Investigate a SQL Server compromise by preserving evidence and checking logins, startup procedures, Agent jobs, risky features, and changed objects.
A Health Check for an Inherited Server
A health check for an inherited server reviews backups, access, configuration, error logs, and jobs before anyone changes the system.
SQL SERVER – Find Hostname and Current Logged In User Name
Connected to many servers in SSMS? HOST_NAME() and SUSER_NAME() show the hostname and current logged in user for any query window.
SQL SERVER – Introduction to SQL Server Encryption and Symmetric Key Encryption Tutorial with Script
SQL Server Encryption keeps stolen data unreadable. Learn the three level encryption hierarchy, then follow a symmetric key encryption tutorial with the script.
SQL SERVER – FIX : Error: 18486 Login failed for user ‘sa’ because the account is currently locked out. The system administrator can unlock it. – Unlock SA Login
Error 18486 means the sa account is locked out, often after brute force attempts by hackers. Here is why it happens and how to unlock SA login.
Giving an Application Account Only What It Needs
Apply least privilege SQL Server access with separate runtime and deployment roles, narrow permissions, and tests of allowed and denied actions.
SQL SERVER – Check if Current Login is Part of Server Role Member
Clients sometimes forget to give me admin rights. IS_SRVROLEMEMBER(‘sysadmin’) checks if the current login is a Server Role Member: 1 means yes, 0 means no.