New Insurance Industry Technology Requirements

Is Your Business Meeting New Insurance Industry Technology Requirements?

Insurance Providers Are Changing the Rules

More insurance carriers are now requiring regular IT maintenance; even if you're not experiencing any active issues. This isn't just a recommendation anymore; it's becoming a mandatory condition for maintaining coverage under HITECH, HIPAA, and other technical compliance standards.

The reason? Preventative maintenance significantly reduces the risk of data breaches, system failures, and costly downtime. Insurance providers recognize that businesses with regular IT check-ups file fewer claims and recover faster from incidents.

Preventative Maintenance Isn’t Optional;

It’s Business Survival

Imagine walking into a client's office only to find their entire operation grinding to a halt, all because they're running a 26-year-old software suite... 

Sound extreme? 

It's not. 

It's a reality for many IT professionals.

Account Hacking at All-Time Highs

SECURITY ALERT:

Account Hacking at All-Time Highs

The numbers are alarming:

• Cyberattacks happen every 39 seconds
• Password attacks have surged to 7,000 attempts per second
• 40% of cyberattacks are now AI-driven and more sophisticated than ever
• 75% of attacks start with your EMAIL

Your accounts ARE being targeted,
RIGHT NOW!

Windows 10 & 11: Security Policies Block Unauthenticated Guest Access - FIX!

Fixing SMB Guest Access Issues on Windows:

 Registry, Group Policy, and Server-Side

If you're trying to access an SMB share from Windows and getting blocked due to guest access restrictions, you're not alone. Microsoft tightened SMB security in recent versions of Windows, disabling insecure guest logons by default. While this improves security, it can break access to older or misconfigured servers — including setups like CasaOS or ZimaBoard.

Here are a few ways to fix it, ranging from quick registry tweaks to more secure server-side adjustments.

OPNsense Installation Guide

 

OPNsense Installation Guide (ISO)

If you're looking to take control of your network with enterprise-grade tools, installing OPNsense is a powerful first step. Whether you're setting up a home lab, securing a small business network, or just want better visibility and filtering, this guide walks you through the full installation process; from hardware prep to post-install configuration. With just a few components and a bit of time, you’ll be ready to deploy a firewall and DNS solution that rivals commercial offerings.

OPNsense DNS Server Setup via ProxMox

 

Private DNS Server & Traffic Monitoring:
OPNsense VM on ProxMox

Setting up a secure and intelligent home network doesn’t have to be complicated. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to deploy OPNsense on Proxmox as a private DNS server and traffic monitor, giving you enterprise-grade filtering, visibility, and control; right from your living room. Whether you're looking to block ads, monitor bandwidth, or enhance your network’s security posture, this setup offers a powerful and flexible solution without replacing your existing router.

Raspberry Pi 4 Overclocking

🎯 Overview

This tutorial will guide you through safely overclocking your Raspberry Pi 4 for maximum performance. We'll start conservative and work up to more aggressive settings.

A Complete Guide To SSD Cache Types

 

Understanding SSD Cache Types:
Complete Guide to SLC, MLC, TLC, QLC, and More

When shopping for an SSD, you'll encounter a bewildering array of acronyms: SLC, MLC, TLC, QLC, and various caching technologies. Understanding these different memory types and caching strategies is crucial for making informed decisions about storage performance, endurance, and value. Let's break down everything you need to know about SSD cache types and technologies.

Enroll in the Windows 10 ESU Program

Enroll in the Windows 10 ESU Program:

Free & Paid Options

💡 What Is the Windows 10 ESU Program?

As Windows 10 approaches its end-of-support date on October 14, 2025, many users and organizations are wondering how to keep their systems secure. Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program offers a solution; and the good news is, some users may qualify for free access. This guide walks you through both the free and paid enrollment options, with clear steps and helpful visuals to make the process simple.

The Extended Security Updates (ESU) program allows individuals and organizations to continue receiving critical and important security updates for Windows 10 devices after official support ends on October 14, 2025.

Complete Spam Filtering Guide

Complete Spam Filtering Guide for
Common & Local Email Services

In our interconnected digital world, email remains an essential communication tool for both personal and professional use. However, spam and phishing attempts continue to plague inboxes across all email platforms. While major email providers offer built-in spam protection, understanding how to optimize these settings and create additional safeguards is crucial for maintaining a clean, secure inbox.

