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disk utility

What Is a Disk Utility & How to Use It to Manage Your Drives

Disk Utility remains one of macOS’s most powerful but least-known built-in tools, at least for disk management. This indispensable tool helps you keep your drives in the best possible shape for optimal performance, repairs, and organization and provides professional-grade benchmarking results. Whether you have a corrupt startup disk or need to format an external hard drive, Disk Utility is there for you. This is something every Mac owner needs to at least understand. From verifying disk health to creating secure backups, the Disk Utility is packed with options that can help you protect or recover your data and keep your Mac running smoothly for years to come. Let’s take a closer look at all you can do with this invaluable macOS tool. Understanding Disk Utility’s Core Purpose The Disk Utility Mac is your one-stop shop for any and every disk operation. Apple has intended this tool for all things from basic maintenance to more advanced drive management. Pre-installed on every Mac, it’s got what it takes to address numerous storage-related issues. The utility works with multiple file systems, including APFS, Mac OS Extended, MS-DOS (FAT), and ExFAT. This versatility makes it perfect for managing both internal drives and external storage devices. Whether you’re running macOS High Sierra or the latest version, Disk Utility remains consistent in its core functionality. READ ALSO: How to Run an Internet Speed Test & Boost Your Wi-Fi Performance Like it or not, modern Macs are all in on the Apple File System (APFS), and Disk Utility does a power user-level job with it. You can access advanced files with added security and reliability. Opening and Navigating Disk Utility The process of learning how to use Disk Utility begins with locating it. The simplest way is to search for “Disk Utility” and open it through Spotlight search. You can also find it in your Applications folder in the macOS Utilities folder. For dire circumstances, you will have to boot into Mac Recovery Mode. Start your Mac and hold down the Command + R keys to boot into Recovery HD. And boy, does this baby come in handy when your startup disk requires repair. The left-hand sidebar of the interface presents all the connected storage devices. Your drives are listed with their capacity, available space, and current file system. The main window shows you everything you need to know about your chosen device. First Aid: Your Primary Repair Tool Disk Utility First Aid represents the most commonly used feature for drive maintenance. This diagnostic tool scans your drives for errors and attempts automatic repairs. Running First Aid regularly helps prevent serious storage problems. The process involves several verification steps: File system structure checks Directory integrity verification Volume bitmap analysis Catalog file examination First Aid works on both internal and external drives. However, you cannot run it on your current startup disk while macOS is running. For startup disk repair Mac operations, you’ll need Recovery Mode access. Repairing Your Startup Disk When your Mac won’t start up properly, macOS Disk Utility becomes your lifeline. Boot into Recovery Mode to access the repair tools needed for your startup disk. This process often resolves boot failures and system crashes. The repair process targets the Macintosh HD – Data volume, which contains your user files and applications. Disk Utility can fix corrupted files on Mac systems by rebuilding damaged directory structures. Common startup disk issues include: Corrupted system files Directory structure damage File permission errors Volume header corruption Success rates for startup disk repairs hover around 85% for minor corruption issues. More severe damage might require professional data recovery services. READ ALSO: What Is Two-Factor Authentication & Why You Should Enable It Today Formatting and Erasing Drives Formatting a disk, and Mac operations become necessary when preparing new drives or completely wiping existing ones. Disk Utility offers several formatting options depending on your intended use. For Mac-only environments, choose APFS or Mac OS Extended formats. Cross-platform compatibility requires ExFAT or MS-DOS (FAT) formatting. Each format brings specific advantages and limitations. The secure erase Mac disk feature overwrites data multiple times, making recovery nearly impossible. This proves essential when selling or disposing of storage devices containing sensitive information. File System Best For Max File Size Compatibility APFS Modern Macs 8 EB macOS only Mac OS Extended Older Macs 8 TB macOS only ExFAT Cross-platform 16 EB Mac/Windows MS-DOS (FAT32) Universal 4 GB All systems Managing Drive Mounting Issues People are annoyed with the problem of the external drive not mounting the Mac. Disk Utility can solve these common problems in several ways. Other times, drives will show up in the utility but won’t mount as expected. First, see if the drive appears in Disk Utility’s device list. You may use the mount command in the toolbar if it’s visible but disabled. For fully invisible drives, inspect physical connections and power. Mount and unmount drive operations solve 129-xPlane11_history.txt different connectivity problems. You should always manually unmount before disconnecting, or you can corrupt data/filesystem. Creating Disk Images for Backup The Create Disk Image Mac facility gives you the best in both backup and archiving. Disk images create an image of your disks, including files, folders, and the operating system, as your drive appears right now. Mac OS X The Disk Image MKS can be created in read-only, compressed, and password-protected formats. Opt for compressed images or encrypt them for the protection of your sensitive data. The process creates. dmg files, which are mounted like physical media when opened. This is an excellent feature when you want to distribute software, create a backup for software, clone a system, etc. READ ALSO: How to Perform a Full Security Audit on Your System (Beginner Guide) Partitioning Your Drives Disk partitioning in Mac OS Operation splits a hard drive into two or more sections. All partitions are established as independent drives, each with its file system and allocated storage space. Common partitioning scenarios include: Dual-boot configurations Data organization systems Testing environments Backup storage isolation Partition in Disk

