Mobile - AdBlock - Block ads from all browsers #android

Using Chrome on Android mobile phone advertisement, unwanted pop-ups, video ads, banners and so on creates several problems during normal browsing activities.

Today I searched on play store and I found an interesting app (AdBlock), for free, that creates VPN connection (*), that blocks several adv types, helps to block spyware, adware and malware (not loading infected domains) and connecting to other adv/AV Database websites that helps to block adv and malicious websites

(*) One Key functionality intercepts DNS traffic

It works very well and there is a plus version that is quite cheap.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spaceship.netprotect.pro


In contrast to other ad blockers, AdBlock doesn't require root access.

More details are here indicated:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spaceship.netprotect

Linux - How to install Automatic updates on Centos OS 8

Here it is a smart blog post simple indicating Tutorial link that easily explain how to setting up Centos 8 automatic updates.

Have fun ;)

https://www.howtoforge.com/tutorial/how-to-configure-automatic-package-updates-on-centos-8/


Tips - APC Back-IPS ES 400/550/700 - beeping continuosly

I was installing an APC Back-IPS ES 400/550/700 but it was beeping continuosly.

To fix issue I found relative .PDF Manual

It was necessary to connect the black wire to the negative (-) battery terminal.

Have fun ;)



Server – How to execute Active Directory Health checks

I created a new blog article translating old article:

https://www.alessandromazzanti.com/2012/09/server-effettuare-il-test-di-ad.html

It mainly refer to old 2003/2008 Server but it has some interesting information that could  be still useful for someone.

<====================>

Microsoft Active Directory Topology Diagrammer (ADTD)

Active Directory Topology Diagrammer tool read Active Directory structure utilizing LDAP. Visio diagram created may include domains, sites, OU, DFS-R, administrative groups and so on.
  • You must install  “ADTD.Net Setup.msi” here . 
  • Install and Execute “ADTD.exe”. That permit you gathering all domain/Forest information.

2008 Server AD e DNS Best Practice Analyzer

  • This tool is already included in Windows 2008 Server R2.
  • Server Manager > Roles > Active Directory Domain Services > Scroll down to find ‘Best Practices Analyzer’ and click ‘Scan This Role’ 
  • DNS Server BPA is located in Server Manager > Roles > DNS Server > Scroll down to find ‘Best Practices Analyzer’ and click ‘Scan This Role’.
  • Using CLI commands (be aware that pipe | permit you save commands output to text file)
    REMARK 1/2
    : be aware that on previously 2008 server versions Windows Server 2003 Administration Tools Pack (Adminpak) is necessary (Download link
    )
    REMARK 2/2
    : you might execute this script Active Directory Health Check script from thesysadmins

    Find System Boot Time and Uptime:

    systeminfo | find “System Boot Time:”

    systeminfo | find “System Up Time:”

    Analyze the state of domain controllers in a forest:

    dcdiag /a

    Provide an overview of any replication failures, and if last replication attempts were successful:

    repadmin /replsummary
    repadmin / showrepl

    Returns the FSMO roles holders:

    netdom query fsmo

  1. Check opened firewall ports

  • Windows Firewall: Inbound ports - UDP/TCP 53, 88, 389, 464; UDP 123, 137; TCP 139, 445, 3268

File Replication Service Diagnostics Tool (FRSDiag.exe)



FRSDIAG tool (download link) provides a graphical interface helping you to find and resolve problems related to File Replication Service (FRS)

Security - Chrome automatically delete history Extention - History Cleaning

Internet is an important opportunity but it is surely used to collect data, track usage and advertise users based on their tastes, web sites visited and cookies as well.

Taking note about this considerations I was searching about automatically history deletion when chrome is going to be closed.

Unfortunately Chrome does not support this feature as officially indicated here.

https://support.google.com/chrome/thread/2125707?hl=en

Workaround is reached using History Cleaning Extension that permit to choose precisely what must be deleted at browser shutting down.

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/history-eraser/gjieilkfnnjoihjjonajndjldjoagffm

https://www.hotcleaner.com/history-eraser-chrome-extension-app.html


USB - Usb deview Tool

It might happen that an USB device is no longer recognized and driver reinstall procedure end with error.

