Why do I need different network profiles?

It is very useful to have several network configuration profiles to adapt to the different networks to which we connect. Suppose you have a laptop that connects to both your home network and your work network. Consequently, the requirements and configuration of both networks will be different, so we can create two different network profiles: home and work.

This way, if we connect at home, we will be able to choose a specific profile so that we can configure a private IP address compatible with the subnet configured in the router. The same applies to DNS servers and other settings, such as Wi-Fi configuration. In the case of work, we could automatically activate the VPN connection. In addition to the possibility of sharing folders on the network, which we did not have configured before. Moreover, the possibility of sharing folders in network that before we did not have thus configured.

• IP address.
• Subnet mask.
• Default gateway.
• Primary and secondary DNS servers.
• VPN connection.
• Shared folders.
• Wi-Fi profiles if we connect wirelessly.
• Many more options, depending on the program.

To perform these functions, it is best to have a specific program for this purpose. Today there are several alternatives available, some are free with basic functions. Others are paid programs with more advanced versions. In this way, we will be able to configure every aspect of our network.

Some options for creating network profiles.

Next, we are going to show you some programs that will allow you to create basic or advanced profiles of your local network. Depending on what you need, you can choose one program or another.

Easy Net Switch

Easy Net Switch is a paid program that allows us to control in detail all the network profiles of our Windows operating system. It is one of the most complete programs that exist today. In addition, it is compatible with all Microsoft operating systems, from Windows XP to Windows 11. It even has a classic interface that is very reminiscent of Windows XP. This program allows a command line mode to execute commands through cmd for advanced users. It will also allow us to configure numerous aspects related to the network such as IP, subnet mask, default gateway, DNS servers. It is even possible to configure the profiles of the Wi-Fi, VPN, Proxy that we have in the company or home, and much more.

This program is available from its official website. On the other hand, the installer is very light. Moreover, the installation process is similar to any Windows program.

How it works

Once it is installed, we proceed to open the program. We can see a basic graphical user interface. All we have to do is click on New to create a new profile and follow the configuration wizard. Once created, we can edit it with the parameters we want. Each parameter is completely optional. In fact, we can configure only the IP addressing, and not configure the VPN, Proxy or Wi-Fi. However, we can also configure all this easily and quickly.

If we go to the Network section, we will be able to see that we have the possibility of configuring the IP addressing with the DNS. Furthermore, we can obtain the IP address through the DHCP server of the main router. We also have the possibility to click on the Advanced section and configure the WINS, NetBIOS, physical MAC address that we can change on demand. We also have additional options such as purge DNS cache resolving etc.

Network Profiles

If we want to create wireless Wi-Fi profiles, we will also be able to do so. Indeed, we simply indicate the SSID network name or scan the Wi-Fi networks around us to define a profile. Additionally, we can also configure it to use specific Wi-Fi options instead of using the auto-detection method of the operating system. In the Wi-Fi profile, we can not only define the network name SSID. In fact, we also manage the authentication related to PSK (Pre-Shared Key). Even the RADIUS, as it also supports all strong authentication protocols.

Other configuration options are related to the Proxy server at work. In case we need to authenticate to the Proxy to access the Internet, we can automate this authentication here. We also have the possibility of configuring the Dial-UP and the VPN of the operating system, all this from this program in a simple way.

The amount of configuration options offered by this program is really high. This allows us to automate the execution of the different network profiles. Regardless of which options you want to define, and we have many options. Below, we show you everything you can configure with this program:

• Network: IP addressing, DNS, WINS and more.
• Proxy.
• Default printer.
• Mapping of network drives.
• VPN configuration.
• Local network shared folders.
• Static routes on the computer
• Mail client
• Configure the Windows firewall in a specific way.
• Run certain scripts or commands
• Configure the hosts file of the computer.
• Configure ini files
• Define the time zone and time.
• Other options.

As you can see, Easy Net Switch is one of the most complete programs currently available. It is also one of the most recommended because it has a huge amount of configuration options available. Perhaps its only drawback is that it is not free.

