In this episode, we examine wireless network security configurations, an important topic in the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam. You’ll learn how to change default SSIDs and passwords, choose encryption protocols like WPA2 or WPA3, and secure access with pre-shared keys.

We’ll also discuss disabling unused services, managing guest access, and ensuring that devices on the network are properly secured. These steps will prepare you to recommend or configure secure wireless networks for both the exam and real-world scenarios. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com.

Here, we focus on specific encryption use cases for mobile devices and applications, a topic within the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam. You’ll learn how mobile device encryption protects data if a device is lost or stolen, and how application-level encryption secures sensitive information within apps.

We’ll cover examples from secure messaging platforms, mobile banking apps, and enterprise applications, showing how encryption fits into broader security strategies. This knowledge will help you answer exam questions that address mobile and application security requirements. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com.

Encryption is a fundamental security tool, and this episode explains its role in protecting both data at rest and data in transit for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam. You’ll learn how file-level, disk-level, and mobile device encryption protect stored data, and how protocols like HTTPS, VPN, and secure email safeguard information during transmission.

We’ll also discuss encryption keys, algorithms, and the importance of proper key management. Mastering these concepts ensures you can identify the correct encryption method for different situations on the exam. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com.

In this episode, we cover password best practices as outlined in the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam. You’ll learn about creating strong passwords using length, complexity, and unpredictability, as well as how to avoid common mistakes like password reuse.

We’ll also discuss password managers, how they securely store credentials, and how to select a trustworthy option. Understanding these practices ensures you can answer exam questions related to authentication security and improve your own account protection. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com.

Safe browsing is a critical topic in the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam, and this episode shows you how to verify website certificates, identify secure connections, and recognize invalid or suspicious certificates. We’ll explain how HTTPS works, the role of certificate authorities, and why expired or mismatched certificates are red flags.

We’ll also discuss phishing websites and other malicious online traps, giving you practical steps for assessing website legitimacy before entering sensitive information. These skills will help you in both exam scenarios and real-world security practices. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com.

In this episode, we discuss safe software installation practices and licensing models, both of which are covered in the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam. You’ll learn how to verify software sources, check digital signatures, and follow proper installation procedures to avoid introducing malware or vulnerabilities.

We’ll also explain licensing types — including open source, proprietary, subscription, and perpetual — and the legal and ethical considerations for each. Knowing these concepts will help you answer exam questions and make responsible software decisions in the workplace. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com.

Physical security is just as important as digital safeguards, and this episode examines USB and cable lock practices for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam. We’ll explain how USB port locks prevent unauthorized device connections and how cable locks secure laptops, desktops, and other hardware against theft.

We’ll also cover scenarios where physical security controls are critical, such as public workspaces, shared offices, and mobile work environments. Understanding these tools ensures you can answer exam questions about protecting equipment from physical compromise. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com.

This episode covers device security measures that are essential knowledge for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam. You’ll learn how firewalls filter network traffic to block unauthorized access, how patch management ensures systems stay updated against vulnerabilities, and how anti-malware tools detect and remove malicious software.

We’ll discuss best practices for configuring each of these defenses and how they work together in a layered security approach. Mastering these concepts prepares you to identify and implement appropriate security solutions on both the exam and in real-world IT environments. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com.

Social engineering and phishing are among the most common threats you’ll need to identify for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam. In this episode, we’ll explain how attackers manipulate human behavior to gain unauthorized access, from deceptive emails to fraudulent phone calls and fake websites. We’ll cover real-world examples and the warning signs that indicate a possible attack.

We’ll also discuss preventative measures such as user awareness training, multi-factor authentication, and verification protocols. By learning to recognize these attacks, you’ll be better equipped to answer scenario-based exam questions and protect against one of the most prevalent threats in IT. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com.

In this episode, we examine how logs, location data, and browser history are used in system monitoring and security, all of which appear in the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam objectives. You’ll learn how system and application logs record activities for troubleshooting, compliance, and forensic investigations. We’ll also discuss the privacy and security implications of location tracking, particularly on mobile devices and connected applications.

