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Block ads on your mobile device with DNS over HTTPS

DNS over HTTPS (DoH) is a relatively new protocol for performing DNS queries over the HTTPS protocol. With iOS 14 (and macOS Big Sur) now natively supporting DoH, you can now force your device to use a custom DNS server - even while you’re using cellular data. You’re no longer stuck using whatever DNS server your cellular carrier maintains. Pre...

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Samsung TV Stops Automatically Connecting to Samsung Bluetooth Soundbar

I have a Samsung KU6300 series smart TV which I bought from Best Buy a few years ago, along with a Samsung MM55 soundbar that I picked up from Costco. The soundbar pairs with the TV via bluetooth, and automatically turns on with the television. The only connection to the soundbar is for power - I do not use HDMI ARC, optical input, etc. This w...

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macOS Jumpcloud LDAP Configuration

I’ve been toying with the idea of setting up a directory server to handle authentication across my entire network. However, setting up a LDAP or Active Directory server comes with it’s own challenges around ensuring availablility, backups, etc. I have a somewhat complex network - three different sites, and multiple off-site users connecting via ...

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2019 MacBook Pro + Radeon 5500m Issues

This post is to document a handful of issues I’ve experienced with my 2019 MacBook Pro surrounding the GPU. System Specs Mac: 2019 16” MacBook Pro GPU: AMD Radeon Pro 5500M Monitors: Dell U2718Q 27” 4K (x2) Dock: CalDigit TS3 Plus Symptoms Laptop runs hot and fans kick on. Eventually, the GPU may fail. iStat...

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Your Smart TV is probably ignoring your PiHole

Welcome Hacker News readers! • Thank you to M. Hammad Mazhar for his research that inspired this guide. • @healyio made some great additional suggestions in this Twitter thread which I incoporated in the DNS over TLS/HTTPS section. • The HN comment thread is full of insightful comments from individuals who work on IoT hardware and other embedded...

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Secure Home Assistant Remote Access

Is your Home Assistant installation properly configured for secure remote access? Are you sure? I ran a quick search on Shodan and found over 36,000 publically accessible Home Assistant installations with no SSL certificate installed. Every time one of these unlucky users logs in to Home Assistant remotely, their credentials are being transmit...

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Home Assistant Door Chime via Sonos

Home Assistant is an incredible piece of software. Through it’s powerful automation functionality, you can interface with devices from multiple manufacturers using completely different standards, and create extremely specific triggers, conditions, and subsequent actions. I have a back door in my (one hundred year old) apartment that doesn’t alw...

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Dell U2718Q + MacBook Pro 2015 Displayport Problems

I upgraded to a 2019 16” MBP + a CalDigit TS3 dock, and haven’t experienced this issue…yet. I have a 2015 15” MacBook Pro, which I use with a Dell U2718Q monitor. For some reason every 3-6 months the monitor will stubbornly refuse to connect over the Thunderbolt 2/Mini DisplayPort, and will only function over the laptop’s built-in HDMI port. ...

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