Things I build, break,
fix, and write about

7 February 2025
Home Automation
Voice Activation for Smart Homes: Harnessing Home Assistant's Assist

Introduction Ever tried shouting at your house to turn off the lights only to be met with silence? The struggles of getting smart home devices to respond to voice commands can leave you feeling more like a magician casting a spell than a tech-savvy homeowner. As we dive deeper into a world increasingly dominated by […]

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23 January 2025
System Admin
How to Choose the Right MQTT Broker for Your IoT Project

Practical guidance on choosing an MQTT broker for IoT, covering security, scalability, performance and migration.

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14 January 2025
System Admin
How to Set Up Home Assistant Without a Raspberry Pi

Run Home Assistant without a Raspberry Pi: hardware options, HAOS or container installs, networking and maintenance.

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10 January 2025
Home Lab
Managing a Compromised Mailbox on Sophos XGS Firewall

When a mailbox is compromised, it can lead to a surge of spam and harmful emails, threatening your organization's reputation. This guide offers key steps to manage and clear the email spool on your Sophos XGS Firewall, including stopping the SMTP service and optimizing your database. Don’t let a compromised mailbox disrupt your operations—read on to take control!

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18 December 2024
Home Automation
age | v1.2.1

Age v1.2.1 addresses a critical security vulnerability, enforcing new plugin naming conventions. Users should update to ensure system security.

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25 October 2024
System Admin
Configuring Apache2 and PHP on a Fresh Installation

Setting up Apache2 with PHP on a Debian-based server is crucial for hosting websites or applications. Follow these steps for a smooth configuration.

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12 September 2024
System Admin
How to Securely Disable Windows Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) on Windows 10 and 11

Learn how to disable Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) on Windows to minimize security risks. Follow these methods to ensure your system is protected.

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6 September 2024
System Admin
A Step-by-Step Guide to Removing Cached Credentials in Windows 10 and Windows 11

Learn how to remove cached credentials on Windows 10 and 11 to enhance security and resolve login issues with this comprehensive guide for IT professionals.

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24 August 2024
Real Life
Future of Work in the UK | Remote and Hybrid Work Trends

The pandemic might have accelerated the shift to remote work, but the trend is here to stay. As UK businesses adapt to new working models, what does the future hold for the workplace?

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23 August 2024
System Admin
The Importance of Strong Passwords: Generating Secure Passwords Using PowerShell

Learn how to generate strong passwords using PowerShell with practical code samples and enhance your digital security

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