video cable directly from the interactive flat panel or interactive display to the source device.
Issue: The panel is ON but no display
Solution: If the interactive display uses an AM30 appliance, iQ appliance, or other Open Pluggable Socket (OPS) computer, turn the display off using the rear rocker switch. Make sure the OPS is properly seated, and then turn the display back on, Remove any intermediate devices and connect the video cable directly from the interactive flat panel or interactive display to the source device, Verify that the OPS supports the selected video input. For example, although the SMART Board 6065-V2 and 6075 interactive flat panels support an OPS DisplayPort input, the AM30 iQ appliance is available only with the OPS HDMI input, If the OPS supports both HDMI and DisplayPort video output, the interactive flat panel might try to display both. See Setting up an Open Pluggable Slot (OPS) computer with Dual Video Outputs on a 6065-V2 or 6075.
Issue: When using two or more Interactive flat panels, the main desktop appears on the wrong screen.
Solution: Verify that the computer's display settings are set correctly to either clone (Mac computers) or duplicate (Windows computers) the display as intended, Make sure the cables are connected to the correct interactive flat panels.
Issue: The video output does not appear.
Solution: If you are having issues with video out, apply video to the secondary display before applying it to the first display and see using a secondary display with your 70XX SMART Board, If you are using a SMART Kapp iQ board and are having trouble with the AM30 iQ appliance outputting video, the viewing device may not support HDCP content. All video output from the AM30 iQ appliance is HDCP encrypted.
Issue: The image on the screen is flickering, flashing or lines, double images, snow or other distortions are appearing
Solution: Try slightly moving the cable connector back and forth slightly wiggling at both the source and the interactive flat panel to see if the connection is faulty and If one of the connections is not good, use a different cable and see if the issue is resolved. If the display is using 4K resolution (3840 x 2160), make sure that the HDMI dim or Display port cable is not damaged. Also, low-quality cables can cause video artifacts. Make sure the cable and source work by trying them with a known working display. Remove any intermediate devices and connect the video source directly to the interactive flat panel. Use a new video cable.
Issue: Some of the pixels are "dead" or stuck.
Solution: For SMART Board G3-series and G4-series interactive flat panels, see Limited pixel warranty for SMART Board 8000i series interactive flat panels. For SMART Board G5-series interactive flat panels and SMART Board 7000 series interactive displays with iQ, see Pixel problems.
Issue: Bright spots appear on the screen.
Solution: For basic troubleshooting information, see the links below.
Issue: The colors on the display are not correct.
Solution: SMART Board 8075 and 6065-V2 interactive flat panels working in multi-window mode have separate picture settings for each input. If an individual image is displaying incorrect colors, check the on-screen display settings. If you're using an analog input with a SMART Board G3-series, G4-series, E70, 4000 series interactive flat panel, or a SMART Board 7000 series interactive display with iQ, try a different cable or video source.
Issue: The image is cut off or shifted to the left or right.
Solution: On SMART Board E70 or 4000 series interactive flat panels, press the Auto button on the remote control to resynchronize the video signal for analog inputs. On SMART Board G3-series and G4-series interactive flat panels, press the Aspect button on the remote control.
Issue: The image does not fill the entire screen
Solution: On SMART Board 8075 and 6065-V2 interactive flat panels, make sure the multi-window option is not enabled.
Issue: BSboard software operational Problems
Solution: Requires training for the users
Power Issues
Issue: The interactive flat panel doesn’t turn on and its power light isn’t lit
Solution:  Make sure the power cable is securely fastened to the power outlet and the interactive flat panel. If the power cable is connected to a power bar, make sure the power bar is securely fastened to the power outlet and turned on. If your interactive flat panel has a MAINS power switch, make sure it is in the ON (I) position. Some SMART Board 4000 series interactive flat panels don’t have a MAINS power switch. Make sure the power outlet is working by testing it with a different device.
Video Issues:
Issue: The interactive flat panel is on, but nothing shows on the screen.
Solution:  Make sure any connected computers are on and not in Standby mode. Make sure that the screen is working by opening the on-screen display menu. Restart the interactive flat panel and any connected computers. Replace the video cable connecting the computer to the interactive flat panel to determine if the issue is with the cable.
Issue: A computer is connected to the interactive flat panel, but only a “No Signal” or “Initializing” message appears on the screen.
Solution:  Make sure the computer is connected to the currently selected input.
Issue: There are lines or snow on the screen. The image is flickering or flashing.
Solution:  Set the connected computer’s resolution and refresh rates to values that the interactive flat panel supports. Open the on-screen display menu. If it appears correctly, the issue is with the video input. Adjust the interactive flat panel’s image settings. Restart the interactive flat panel.
Issue: There are bright spots on the screen.
Solution:  Open the on-screen display menu. If it appears correctly, the issue is with the video input. Take a photograph of the screen and send it to SMART support. If SMART support determines that the issue is with the screen and the interactive flat panel is under warranty, you may be eligible for a replacement.
Issue: The image isn’t clear. There are lines, double images or other distortions.
Solution:  Adjust the interactive flat panel’s image settings.
Issue: Colors don’t appear correctly.
Solution:  Perform a factory reset.
Audio Issues:
Issue: No sound is coming from the speakers.
Solution: If you’re using an external audio system, make sure it is turned on. Make sure the cables connecting the interactive flat panel to the computer are securely fastened. If you’re using the display’s stereo 3.5 mm out connector, adjust the volume on the interactive flat panel and the connected computer and make sure neither are muted. If you’re using the interactive flat panel’s S/PDIF out connector, adjust the volume on the external audio system. Adjust the interactive flat panel’s audio settings.
Issue: There is a whine or buzzing sound coming from the back of the interactive flat panel.
Solution: Be aware that these sounds are normal. All interactive flat panels emit some electrical noise. Such sounds may be more noticeable with some interactive flat panels than with others. However, if you hear noise from the front of the interactive flat panel, further investigation is required. Connect all devices to the same power outlet or power bar.
FAQ
●   What Is an Interactive Flat-Panel Display (IFPD)?
An Interactive Flat-Panel Display (IFPD) is a large-format touchscreen display ideal for meeting rooms and collaborative spaces. It is a replacement for clunky or outdated projector technology with a higher-quality display, enhanced connectivity, and built-in software solutions.