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top 5 pc benchmark tools

Top 5 PC Benchmark Tools to Test Your Computer’s Performance

Benchmarking your PC has become a very popular practice over the last few years, and for good reason; when you’ve spent a lot of money on your setup, you will want to know whether it’s performing as well as it should. Whether you’re a gamer looking to get the most frame rates possible or a content creator just looking for some baseline performance numbers to keep track of, knowing what your system’s able to do will help quite a bit. Computers these days are absurdly powerful, but does that mean you don’t need to look after them? That’s where a PC benchmark test is particularly useful. These benchmarks test your hardware in a way that you can truly trust. In this guide, we have rounded up the best PC benchmarking tools available in 2025. You will come away with an understanding of which tools are important and how you should be using them, and with a feel for what those numbers mean in the course of your average day-to-day computing. Best PC Benchmark Tools for 2025: What’s Hot Right Now? The realm of PC performance benchmarking tools is wide. New software is always appearing, while older programs are updated regularly with new features. Here are the tools industry pros and do-it-yourselfers depend on most. READ ALSO: Best Virus Remover Tools in 2025 to Keep Your PC Malware-Free 3DMark: The Gaming Champion 3DMark is still considered the world’s benchmark by a lot of people. It’s Time Spy benchmark focuses on DirectX 12 performance, while Steel Nomad gives ray tracing all it can handle. What makes 3DMark special? It standardized the testing environment across various machines. You can compare your game performance with millions of users around the world. The visual tests are also pretty;) and output accurate performance data. Real-time ray tracing tests: Cross-platform benchmark comparison Detailed hardware analysis Cloud-based score database Cinebench R25: CPU Powerhouse Testing Maxon’s Cinebench has become the go-to CPU and GPU performance test for professionals. Version R25 brings improved accuracy and better multi-core detection than previous versions. This tool renders complex 3D scenes using your processor’s full power. Content creators love it because it mimics real-world rendering workloads. You’ll get separate scores for single-core and multi-core performance. The best part? Cinebench runs the same test on every system. This consistency makes benchmark score comparisons meaningful across different hardware configurations. CrystalDiskMark: Storage Speed Champion Your SSD speed test for PC is due some serious love. CrystalDiskMark provides the actual storage performance results on the other hand can be considered as more of real-world results. New NVMe drives promise stunning speeds on paper. With CrystalDiskMark, you can see just what the read and write speeds are under varying circumstances. Sequential speeds are important for saving and loading large files, and random performance makes a difference when running applications and turning on your computer. This testing hardware benchmark tests different situations. You’ll find out how your drive performs with small files, large transfers, and mixed workloads that reflect the real world. READ ALSO: Screenshot Tool Review: Best Free Tools to Capture Anything On Screen