There is an interesting tool, in my experience, that permit you to clean any driver reference  and permitting you to start a clean driver installation.

Tool name is USBDeview provided by Nirsoft

https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/usb_devices_view.html

Other tool features are:

  • All USB devices that are and was connected/used on your device are show with full  devices information.
  • USB devices uninstallation, disconnection and driver cleanup (both used and old connected devices as well)

Here they are two blog articles that mentioned USBDeview.

Tips - Problema Windows 7 64 Bit vs HUAWEI E172

https://www.alessandromazzanti.com/2013/05/tips-problema-windows-7-64-bit-vs.html

Manutenzione - Programmi utili da Hiren's Boot CD

https://www.alessandromazzanti.com/2013/01/manutenzione-programmi-utili-da-hirens.html

Antivirus - cacaoweb.exe and removal procedure

During these time period we noted (through network checks/tools) on single client several bandwidtch usage.

We checked client device physically and we found that these process was using several network resources.

Antivirus was unable to locate it but searching on internet this .exe was cathegorazied as malware/adware

cacaoweb.exe

more details are indicated at below link:



Removal was done Installing, running and cleaning with AdwCleaner


Consider that similar solution was already mentioned through these old blog articles.


Antivirus - How To restore Internet connection after Virus/malware action - AdwCleaner




Tips - Rimuovere Iminent

https://www.alessandromazzanti.com/2013/06/tips-rimuovere-iminent.html


Backup - Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows/Linux 3.0

During previously years I already wrote some blogs posts about Veeam Agent for Windows/Linux.

Veeam - Veeam Endpoint Backup Free - Free version released
Backup - Veeam Backup for free v.2.0 for Client/Laptop

It is a very interesting backup software that permit to schedule bare metal backups for physical clients and Servers.
Backups can be done to external Hard Drives, NAS, shares, cloud or to Veeam B&R repositories.

There are 3 versions (Windows Product Edition Comparison - Linux Product Edition Comparison):

  1. Free. (no VSS, limitations about scheduling &Targets repositories, retention, Veeam B&R integration and technical support)
  2. Workstation. (no VSS, limitations about scheduling, retention, B&R integration)
  3. Server: that permit centralized Endpoint backup managements from Veeam B&R console (excellent feature)


Here they are some applicative aspects with relative hyperlinks:

  • Backup & Restore features.
  • Bare-metal restore & Bootable recovery media creation.
  • Backups with passwords.
  • Additional features:
    • Password Reset about built-in Administrator account.
    • Startup repair.
    • Memory diagnostics.
Here it is Veeam Agent For Microsoft Windows Datasheet for which I highlight some interesting features:


TIPS - rotated drives with Veeam Agent Windows - Free mode

Latter part of this article is dedicated to feature that is available with free edition:

Backup on rotated drives is performed in the following way:

1. Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows creates a backup chain on an external drive that you use as a backup target. The backup chain consists of the first full backup and a set of subsequent incremental backups.

2. When you swap drives and attach a new external drive, Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows creates a separate backup chain on the new drive.


3. After you swap drives again, Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows detects if there is a backup chain on the currently attached drive. If the backup chain exists, Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows continues the existing chain: it creates a new incremental backup file and adds it to the existing backup files."

Here it is Veeam article and few screenshots for configuration:







[APPENDIX]

Here it is an interesting Veeam Article that explains differences between Synthetic vs Full backup

https://helpcenter.veeam.com/archive/backup/95/vsphere/synthetic_full_backup.html

"In free mode you can create only a single scheduling but you can use rotated drives as a target location for backups. This scenario can be helpful if you want to store backups on several external hard drives (for example, USB or FireWire) and plan to swap these drives between different locations regularly.

Azure - Windows 10 Enterprise for Virtual Desktops & Azure

Today I would like to share some information about Virtual Desktop feature provided by Microsoft through Azure.

For the moment I did not have time to better eviscerate this environment but it is an interesting alternative to VDI managed through RDS Microsoft feature or Citrix as well.

Windows Virtual Desktop Essentials | Intro and full tour

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-desktop/overview

With Windows 10 Enterprise 1809 (2018 November update) release (*) there is an installation way that permit to use same O.S. from more user connected via RDP protocol.

