ICT support
92 posts
Particularly in Spain it is hard to find streaming services to watch the major International golf and tennis tournaments live online.
Who deals in Spain with cyber security incidents? (Belgian residents should read my post Security Incident) The Citizens Incident Response service is handled by the Office of Internet User Safety (Spanish only) Public Awareness and Prevention Guides
Download and install the free Audacity audio editor for your operating system Download and install the FFMPEG plugin, a library to import and export various media formats such as M4A, WMA and MP4. Adjust the interface Meter dB range settings to -36 dB Blue Yeti settings that work well for […]
Here are a few considerations to make Sonos speakers work on an UniFi meshed wifi network. Do not block multicast transmissions (uncheck Block LAN to WLAN Multicast and Broadcast Data). Disable the UniFi Auto-Optimize Network feature. However, enable ‘Point to Point‘ and ‘P2P Cross Connect’ in the wireless network settings. Enable the […]
I am successfully deploying the SMBv2 protocol on my Synology NAS (DSM 7.0.1-42218) with the Sonos App (version 13.4). Moreover, the NTLMv1 authentication is no longer needed. Here attached is the extract of the DSM File Services SMB Advanced Settings.
Preliminary notes: These instructions have been tested with a Mac mini with macOS version Monterey, an Apple Music library of 25k tracks, a Synology NAS with DSM 7.0.1 and a Sonos Controller for Mac Version 13.4.1. Before starting the process make sure you have access to the NAS drive with […]
Sonos devices run on linux kernels. Here are some hidden features explained. Read also the Sonos support pages below:
Proximus and Scarlet decoders will only work with an external IP Address. If your TV Decoder is connected to your private router, behind the ISP’s router (b-box), you will need to move the switch connection to a VLAN. Here’s how this can be done with DD-WRT router firmware (Firmware: DD-WRT v3.0-r40189 […]
MacOS Big Sur has an TFTP Client embedded. Open the Terminal app and type TFTP to execute the commands. Change to the folder with the firmware file (e.g. dd-wrt.chk). Follow the instructions on the Netgear site. see below the commands:
DuckDuckGo is a FREE web browser for iOS and works well to block advertising. Microsoft Office Lens is a FREE PDF scanner for iOS. VLC is a FREE media player with great video codec support that works well for iOS. KeePassium is a FREE password manager for iOS. MacOS Best of Breed (Freeware) […]
Synology offers a powerfull suveillance software with two free licenses to connect IP cameras. The Synology Surveillance Station software supports a large variety of IP cams and an iOS and Android APP for remote access. Once you have setup the IP cams, you can exclusively use them with the Synology […]
The Internet of Things (IoT) may introduce ‘holes’ in your home LAN. If you are concerned about this, you may opt to block the access of those devices to the Internet, provided that the management software is supporting alternate ways to control the devices, like Synology Surveillance Station. Here is […]
Source: reddit.comYou can verify your vlan2 by typing the “ifconfig” in the commands box and clicking “run commands” under Admin->Commands. Search through the output (hint: use your browser’s find/search feature!) for your WAN IP as shown in the top-right of the page. Verify the interface with that IP address is […]
Wi-Fi congestion is a very complex issue where it is not only a matter of neighbouring wifi networks but also other devices like bluetooth, microwave etc.
Use the ‘Administration’ -> ‘Commands’ feature to run the LED controls commands. LED Control on my R7000 (build 39960M) was successful with the following commands: # Disable four LAN LEDs et robowr 0x0 0x18 0x1ff et robowr 0x0 0x18 0x0 et robowr 0x0 0x1a 0x0 # disable WPS button LED […]
Configure a Guest WiFi network with dd-wrt firmwareRefer to the the tutorials:‘Guest Network on the DD-WRT Wiki‘ and‘Guest WiFi + abuse control for beginners‘ My objective of a guest network is to offer isolated, yet protected, access to the Internet. Guest users should not have access to my private LAN. […]
Wireless settings used, based on other user’s recommendations.Read also the dd-wrt.com wiki. Basic Settings:Regulatory Domain – BE (obviously change this to your country’s setting)Regulatory Mode – offTPC Mitigation Factor – 0 (2.4ghz)Wireless Mode – APWireless Network Mode – NG-MixedWireless Channel – 1, 6, or 11 (use the least crowded in […]
Apple has removed iTunes on macOS Catalina and replaced the music library part by a Music app. The iTunes ‘backend’ files like the Library.itl file to keep track of play counts, star ratings, and other metadata and a couple of .itdb database files to keep track of Genius playlists are […]
Synology DSM 7.0.1. settings that do the job for me File Services settings: Minimum SMB protocol: SMB1 + NTLMv1 enabledon a Synology NAS with DSM version 7 you need to set SMBv1 as minimum and turn on the NTLMv1 authentication protocol Login settings:Guest account with only read permissions to the music library folder(s). […]
Who said the best things in life come for free? They do, check out my favourite FREEWARE list below. The list is built of applications and tools that I am using or I have deployed. While many alternatives may exist, these are the ones that do the job for me. […]
Who deals in Belgium with security incidents? (Spanish residents should read my post Cyber security in Spain) The Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium (CCB) is the central authority for cybersecurity in Belgium: Companies can get help from “The Cyber Security Coalition” and should contact CERT.be to report a security incident. Individuals […]