●   How Is This Better Than a Whiteboard with a Projector?
For starters, with high-performance IFPDs, the screen is of much higher quality (4K, for example). Also, many IFPD’s can handle interactivity from multiple users. It’s typically compatible with more comprehensive ranges of apps and connectivity software, much of it already built-in. Plus, these high-tech displays are usually associated with a cloud-based platform that allows logging in from anywhere to access and share files.

●   Why Do IT Departments Love  IFPDs ?
It’s easy to see how IFPDs make meetings better, but there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes in any tech-enabled remote meeting. IT department gets to enjoy a wide range of benefits, too. Powerful Intel® Core™ Processors offer incredible performance and reliability providing further benefits for your IT professionals including the following:
- Time is Freed up For Better Things
- There’s Less Hassle in Their Daily Routine

●   Are IFPDs the same thing as interactive displays?
IFPDs are also interactive displays. However, the capabilities and features vary significantly between brands.
●   What is the Difference Between an Interactive Projector and an Interactive Display?
An interactive display does not require a projector and therefore is more convenient.
●   Meeting Room Technology: Glossary of Terms
●   Interactive Whiteboards
Whiteboards that allow for varying degrees of collaboration. IFPDs like the IFP60 can also handle video conferencing, higher levels of security, and even more options for collaboration solutions and software.
Basic models are an excellent solution for presentations in meetings. But the next-gen models available today add cloud-based portability and enterprise-level security. These new models are becoming even more essential to the meeting room — simply because they enable even better collaboration.
It’s also a whiteboard that allows the user to make presentations using software installed on their laptop. Organizations shopping for upgrades or new systems have the benefit of selecting better, more interactive models built for 21st-century-level security, portability, and compatibility.
They are set up to facilitate engagement by allowing interaction from the user.
Other terms that can mean the same thing:
1.   Digital Whiteboards (though this usually refers to software solutions)
2.   Electronic Whiteboards
3.   Interactive Displays

Source : https://www.viewsonic.com/library/tech/what-is-an-interactive-flat-panel-display-ifpd/

4
Internet / What is Cisco ACI?Advantages of Cisco ACI
« on: August 25, 2020, 09:36:56 AM »
Cisco ACI
Cisco ACI, Cisco’s software-defined networking (SDN) architecture, enhances business agility, reduces TCO, automates IT tasks, and accelerates data center application deployments.