Ensure Spam Filtering Is Active & Set-Up: Microsoft Outlook

Ensure Spam Filtering Is Active & Set-Up Correctly in Microsoft Outlook

In today’s digital workplace, email remains a critical communication tool, but it’s also a prime target for spam and phishing attacks. While Microsoft Outlook offers robust built-in spam filtering, no system is perfect. Some unwanted messages inevitably slip through the cracks, cluttering your inbox and potentially posing security risks.

This guide walks you through two essential strategies to keep your inbox clean and secure:Ensuring Outlook’s spam filtering is active and properly configured.
Creating custom rules to catch and remove spam that evades automatic detection.

Troubleshoot Mac Scanning Problems & Issues

 

Scanning on Your Mac Not Working?

Here's How to Try to Fix It!

If your printer or scanner won't scan to your Mac/Apple computer anymore, try these steps to hopefully get things fixed:

Portable Sysinternals Suite System Tester

As IT professionals, we've all been there: you're troubleshooting a client's computer, performing routine maintenance, or trying to quickly assess a system's health before handing it back to a customer. Traditional diagnostic tools often require installation, leave traces on the system, or produce verbose outputs filled with technical jargon that clients don't need to see.

Enter the Portable Sysinternals Suite System Tester! A game-changing PowerShell toolkit that transforms how we approach Windows system diagnostics. This thumb-drive friendly solution combines the power of Microsoft's renowned Sysinternals Suite with built-in Windows tools to deliver comprehensive system health reports without leaving a footprint on the target machine.

https://github.com/Pnwcomputers/SystemTester

How Supply Chain Attacks Can Bypass Your Best Security Measures

 

The Hidden Threat:

How Supply Chain Attacks Can Bypass Your Best Security Measures

In the world of cybersecurity, organizations invest millions in firewalls, endpoint protection, network monitoring, and employee training. Yet some of the most devastating breaches in recent history have occurred not through brute force attacks on these defenses, but by targeting something far more insidious: the supply chain itself. Supply chain attacks represent a fundamental shift in the threat landscape, demonstrating how attackers can completely circumvent even the most robust security measures by compromising the very tools and systems we trust to keep us safe.

Windows PC Clean-up and Tune-up Guide - 2025 Update

 

Full & Complete Windows PC Clean-up Guide

Overview

This guide provides a systematic approach to cleaning, securing, and optimizing a Windows PC using both built-in tools and trusted third-party utilities. Follow these steps in order for best results.

Prerequisites

• Administrator access to the Windows PC
• Stable internet connection for downloads and updates
• Create System Restore Point before beginning

Solving OneDrive For Business (Work/School) Errors & Issues

Solving OneDrive For Business Issues:

A Complete Troubleshooting Guide

OneDrive for Business is an essential tool for workplace collaboration, but like any cloud service, it can sometimes hit snags that disrupt your workflow. Whether you're dealing with sync issues, account confusion, or the dreaded "Cloud Provider Not Connected" error, this comprehensive guide will help you get back on track quickly.

The Most Common OneDrive Business Problems

Before diving into solutions, it's important to understand that most OneDrive issues stem from a few common sources: account mismatches, version confusion between personal and business accounts, connectivity problems, or corrupted sync processes. The good news? Most of these issues have straightforward fixes.

Clean-room Level Data Recovery Service: That's NOT a Rip Off!

In over 20 years of working with technology and data, I’ve encountered just about every kind of storage failure imaginable; from corrupted file systems to physically damaged drives. And while there are countless data recovery companies out there who would LOVE to charge you an obscene fortune to "help" you get your data back, one Company has gone against that trend has consistently stood out to me, HDD Recovery Services out of Ottawa, Canada: https://www.hddrecovery.ca/

Apple Phasing Out Network-Based Time Capsule, Time Machine Backups

The End of an Era:
Apple is Phasing Out Network-Based Time Capsule, Time Machine Backups

Apple is making a decisive shift in how macOS handles backups, and it’s a move that’s leaving many longtime users of Time Capsule and AirPort hardware with tough decisions. With the introduction of macOS 27, Apple will officially drop support for Time Machine backups over network-connected Time Capsule disks.
https://9to5mac.com/2025/06/10/time-machine-backup-macos/

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256112267

https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/06/10/time-machines-time-capsule-support-ends-with-macos-27

Why Do Hackers Target & Attack Who They Do?