UserBenchmark: Quick System Overview A total system health monitor. You need quick answers to overall system health. Allows you to quickly assess your computer’s performance. UserBenchmark will tell you how your PC compares with the latest systems. This benchmark checks your CPU, GPU, Memory, and Storage at once. The results are a percentile-based comparison from similar hardware. Any components that are underperforming and should be addressed will leap out at you quickly. Still, it’s worth noting that you should approach UserBenchmark with a grain of salt. Scoring is biased towards certain hardware types. It is made for fast checks and not very detailed analysis. AIDA64: Deep System Analysis AIDA64 goes beyond surface-level testing. This professional-grade tool combines a benchmark test for PC functionality with detailed hardware monitoring and system diagnostics. The benchmark suite covers memory bandwidth, CPU performance, and storage throughput. But AIDA64’s real strength lies in its monitoring capabilities. You can track temperatures, voltages, and clock speeds during testing. This makes AIDA64 perfect for overclocking and benchmark results validation. You’ll see exactly how hardware changes affect performance under different conditions. How to Benchmark Your PC Like a Pro in 2025 Running a PC benchmark correctly requires more than just clicking a button. Proper preparation ensures accurate results that actually mean something. System Preparation Steps Before starting any benchmark test for a PC, clean up your system. Close unnecessary programs that consume CPU or memory resources. Background applications can skew results by competing for system resources. Update your graphics drivers to the latest version. GPU driver updates often include performance optimizations that can boost gaming benchmark results by 10-15%. Check both NVIDIA and AMD websites for recent releases. Set your power plan to “High Performance” mode. Windows’ balanced mode throttles performance to save energy. For accurate benchmarking, you want maximum performance throughout the testing process. Monitor your system temperatures before testing begins. If your CPU or GPU runs hot during normal use, benchmarking might trigger thermal throttling. This protection mechanism reduces performance to prevent overheating. READ ALSO: Top AI Writing Assistants to Create Content 10x Faster Running Tests Properly Never rely on a single test run for important decisions. PC performance benchmark results can vary between runs due to background processes, thermal conditions, and other factors. Run each benchmark three times and calculate the average score. This approach eliminates outliers and provides more reliable performance data. Document the testing conditions, including room temperature and system configuration. Use real-time PC stress test monitoring during benchmarks. Tools like MSI Afterburner or HWiNFO64 show clock speeds, temperatures, and power consumption while tests run. This data helps identify performance-limiting factors. Top Free PC Benchmark Software You Can Trust Budget-conscious users don’t need expensive software for reliable system performance evaluation. Several free benchmark tools for Windows deliver professional-grade results without any cost. Zero-Cost Performance Testing Heaven Benchmark from Unigine offers excellent GPU testing capabilities. While older than some alternatives,