Synology can connect to the Internet through the OpenVPN protocol. Configure the network interface and create a VPN profile: for VyprVPN follow the “VyprVPN OpenVPN Setup for Synology NAS instructions“ for NordVPN follow these instructions. select the recommended server the OpenVPN configuration files can be downloaded here: https://nordvpn.com/api/files/zip Once the profile […]
Mac users may have lots of valuable data stored on their precious device. Unless you are sharing this data on a cloud, you are prone to data loss. Here are some housekeeping rules I am using to mitigate the risks of such data loss, without the use of cloud services, […]
Radio streaming URLs are used by audio streamers and may change over time. Logitech’s Squeezebox and SONOS support the TuneIn app which offers a wide choice of radio stations. MP3 is the most common and most compatible audio format but also AAC, a hi quality format, is used. You can […]
PPTP VPN Server Configuration The PPTP (Point-To-Point Tunneling Protocol) Server allows to connect securely from a remote location and is built in the DD-WRT firmware (Firmware Version: DD-WRT v24-sp2 (10/06/14) kongac – build 25015M-SP1). The VPN Server setup is very straightforward and well documented on the dedicated DD-WRT pages. Works […]
Fraudsters frequently use tactics such as fake phone calls, texts and emails to obtain your information, perhaps claiming to represent your bank, your utility companies, or even the police. To maintain your personal and financial security, be sure to be on your guard for: • Vishing: a telephone call from […]
Get the best out of your wi-fi access point and router by choosing the right place in your home.The best place may not always be convenient for you, so it may need some extra cabling between your ISP’s modem and your wi-fi router. But even the best router on the […]
The B-box modems are used by Belgacom to support the triple play service offers (telephone, TV and Internet).
The DD-WRT firmware Version v3.0-r30082 and DD-WRT v3.0-r39960M kongac (06/08/19) includes VPN Client support. These are the steps that did the job to use the PureVPN client. Other clients like the NordVPN, the vyprVPN or the ExpressVPN client may work as well. Logon to the router and first make a […]
Expats and globetrotters may face a challenge to watch their favourite programmes from home, while accessing the Internet from abroad. You will need a stable and high speed local Internet connection to make the VPN work. If you have a router with DD-WRT firmware, read my post for VPN Clients […]
APN settings for mobile Internet providers in the Canary Islands: simyo 4G on Orange (roaming) APN settings for Orange World APN:orangeworld Username: orange Password: ****** MCC: 214 MNC: 03 Authentication type: PAP APN type: internet Orange 4G on Orange (roaming) APN (Android – portable hotspot) settings for Orange World […]
Where does Mac OS X store data files? Mail files are stored in (hidden) Library sub-directories ~/Library/Mail~/Library/Mail/V6 (Mojave) mail preferences are in the ‘com.apple.mail.plist’ file, stored in the /Library/Preferences directory more details can be found at about tech Contacts are stored in (hidden) Library Application sub-directories ~/Library/Application Support/AddressBook Calendar files […]
How to remove the Windows 10 Upgrade Notification If your PC runs Windows 7, Microsoft may send you notifications to upgrade to Windows 10. In case you do not want to upgrade and want to get rid of the notifications, you can follow these steps:
A Microsoft Exchange hosted mailbox uses an .ost file to replicate and store local data in Outlook. Outlook will not open if the .ost Offline Folder file is damaged. In this case you can either try to repair the .ost file or delete it and resynchronise the data. To repair […]
Copy content from your iPod to your Mac The article below helped me succesfully copy all content from an iPod nano (5th generation) and iPod classic (5th generation) to a Macbook Air with OS X Mavericks and iTunes 11.1.5 (5). About.com article
Safer browsing on the Internet If you are concerned about the ´behind the scenes´ of your Internet access, you may apply the following changes on your network: Check your pc or mac for IP leaks and see what your give away on information: IP/DNS Detection.
Spotify Spotify offers streaming music and holds a vast choice of popular music. You can download Spotify for free and then log onto their service enabling the on-demand streaming of music. While the use of a facebook account is suggested, it is not mandatory and you can sign up for […]
iTunes Audio protection removal These steps explain how the iTunes Audio protection can be removed. Note that this should only be used for backup purposes only (in case Apple ID’s are lost) and copywrite laws should be respected. (Dutch version) 1. Adjust the import settings The Protected AAC audio files are only @ […]
AAC audio file: This is a standard AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) file. It can be created by the iTunes built-in AAC encoder. Matched AAC audio file: This is a standard AAC audio file, downloaded from an iCloud account, using iTunes Match. MPEG audio file: This is a standard MP3 file. It can be created by using the iTunes built-in MP3 […]
iTunes 11 – Error -42110 When starting iTunes 10.x or 11.x you may get an error code -42110 or error code -4831. This error can be fixed by removing the SC Info folder. Instructions how to proceed can be found in the iTunes troubleshooting document TS1389 (refer to the ‘Remove the SC Info folder’ […]
How to convert iTunes Protected AAC Audio files Early shoppers on iTunes may still own Protected AAC Audio songs. These tracks cannot be converted from within iTunes and may not play on non-Apple branded media players. I have used two different ways to convert these Protected AAC Audio tracks: Obviously, the […]
Hyperlinks in Outlook messages do not open Links in outlook messages may stop working. This often happens when a browser has been removed or added. Microsoft has recognized this problem and provides a fix for this. Registry fixes are also available from MSOutlook.info.