We’ll explore how browser history can be a valuable tool for diagnosing issues but also a potential security risk if not managed properly. By understanding how to access, interpret, and protect these data sources, you’ll be prepared for exam questions and real-world situations involving user activity tracking and privacy protection. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com.

In this episode, we focus on authorization, which is distinct from authentication, as tested in the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam. Authorization determines what resources a user can access and what actions they can perform after being authenticated. You’ll learn about permission settings, access control lists, and the concept of role-based access.

We’ll also cover the principle of least privilege, which limits user permissions to only what is necessary for their role. This reduces the risk of accidental or malicious misuse of systems and data. Understanding these concepts will help you identify the right security configurations for both the exam and real-world IT environments. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com.

Authentication models are central to IT security, and this episode covers them in detail for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam. You’ll learn the differences between single-factor authentication, multifactor authentication (MFA), and single sign-on (SSO). We’ll explain how each model works, where it’s most appropriate, and the trade-offs between security and convenience.

We’ll also explore real-world examples of MFA implementations, including combinations of passwords, smart cards, and biometrics. This knowledge prepares you to recommend the right authentication approach for a given situation, both in exam scenarios and professional practice. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com.

In this episode, we discuss privacy and compliance topics that are critical for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam. You’ll learn what constitutes personally identifiable information (PII), why it must be protected, and how regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) set legal requirements for handling personal data.

We’ll cover examples of PII, from names and addresses to biometric data, and explain how misuse can lead to severe legal and reputational consequences. Knowing how to identify and protect sensitive information is a skill that will help you answer exam questions and work responsibly in any IT environment. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com.

This episode introduces one of the most fundamental security models tested in the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam — the CIA triad. You’ll learn how confidentiality ensures that data is only accessible to authorized users, integrity guarantees that information is accurate and unaltered, and availability ensures that data and systems remain accessible when needed.

We’ll also explore how these principles guide IT security strategies, from encryption and access control to backup planning and disaster recovery. Understanding the CIA triad not only prepares you for the exam but also provides a framework for making sound security decisions in any IT role. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com.

Database availability and access are critical topics in the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam, and this episode explains why. We’ll discuss how uptime is measured, the importance of high-availability configurations, and methods like clustering and replication that ensure databases remain accessible even in the event of hardware or network failures.

We’ll also cover access models, including online versus offline databases, read-only versus read/write permissions, and controlled access through authentication mechanisms. This knowledge helps you evaluate database solutions for both reliability and security in professional IT environments. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com.

In this episode, we explore different storage location options as covered in the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam. You’ll learn how local storage, such as internal hard drives and SSDs, offers speed and direct control but may be limited in capacity or vulnerable to hardware failure. We’ll compare this with cloud storage, which provides scalability, remote accessibility, and redundancy, but depends heavily on internet connectivity and vendor security.

We’ll also discuss portable storage devices, including USB flash drives, external hard drives, and SD cards, which are ideal for backups, transfers, and offline access. Understanding the pros and cons of each method prepares you to select the most appropriate storage location for specific needs and to answer scenario-based questions accurately on the exam. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com.

Backups are critical to data protection, and this episode covers the core concepts tested in the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam. You’ll learn about different backup types, including file-level, system-level, and image-based backups, as well as their respective recovery processes.

We’ll also cover the importance of backup schedules, off-site storage, and periodic testing to ensure data can be restored when needed. This knowledge prepares you to select the most appropriate backup method for a given situation, both on the exam and in professional IT practice. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com.

In this episode, we examine non-relational databases and their importance in the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam. Key/value stores and document databases offer flexible structures ideal for handling unstructured or semi-structured data, such as logs, multimedia content, or JSON documents.

We’ll compare these models to relational systems, explaining why they’re often chosen for high-performance web applications and large-scale distributed environments. Knowing when to recommend non-relational options will help you answer scenario-based questions with precision. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com.

This episode breaks down relational database structure for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification exam. You’ll learn how data is organized into tables, with each table consisting of fields (columns) and records (rows). We’ll explain the roles of primary keys, which uniquely identify records, and foreign keys, which establish relationships between tables.

We’ll also explore constraints that enforce data accuracy, such as requiring values to be unique or non-empty. Mastering these relational concepts will prepare you for questions involving database design and query interpretation. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com.