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virus remover tool

Best Virus Remover Tools in 2025 to Keep Your PC Malware-Free

A remover is a popular type of software in 2025. Your computer is under constant attack from hackers and criminals. Getting the right protection isn’t just a matter of choosing any old security software. You don’t need tools that slow down your system. Modern malware has gotten smarter. It is hidden more effectively and has spread more swiftly than ever before. That is why you can no longer trust basic protection. The top virus removal software packages use a combination of scanning and threat detection. This guide will reveal to you which tools bring results. We’ll provide a range of free ones that are effective and premium ones that are worth your money. You’ll also discover how to identify phony security software that attempts to con you. Best Virus Remover Software for 2025: Clean Your PC Fast The best virus protection removal tools for 2025 concentrate on speed and precision. Those solutions can identify threats that older software might not catch. Strong and essential, Norton 360 Deluxe has recently proven itself to offer 100% malware detection. It uses machine learning to identify new threats before they can damage your device. Most systems will run the entire scan on your computer in less than 45 minutes. Bitdefender Total Security offers excellent malware protection with minimal system impact. It blocks 99.9% of threats according to AV-Test results. The software runs quietly in the background without interrupting your work. READ ALSO: Top 10 Browser Extensions to Boost Productivity in 2025 It’s focused on stubborn infections and is provided with Malwarebytes Premium. It grabs trojans and worms, which some other antivirus programs will miss. It’s time protection prevents most ransomware from encrypting your files. ESET NOD32 is a fast-scanning, smart protection. It consumes no more than 150MB of RAM when running. The game mode stops alerts during gaming. Kaspersky Internet Security fully protects you from the biggest threats, with the freshest, most up-to-date information. It achieved a 100 percent protection rate in independent recent tests. The software has banking-level security for conducting online transactions. Performance Comparison Table Virus Remover Detection Rate System Impact Scan Speed Norton 360 100% Medium 45 minutes Bitdefender 99.9% Low 38 minutes Malwarebytes 99.8% Medium 52 minutes ESET NOD32 99.7% Very Low 41 minutes Kaspersky 100% Medium 47 minutes Top Free Virus Remover Options That Work Good protection doesn’t always come with a fee. Some of the free virus remover tools give great protection for average users. Windows 11 has Microsoft Defender, which offers surprisingly good protection. It got a 99.5% score in the most recent series of malware tests. The software updates itself & does not require any configuration. Avast Free Antivirus is a free antivirus that enables checking before downloading or writing to a disk. It offers email scanning and browser protection. The program also stops malicious sites from loading. Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition has the same scanning engines as its commercial brethren. It does its job in the background with little user intervention. The protection is cloud-based based hence the threat definitions are updated in real time. Click here to visit Avira Free Security. Avira Free Security mixes a free antivirus with a handful of bonus features. Avira Free Security (not to be confused with Avira Antivirus) is a combination of a free antivirus with some additional features you’d usually only find in a paid edition. It’s able to remove junk files and helps protect against malware. The software comes with a simple VPN, which is convenient for safe browsing. READ ASLO: How to Use Snipping Tool Like a Pro: Complete Guide for Windows & Mac These free options work well for casual users who safely browse and do not frequent dodgy websites. However, they do not have more sophisticated capabilities such as email protection and parental controls. How to Pick the Right Virus Remover in 2025 How to Choose the Best PC Virus Cleaner. The best PC virus cleaner depends on how you use your computer- if you’re using it to surf the internet, then you may only need the best PC virus cleaner program. That users whose browsing needs to be protected to varying degrees. For Home Users: Search for easy-to-use software that automatically updates. You need something that will protect without needing to think about it all the time. “Security software should scan and automatically update itself. For Gamers: Look for lightweight selections that won’t interfere with performance. Gaming mode capabilities allow you to disable unwanted interruptions during games. 3. Seek software that won’t hog your CPU. For Business Users: Seek solutions with centralized management and reporting. You want tools that keep sensitive data safe and comply with laws. Detection Accuracy Is All That Matters: Independent testing labs such as AV-Test measure how well software does at blocking threats. Seek out detection rates over 99 percent. Stay away from software that makes a lot of false positives. Impact on System Performance: Decent malware scans mustn’t reduce system performance. Check reviews for performance benchmarks. Some systems are extremely resource-intensive. User Interface: A complicated interface confuses users and will cause errors. Best for most people: Simple, clear controls. Automatic presets assist those users who do not wish to adjust everything. Is Your Device Infected? Use These Virus Removers Spotting signs of infection allows you to act fast. Sluggish operation, new windows popping up, and browser modifications are typically associated with malware. Common infection symptoms include: The computer runs much slower than normal Browser homepage changes without permission Unknown programs appear in the startup list Files disappear or become corrupted READ ALSO: FileZilla Tutorial: How to Use This FTP Tool Like a Pro Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is the company’s strong-willed infection detective. It gets rid of rootkits that embed themselves deep in your system. It is safe to run with other antivirus programs on your computer. You can use ESET Online Scanner to do a no-install scan for a rapid scan on your computer. You can skip the software download; no installation is needed to give it