Why Today’s Solutions Are Insufficient:
Today’s solutions lack an application-centric approach. The use of virtual overlays on top of physical layers has increased complexity by adding policies, services, and devices.
Traditional SDN solutions are network centric and based on constructs that replicate networking functions that already exist.

ACI Key Benefits:
Centralized Policy-Defined Automation Management
Holistic application-based solution that delivers flexibility and automation for agile IT
Automatic fabric deployment and configuration with single point of management
Automation of repetitive tasks, reducing configuration errors
Real-Time Visibility and Application Health Score
Centralized real-time health monitoring of physical and virtual networks
Instant visibility into application performance combined with intelligent placement decisions
Faster troubleshooting for day-2 operation
Open and Comprehensive End-to-End Security
Open APIs, open standards, and open source elements that enable software flexibility for DevOps teams, and firewall and application delivery controller (ADC) ecosystem partner integration
Automatic capture of all configuration changes integrated with existing audit and compliance tracking solutions
Detailed role-based access control (RBAC) with fine-grained fabric segmentation
Application Agility
Management of application lifecycle from development, to deployment, to decommissioning—in minutes
Automatic application deployment and faster provisioning based on predefined profiles
Continuous and rapid delivery of virtualized and distributed applications
Source : https://www.lewan.com/blog/2015/04/29/benefits-of-cisco-aci-sdn-architecture#:~:text=Cisco%20ACI%2C%20Cisco's%20software%2Ddefined,lack%20an%20application%2Dcentric%20approach.



5
Are you aligned with the frantic adoption rate of new digital technologies?

Does your business have a strong foundation for SMAC (social, mobile, analytics, and cloud) to incorporate the latest tech trends that’ll drive the post-digital wave?
Do you have a digitally mature workforce to offer customized products and services that adapt to the constantly changing realities?
Well, these are the crucial questions that businesses will need to ask themselves before assimilating the upcoming technologies of 2020.
In the post-digital world, along with digital realities, related products and services will be hyper-personalized. And to decipher that, we will require a technology vision that meets the requirements of constantly changing on-demand experiences.

In a digital ecosystem that’s transitioning from social, mobile, analytics and cloud (SMAC) to the distributed ledger and quantum computing, where does your business stand? To understand this question, we have come up with the latest technology trends that you can incorporate into your business.
To understand such questions, we have come up with the latest technology trends that you can incorporate into your business.

Source: https://www.mobileappdaily.com/future-technology-trends

6
A software-defined wide-area network (SD-WAN), is a network that is abstracted from its hardware, creating a virtualized network overlay. Operators can remotely manage and quickly scale this overlay, which can span over large geographical distances. It is an application of software-defined networking (SDN).
An SD-WAN can connect several branch locations to a central hub office or cover multiple locations in a large campus such as a university campus.

Because SD-WAN is abstract from hardware, it is more flexible and available than a standard WAN. It relies on four central components:
•   Edge connectivity abstraction
•   WAN virtualization
•   Centralized management
•   Elastic traffic management

The Benefits of SD-WAN

The global SD-WAN market is predicted to swell to $5.25 Billion in 2023, according to an IDC forecast in July 2019, as more businesses embrace the benefits of a virtualized network.

The key benefits include:

•   Increased bandwidth at a lower cost since the network traffic can be provisioned for optimal speeds and throttle low-priority applications.

•   Centralized management across branch networks through a simple management console, which reduces the need for manual configuration and on-site IT staff

•   Full visibility into the network, as the controller gives operators a holistic view of the network.