TCP/IP Manager

On the other hand, TCP/IP Manager is completely free and open source. This program will allow us to create unlimited network profiles, we will be able to configure different IP addresses, masks, gateways, DNS servers, configure proxy options, the name of the workgroup. We can even configure the MAC address we want on the network card (performs MAC Spoofing). For more advanced users, this program allows you to configure batch files from network profiles. In addition, we will be able to import the current system configuration to apply it later and make it the same as what we have right now. In this way we have seen, how to configure various network configuration profiles on your Windows PC. Bye!

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Prepare Windows for a good connection

To make the Internet run faster on Windows, it is necessary to prepare the system. This is essential to optimize the available resources to achieve the best speed and quality. In addition, without any outages or problems.

Updating the system and drivers

It is essential to always have the latest versions installed. Consequently, this must be applied both in the operating system itself and in the network adapters you are going to use. Regardless of whether they are wireless or Ethernet. To update, just go to Windows Settings. Once there, just go to Update & Security. There you will see possible new versions available. Therefore, you have to make sure you install everything that is available and thus have the latest updates. This will help to avoid connection problems and troubleshooting.

Regarding the network adapter, just go to the device manager. With this in mind, press the Win+X combination or right-click on the Windows menu.

Once there, just go to the Network Adapters section. You have to right-click and click on Update Driver. Once done, reboot the system for the changes to take effect. No doubt, with these tips, you will be able to make the internet run faster.

Always maintain safety

Another essential point to improve the speed of Internet on Windows is to always keep security in mind. With this in mind, you should use a good antivirus. Consequently, it can be the case of Windows Defender or any other alternative of guarantees. This allows you to detect the entry of malware and remove it as soon as possible.

But maintaining security also means avoiding making mistakes. For example, avoid downloading attachments that arrive in the mail and that could be a threat. Nor should we install applications that are not safe or fall into the trap of hackers by sending fraudulent links. If you avoid all this, your system will be clean and ready to surf the net with good speed.

Avoid interfering programs

You should also avoid applications that can be a drag on the connection. Indeed, you should not load the browser with too many extensions. They are certainly very useful. They generally serve to organize tabs, manage downloads or save bookmarks. However, abusing these add-ons can cause problems for browsing speed.

Other programs that can interfere with the connection and create problems are firewalls or VPNs. They are certainly useful to protect the network in certain circumstances. However, you should always make sure that they are properly configured and are warranted. Otherwise, you could have connection issues. This is a great tip to make the internet run faster.

Reducing hidden consumption or consumption of other devices

In this regard, two aspects have an impact. Firstly, the hidden consumption that the Windows system itself or some applications may have. On the other hand, devices that are connected to the network and that can also use up resources of the connection. Both things must be controlled if you want the best connection for Windows.

In addition, you must consider that any application that connects to the network will consume resources. For example, a program that performs backups in the cloud or the automatic updates themselves. If you have a limited connection, you should control this and avoid problems.

Use good software

On the other hand, you can also prepare Windows correctly by using only reliable programs. An example of this is the browser, as it is a key part of accessing web pages. It also allows you to connect to any of the many online services available.

Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are two browsers that work very well. On the other hand, Microsoft Edge also performs adequately. However, whatever software you download, you should always download them from official and secure sites. For example, you can go to their official website, as well as use secure stores such as Microsoft Store.

Recommendations for improving the Wi-Fi network

Nowadays, it is very common to surf wirelessly and that is where most problems appear. Therefore, if you want to improve Internet speed on Windows, you should also focus on the Wi-Fi network. We are going to give a series of interesting recommendations that you can put into practice.

Locate the router correctly

Something basic is to place the router in a good place. It is the fundamental piece that is going to offer you wireless connection, and the place where it can be fundamental. Ideally, it should be in a central area of the house, where it can distribute the signal to all parts of the house. You should also place it in an elevated location and avoid walls that can block the signal.

Use a network card with good capacity

The Wi-Fi adapter you use will also be fundamental to have better or worse quality and speed. If you find that you need more Internet speed on Windows and you connect wirelessly, try using a different network card. Specifically, one that has greater capacity and allows you to connect with better coverage.

Install a device to get more coverage

You can always count on some external device to improve the wireless signal. For example, you can install a Wi-Fi repeater, Mesh system or PLC devices. In this way, you can carry the signal from one place to another in the house and have better Internet on Windows if you connect via Wi-Fi.