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two authentication method

What Is Two-Factor Authentication & Why You Should Enable It Today

What Is Two-Factor Authentication & Why You Should Enable It Today Two-factor authentication has become your digital safety net in today’s risky online world. Think about it – you probably lock your house with both a key and an alarm system. Your smartphone likely needs both your Face ID and a passcode. That’s exactly how two-factor authentication works for your online accounts. It adds an extra security layer that stops hackers dead in their tracks. The stats don’t lie. Microsoft and Google 2FA offer 100% security for automated attacks, while 63% of data breaches involve weak, default, or stolen passwords. Your password alone isn’t enough anymore. Hackers crack millions of passwords daily, but they can’t easily steal your phone or hardware key. What is Two-Factor Authentication? Two-factor authentication creates a security checkpoint that requires two different ways to prove you’re really you. Instead of just typing your password, you also need something else, like a code sent to your cellphone or a fingerprint scan on your mobile device. Someone steals your password from a data breach. Without 2FA, they walk right into your account. With 2FA enabled, they hit a wall. They’d need your smartphone or authentication token to get that second verification code. That’s the power of identity verification working properly. READ ALSO: How to Run an Internet Speed Test & Boost Your Wi-Fi Performance Your email, bank account, and social media profiles contain treasure troves of personal information. Hackers sell this data on dark web markets or use it for identity theft. A simple security method like 2FA blocks these attacks before they start. 2FA Defined: The Three Pillars of Digital Security Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an identity and access management security method that requires two forms of identification to access resources and data. 2FA gives businesses the ability to monitor and help safeguard their most vulnerable information and networks. Something You Know represents knowledge-based factors. Your password, PIN, or the answer to “What’s your mother’s maiden name?” falls here. These work great until someone else learns them through phishing emails or data breaches. Something You Have covers possession factors. Your smartphone, hardware key, or smart card proves you own a physical device. Hackers can’t steal what’s in your pocket from across the internet. Something You Are includes biometric factors. Your fingerprint, face shape, or voice pattern uniquely identifies you. These authentication methods work incredibly well because copying someone’s biology is nearly impossible. The strongest 2FA setup combines two different categories. Using your password plus your phone creates much better security than using two passwords. Benefits of 2FA: Your Digital Shield Businesses use 2FA to help protect their employees’ personal and business assets. This is important because it prevents cybercriminals from stealing, destroying, or accessing your internal data records for their use. The advantages of 2FA are endless. For example, with 2FA, there’s no need for users to carry or download a token generator or an app associated with one. Most websites use your mobile device to text, call, or use a personalized 2FA for their business to verify your identity. Some other advantages of 2FA include: There’s no need to use a hardware token generator. These types of 2FA methods are often lost or misplaced. However, with advanced technology, 2FA methods are more convenient than ever. Passcode generators are more efficient than traditional passwords. Generators are the safer option because no two passcodes are the same. Max passcode entry prevents cybercriminals from hacking and accessing sensitive data. The process is manageable and user-friendly. READ ALSO: What Is a Security Key? Benefits & Best Options for Online Safety Authentication Methods for 2FA: Choose Your Digital Weapon Different authentication methods work better for different situations. Let’s explore your options so you can pick the right combination. Hardware Tokens Businesses can give their employees hardware tokens in the form of a key fob that produces codes every few seconds to a minute. This is one of the oldest forms of two-factor authentication. Push Notifications Alert notifications through apps like Microsoft Authenticator create user-friendly experiences. When you log in somewhere, your phone buzzes with an instant alert asking, “Is this you?” You simply tap “Yes” or “No.” These app notifications include helpful details like location and device type. If someone tries logging in from Russia while you’re in Texas, you’ll know immediately. The convenience makes this method popular for frequent users. SMS Verification Text message verification remains the most common 2FA method. After entering your password, you receive a code via SMS that you type into the login screen. However, SMS authentication has security weaknesses. Criminals can hijack your phone number through “SIM swapping” attacks. They convince your mobile carrier to transfer your number to their device, then receive all your verification codes. Use SMS verification for low-risk accounts, but choose stronger methods for banking and work accounts. Voice-Based Authentication Voice verification works through automated phone calls that read your login code aloud. This audio authentication helps people who can’t receive text messages or don’t own smartphones. The system calls your registered phone number and speaks a code you enter on the login screen. While less common than other methods, voice recognition provides accessibility for users with different needs. READ ALSO:What is a Command Prompt? Your Complete Guide to Windows Command Line Interface Time-Based Codes Passcode generators like Google Authenticator create new codes every 30 seconds. These code generators work offline and don’t require internet connectivity once set up. You scan a QR code during initial setup, then your mobile device generates security codes automatically. Even if hackers intercept one code, it expires quickly and becomes useless. Popular apps include Google Authenticator, Authy, and 1Password. These digital tokens work reliably and cost nothing to use. 2FA Implementation: Your Setup Strategy Setting up authentication doesn’t require technical expertise. Most services guide you through the process step-by-step. Priority Account List: Banking and investment accounts Primary email addresses Work and business accounts Social media profiles Cloud storage services Start with your most important

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security audit

How to Perform a Full Security Audit on Your System (Beginner Guide)