•   More options for connection type and vendor selection, since the network can reside on COTS hardware and use both private and public connections to route its traffic.


Source : https://www.sdxcentral.com/networking/sd-wan/definitions/software-defined-sdn-wan/

7
Internet / Digital Network Architecture (Cisco DNA)
« on: May 14, 2019, 11:01:44 AM »
What is the Cisco® Digital Network Architecture (Cisco DNA)?
The Cisco Digital Network Architecture (Cisco DNA) is Cisco’s architecture for enterprise networks – across the campus, branch, WAN, and extended enterprise. It provides an open, extensible, and software-driven approach that makes the network simpler to manage and more agile and responsive to business needs. Cisco DNA is an intelligent system that encompasses policy, automation, analytics, and open platform capabilities to deliver on all required aspects of an intent-based network.

What is the difference between Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Cisco DNA? How do they relate to each other?
Cisco DNA allows IT to move beyond SDN and transcend the automation-focused network technologies that make up SDN. Cisco DNA uses a holistic systems approach to align the network to business intent. This approach combines automation with translation, policy, and assurance capabilities. Through its intent-based networking principles, Cisco DNA provides a way to make network services effective and agile as well as easy to use in an enterprise architecture journey to digital transformation. It is an architecture that includes ready-to-use applications as well as easily consumable APIs.

8
1. Internet of Things (IOT)
One of the biggest tech trends to emerge in recent years is the Internet of Things. Simply put, the Internet of Things (abbreviated IOT) is the idea that all technological devices can be connected to the internet and to each other in an attempt to create the perfect marriage between the physical and digital worlds. How will this impact you? It depends on your industry. For example, for those who work in marketing, advertising, media or business management, IOT could provide a wealth of information on how consumers engage with products by tracking their interactions with digital devices. In turn, this data could be used to optimize marketing campaigns and user experiences.
How it’s affecting industries: The really cool thing about IOT is that it’s not only changing the way we do business but also the business models we use to do it. For example, according to Deloitte, flexible consumption models (also known as pay-per-use models) are going become increasingly more popular across all industries as new customer data becomes available.

2. Machine learning
Another exciting emerging technology is machine learning, which is essentially a computer’s ability to learn on its own by analyzing data and tracking repeating patterns. For example, social media platforms use machine learning to get a better understanding of how you’re connected with those in your social network. They do this by analyzing your likes, shares and comments and then prioritizing content from your closest connections, serving you that content first.
How it’s affecting industries: In addition to shaping your day-to-day interactions with friends on social media, machine learning is also changing the way companies do business with customers. According to Deloitte, companies like Google are using machine learning on mobile devices which can continue learning even when offline. The result? Machine learning is reshaping the way businesses interact with their customers in a big way by helping them anticipate and meet customer needs more easily.

3. Virtual reality (VR)
Remember watching movies about virtual reality and thinking how cool it would be if it was actually like that in real life? Well, it’s about to be. Although VR has been around since the 1950s, until recently the technology wasn’t able to deliver the fully immersive digital experience users have been craving. That’s about to change with recent improvements to both hardware and programming, and the effects are going to be felt across almost every industry from retail to education.
How it’s affecting industries: Virtual reality has been a popular component of video games for several years and this trend is continuing to expand. In addition to video games, VR is likely to affect companies across the board as they adopt the technology to help them engage customers more effectively and optimize their sales and marketing efforts. It’s also a potentially useful tool for learning and is increasingly being adopted by educational organizations.

4. Touch commerce
Being able to buy anything you want with the touch of a finger may have seemed like a fantasy a few years ago, but it’s now a reality. Merging touchscreen technology with one-click shopping, touch commerce allows consumers to buy products easily from their phones. After linking their payment information to a general account and enabling the feature, customers are able to buy everything from clothes to furniture with just a fingerprint.
How it’s affecting industries: According to Deloitte, this is one of the biggest things to hit eCommerce in recent years with purchases of this type expected to increase by 150% this year alone and retailers in almost every industry anticipating an increase in sales directly related to this new technology.