Use the correct Wi-Fi band

The Wi-Fi band you use will also determine the best wireless Internet speed. You can use either the 2.4 GHz or the 5 GHz band. Each of them has its positive and negative points, so choosing the right one to use will help you to optimize the signal.

Choosing the right channel

You should also consider which Wi-Fi channel you are going to use. Choosing one or the other may mean that the connection works properly, or you may have outages because you are using a saturated channel. If you live in a building with many houses nearby and many neighbors using a Wi-Fi channel close to yours or even the same one, you will have problems. Okay, so ultimately we have seen how to make the Internet run faster on Windows. Consequently, you just have to follow these steps to increase your connection speed when browsing. Bye!

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Recommendations for using Wi-Fi in Windows

We can say that Windows is the most widely used operating system on the computer. Therefore, hackers launch-specific attacks against this system. Consequently, we must be prepared and thus avoid any kind of problem that may affect us.

Using VPN on public networks

This point is critical. There are public networks available in restaurants or airports. So, we do not know who is managing this network. Indeed, it could come from a malicious attacker or an attacker with illegitimate access.

So, it is necessary to prevent the leakage of our data. With this in mind, a VPN is a good option. What this type of program does is to encrypt the connection and make it travel in a kind of tunnel. In addition, we can also send anonymous emails. This is a good way for using Wi-Fi securely on Windows.

Avoid open Wi-Fi networks

Occasionally, you will see open wireless networks, without any password. But this is not secure. In fact, they are often used as bait by hackers. They can create them to attract users and steal from them. On the other hand, they can also access a legitimate Wi-Fi that has no password and take advantage of it.

Therefore, it is best never to connect from Windows to this type of Wi-Fi networks. They could be a trap. Therefore, security when surfing is not enough.

Protect Windows

Undoubtedly, a factor that we should not overlook is to protect Windows well. This means having a good antivirus. For example, Windows Defender is a good solution. However, there are many others, such as Avast or Bitdefender. Nevertheless, whichever antivirus we use, it must be of guarantees.

But beyond an antivirus, there are other options. For example, a firewall. Even extensions for Chrome and Firefox can be useful. All this allows our computer to be protected when connecting to a Wi-Fi network. Consequently, it avoids being a victim of cyber-attacks.

Keeping everything up to date

Another fundamental issue is to always have everything up to date. Let’s remember that from Windows it is easy. It is enough with going to the menu Start, Configurations, and Windows Update.

In addition, the Wi-Fi network card should be updated at all times. If you are going to use the wireless network in Windows, you should make sure that the network adapter has the latest firmware version. This will avoid performance problems, but will also reduce the risk of security problems.

Encrypt the network well

A final tip when using Wi-Fi on Windows is to encrypt the wireless network at all times. You need to protect your home router and thus prevent the entry of any intruders who take advantage of it. Use good passwords, but also good encryption.

The first thing is to use a good password. It must be unique and completely random. A good password must be used both for Wi-Fi and for accessing the router settings. But it is also necessary to use a good encryption. But it is also necessary to use a good encryption. In addition, use the latest ones such as WPA3 or, failing that, WPA2.

All in all, these 5 tips for using Wi-Fi securely on Windows are great. As a result, you can avoid problems and security threats. Bye!

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Recommended programs to manage the Wi-Fi networkS on Windows.

The purpose of this type of program is to visualize all the Wi-Fi networks around us. Thanks to them, we will be able to monitor all nearby wireless networks. Additionally, we will be able to collect specific data. For example, what Wi-Fi networks there are, on what Wi-Fi channels they are broadcasting, the type of security they use and if we have interference with neighboring networks. We can even see how many clients we have connected to the different wireless networks around us. Here, we will detail the best programs to manage Wi-Fi network on Windows.

Acrylic WiFi Home

Acrylic WiFi Home is one of the best programs we can use to visualize Wi-Fi networks. We base this statement on the fact that it has a fully functional free version. This tool is compatible with the latest Microsoft Windows operating systems, including Windows 10 and Windows 11.