All those tasks are scary at first glance, but they are your best friend when it comes to keeping hackers away from your precious data. Think of it as a health checkup for your computer systems; you don’t want to wait until problems become disasters. Your online presence is under siege. Cybercriminals experiment every second to penetrate computers like yours. The good news? These weak spots can be identified with a good cybersecurity audit (before the bad guys find them). This guide takes you step-by-step through the information you should cover in your first IT security audit. You’ll find out what to look for, what tools to use, and what to do about the problems you find. What Is a Security Audit? A security audit is a bit like hiring a detective to come in and unpack your entire digital existence. This detective hunts for the clues hackers use to get in. They review your passwords, your software, your network settings, and even how your team deals with sensitive data. The security review process covers three main areas: Technical stuff: Your computers, networks, and software Policies and rules: The written guidelines your team follows People factors: How well your staff understands security You can think of your information systems as a house. A security audit, after all, is going to look and see if your doors are locked, if your windows are secure, and if your alarm system works. It also ensures that everyone in your household is aware of how to stay safe. The great thing about a compliance audit is that it provides an action plan. Instead of fretting about God knows what kind of threats, you get a clear set of things to mend. READ ALSO: What Is a Security Key? Benefits & Best Options for Online Safety How Does a Security Audit Work? The process of using an audit checklist system includes four very defined steps that are easy enough for beginners to understand. Discovery Phase: You Start by Finding Out What You Own. Many firms are unaware of how many digital systems they are using. You list out all computers, phones, software programs, and online accounts. Assessment Phase: The next step is to try to crack each system. That means running any special scanning tools and verifying that your security settings are turned on correctly. Analysis Phase: And then you prioritize which problems matter most. Some weaknesses are more dangerous than others. Some types are open to hackers, who can take everything, while others just leave you with a headache. Reporting Phase: Your last step, you document everything you found and make a plan to fix the most egregious issues first. For small businesses, the entire process usually takes two to four weeks. It might take 2-3 months for larger organisations to conduct a full IT security audit. What Is the Main Purpose of a Security Audit? Your main goal is to prevent security breaches before they happen. The average data breach costs companies $4.45 million, according to IBM’s latest research. That’s enough to shut down most small businesses permanently. READ ALSO: What Is a Security Patch? Why It’s Critical to Update Your Devices Here’s what a good cybersecurity audit accomplishes: Risk Identification: You discover which parts of your system are most vulnerable to attack. Maybe your email server needs updates, or your staff needs better password training. Compliance Verification: Many industries require regular compliance audits to meet legal standards. Healthcare companies need HIPAA compliance, while payment processors must follow PCI DSS rules. Cost Savings: Fixing security problems early costs much less than dealing with a breach. Prevention might cost thousands, but recovery from a major attack can cost millions. The cybersecurity risk landscape changes constantly. New threats appear every day, and hackers keep getting smarter. Regular audits help you stay ahead of these evolving dangers. Security Audits VS. Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Assessments Many people confuse these three approaches, but they serve different purposes: Security Audit Penetration Testing Vulnerability Assessments Complete system review Simulated attack Weakness identification Checks policies + technology Tries to break in Scans for known problems Focuses on compliance Proves exploits work Creates risk rankings Penetration testing is like hiring a friendly burglar to try breaking into your house. They use the same methods as real criminals, but tell you what they found instead of stealing your stuff. Vulnerability assessments are more like using a metal detector to find buried problems. These risk assessments scan your systems automatically and create lists of potential weaknesses. READ ALSO: Top Ways to Scan Documents Using Your Phone or Laptop What Does a Security Audit Consist of? A complete IT security audit examines five critical areas of your organization. Technical Infrastructure: This covers your network systems, servers, computers, phones, and tablets. Auditors check if your software is updated, your firewalls are configured properly, and your wireless networks are secure. Application Security: Every program you use gets tested for weaknesses. This includes your email system, accounting software, customer databases, and any custom applications your company built. Physical Security: Surprisingly, many data breaches happen because someone walks into an office and steals a laptop. Physical security checks your building access, equipment storage, and disposal procedures. Administrative Controls: These are your written security policies, incident response plans, and staff training programs. Having great technology doesn’t help if people don’t know how to use it safely. Select Security Audit Criteria Choosing the right assessment criteria determines whether your audit actually improves security or just wastes time. Industry Standards: Most companies start with established frameworks like ISO 27001, NIST, or CIS Controls. These provide tested benchmark criteria that cover all major security areas. Regulatory Requirements: Your industry might require specific compliance criteria. Healthcare organizations must follow HIPAA rules, while financial companies need SOC 2 attestation for customer data protection. Risk-Based Approach: Smart auditors focus on your biggest threats first. A retail store worries more about payment card security, while a law firm prioritizes client confidentiality. READ ALSO: What is

