Internet Explorer encountered a problem and needs to close

A recent install of Windows 7 on a Toshiba laptop started producing error messages each time I closed Internet Explorer 9.

This was not a random situation. Without fail, Internet Explorer generated a message saying that Internet Explorer encountered a problem and needs to close.

I hate when that happens. At first, I ignored the error, but, after awhile, it became annoying.

Looking at BranchCache for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008

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BrancheCache gives users of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 increased network responsiveness, by reducing wide area network (WAN) utilization when accessing files from a branch office that are located in a central office.

Enabling BranchCache causes a copy of the file that is accessed from a file or Web server and located in a remote office to be cached in the local branch office. The next time a client requests the file, BranchCache first attempts to retrieve it from the local BranchCache.

BranchCache makes sure clients are authorized by the content server and the files are up-to-date, so  clients never have to worry about retrieving files that are not current.

• BranchCache clients must be running Windows 7 and the BranchCache feature has to be enabled. 
• Web servers must be running Windows Server 2008 R2 with the BranchCache feature enabled.

How to Manage Access to Shared Folders in Windows 7

What does Authentication and Authorization mean?

• Authentication: Authentication is when you provide some type of proof to access a computer or a computer resource, and the proof you provide verifies your identity. Usually you authenticate with your user id and password. If the infrastructure is critical, then a user id and password will not be enough and digital certificates are issued and verified by a Certification Authority. 
• Authorization: Determining if you have the permission to access some particular type of resource.
• Access: Determine what type of action, based on a permission level, that can be performed on a resource.

What is Windows Authentication?

• Kerberos v5 Protocol: Windows 7 clients and Windows Server 2000 or later uses Kerberos as its default authentication method. Kerberos(protocol)
• NTLM (NT Lan Manager): Used to provide backward compatibility with pre-Windows 2000. NTLM is a suite of Microsoft security protocols that provide authenticity, integrity, and confidentiality to users. NTLM
• Certificates: Rely on a third party to verify who you are (PKI Infrastructure). Public-key_infrastructure.

How to Secure Windows 7 Desktops

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Overview of Security Management

Key Security Features in Windows 7

• Windows 7 Action Center
• Centralized reporting center for users to keep track of issues and messages about their local computer
• Categorized by severity to get action items and events 
• Color-coding for severity alerts
• Encrypting File System (EFS)
• About encrypting information while it’s at rest (theft of laptops)
• A built-in encryption tool for Windows files
• Windows BitLocker and BitLocker To Go
• Introduced with Windows Vista, protects data on a computer exposed to unauthorized physical access
• Available in Enterprise and Ultimate editions of Windows 7
• Locks the operating system and removable drives such as USB drives and portable hard drives
• Renders data inaccessible when drives are decommissioned or recycled
• Windows AppLocker
• Restricts the types of applications you can run and install
• Allows administrators to specify the apps that are allowed
• User Account Control
• Checks for permissions when performing necessary daily tasks
• Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
• Restricts unsolicited traffic coming and going
• Security rules to provide protection from malware 
• Windows Defender
• Prevents and removes all forms of malware 

Configuring Network Access Protection (NAP)

How do you protect yourself from computers that do not meet your health requirements on your network?

Network Access Protection (NAP) with Windows Server 2008:

• A feature of Windows server 2008 that enforces health-requirement policies on client computers running:
  • Windows XP (SP3)
  • Vista
  • Windows 7
  • Windows server 2008
  • Windows server 2008 R2
• Ensures client computers are compliant with policies such as anti-virus and security policies on a granular level, based on who the client is and the group to which the client belongs.
• Remediation servers can offer support for computers not meeting health requirements, and to automatically bring the client back into compliance and dynamically increase its level of network access.
• You are able to integrate NAP’s features with software from other vendors or with custom programs.
• You can customize your health enforcement solutions. NAP includes an application programming interface (API) for developers and vendors that allows them to create customized solutions for health-requirements, network-access, and ongoing compliance.

About Network Policy Server Role Service

Installing and Configuring a Network Policy Server

The Network Policy Server (NPS) role in Windows Server 2008 replaces the Internet Authentication Service (IAS). Windows Server 2008 R2 can authenticate clients using Network Policy Server (NPS). NPS provides an additional layer of security for your network.

• NPS provides support for the Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service protocol and can be configured as a RADIUS server or proxy. 
• NPS also provides functionality that is essential for implementation of Network Access Protection (NAP). 
• NPS is used for enforcement for:
•  IPsec traffic
•  802.1X wired and wireless
•  DHCP
•  VPN

About IPv6 TCP/IP and Windows Server 2008

Overview

Web Running Out of Addresses

In the mid 1990s, we started to run into an ever shrinking pool of IPv4 addresses. According to the Wall Street Journal, February 1, 2011, was the week the last batch of Internet addresses was doled out.

IPv4_address_exhaustion

Because of the growing proliferation of network devices and the expanding Internet, Internet Protocol version 6 (Ipv6), is built into Windows Server 2008. Ipv6 is a new suite of protocols developed to ensure growing Internet client needs. The IPv4 scalability will no longer meet the challenges ahead.

Disk Management for Windows 7

Partitioning Disks

Master Boot Record (MBR) Disk:

• Contains the partition table for the disk and a small amount of executable code called the master boot code.
• The computer BIOS examines the MBR to determine which partition on the disks is marked as active and returns the information so you can boot up.
• 2 terabyte (TB) limit.
• You can have four partitions for each hard drive. The boot.ini contains the the list of operating systems and points to the one you want to boot (‘multi-boot’ systems). Virtualization does away with ‘multi-boot’, not needed.
• Active partition contains the OS startup files.

Overview of Disk Management

Prepare to Install Windows 7

Editions

Windows 7 Starter – System Builders Only, 32bit only, 2GB only

Windows 7 Home Basic/Value Edition - Emerging Markets, 32-bit, 64-bit, 4GB, 8GB


Windows 7 Home Premium (Aero) multi-media - Retail, System Builders, 32-bit, 64-bit, 4GB, 8GB

Windows 7 Professional – Business edition for small, lower mid-market, 32-bit, 64-bit, 4GB, 192 GB

Windows 7 Enterprise – Business edition for large enterprises, volume licensing, 32-bit, 64-bit, 4GB, 192 GB

Windows 7 Ultimate – Retail + System Builders, All features, 32-bit, 64-bit, 4GB, 192 GB 

Windows 7 N Editions* (as above but without Media Player) - European Union Only, 32-bit, 64-bit, 4GB, 16GB, 192 GB

*Windows N Editions include Windows 7 Home Premium N, Professional N, and Ultimate N