The free version of the program is called Acrylic Wi-Fi Home. The tool offers a Wi-Fi scanner that displays Wi-Fi information in real time. It also scores our network, identifies channel problems, checks coverage and improves the performance of our home Wi-Fi network. Among its main functions, we can find:

• Viewer of Wi-Fi networks in which Wi-Fi 6 networks with the 802.11ax standard are distinguished.
• View of Wi-Fi channels in 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
• Analyzes the distribution of networks by Wi-Fi channels.
• Provides graphs of signal level and power of our wireless networks.
• Visualize the access points around you as well as devices such as smartphones, laptops and more.
• We will get information about nearby APs regarding their signal strength, channels, encryption and more.

Acrylic Wi-Fi Home is available here. However, a professional version is available for just under $22. If you are going to use the tool a lot, then this is the version for you because of the large number of features it offers.

WiFi Analyzer

WiFi Analyzer is a program that has been developed for home users. For this reason, we find an ideal tool for users with little experience in scanning Wi-Fi networks. This program is responsible for analyzing our network and convert them into data visually easy to understand which also includes graphs. For example, it can suggest which channel we should use to reduce interference. Thanks to the way it works, we can find the best channel and detailed information about our router.

This tool simply offers an analyzer for wireless networks. In its basic version, it comes free of advertising, and we have everything we need to analyze Wi-Fi networks. On the other hand, it should be noted that it has a Pro version with more features. The program requires at least Windows 10 and can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store from here.

Vistumbler

Another program for managing Wi-Fi networks is Vistumbler. In effect, we could describe it as a wireless network scanner. Moreover, it is a free open-source program for Windows. The minimum we need is Windows Vista with a Wi-Fi adapter, so we can use it also on older computers. The objective of this program is to map and visualize the routers and access points that we have neared us.

Thanks to Vistumbler, we will know important information such as network status, SSID, MAC address, signal strength, channel number and more. It also has a GPS support feature that allows it to integrate with Google Earth to display Wi-Fi networks. It does this in two ways:

• With the export of GPS locations of access points to a Google Earth KML file.
• Allowing live tracking from Google Earth thanks to Auto KML. This way it automatically displays the access points and routers in Google Earth.

In this case, it should be noted that it is not an easy program to use due to its interface and complexity of options.

inSSIDer

Thanks to the inSSIDer tool, we will be able to know exactly how our network is configured. We will also find out how neighboring Wi-Fi networks are affecting ours. Additionally, it offers suggestions for a faster and more secure wireless network. This program shows us the essential details about our Wi-Fi connection, including channel, channel width, signal strength. We will also be able to know the Wi-Fi standards supported, the maximum connection speed and its encryption.

inSSIDer is a very fascinating tool, but it is more oriented towards the professional field than for home users. It also uses graphics that show the devices connected to the 2.4GHz and 5GHz band. Once the networks have been analyzed, it will provide us with a score for our connection. The result will be that the higher the score, the more reliable it is. inSSIDer can be downloaded from the developer’s website metageek from this link.

Free WiFi Analyzer Tool

Free WiFi Analyzer Tool turns your Windows 10 computer into an analyzer for your wireless network. Regarding viewing, it allows 3D and 2D visualization in some of its sections. It also allows managing Wi-Fi networks, discovering any Wi-Fi signal around us. Thus, we will be able to make a classification of Wi-Fi filtering, sorting and grouping the available networks in addition to being able to switch between different networks instantly.

It also provides detailed information on each Wi-Fi access point. In addition, it can find the least used channels so that we can assign them to our router. It also allows us to control our network traffic and offers system notifications when a connection or disconnection occurs. As for the interface, we can choose between a white or black theme. This program is paid, but occasionally, it is offered for free.

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Causes of Wi-Fi disconnects

Several Windows users have experienced Wi-Fi connection problems. Certainly, this can happen for a variety of reasons. Therefore, it is a fairly common error. As a result, disconnections occur, making it impossible to access the Internet. This annoying difficulty can occur for numerous reasons. Typically, it is caused by driver difficulties. Indeed, they may be damaged or outdated. Consequently, it is best to have updated drivers to correct errors, compatibility issues, etc. It may also be due to compatibility difficulties with the version of the operating system installed. Therefore, we should always have Windows up to date. Additionally, the power management can cause the failure.