It’s quite rare for the average "someone" to be targeted by a deep, sophisticated cyberattack; without a compelling reason. 

Typically, this only happens when a hacker or group expects or knows they can achieve a significant payoff if they were to attack. If they think or know they could "score" something huge through an attack, they will be far more willing to invest their time and resources into that hack, attack, and/or SCAM.

 

Windows 10 End of Support: What You Need to Know About Microsoft's Timeline and Your Options

If you're among the millions still using Windows 10, there's an important deadline approaching that could significantly impact your computer's security. Microsoft has announced that support for Windows 10 will officially end on October 14, 2025, but they've also introduced a new program that might give you more time to plan your next move.

RAID Controller HBA Mode PLUS Proxmox ZFS Setup Tutorial

RAID HBA Mode & Proxmox ZFS Setup

Overview

This tutorial covers converting a RAID controller to HBA (Host Bus Adapter) mode and setting up ZFS storage in Proxmox. HBA mode allows ZFS to directly manage individual drives, providing better performance and ZFS's advanced features.

A Free Solution for Windows Driver Management

.

Snappy Driver Installer Origin:

A Free Solution for Windows OS Driver Management, ID & Installation

Windows device drivers can be a pain to identify, find, and obtain. When "bait" sites promise to provide needed drivers but deliver malware instead, or when Windows Device Manager fails to accurately identify a device that needs a driver, finding the right solution can feel impossible. More recently, I've run into support access limitations with commercial-grade systems and servers, where a corporate or partner account is required just to access necessary hardware drivers for a device.

That's where a free and completely open-source application called Snappy Driver Installer Origin (SDIO) comes to the rescue.

Maximize Your Digital Privacy

 

How to Maximize Your Digital Privacy in Today's Connected World

In recent months, I've noticed a surge in customer inquiries about online privacy and data security. Questions like "How can I keep my online accounts more secure?" and "I want to browse the internet as anonymously as possible; how do I do that?" have become increasingly common. The growing concern about personal data removal from the internet reflects our collective awakening to digital privacy risks.

This comprehensive guide covers the fundamentals of online privacy, practical steps to enhance your digital security, and methods for removing personal information from the internet.

ProxMox VE: Installation & Free Edition Configuration

Setting Up ProxMox VE:

Installation and Free Edition Configuration

ProxMox Virtual Environment (VE) is a powerful open-source virtualization platform that combines KVM virtualization and LXC containers on a single platform. Whether you're building a homelab or deploying enterprise infrastructure, ProxMox offers enterprise-grade features without the enterprise price tag.

In this guide, we'll walk through the essential steps for installing ProxMox and configuring it for the free edition, including the crucial repository fixes that every non-subscription user needs to know.

Server USB Boot & RAID Controller Access

Server Boot Methods:

USB Boot and RAID Controller Access

When working with servers, especially during initial setup or maintenance, you'll frequently need to boot from USB devices and access RAID controller configurations. This guide tries to help cover the essential methods for both operations across different server platforms.

Email Account Security Audit Guide

Your email account is often the master key to your digital life. It's used for password resets, financial notifications, work communications, and personal correspondence. A compromised email account can lead to identity theft, financial loss, and privacy breaches. This guide will help you audit your email security and implement strong protection measures.

Network Rack Upgrade

After 2 months of careful planning, part sourcing, and even some 3D printing magic, my freshly upgraded network rack is finally live! From a robust Tecmojo 12U frame to a lineup of SBCs and mini-PCs, every component has been placed with purpose. In this post, I’ll walk you through the hardware, share product links, and highlight the key modules that bring my homelab, and the Pacific Northwest Computers’ infrastructure, to life!!

*None of the links are affiliate links or anything! I am simply sharing what I used in this project!

