T-SQL to find Backup or Restore Progress

Here is a script that comes handy while performing a huge database Backup or Restore. This script provides the details on the progress of the Backup or Restore operation including the estimated finish time.

SELECT 
   session_id AS SPID, command AS [Command], a.text AS Query, start_time AS [Start Time], 
   percent_complete AS [Percent Complete],
   dateadd(second,estimated_completion_time/1000, getdate()) AS [Estimated Completion Time]
FROM sys.dm_exec_requests r 
   CROSS APPLY sys.dm_exec_sql_text(r.sql_handle) a 
WHERE r.command like 'BACKUP%' OR r.command like 'RESTORE%') 

T-SQL to find Navigation path in CMS

In large enterprises there will be huge number of SQL servers which will be registered within a Central Management Server (CMS) and times it may become difficult to find out where the server is registered atleast for new team members in the Huge pile of servers and folder structure. This query give you the path where the specified servers is registered within the CMS.

DECLARE @ServerName nvarchar(50)
SET @ServerName='SQL01';

WITH CMSCTE
AS
(
--Anchor
SELECT server_group_id, name, description, parent_id, 1 AS [Level], CAST((name) AS VARCHAR(MAX)) AS CMSPath
FROM msdb.dbo.sysmanagement_shared_server_groups AS A
WHERE parent_id IS NULL
UNION ALL
--Recursive Member
SELECT B.server_group_id, B.name, B.description, B.parent_id, C.[level] + 1 AS [Level], CAST((C.CMSPath + '->' + B.Name) AS VARCHAR(MAX)) AS CMSPath
FROM msdb.dbo.sysmanagement_shared_server_groups AS B
JOIN CMSCTE AS C 
ON B.parent_id = C.server_group_id  
)

SELECT TOP 1 CMSPath AS 'Path in CMS' , B.name as 'Server Name', B.description AS 'Server Description', A.name AS 'Group Name', A.description AS 'Group Description'
FROM CMSCTE AS A
INNER JOIN msdb.dbo.sysmanagement_shared_registered_servers AS B
ON A.server_group_id=B.server_group_id
WHERE B.name = @ServerName
ORDER BY [Level] DESC

T-SQL to find Remote Server Name of the linked server

At times it happens that you might have named a linked server with a friendly name that the actual server name. As the time flies and people change in the team, it will become difficult to identify how or to where this is linked.  You can find the information using the sp_linkedservers stored procedure but what if the linked server configured uses a entirely different DNS name than the actual server? The below query helps to get the Remote Server Name with few other details when run against a linked server.  

DECLARE @linkedServerName varchar(100), @sql varchar(max)
SET @linkedServerName='Your Linked Server Name'
SET @sql = CONCAT('SELECT * FROM OPENQUERY([',@linkedServerName , '], 
''SELECT ''''',@linkedServerName,''''' AS LinkedServerName, 
@@SERVERNAME AS RemoteServerName, SUSER_SNAME() AS ConnectedWith, DB_NAME() AS DefaultDB'')')
EXEC (@sql)

Disable Auto-Forwarding of e-Mails to external domain in Office 365

e-Mails are one of the most critical components and infrastructure of any business in the current day and age. e-Mails can bring in business as well as loss if misused. A lot of data theft can happens via e-Mails and it becomes most important to safegaurd the e-Mail infrastructure.
If a hacker gains access to a user's mailbox, they can auto-forward the user's email to an outside address and steal proprietary information.
One such step in safegaurding the data that leaks via emails is to disable the Auto-Forwarding of e-Mails to external domains.

To Disable Auto-Forwarding of e-Mails to External Domains in Office 365, Create a Transport Rule as below

• From the Microsoft 365 admin center, Select Exchange --> Mail Flow --> Select the Rules tab --> Click on the plus sign and Choose "Create a new rule"
• Name your new rule and Select More options
• Click on the drop-down for "Apply this rule if", Select the "Recipient", and then "is external/internal"
• Select "Outside the organization" and click OK
• Click "add condition" and Click on the drop-down, Select "The message properties", then select "include the message type"
• Open the select message type drop-down, choose "Auto-forward" and click OK.
• Open the "Do the following" drop-down, select "Block the message", then choose "reject the message and include an explanation"
• Enter the message text for your explanation that you want to show to your users, then select OK.
• Scroll to the bottom and select Save

This newly created Transport Rule will now start blocking the Auto-Forwarding of e-Mails to external domains.

Importance of Identity Verification for Mobile Devices - A guest Post by Maxwell Donovan

In the world today, almost every grown-up owns a mobile phone, and more than half of them are smartphones with a lot of sensitive data. For the multitude of persons with a mobile device, data security is one of the most critical issues with using one. Whether you own an Android or IOS device, Identity verification should be part of the features you should look out for in a phone.

Security features in modern smartphones include an identity verification system that prevents unwanted entry and access into the user area. In most cases, a password is required to gain access to the phone, which can only be provided by the owner. Identity verification for mobile devices is highly essential, and it doesn't matter if you are tech-savvy or not, there are a lot of things you can do to safeguard your data from hackers.

With a password feature installed on your phone, you certainly can prevent a stranger from getting into your mobile phone, or your partner from reading your messages. And you get the assurance that you don't have to worry about losing sensitive information in a situation when your mobile device goes missing. There are different types of security features available in smartphones for use in identity verification. Some mobile devices enable fingerprint and retina scans that make it easy to lock and unlock a mobile device quickly. Some features require you to enter a passcode or draw a pattern to gain access to the phone. There is also the option of voice activation where you speak, and the voice recognition system gets to work.

Identity verification also plays a significant role in corporate security, where it helps to prevent the loss or theft of sensitive information and data. It would be easy for hackers to gain access to company profiles and records if not for security features that prevent the invasion of their privacy. Top secret government activities will also not be left out as hackers are continually crawling the web for loopholes to gather information or leverage. In the workplace, it could also help to keep customers out of employee-only areas. The use of keycards with microchips in them could prevent unwanted entry into private areas of the business. 

Business owners could also benefit from the use of security systems with identity verification features that control the movement of persons inside the building. You could also get security cameras fitted with an identity verification system. It works by simply checking the faces of each person that looks into it and running it through a facial recognition system. A lot of shop owners are taking their business online, and this means that they are using their mobile devices more frequently for their business activities. 

There are malware and viruses that can corrupt mobile devices from browsing online, and while security features can help to keep you safe, you should also consider the kind of defensive system you choose for your device. 

One of the importance of identity verification for mobile devices is that it prevents identity theft. A single breach in your mobile device by a skilled hacker can expose your identity and sensitive information like your financial and bank details. They can also access your emails, social media handles, and health records. 

There is a lot you can lose if someone should steal your identity even for a few minutes, so you should take necessary precautionary measures to prevent any form of unwanted entry into your mobile device. You can start by using a mobile device with an identity verification system as part of its security features.

https://www.mobilepaymentstoday.com/blogs/the-role-of-mobile-smartphones-in-identity-verification/

https://blog.gemalto.com/mobile/2018/02/05/10-reasons-identity-verification-matters-mobile-network-operators/

About Maxwell Donovan

Maxwell Donovan is a regular writer and blogger. He works for a Conference organization. His prime errand is to discover the correct group of spectators for the conference and different business occasions. These conference and occasions are basically held at top meeting settings in India. You can find him at Facebook and Twitter or you can read this article.