Other causes may be related to too many users connected to the network. Furthermore, when we are out of range of the signal range. As for the hardware, it can be damaged to the connection cables or the modem’s firmware is outdated. However, in this post, we will focus on software-centric solutions.

How to solve this problem.

Next, we are going to see different actions that we can perform to put an end to the problems of random disconnection of our Wi-Fi network.

Upgrade the network adapter

As mentioned, this is a common cause of this problem. So, a damaged or outdated driver can impair the stability of the connection. Therefore, it is advisable to always have them at their latest version. This action can be executed from the device manager. The first thing you need to do is to open the device manager. With this in mind, press the Win+X combination and select the corresponding option. Alternatively, you can right-click on the Windows button.

Consequently, you will be redirected to the device manager. Consequently, it displays the section corresponding to the network adapters. Then select the Wi-Fi hardware and right-click on it. Please click on Update driver. Then choose Automatically search for drivers and let Windows update the drivers.

Occasionally, Windows cannot install the driver correctly. Consequently, we must perform the procedure manually. Assume that the wireless adapter is manufactured by Intel. Consequently, we must go to their website and download the corresponding driver. Once the drivers have been downloaded, we go through the above steps again. However, this time opt for manual driver installation.

Change network profile

Another reason for these automatic disconnections is related to the fact that a Wi-Fi network is marked as Public instead of Private. Consequently, it is advisable to change the configuration. Keep in mind that the most important thing is to maintain a correct configuration of the network settings. Otherwise, we may face these annoying problems. Consequently, what we will do is to go to the Windows Settings. With this in mind, press the Win+I combination. Once there, click on Update & Security.

In the left menu, select Wi-Fi. Now, in the right column, click on Manage known networks.

Next we will see the current Wi-Fi connection. Please click on it and select Properties.

Next, we will see several options for configuring the Wi-Fi network. What we must do is to change the profile to Private.

In this way, we can see how to fix Wi-Fi disconnect in Windows

Change Power Management

Another possible cause of this problem may be due to the power management configuration. This may be a system issue. On the other hand, a power saving system may also be the cause. This is especially useful if you have a laptop and want to save energy when you are not using it. However, it can also cause automatic shutdown difficulties. To fix Wi-Fi disconnect in Windows, we can follow the following steps.

Once again, we have to go to the device manager. With this intention, press again the Win+X combination. Once there, again display the network adapters section. Right click again, but this time goes to the Properties.

Therefore, click on the Power Management tab. Then uncheck the Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power box. Click OK to save the changes and see if we get a more stable connection.

Reset Automatic WLAN Configuration

The Automatic WLAN Configuration service is responsible for connecting Windows to our router. In the case that it has some problem when starting, it can prevent the connection. Therefore, we can try to configure it to run automatically at startup. To accomplish this, we must press the keyboard shortcut Windows + R and launch the Run command. Here we write services.msc and press Enter.

Consequently, we will see a list of Windows services. Please scroll down to the bottom until you get the WLAN AutoConfig. Please double-click on it to access the properties.

What we want is to modify the startup type. With this in mind, click on the General tab. Once there, under Startup type, click on Automatic and press Apply and OK to save the changes. Finally, we restart the system and check if the connection drop problems have been solved.

Very well, in this way we have seen How to fix Wi-Fi disconnect in Windows. Occasionally, these problems keep us awake at night. Therefore, the best thing to do is to look for a prompt solution. As you could see, most of the methods do not present major complications. However, they can save the day. See you soon!

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What is vnStat?

The best definition of Vnstat can be found on the project’s own website:

vnStat is a console-based network traffic monitor for Linux and BSD that keeps a log of network traffic for the selected interface(s). It uses the network interface statistics provided by the kernel as an information source. This means that vnStat won’t actually be sniffing any traffic and also ensures light use of system resources regardless of network traffic rate.

Therefore this tool is quite well known within the community and among sysadmins. It is quite simple to use and as you will see below it is easy to install.

Install vnStat on Debian 11 / 10

One of the fastest and most immediate ways to install vnStat on Debian 11 / 10 is to install it from the official repositories.

Although this is not the only way to get the program, it is the easiest method for newbies.