Circuit Simulation & PCB Design Tools

In the fast-paced world of electronics design, having the right tools at your fingertips can make all the difference between a concept that stays on paper and one that comes to life. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned pro, circuit simulation and PCB design software help you prototype, test, and refine your ideas before you ever send files off for fabrication. Below is a curated roundup of both free and professional-grade applications, complete with links and brief descriptions, so you can quickly find the right fit for your next project.

Automated System-Wide Debloating & Basic Software Installation for Windows 10/11

Introducing "DeployWorkstation"

A System-Wide/All-Users Debloating & Basic Application Installation
PowerShell Script For Windows 10 & Windows 11 Systems

IoT Devices Wireless Troubleshooting Guide

Wireless Troubleshooting Guide for IoT Devices

(Amazon Echo, Smart Home Devices, etc.)

Ensuring stable wireless connectivity is essential for the proper functioning of IoT devices. If you're experiencing issues during setup or daily use, follow this checklist to optimize your network for compatibility.

What To Do If You Are Being Cyber Stalked - How To Deal With Cyberstalking

Steps to Take if You Are Being Cyber Stalked

Does Your Device Support Wifi6 or Wifi6E

 

In this post we’ll give you a quick, jargon-free way to tell whether your current phone, laptop, desktop motherboard or router is likely to support Wi-Fi 6 or 6E, and what to do if it doesn’t. No deep dive into radio theory, just practical timelines, and some viable Wi-Fi upgrade options.

AI-Washing: The Potential Dot.Com Bubble Dejavu

AI-Washing: 

The Potential Dot.Com Bubble Dejavu...

Artificial intelligence is transforming software, but the gold-rush mentality around “AI-powered” everything has begun to look (and behave) like the dot-com bubble. Below is a concise look at the evidence, the warning signs, and what real AI work actually entails.

AI Mechanistic Interpretability

AI Mechanistic Interpretability: Why Understanding AI is Just as Important as Building It

AI is no longer just a tech race, it’s turning into an arms race. We like to think we’re teaching AI, but in many ways, we’re struggling to keep up with what AI is teaching us. As AI systems grow more powerful, we’re granting them enormous levels of trust and control; sometimes without fully understanding how they work.

And that’s a problem.

Allow a Blank User Password for Scheduled Tasks

To allow blank passwords for a scheduled task in Windows 11, you need to disable a security setting in the registry. A simple Windows Registry key controls whether blank passwords can be used for local account logins, including scheduled tasks. By disabling this setting, you can allow the scheduled task to run without a password!

Best "Bang for the Buck" Printers (ATM)

 

Looking for a new printer?

Maybe a printer that has not just high customer ratings, but also has cost-effective ink usage, and is also affordable?

Well here are some top options to consider!!

Custom Built Systems - From Over The Years...

Custom PC's I Have Built Over The Years! 

Official Printer & Scanner Support Sites

Printer & Scanner Support Sites
(Official Sites)

⚠️ Word of Warning:

Always avoid downloading drivers from unofficial sources or by using "driver update" tools or software; unless from the manufacturer! Third part "driver update" apps and software are almost ALWAYS unsafe, and ALWAYS unnecessary!

 

Scan to PC Not Working?

Here's How to Try to Fix It!

If your printer or scanner won’t scan to your computer anymore, try these steps:

Windows Network Suddenly Stops Working – Troubleshoot File/Printer Access (Easy Guide)

Windows Network Access Stops:

Troubleshoot for File/Printer Sharing

*Easy Guide for Windows 10/11

If your computer could access shared folders or printers yesterday—but suddenly can’t today—don’t worry! These steps will help you check and fix the most common things that might have gone wrong.

Windows Network Suddenly Stops Working – Troubleshoot File/Printer Access (Technical Guide)

 

Windows Network Access Stops:

Troubleshoot for File/Printer Sharing

*Advanced Guide for Windows 10/11

If a previously working Windows network suddenly stops functioning—e.g., users can no longer access server shares, mapped drives, or network printers—this guide outlines what to check to restore connectivity.

*For an easier troubleshooting tutorial, please visit/use our "Easy Guide"

Fix Windows WMI Errors & Issues

When Windows system tools or third-party apps start throwing vague errors like “Class not registered” or “WMI repository is inconsistent,” it's usually a sign that something's gone wrong with the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) system. WMI plays a critical role in diagnostics, hardware queries, and system-level management—so when it breaks, you’ll notice.