5. Cognitive Technology
Cognitive technology is in the same vein as machine learning and virtual reality except that it’s a broader concept. For example, the cognitive technology umbrella includes things like natural language processing (NLP) and speech recognition. Combined, these different technologies are able to automate and optimize a lot of tasks that were previously done by people, including certain aspects of accounting and analytics.
How it’s affecting industries: Although cognitive technologies have a broad range of applications, Deloitte predicts that the industry sector most affected by this trend initially will be the software sector with 95% of enterprise software companies projected to adopt these technologies by 2020.
With emerging technologies changing professional industries including banking, eCommerce, healthcare and education, staying up to date on the latest trends will give you a better understanding of your chosen industry and make you a more competitive candidate. Best of all, this knowledge might open up new doors within your field and others.

Source : www.wayup.com/guide/deloitte-313295-sponsored-1-5-technology-trends-need-know-work-industry/

9
Internet / Hyperconvergence: A New Approach for Data center
« on: March 24, 2019, 10:29:55 AM »
As you can see, hyperconvergence is a drastically different approach to a data center. It removes the SAN completely. The hypervisor, server, and storage are now all fused into a single appliance called a node. To scale the solution, you just need to deploy additional nodes.

In the design, you’ll notice that the hyperconvergence solution includes both a solid state drive (SSD) and a hard disk drive (HDD), but this may vary by developer. There are all flash hyperconvergence solutions on the market today.

Finally, hyperconvergence is sometimes described as the software defined data center (SDDC), because a hyperconverged infrastructure is managed centrally by a single piece of software. Storage, compute, and the virtual machines are all managed by that same application.

Besides consisting of less physical equipment, hyperconvergence provides a number of important benefits to the IT environment and the business as a whole.

 
1)  Software-defined storage in a hyperconverged infrastructure is software-defined. The storage nodes act as one highly-reliable and redundant pool of storage. Should one node go down, the rest will remain unaffected.

2)  Agility: In a hyperconverged infrastructure, your workloads all fall under the same administrative umbrella. This makes it easier to migrate workloads from one location to another.

3)  Scalability: Because of the node-based architecture, it is very easy to scale up your hyperconverged data center. Simply add or subtract nodes to match your resource demand.

4)  Data protection: Hyperconvergence gives an organization the ability to easily restore data.

5)  Cost efficiency: Hyperconvergence brings an affordable economic model to any IT department. Because there is less equipment to purchase, maintain, and support, the recurring costs of supporting a hyperconverged data center are lower.

By delivering virtualization, storage, compute, network, management and data protection in an easy to manage but scalable application, an organization has the ability to seamlessly manage their complex infrastructure. Hyperconvergence is definitely emerging as a pivotal architecture for organizations of all sizes. Not only is it cost effective, but it plays a very important role in managing a company’s infrastructure.

Ref : https://www.gomindsight.com/blog/5-benefits-of-hyper-convergence/

10
Demand for Cybersecurity Professionals

According to IDC, cybersecurity will be among the 20 most in-demand IT roles for the next decade. Learn more about skills that can boost your career.
Today's organizations are challenged with rapidly detecting cybersecurity breaches and effectively responding to security incidents. Teams of people in Security Operations Centers (SOC’s) keep a vigilant eye on security systems, protecting their organizations by detecting and responding to cybersecurity threats.
The CCNA Cyber Ops certification prepares candidates to begin a career working with associate-level cybersecurity analysts within security operations centers.
As of July 2018, The United States Department of Defense (DoD) has approved the Cisco CCNA Cyber Ops Certification for the DoD 8570.01-M for the CSSP Analyst and CCSP Incident Responder categories.