So, open a terminal or from an SSH session, install the security patches in the distribution:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Next, you can install the vnStat package as follows:

sudo apt install vnstat

After it is installed, start the application service.

sudo systemctl start vnstat

This will complete the installation and you will be able to use it.

Install the latest version of vnStat on Debian 11 / 10

The previous method has a big problem and it is that the version that appears in the official repositories of Debian 11 / 10, is very outdated. So it is advisable to always install the latest version following these steps that I will describe.

First, install the packages needed to do the compilation, as well as some dependencies:

sudo apt install build-essential gcc make libsqlite3-dev

Then download the latest stable version, which at the time of writing this post, is 2.8.

wget https://humdi.net/vnstat/vnstat-2.8.tar.gz

Decompress the downloaded file

tar -xvzf vnstat-2.8.tar.gz

As a result of executing the above command, a folder called vnstat-2.8 will be generated which you will need to access and from there configure the package for compilation:

cd vnstat-2.8
./configure --prefix=/usr --sysconfdir=/etc

Now, compile the package and install it with this pair of commands:

sudo make
sudo make install

If everything went well, you will be able to run the vnstat command and display, for example, the installed version:

vnstat -v

Output:

vnStat 2.8 by Teemu Toivola <tst at iki dot fi>

Using the vnStat command

Before using the tool it is necessary to start the vnStat service. As we have installed it manually, there is no service installed so we have to create it.

Fortunately, to create it we will use the example file that comes with the code we have just compiled.

sudo cp -v examples/systemd/vnstat.service /etc/systemd/system/

Refresh the list of services

sudo systemctl daemon-reload

And now yes, enable it so it can start with the system and start the service

sudo systemctl enable vnstat
sudo systemctl start vnstat

And check the status of the service

sudo systemctl status vnstat
● vnstat.service - vnStat network traffic monitor
     Loaded: loaded (/etc/systemd/system/vnstat.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled)
     Active: active (running) since Sat 2021-10-02 18:24:27 CEST; 11s ago
       Docs: man:vnstatd(8)
             man:vnstat(1)
             man:vnstat.conf(5)
   Main PID: 5939 (vnstatd)
      Tasks: 1 (limit: 2276)
     Memory: 612.0K
        CPU: 20ms
     CGroup: /system.slice/vnstat.service
             └─5939 /usr/sbin/vnstatd -n

Oct 02 18:24:27 osradar systemd[1]: Started vnStat network traffic monitor.
Oct 02 18:24:27 osradar vnstatd[5939]: Info: vnStat daemon 2.8 started. (pid:5939 uid:0 gid:0 64-bit)
Oct 02 18:24:27 osradar vnstatd[5939]: Info: Monitoring (1): eth0 (1000 Mbit)

After waiting a few minutes, you can start using it.

vnstat

By default, it takes the active interface, but you can change it:

vnstat -i [interface]

When an interface is monitored, a new database with logs is created. You can delete it and reset the statistics.

sudo vnstat -i [interface] --remove --force

In this case, you have to specify the interface to monitor.

Enjoy it.

Conclusion

So now you know how to install and use vnStat on Debian 11 / 10 This command although simple allows you to find answers to the operation of a network interface and to know if the behavior is as expected…

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Learn how to create a kill switch button in Windows 10

We have seen that this is a great security measure. By default, Windows does not have such a button. However, we can create a shortcut with the function. Which allows you to put it on the desktop. It is even possible to set it on the taskbar for convenience. Please follow the steps below:

• The first thing you have to do is to go to the Windows Settings. With this in mind, press the Win+I combination. Next, click on Network & Internet.

• Next, click on Status. Now you just have to write down the name of the network adapter. In my case it is a Wi-Fi connection, however, it could be Ethernet.

• Next, place yourself in an empty space on the desk. Right click on the mouse and follow the path New>Shortcut
• The shortcut creation dialog box will be displayed immediately. Please copy and paste the following: C:\Windows\System32\netsh.exe interface set interface name=”XXXX” admin = disabled

• Note that you must replace the XXX with the name of your network adapter.
• Now it is time to name the button. You can choose either Panic Button or Kill Switch.
• To complete the process, just click on Finish.