Smartphone email settings Former Narfum IT Services users should use the following settings on their smartphone (iPhone or Android): Incoming Mail Server Settings (to receive emails) Outgoing Mail Server Settings (to send emails)
Belgacom PhoneMail™ user guides for Belgacom fixed line PhoneMail are available here: French version Dutch version
File Transfer and Download Tools To transfer big files, try https://www.wetransfer.com/ To extract sound or video, try http://offliberty.com/ https://tuberipper.com/ Note that all these sites are free services and you will have to agree with their terms and conditions for sharing your information on the Internet.
Microsoft Outlook 2007 with GMAIL and AVAST Since both GMAIL and AVAST (Anti-Virus) both use SSL, you need to tweak the account settings in Microsoft Outlook to make your authentication work. In summary: use the standard settings for a gmail account in Outlook and configure the SSL settings for a […]
Audacity with RealTek Audiomixer Using Audacity with RealTek Audiomixer on Windows Vista may need some tweaking. Check in the system tray, the Audiomixer settings: right-click on the speaker icon in the system tray and select volume control right-click on the speaker icon in the system tray and select sound […]
Recording with Audacity (version 1.2.6) Retrieving the files: Audacity is a freeware application that allows to record any audio played on your pc. Download the application from the project site. By default, the records can be saved in ‘wav’ format. To save the recording in ‘mp3‘ format, you must install […]
Disable VoIP on a Belgacom b-box2 The Belgacom b-box2 comes with VoIP enabled. If you do not use these services, you may disable this service. In this example, the b-box2 is used with two TV decoders connected and in Bridge Mode, Wi-Fi and DHCP disabled. 1) Logon to the b-box […]
Define four LAN ports on a Belgacom b-box2 By default, the Belgacom b-box is configured for two PCs ports and two TV (decoder) ports (see lay-out). However, the LAN ports can be redefined. You can follow these steps on a b-box2: 1) Logon to the b-box The default adress of […]
Define four LAN ports on a Belgacom b-box By default, the Belgacom b-box is configured for two PCs ports and two TV (decoder) ports (see lay-out). However, the LAN ports can be redefined. You can follow these steps on a b-box: 1) Logon to the b-box The default adress of […]
Microsoft Outlook 2007 with GMAIL accounts Using a GMAIL account in Outlook requires specific settings both in the client and your account settings: GMAIL Account Settings: – make sure that IMAP/POP SUPPORT is enabled in your GMAIL Account settings (Forwarding and POP/IMAP) note: ‘Enable POP’ will work as well but […]
Is it safe? No matter the OS platform you selected, a good Anti-Virus scanner is necessary when you connect to the Internet. This especially applies when you exchange information with attachments. Always keep the virus scanner up-to-date. It’s good practice to, at least once a week, check for virus definition […]
‘501 Method Not Implemented’ error may occur when the firewall blocks any of your pages with scripting language. This occured on one of my pages which included a script for a weather magnet. To fix the error, it requires the server administrator to add an exception rule for ‘wp-admin/post.php’ in […]
Best of breed software Who said the best things in life come for free? They do, check out my favourite FREEWARE list below. The list is built of applications and tools that I am using or I have deployed. While many alternatives may exist, these are the ones that do […]
Belgacom b-box connections These are the connections on a bbox and what they are used for: DSL (blue labeled) is used to connect your adsl line output of your phone line note: this is the line that comes from your adls-filter PHONE1 and PHONE2 (blue labeled) are used to connect […]
Switch a Belgacom b-box2 into bridge mode These instructions apply to a b-box2 with the firmware listed below: Follow these steps to switch a Belgacom b-box router into bridge mode: Connect to the router and logon to the Admin interface . Before changing any of the b-box settings, make a […]
iTunes 9 may not start after a clean install and display the error “Apple Application Support was not found”. This module can be separately installed. Download the latest iTunes version. Use a file decompression programme (such as winzip or winrar) to extract the module from ‘iTunesSetup.exe’. Copy the file ‘AppleApplicationSupport.msi’ […]
iTunes 9 may not start properly in a Windows environment and display the error message “iTunes was not installed properly. Please re-install iTunes. (Error 7).” This is not only related to Windows 7 or Vista but may also occur on Windows XP. To fix this error you may need to […]
Using Firefox 3.0.x to connect to the Netgear Wireless Accesspoint WPN802v2, may fail due to an invalid security certificate error
Squeezebox iTunes integration Squeezebox Server supports iTunes libraries and playlists. It can fully integrate the music library, without scanning the music folders. To make this work correctly, enter the location of the iTunes library. You can do this by following these steps (make sure the Squeezebox Server is running): 1) […]