Recently, I helped a client in the music production industry who ran into a persistent issue while trying to launch Waves Central—the app used to manage his VST plugins. The error pointed straight to a WMI problem. 

Bambu Labs X1 Carbon - Mods & Upgrades

Bambu Labs X1 Carbon
- Mods & Upgrades -

The Bambu Lab X1 Carbon is already a powerhouse of a 3D printer—fast, precise, and packed with features straight out of the box. But for those of us who can’t leave "good enough" alone, there’s a whole world of mods and upgrades that can take this already impressive machine to the next level. Whether you’re chasing print quality improvements, better filament handling, easier maintenance, or just adding some personality to your setup, these hardware upgrades and 3D printable mods have something to offer. 

In this article, I’ll walk through the upgrades I’ve personally tested on my X1C—from the solid feel of the BIQU Panda Extruder to the practical (and a little goofy) additions like the Poop Bucket with Emoji. 

Let’s dive in and give the X1C a proper enthusiast’s treatment!

AMD 7800X3D, RTX 5070 Custom Computer

 

Unleash Elite Performance with
PNW Computers’ AMD & RTX
Custom PC Package!

Best Value NAS System: Turn-Key & Custom Built

Best Value Turn-Key NAS (Plug-and-Play):

QNAP TS-464

Why it's great: Best balance of performance, expandability, and value. *Hot-swap supported.

• Drives: 4x SATA 3.5"/2.5" bays (hot-swappable)

• CPU: Intel Celeron N5105 Quad-core

• RAM: 4GB DDR4 (upgradeable)

• Network: 2x 2.5GbE LAN

• Expansion: PCIe slot for 10GbE or NVMe cache card

Price: ~$1,100 *4 x 4TB HDD's

Set-Up & Prep Medicat Bootable Window PE 

1. Prepare Your Medicat USB or SSD

Download & Install Ventoy:

1. Visit the official Ventoy website and download the latest release.
2. Launch Ventoy2Disk and install it to your USB drive or external SSD.
3. Enable Secure Boot support during installation (check the box in the installer).

Add Medicat ISO Data:

1. Download the latest Medicat ISO from the official source.
2. Copy the ISO file directly to the USB/SSD (no extraction necessary).

📺 Video Tutorial:
How to Set Up Medicat on USB or External SSD

Email Address Change:

What To Do When Switching Email Providers

If you’re moving to a new email service or provider, here are the key steps we recommend to ensure a smooth transition:

 

Fix Local Windows Network Discovery & Network Device/System Access Issues

Fix Windows Network Discovery & Network Device/System Access Issues

1. Ensure Network Discovery is Enabled.

Follow these steps to ensure that network discovery is enabled:

1. Open the Control Panel.
2. Navigate to "Network and Sharing Center".
3. Click on "Change advanced sharing settings".
4. Ensure that "Turn on network discovery" and "Turn on file and printer sharing" are selected.

Microsoft Office Blocking Content of Network/OneDrive Stored Data - FIX!

Microsoft Office - Blocking Content of Network/OneDrive Stored Data

You may have noticed that Microsoft Office applications like Word or Excel will sometimes block or restrict access to files stored on network drives or OneDrive, and you’re not alone. This feature is part of Microsoft’s tightening of security defaults, and while it's meant to protect users, it can interfere with legitimate workflows—especially in shared or networked environments. Fortunately, there’s a quick workaround that allows you to safely enable access by configuring your Trusted Sites settings in Windows.

Tutorial: Virus Scans and System Cleanup (PC)

 

Tutorial: Virus Scans & System Cleanup (PC)

1. Running a Virus Scan with Windows Defender (Microsoft Defender Antivirus)

Windows 10/11:

1. Click the Start Menu and type Windows Security. Open it.

2. In the Windows Security window, click Virus & threat protection.

3. Under Current threats, click Quick Scan to immediately scan important areas of your computer.

4. For a deeper scan:

   • Click Scan options under the Current threats section.

   • Choose Full Scan and click Scan Now. (This may take 1-2 hours.)

Notes:

• Ensure that Windows is fully updated by checking Windows Update.

• Threats found will be quarantined automatically or prompt you for action.