Customizing the button

It is not convenient to leave the button lying around with its dreary appearance. Therefore, it is convenient to customize it to the user’s taste. Consequently, it will be easier to notice. Besides, we avoid the risk of confusing it with another element. Please follow the steps below.

• Right-click on the created shortcut. Then click on Properties.
• As a result, the properties box will open. Please click on the Shortcut tab and then on

• A message will appear indicating that it does not contain icons. A list of available icons is shown below. Consequently, you can choose one or specify another location. When you are ready, press OK.

• Before closing, we can take the opportunity to create a keyboard shortcut. This adds an additional method to invoke it.
• Consequently, in the Shortcut tab itself, just click on Shortcut key. Finally, add in the box the keys you want to combine.

• For the button to work properly, it is necessary to assign administrator privileges. To do so, click on the Advanced button and then check the corresponding box.

• Finally, click on Apply and OK to finish the process.

Everything is almost ready. However, it is convenient to have a reconnect button as well. This way we can disconnect and reconnect easily.

Configuring a reconnect button.

• Repeat the same steps as above. Only that at the moment of assigning the location, we will write the following: C:\Windows\System32\netsh.exe interface set interface name=”XXXX” admin = enabled
• Note that you must replace the XXXX with the name of your network adapter.

• Now rename it as you wish.
• It is time to assign a custom icon and shortcut keys, as we did before.

• Finally, grant administrative permissions, press Apply and OK to finish.

Ultimately we have seen how to create a Kill Switch button in Windows 10. We also learned how to configure a reconnect button. This way it is possible to interrupt the internet connection if we think we are victims of an attack. It is also possible to reconnect quickly. See you soon!

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How to view and control data usage in Windows 10.

Best of all, there is no need to download additional tools. On the contrary, Windows has built-in functions to do so. What allows to know how much data has been consumed. In addition to discriminate it by application. It is well known that not all programs consume the same resources. So let’s see how to check internet consumption. With this intention, press the Win+I combination to go to Windows Settings. Once there, click on Network & Internet.

Next, you just have to choose the connection to analyze. Either Ethernet or Wi-Fi. As a result, we will see the total data consumed in the last 30 days.

Now, if you click on Data Usage, you will see the amount of data consumed by each application.

How to limit data usage in Windows 10.

It is possible that at some point we may want to limit data usage on the system. This may be due to limitations in our data plan. Or, when connecting to a public network that offers limited data. In any case, it is possible to set a limit for data consumption. In fact, we can do it from the same screen above. After clicking on Data Usage, just click on Enter limit.

A new window will immediately pop up. Once there, you can set a limit measured in MB or GB. It is also possible to select if this limit will be monthly, one-time or limited. Likewise, we can set a day of the month to reset it. This is very useful to make it coincide with the cut-off date of our plan.

Background applications also consume data.

Windows has certain functions and tools active on the network. Therefore, these programs consume data in the background. This causes problems in connection performance. So to limit these programs, please follow the path below:

Windows Settings>Privacy>Background apps

You can flatly disable all background applications. With this in mind, just turn off the first switch. Similarly, you can disable a specific application. To do so, just disable the corresponding switch.

Establishing a metered network connection

We have mentioned that Windows has several network options. One of these options allows you to configure the connection behavior. In fact, when starting a new connection, we can set it as a metered connection. This implies that Windows will intelligently limit the network access of applications. In order to keep control over data consumption. Please follow the path below:

Windows Settings>Network & Internet>Network Status>Properties

Ultimately, we have seen how to limit data usage in Windows 10. A great way to control access to the system network. Bye!

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Why is it important to use a Firewall?

Although Linux is a very secure system, it is not perfect and can be attacked by an external network. Especially critical applications that make use of data such as database managers or others. Therefore, it is advisable to install a Firewall and establish adequate policies to protect your computer.

In addition to security, there is something that many people overlook and that is that in a Firewall we can not only block incoming connections but also outgoing ones. In this way, we will be able to know which applications are making connections with the Internet and make our decisions.

In Linux, there are a variety of Firewalls that can be classified as domestic or professional like PFSense. I believe that the domestic ones can work in many cases and we will work on them in this post.

