Week 8 Blog Post - My Internet Got Crazy Fast with AT&T Fiber

Today I’m talking about fiber optics and why I love having AT&T Fiber at home. Fiber optic internet is a type of connection that sends data through tiny strands of glass using light. That light bounces through the cables super fast, kind of like how a flashlight beam can bounce between mirrors. This lets data travel way faster and cleaner than regular internet that uses old copper wires. It also means your signal does not slow down as much over long distances, and it is not affected as easily by things like bad weather or interference. Ever since I got AT&T Fiber, my internet has been running like a dream. No lag, no buffering, and I can stream, game, and work online all at the same time without the system even flinching. When I play Fortnite, my ping is usually around 12 to 15, which is way better than what I used to get.

What I like most is that everything just works. I can upload and download stuff quickly, and it does not slow down even when multiple devices are going at once. Whether I am on a video call, watching a show, or playing games, the connection stays strong. I used to think internet was just internet, but now I see how much of a difference fiber makes. If it is available where you live, it is totally worth it.

References:

HowStuffWorks. (n.d.). How fiber optics work. Retrieved July 20, 2025, from https://computer.howstuffworks.com/fiber-optic.htm

AT&T. (2024). What is fiber internet? Retrieved July 20, 2025, from https://www.att.com/internet/what-is-fiber-internet/

Crucial. (2024). How fiber-optic internet works. Retrieved July 20, 2025, from https://www.crucial.com/articles/about-memory/how-fiber-optic-internet-works

Week 7 Blog Post - Virtualization 101

Virtualization 101

Virtualization is the process of running a virtual computer inside your physical computer using special software. This allows one machine to act like multiple separate systems, each with its own operating system and files. It is commonly used in IT for testing, learning, and running programs safely without affecting the main system. A virtual machine, or VM, is a software-based computer that runs like a real one. You can install an operating system on it, use programs, and even make mistakes without causing problems for your actual computer. Programs like VirtualBox make it easy to get started. You create a virtual machine, install something like Linux or another version of Windows, and then use it just like a regular desktop. One of the biggest benefits of virtualization is safety. If something goes wrong inside the VM, you can reset it without losing anything important. It is also a great way to practice skills and explore new systems. For anyone new to computer hardware and software, virtualization is a helpful tool that can make learning easier and safer.

References:

Oracle. (2025). VirtualBox. https://www.virtualbox.org/

Meyers, M. (2019). CompTIA A+ certification all-in-one exam guide (10th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

YouTube. (2012, February 3). Introduction to Virtualization [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLJbP6vBk2M 

Week 6 Blog Post - Users, Groups & Permissions (A Newbie's Guide)

Users, Groups & Permissions:

If you’ve ever used a computer at work or shared one at home, you might have bumped into the terms such as users, groups, and permissions. These are just ways to control who can do what on a computer, which helps keep things safe.

What is a user?

A user is someone who has their own login account on a computer or network. Every user gets their own space and identity.

What are groups?

A group is a collection of users. Instead of setting up permissions one by one, you put people in groups like “Managers” or “Staff” and give permissions to the whole group; much easier to manage.

Microsoft explains that security groups allow admins to assign permissions to shared files, folders, printers, and more. Once a group has certain permissions, every user in it gets those rights too.

What are permissions?

Permissions are the actual rules that decide what users or groups can do. The basic levels are things like:

• Read (view files)

• Write (save changes)

• Modify (change or delete)

• Full control (do everything)

Permissions are part of Windows’ NTFS file system, which handles local and network access. The most restrictive permission between NTFS and network-sharing rules is what users actually get.

So why does any of this matter?

Setting up users, groups, and permissions properly protects your files. It prevents people from accidentally deleting stuff or accessing areas they shouldn’t. It keeps things organized, safe, and under control. For anyone using Windows, at home or at work, this is a simple way to make sure your computer stays secure.

References:

Dell. (2023, February 3). Understanding file and folder permissions in Windows. Dell Support. Retrieved July 6, 2025, from https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000137238/understanding-file-and-folder-permissions-in-windows

Microsoft. (2024, May 10). Understand security groups. Microsoft Learn. Retrieved July 6, 2025, from https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/manage/understand-security-groups

Netwrix. (2022, April 25). Windows user management: Key tips and best practices. Netwrix. Retrieved July 6, 2025, from https://blog.netwrix.com/windows-user-management/