Exams And Recommended Training

210-250 SECFND
Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Fundamentals (SECFND) v1.0
Self-study e-learning  |  Instructor-led

210-255 SECOPS
Implementing Cisco Cybersecurity Operations (SECOPS) v1.0
Self-study e-learning  |  Instructor-led

Ref : https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/training-events/training-certifications/certifications/associate/ccna-cyber-ops.html#~stickynav=1

11
Internet / What is IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6)?
« on: June 04, 2018, 10:08:56 AM »
IPv6 is the successor to Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4). It was designed as an evolutionary upgrade to the Internet Protocol and will, in fact, coexist with the older IPv4 for some time. IPv6 is designed to allow the Internet to grow steadily, both in terms of the number of hosts connected and the total amount of data traffic transmitted.
IPv6 is often referred to as the "next generation" Internet standard and has been under development now since the mid-1990s. IPv6 was born out of concern that the demand for IP addresses would exceed the available supply.
The Benefits of IPv6
While increasing the pool of addresses is one of the most often-talked about benefit of IPv6, there are other important technological changes in IPv6 that will improve the IP protocol:
•   No more NAT (Network Address Translation)
•   Auto-configuration
•   No more private address collisions
•   Better multicast routing
•   Simpler header format
•   Simplified, more efficient routing
•   True quality of service (QoS), also called "flow labeling"
•   Built-in authentication and privacy support
•   Flexible options and extensions
•   Easier administration (say good-bye to DHCP)

12
IT Forum / The advantages and disadvantages of Internet of Things
« on: May 20, 2018, 02:25:45 PM »
Advantages
Here are some advantages of IoT:

1.   Data: The more the information, the easier it is to make the right decision. Knowing what to get from the grocery while you are out, without having to check on your own, not only saves time but is convenient as well.

2.   Tracking: The computers keep a track both on the quality and the viability of things at home. Knowing the expiration date of products before one consumes them improves safety and quality of life. Also, you will never run out of anything when you need it at the last moment.


3.   Time: The amount of time saved in monitoring and the number of trips done otherwise would be tremendous.

4.   Money: The financial aspect is the best advantage. This technology could replace humans who are in charge of monitoring and maintaining supplies.

Disadvantages
Here are some disadvantages of IoT:

1.   Compatibility: As of now, there is no standard for tagging and monitoring with sensors. A uniform concept like the USB or Bluetooth is required which should not be that difficult to do.
2.   Complexity: There are several opportunities for failure with complex systems. For example, both you and your spouse may receive messages that the milk is over and both of you may end up buying the same. That leaves you with double the quantity required. Or there is a software bug causing the printer to order ink multiple times when it requires a single cartridge.

3.   Privacy/Security: Privacy is a big issue with IoT. All the data must be encrypted so that data about your financial status or how much milk you consume isn’t common knowledge at the work place or with your friends.


4.   Safety: There is a chance that the software can be hacked and your personal information misused. The possibilities are endless. Your prescription being changed or your account details being hacked could put you at risk. Hence, all the safety risks become the consumer’s responsibility.

13
IT Forum / What is the difference between H+, LTE, 4G and 3G?
« on: May 08, 2018, 12:48:31 AM »
E (EDGE)
E stands for Edge, Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution. It is pre 3G technology and again, more likely to occur when you are in a weak signal area. You may not be able to effectively browse the internet on your device, when getting this signal.
 
3G (Third Generation)
3G is the third generation of the mobile network and provides adequate signal strength for browsing the internet. Most smartphone devices have the option of 3G fallback (if 4G is unavailable in your area) and 3G network towers are available in nearly every city nationwide.
 
H (High Speed Packet Access)
H stands for HSPA, High Speed Packet Access. HSPA (or H) is considered an advancement of the 3G networks or "version 3.5". It offers a faster network connection than the 3G network.
 
H+ (Evolved HSPA)
H+ stands for Evolved High Speed Packet Access. The network created before the emergence of 4G. It offers the fastest maximum speeds of all 3G networks (including 3G and H or HSPA).
 
LTE/4G (Fourth Generation) 
Stands for fourth generation of the mobile network, and is also called LTE or Long Term Evolution. It offers the fastest maximum upload and download speeds of any network. For a network to consider itself 4G, it must meet the standards of the ITU or International Telecommunications Union.
Keep in mind, many H+ (HSPA+) networks mimic the speeds of 4G (or LTE), but because they do not meet the ITU requirements, they do not get the title of “LTE”.

