Critical SQL Server Patches for Meltdown and Spectre

Microsoft Development, News Items, SQL Tips
Critical SQL Server Patches for Meltdown and Spectre There are two new possible viruses Meltdown and Spectre that can lead to dangerous situations on your SQL server by attacks. The following summary allows you to review and decide how to patch your systems.  All SQL DBAs need to take action to make sure that they have backups as well as protecting the current systems.   SQL Server Versions Affected This is a hardware issue, so every system is affected. SQL Server running on x86 and x64 for these versions: SQL Server 2008 SQL Server 2008R2 SQL Server 2012 SQL Server 2014 SQL Server 2016 SQL Server 2017 Azure SQL Database It is likely that SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2000, SQL Server 7, SQL Server 6.5 are all affected. No…
Read More

Using Delphi XML Mapper

Computer PC Tips - bits and bytes, Rad Studio Delphi Development, Software development Concepts
Using Delphi XML Mapper Embarcadero Enterprise Studio package contains a wonderful utility that can assist any Delphi developer with the ability of importing a XML document for the sole purpose of using it within a datagrid.  Displayed below is a simple SSH cheat XML document that was created using Excel and will be used. The purpose of this entire exercise to get the XML data into a clientdataset so it can be used in a datagrid.   XML Mapper is a stand-alone tool located in the bin folder or you can click on tools and you will see the item called "XML Mapper".  The tool allows any type of XML document file to be converted over to a data packet file (*.xml,*.cds), schema files (*.dtd,*.xdr,*.xsd), repository files (*.xrp) and transformation files…
Read More

Apple Offers Apology, Replacement Deal for Tired iPhone Batteries

Computer PC Tips - bits and bytes, News Items
Apple Offers Apology, Replacement Deal for Tired iPhone Batteries Apple has finally told everyone that they slowed down your smart devices due to batteries that no longer could no longer perform up to speed.  iPhone users also got a $29 battery replacement deal. Message sent The message sent to all users had the following: “We know that some of you feel Apple has let you down, we apologize.” “First and foremost, we have never—and would never—do anything to intentionally shorten the life of any Apple product, or degrade the user experience to drive customer upgrades, Our goal has always been to create products that our customers love, and making iPhones last as long as possible is an important part of that.” Purchase a replacement battery The apology does not help anyone who…
Read More

Microsoft releases PowerShell script for purpose of testing of Meltdown and Spectre

Computer PC Tips - bits and bytes, News Items
Microsoft releases PowerShell script for purpose of testing of Meltdown and Spectre With the latest news concerning the possible attacks within your computer hardware Microsoft has jumped on providing a PowerShell Script to give a user basic knowledge whether they are vulnerable.  Baron Software followed the guidelines and can attest that it does work providing the end user with information but it doesn't really tell the end user what to do.  This is almost like being in a bomb shelter waiting for the explosion to happen. Commendable for Microsoft Microsoft, at least gave something to work on while hardware manufacturers have to come up with a plan on protecting the end user.  That should be happening in the next few weeks to months but also be aware that countless folks…
Read More

How to Protect Your Home Router from Attacks

Computer PC Tips - bits and bytes, News Items
How to Protect Your Home Router from Attacks Protecting everything at your home is essential to your daily life at this point.  You are now using a router in your home for everything from smart devices (ipads, iphones, android devices), printers and workstations. Now is the time to follow these simple instructions. Choosing a router You get what you paid for.  Simple term for simple things, you go cheap and you can expect anybody on the outside to attack your internal structure.  Keep in mind you want a solid piece of equipment that provides you with the utmost security and closing down users from the outside. Change the default admin password Everybody makes the mistake of not changing a default password when installing a new router.  Big mistake.  Keeping the…
Read More