(*) Properly licences are required:

 About more details:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2019/03/21/windows-virtual-desktop-public-preview/

https://www.nicolaferrini.it/ita/blog/1268-windows-10-enterprise-per-virtual-desktops.html

<==============>

Here it is an old blog post related Windows 10 keyboard shortcut to switch between virtual desktops:

Tips - Win 10 e virtual desktop

Hacker - How to find local Wireless Password

If you have necessity to find Wi-Fi password stored on your windows device (mainly Windows 10) there are several ways to obtain this result:

METHOD 1

  1. start --> cmd with administrative rights
  2. C:\WINDOWS\system32> wlan show profiles

    identify WiFi profile name shown for which you need password
    xxxx
  3. C:\WINDOWS\system32> NETSH wlan show profiles xxxx key=clear

    Password will be displayed in this section

    Security settings --> Key Content
METHOD 2
  1. You should download and launch, with administrative rights, this application
    WirelessKeyView
  2. Usage is very simple and shown on producer web site

METHOD 3

  1. On Windows 10 click on start --> windows logo on icon '⚙' --> "Network & Internet" -->  'Manage known networks'
  2. Once you click,  all of your saved WiFi names will be shown and listed in a new window.

METHOD 4 (work only on wifi where you are connected to)

  1. start --> ncpa.cpl with administrative rights --> Network and Sharing Center --> Connections: Wi-Fi
  2. From the 'General' tab, click on 'Wireless Properties'.
  3. Now from the 'Security' tab, you will see saved WiFi password.
  4. You must tick on 'Show characters' to view the password.


Tips - How to execute shortcut with Administrative rights

If you have to launch a shortcut (referring to an application) with Administrative rights you could proceed in this way:

  1. Enable UAC. (without UAC you have to create a proper scheduled task that execute program with Administrative rights)
  2. Enable Administrator local account and define password.
  3. Create a New desktop shortcut including below text (be aware changing clientname, Administrator, and x:\yyy\zzz.exe) with your details:
    runas /user:ClientName\Administrator /savecred “x:\yyy\zzz.exe



[referral Articles]

Avviare programmi come admin senza password

Auto login su macchina windows già appartenente a dominio

Create Administrator Mode Shortcuts Without UAC Prompts in Windows 7 or Vista

How To Create a Shortcut That Lets a Standard User Run An Application as Administrator

Excel - SUBTOTAL function

In previously old post I indicated interesting Excel function.

Excel - Find Vertical

Today i would like to indicate SUBTOTAL function that permit you to apply any sort of formulas like:

AVERAGE, COUNT, COUNTA, SUM...

ignoring hidden rows by a filter or ignoring manually hidden rows.

About more details and examples you might refere to these two links:


Extra IT - B&B Le Terrazze isola di Sant'Antioco

Oggi vorrei menzionare il B&B Le Terrazze isola di Sant'Antioco.

Se decidete di prenotare un appartamento oppure un Bed & Breakfast, apprezzerete la loro grande familiarità, professionalità, attenzione ad ogni dettaglio, l'eccellente pulizia e la piena disponibilità per fornirvi qualsiasi tipo di aiuto.

Gli appartamenti sono molto funzionali e il prezzo include (aspetto raro), pulizia finale, sacchetti di plastica, lenzuola e asciugamani, zucchero, sale, spugne da cucina, shampoo, bagno schiuma, detersivo per i piatti, sapone da bagno oltre molti altri dettagli.

Considerando tutti questi dettagli, insieme al prezzo e alla loro piena disponibilità, il voto finale non puo' essere inferiore a 30/30 con lode.

Qui sono i dettagli di contatto diretti:

Nello Melargo: leterrazze.sardegna(at)yahoo.it

Mobile Phone: +39 347 962 6992

WebSite: http://www.leterrazzesantantiocobb.com/


<======================>


Today I would like to mention B&B Le Terrazze isola di Sant'Antioco.

If you would decide about Apartement or Bed & Breakfast booking you would appreciate their great familiarity, pro activity, great details attention related to each apartment aspect, excellent cleanness, full availability to provide you any sort of help.