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Learn Command Prompt

What is a Command Prompt? Your Complete Guide to Windows Command Line Interface

The command prompt might sound intimidating if you’re new to computers. But don’t worry! This powerful tool can make your computer tasks much easier once you understand it. Think of it as a special way to talk directly to your computer using simple text commands instead of clicking buttons. Many people avoid the command prompt because it looks complicated. However, learning this CLI interface can save you a significant amount of time and help you resolve problems that regular programs cannot solve. Whether you’re a student, office worker, or just curious about computers, this guide will teach you everything you need to know about the Windows command line. What is a Command Prompt? Command-line interfaces (CLI) and prompts were the standard interface for computers from the early days of computing into the 1980s. Microsoft MS-DOS systems and other early consumer-based computers used CLIs. Current Windows systems offer the command prompt, which is a CLI for administrative tasks and works on the basis of the command entered in its text-based user interface. In the Windows OS, Command Prompt is an application (program) used to execute administrative or troubleshooting commands, automate repetitive tasks, run groups of scripts, and shut down processes. READ ALSO: How to Run an Internet Speed Test & Boost Your Wi-Fi Performance A popular misnomer for the Windows Command Prompt is DOS prompt. The Windows CLI and DOS CLI are not the same, although the former includes some of the command-line abilities of the latter. Other names for the Windows Command Prompt are as follows: Windows Command Processor. Command Shell. cmd prompt. cmd.exe. The CLI is also an essential part of the Linux OS and is powerful and easy to use. What is Windows Command Prompt? Windows Command Prompt is Microsoft’s built-in command-line interface tool. The actual program file is called cmd.exe, and it comes pre-installed on every Windows system. This CLI screen traces its roots back to Microsoft MS-DOS, the old DOS systems that existed before Windows had a visual interface. Even though Windows now has a beautiful graphical UI, the command prompt still uses many of the same DOS prompt commands that worked decades ago. Feature Old DOS Modern Command Prompt File paths 8.3 format only Long filename support Memory 640KB limit Full system memory access Networking Limited support Full TCP/IP integration Security No user accounts Administrative privileges The Windows command line runs in its window and provides access to hundreds of built-in commands. System administrators and network administrators use it daily for managing computers, networks, and servers. Is Command Prompt a Tool? Yes, the command prompt is a tool, but it’s much more than just one simple program. Think of it as a Swiss Army knife for your computer that contains many different tools in one place. The command interpreter serves multiple purposes: READ ALSO: Top Ways to Scan Documents Using Your Phone or Laptop File Management Tool: Copy, move, delete, and organize files faster than Windows Explorer. You can perform bulk operations on hundreds of files with a single command. System Diagnostic Tool: Check your computer’s health, view running programs, and identify problems. Network engineers use these features to troubleshoot connection issues. Automation Platform: Create batch scripting files that run multiple commands automatically. This saves hours of repetitive work for IT management tasks. Remote Access Interface: Connect to other computers and servers over the network. Many admin operations require this text interface because GUI interface options aren’t available remotely. However, the command prompt does have limitations. Complex tasks like photo editing, web browsing, or document formatting work better with specialized programs that have visual interfaces. How to Access the Command Prompt in Windows Getting to the command prompt is easier than most people think. Windows 10 and newer versions offer several quick methods to open this command-line interface. Method 1: Using the Run Dialog, Press Windows + R keys together. Type “cmd” in the box and press Enter. This opens the standard command prompt window instantly. Method 2: Through the Start Menu, click the Start button and type “command prompt” in the search box. Windows will show the app in the results. Right-click it and choose “Run as administrator” if you need special permissions. Method 3: Power User Menu Press Windows + X keys to open the power menu. Select “Windows Terminal” or “Command Prompt” from the list. This quick access menu saves time for frequent users. READ ALSO: What Is a Security Key? Benefits & Best Options for Online Safety Method 4: From File Explorer, navigate to any folder in File Explorer. Click in the address bar and type “cmd,” then press Enter. This opens the command prompt already positioned in that folder location. For administrative tasks, you’ll often need elevated privileges. Look for “Run as administrator” options when opening the command prompt. The user screen will show “Administrator” in the title bar when you have full system access. How to Use the Command Prompt in Windows Learning to use the command prompt effectively starts with understanding basic navigation and command structure. The text CLI follows specific rules that make it predictable once you know the patterns. Basic Navigation. The command prompt always shows your current location in the file system. This appears as a path like C:UsersYourName>. The greater-than symbol indicates where you type commands. Use these essential navigation commands: dir – List files and folders in the current location cd foldername – Move into a specific folder cd.. – Go back to the parent folder cd – Jump directly to the root drive Command Structure Every command follows a basic pattern: command [options] [target]. The command tells the system what to do, options modify how it works, and the target specifies what to work on. For example, copy file1.txt file2.txt copies one file to another location. The command is “copy”, and the two filenames are the source and destination targets. READ ALSO: What Is a Security Patch? Why It’s Critical to Update Your Devices Getting Help: Add /? after any command

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