14
IT Forum / Difference between Mac OS X and Windows
« on: June 09, 2017, 01:59:42 AM »
The battle between Mac and PC users has been raging for decades and for those who are not sure which side to be on then the challenge is deciding between which platform to use. This is always easy, especially with an increasing number of programs that work on both systems or even in the cloud, not to mention the fact that both offer business-friendly operation systems. The real question is what are the differences between a Mac and a PC?

Design
Apple prides itself on its iconic design while PC design depends on which company is making them. Even with the first Macintosh, introduced in 1984, the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and monitor were housed in one single unit thus reducing the number of cables necessary and creating a sleeker look. This design forward view has carried throughout the company’s history and modern Macs are sleek, light, and designed to look cool.

PCs on the other hand, don’t come from one single manufacturer like Mac so there are countless designs available on the market. If you don’t like the design from one manufacturer you can simply look to others. With Mac, if you’re not keen on their design, you’re out of luck.

Specifications
While both Mac and PC have similar internal parts like RAM, hard drives, and graphics cards, their speed and capacity varies. Macs generally outperform PCs because of better hardware optimization, but tend to skimp slightly when it comes to RAM, hard disk space, and USB ports. PCs offer a wider range of customization, and you can add almost any parts you want.

Connections and optical drives found on Macs and PCs are different too. Mac offers standard selection of features including a Superdrive, audio in and audio out, USB, FireWire, Thunderbolt, and Ethernet. PCs on the other hand offer comparable features but with added bonuses like Blu-Ray players, TV tuners, touch screens, and HDMI ports.

The main difference here is that with Macs you have generally limited customization options, while PCs usually allow for a much wider range whilst supporting different kinds of hardware.

Operating System
Most PCs today come preinstalled with Windows 8.1 while Mac runs OS X Mavericks with users having the option to upgrade to the new OS X – Yosemite – this fall. OS X is generally thought to be more user-friendly, while Windows PCs generally see a more comfortable user base and a higher number of programs that work with the OS.

However, with the increasing adoption of virtual desktops and cloud systems, the idea of a separate OS being better is quickly falling to the wayside. This is especially true if you use a virtualized desktop solution where you connect to a server which delivers your desktop.

Software
One of the biggest reasons as to why Mac hasn’t captured a larger share of the market is due to the lack of software for its OS. This is most obvious in business computing where many applications are standardized for Windows but are not available on Mac. That being said, the major programs businesses use on a daily basis are all available for Mac too, so it’s more the customized software you will need to look into.

User interface (UI)
While many computer users will proclaim one or the other superior when it comes to user interface, or UI, this is ultimately a matter of personal preference. Highlights of the UI in Mac include Launchpad which is a screen full of app icons for easy access, hot corners that can be customized for various types of views, a dock featuring your favorite apps, full screen mode for apps, and spaces that create as many desktops as you like to help minimize clutter.

With PCs UI, highlights include a touch-friendly interface which contains live tiles or rectangular boxes on the screen that represent an app and which is refreshed with the latest app content. Above all, Windows has the familiar desktop which almost every computer user is comfortable with using, and may even prefer.

There are more components that set Mac and PC apart. Find out more next month where we will dig into security, selections and customer satisfaction between the two.

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IT Forum / iPhone 7 Features
« on: September 22, 2016, 03:57:15 PM »
The iPhone 7, as you may have heard (you've certainly heard), has no headphone jack and it looks almost identical to the 2014 iPhone 6 and 2015 iPhone 6S. But there are still compelling reasons to consider an iPhone 7, even if you own last year's model.

The iPhone 7 is now fully water-resistant (it can take a shallow dunking).

The camera takes notably better photos, especially in low light, and adds the optical image stabilization feature previously restricted to the 5.5-inch Plus model.

The battery lasts longer -- probably a couple of hours or more a day, under normal usage. (We'll update this review after we test the battery in our lab.)

The processor is faster, although you might only notice the speed on some intensive games and the video and photo-editing apps.

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