Apartment are very functional and price includes (rare aspect), final cleaning, plastic bags,
sheets and towels, sugar, salt, kitchen sponges, shampoo, gel douche, dish/bath/liquid soap and several other details.

Considering all these details, in conjunction with price and their full availability, final vote could not be less than 30/30 with laud.

Here they are direct contact details:

Nello Melargo: leterrazze.sardegna(at)yahoo.it

Mobile Phone: +39 347 962 6992

WebSite: http://www.leterrazzesantantiocobb.com/


<==============>


Here they are some photos about apartment:


Mobile - Some useful apps

Technology has given us several benefits and disadvanges at the same time.

About mobile phones some apps, using image & audio recognization, GPS and internet connectivity, have very interesting features and are mentioned below. This is not intended to be a full list, but just to give an idea about techonology great opportunities:

1.) Flowers, Plants, Animals and trees identification through simple camera photos
             Flora Incognita - Android/Apple
             Flowerchecker - Apple/Android
             Inaturalist - Apple/Android
             PictureThis - Android/Iphone
             PlantNetAndroid / Iphone
             PlantSnap - Android/Iphone
             What’s that flower? - Android

2.) Wine app that scans wine labels and provides details about that wine such history, prices, quality etc. etc.

             Vivino - Android/Mac
             Wine-Searcher - Android/Mac

3.) Mushrooms identification in conjunction with mobile photo camera:

             Mushrooms - Android/Apple
             Mushroom Identify - Android/Apple
             Champignouf - Apple/Android

4.) Music identification in conjunction with internet and mobile audio recorder:

             SoundHound - Apple/Android
             Shazam - Apple/Android

5.) Birds sound identification in conjunction with internet and mobile audio recorder:

             BirdNET - Android
             Merlin Bird ID - Apple

6.) Astronomy and Stars identification in conjunction with mobile photo camera, GPS and internet connectivity:

             Mappa Stellare - Android
             NASA app - Apple/Android
             Night Sky Lite - Apple/Android
             Sky Safari - Apple/Android
             Sky View Lite - Apple/Android
             Star Walk 2 - Apple/Android
             Star TrackerAndroid
             Stellarium - PC
             Stellarium Mobile Sky Map - Apple/Android

7.) Recognize monuments, paintings and artworks in conjunction with mobile photo camera, GPS and internet connectivity:
             
             Ciceros - Android
             Magnus - Apple/Android
             Mereasy - Apple/Android
             Smartify - Apple/Android
             ViaggiArt - Cultura e Turismo Android
           

Linkedin link:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/mobile-some-useful-apps-alessandro-mazzanti/

Windows 10 - How to install RSAT on version 1809

In previous old blog article I already discussed about RSAT installation procedure.:




Secondly I pointed opportunity to manage server only from your workstation/client executing all server plugin avoiding to connect to each server via RDP (security aspect) and having a single point of management with all rsat tools.




With new Windows 10 version (1809) something changed slightly.

Here it is powershell installation procedure:

In any case there are other alternative procedure to get same result:
  1. Execute Windows Powershell with administrative rights and launch this command to verify that no RSAT tool is really installed
    Get-WindowsCapability -Name RSAT* -Online
  2. Using below command information would be formatted in a more readable way:

    Get-WindowsCapability -Name RSAT* -Online | Select-Object -Property DisplayName, State
  3. To add a single tool you should use below syntax:

    Add-WindowsCapability –online –Name “Rsat.ActiveDirectory.DS-LDS.Tools~~~~0.0.1.0
  4. To add all available Rsat tools this is syntax correct:
    Get-WindowsCapability -Name Rsat* -Online | Add-WindowsCapability –Online
  5. To install only disabled RSAT components, run:

    Get-WindowsCapability -Online |? {$_.Name -like "*Rsat*" -and $_.State -eq "NotPresent"} | Add-WindowsCapability -Online
  6. If you got below error it should be due to Wsus internal server pointing:

    Add-WindowsCapability : Add-WindowsCapability failed. Error code = 0x800f0954
  7. In this case you should execute 
    regedit.exe
      --> 
    HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU

    Changing  UseWUServer key to 0 and restarting Windows update service.