How to Open Ports in Linux – Debian, Ubuntu, and derivatives

In these distributions, UFW is present by default. In case it is not then you can install it without problems.

sudo apt install ufw

After that, you can start opening ports.

The easiest way is to follow this syntax

sudo ufw allow [port]

This way, if you want to open port 26 for all protocols, just run.

sudo ufw allow 26

You can also specify a specific protocol for that port like UDP or TCP.

sudo ufw allow 26/tcp

In this case, only port 26 will be opened for the TCP protocol.

If you have to open many consecutive ports, then you can specify a range

sudo ufw allow 4000:4007/tcp

This will open all ports from 4000 to 4007 for TCP. Remember that you can change tcp to udp and enable them for that protocol.

To apply the changes run

sudo ufw reset

So, this way, you can open the ports in Debian, Ubuntu, and derivatives.

How to Open Ports in Linux – RHEL, CentOS and Fedora

Unlike Debian, Ubuntu, and its derivatives, in the RHEL family, another similar application is used to manage the Firewall and it is firewalld.

In case it is not installed, you can do it as follows

sudo dnf install firewalld

And after that, initialize it and make it run with the system.

sudo systemctl enable firewalld
sudo systemctl start firewalld

This application works with zones with public being the default zone. If we assume that this is the current zone, we can open a port as follows:

sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=[port]/[protocol]

If you would like to open port 2122 of the TCP protocol, then you should run

sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=2122/tcp

Unlike UFW in this case we do have to specify the protocol.

Similarly, you can specify a range of ports but still specify the protocol.

sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --permanent --add-port=3220-3225/udp

In this case, I have opened ports from 3220 to 3225 in the UDP protocol.

To apply the changes run

sudo firewall-cmd --reload

This way you can open ports in Linux

Conclusion

Opening ports in Linux is very easy and can help you with a network problem. Also having a Firewall always increases the security of the system.

The post How to open ports in Linux? appeared first on Linux Windows and android Tutorials.

PiHole is Network-wide Ad Blocking that allows it to be installed on a server so that other devices on the network can use it to improve the internet connection and block abusive advertising.

Some features and advantages of using PiHole are:

• Easy-to-install: our versatile installer walks you through the process and takes less than ten minutes
• Resolute: content is blocked in non-browser locations, such as ad-laden mobile apps and smart TVs
• Responsive: seamlessly speeds up the feel of everyday browsing by caching DNS queries
• Lightweight: runs smoothly with minimal hardware and software requirements (Min. 2GB free space, 4GB recommended; 512MB RAM)
• Robust: a command-line interface that is quality assured for interoperability
• Insightful: a beautiful responsive Web Interface dashboard to view and control your Pi-hole
• Versatile: can optionally function as a DHCP server, ensuring all your devices are protected automatically

All these features are free of charge which makes it ideal in all circumstances. Excellent news.

Install PiHole on Ubuntu 20.04

The whole installation process is facilitated by a very complete installation script provided by PiHole developers.

To do this, you need to download it and run it. But first, update the entire distribution

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

And now yes, download and run the PiHole script

curl -sSL https://install.pi-hole.net | sudo bash

The first image you will see will be informing you that your device will be transformed into a network-wide and adblocker.

Next, choose the network interface that PiHole will use on your server.

After that, set the DNS server you will use. You can choose one from the list or one of your own.

Now, select the third-party blocklists you will use. You can always add more later.

Next, define which protocols will be used by PiHole in this case both IPv4 and IPv6.

Now you will see a summary with the basic information about your network.

After that, you will be asked if you want to enable the web interface. This is recommended.

Choose the FTL privacy mode.

Next, you will see a screen informing you that the installation has been successful.

Also, in the terminal, you will see this information but also the default password to access the web interface.

When you access, you will see the following screen

But some options are missing, so in the terminal, change the default password

pihole -a -p
[sudo] password for angelo: 
Enter New Password (Blank for no password): 
Confirm Password: 
  [✓] New password set

And then, from the web interface, login with the new password of your system user, and now yes, all the options are available.

Enjoy it

Conclusion

Thanks to PiHole we will be able to have a more stable and efficient network on the Internet. That is why it is increasingly used by sysadmin to control and manage their networks and make them free of advertising.

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