Exchange: optimize database space

In this tutorial, I will explain how to optimize the disk space used by the databases (MailboxDatabase) of Exchange. What you need to know is that the size of Exchange databases only increases and over time, “empty” spaces are created in the database files. Empty space is normally reused to store other data. Despite this …

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DNS: delete a record on Windows Server

In this “How To” tutorial, I will explain how to delete a DNS record on Windows Server with the DNS Manager console. Delete a DNS record Open the DNS Manager console On a server where the DNS Manager console is installed, open it and go to the zone where you want to delete the record. …

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Crowdsec: protecting Windows servers

In a previous tutorial, I explained how to protect your Linux servers with Crowdsec in order to block “malicious” traffic. For almost 2 months now, the Crowdsec version has been available for Windows. If you are not yet familiar with Crowdsec, here is a brief presentation: Crowdsec will analyze different log files (Web, firewall, SSH, …

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Active Directory: change the KrbTgt account password

In this tutorial, I will explain how to change the password of the KrbTgt account. Before explaining how to change the password of this account, I will give you some explanations. Who is krbtgt? The krbtgt account is a disabled service account in the Active Directory, which is used for the distribution of Kerberos Tickets, …

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Disable server manager at logon

If you’re used to connecting to Windows servers, you may have noticed that Server Manager opens every time, although handy, this tends to “slow” the login and is intrusive especially when you don’t need it. I will explain how to disable its automatic opening. If you have already closed it, open the server manager. Click …

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Active Directory: Secure Domain Join to Domain Admins

In this tutorial, we will address a security point on an Active Directory environment, which is the domain joining of computers. What you need to know (some administrators don’t know this), all domain users can join a computer to a domain, they can even join up to 10 computers. Domain administrators have no limit as …

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GPO: force DNS computer registration

In this tutorial, I will explain how to force DNS registration of computers by Group Policy (GPO) in an Active Directory environment. Maintaining a clean, up-to-date DNS (Active Directory) zone is not easy, especially with dynamic computer registration. The first step is the activation of automatic cleaning, but it happens that once this is activated, …

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GPO: block programs and prevent software installation – software restriction

In this tutorial, I will explain how by Group Policy (GPO) in an Active Directory environment, block the launch of programs and prevent the installation of certain software with the software restriction policy. By default, if the users are not administrator (local) of the computer, it is not normally possible to install programs, on the …

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Active Directory: harden the security of your environment

In this tutorial dedicated to Active Directory and security, I will give you some tips to harden the level of security in order to be less vulnerable to attacks. The different configuration points, which will be discussed, simply allow attacks to be made more difficult and longer internally, in no way will they guarantee that …

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