    Restart-Service wuauserv

    And then launching this command:

    Get-WindowsCapability -Name Rsat* -Online | Add-WindowsCapability –Online
    Afterward rollback previously UseWUServer key value and restarting Windows update service

    Restart-Service wuauserv
  8. You could execute below powershell command:
  • $currentWU = Get-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" -Name "UseWUServer" | select -ExpandProperty UseWUServer
  • Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" -Name "UseWUServer" -Value 0
  • Restart-Service wuauserv
  • Get-WindowsCapability -Name RSAT* -Online | Add-WindowsCapability –Online
  • Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" -Name "UseWUServer" -Value $currentWU
  • Restart-Service wuauserv





[Information found on this website]

[Other related blog articles:]





Ad test:

Server – Effettuare il test di AD

Server - Commands to verify Domain Controller/Domain Status, schema version, move 5 PDC roles, export DHCP

PSexec - How to execute remote commands about .vbs, .exe, microsoft patch installation...

Here is article that explain mmc customization process




Antivirus - MegaCortex Ransomware

I am going to take note on blog mention to this new Ramsoware that work attacking domain controllers at first.

Hoping to find time to create a more detailed specific blog article.

New MegaCortex Ransomware Found Targeting Business Networks

Tips - Live Optics and Vmware 5.1.0 No SOAP response error

Live Optics permits collecting all Hypervisors and VM performance counters. 

https://www.liveoptics.com/about-live-optics/

Live Optics (Dell EMC) is an industry standard method of impartially documenting server/storage configuration and performance as well as observing file characteristics of data. 

This approach permits to analyse existing infrastructure and help decisions about upgrade or hardware renewal as well.

Consider that SAN Optics can be utilized to conduct health assessments on your Storage Area Networks. 

Here it isproblem that we faced (and succesfully fixed):


  • We executed Live Optics software on a W2008 R2 Server related to a Vmware vCenter Server 5.1.0.
  • Collecting was not working using administrator account as well.
  • "LiveOptics_TroubleshootingTrace.txt" was showing these entries

2019-05-06Thh:mm:ss+02:00 SOAP Fault: ServerFaultCode: 
2019-05-06Thh:mm:ss+02:00 Fault detail type
ERROR: 2019-05-06Thh:mm:ss+02:00 No SOAP response!

  • We opened a Live Optics ticket.
  • Support confirmed us that problem was due to an error applicative side.
    This problem was fixed yesterday with below ne version

Live Optics 2.5.20.468497




Networking - Cisco IP Base vs LAN Base differences

Today I would like to mention main differences about IP base vs LAN Base. (Cisco Switches)

High level differences are that LAN Base  support only static IP routing.



More information could be found at below link as well:

https://community.cisco.com/t5/networking-documents/what-is-the-difference-between-an-ip-base-image-and-an-ip/ta-p/3117957

Freeware - HEIC Freeware tool converter

Apple with new iOS releases store images with a new format HEIC that use less space than .JPG but converting free tool for Windows is not so easy to be found.

I share and take note about correct tool that I succesfully identified.

 iMazing HEIC Converter, free tool to convert HEIC to JPG


If you would like to disable your iphone/ipad device storing in HEIC and mantaining it when transferring foto to your pc below pictures are enough clear about necessary settings.



Tips - Sitemap creation hosted BLOGGER web sites

Today I was working on google search console and I was surprised that only few pages was indexed, searching on internet I found problem resolution and applied some fixes.

Furthermore you may find more technical details and relative workflow.

<===========================>


  • Sitemap file functionality is used mentioning all website pages, unfortunately this is not true for websites hosted on blogger environments.


  • Default blogger XML file refers only to 26 most recent articles.


  • Consequential limitation is easy to be understood (for search engine websites visibility and indexing first)


  • You might override this limitation going to this website https://ctrlq.org/blogger/, indicate your website, get XML text and insert it in your blogger administration console ( Settings – > Search Preferences, the enable Custom robots.txt option (available in the Crawling and Indexing section).


In this way all search engines will discover your XML sitemap and indexing at all.

Here they are some screenshots