Microsoft Patch Tuesday

Microsoft released on March 14, 2023, a security update that fixes at least 74 bugs in Windows and other software. Hackers are already attacking two flaws, including a very serious one in Microsoft Outlook. Microsoft Outlook Vulnerability The Outlook bug, CVE-2023-23397, affects all versions of Microsoft Outlook from 2013 to the most recent one. Microsoft said that threat actors are …

Preparing for the End of Windows 10

Business owners worldwide have adopted Windows 10, one of Microsoft’s most popular operating systems. However, Microsoft will cease offering digital downloads of Windows 10 on January 31, 2023. The discontinuation of Windows 10 can significantly impact business operations, particularly regarding security. Security Updates: Businesses will continue to receive updates and support for Windows 10 until October 14, 2025. However, after …

Don’t Let Outdated Operating Systems Put Your Business at Risk

As the New Year begins, business owners need to be aware of a significant change in the technology landscape: the end of Microsoft’s support for Windows 7 and 8.1. As of January 10th, 2023, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or technical support for these versions of its operating system. This poses a significant risk to businesses still running …

Windows 11 2022 Update

Microsoft released the “first major update” for Windows 11 on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, as Windows 11 nears its first anniversary. According to a blog posted by Microsoft, the Windows 11 update focuses on four key areas: ● Making the PC easier and safer to use for everyone ● Empowering people to be more productive ● Making Windows the best …

Windows 11 Gets New Taskbar Overflow Option

Are you the type of person who is in the habit of keeping all their apps open?  If so, you’re going to love a recent addition to Windows 11. In a bid to make finding your open apps easier, once you’ve run out of room on the Windows Taskbar, they’ve introduced a new “taskbar overflow” feature.  It’s a three-dot menu …

RDP Brute Force Attacks Blocked By Windows 11

A small but important feature was recently incorporated by the Windows 11 design team.  A new Account Lockout Policy enabled by default has been added.  This policy automatically locks user accounts (including Admin accounts) after ten failed sign-in attempts. The account remains in a locked state for ten minutes, requiring users to wait that amount of time before they can …

DuckDuckGo Browser Blocks Microsoft Trackers

If you haven’t heard of DuckDuckGo, it’s a tiny browser that only gets a fraction of the traffic that Google does. If we’re being honest, it gets only a fraction of the web traffic that Bing does.  The search engine does have some pluck though and bills itself as the engine of choice for those who value their privacy. In …

Raspberry Robin Worm In Hundreds Of Windows Networks

Analysts at Red Canary Intelligence have recently spotted a Windows worm on hundreds of networks belonging to a wide range of organizations around the world. Dubbed “Raspberry Robin” by the research team that discovered it, this worm spreads via infected USB devices and was initially spotted in September of last year (2021).  Another firm, Sekoia, observed the worm even earlier, …

Prepare For Windows Server 2012 End Of Support

Another week, another Microsoft “End of Life” reminder to write about. This time, it’s Windows Server 2012 R2.  If you’re a user, then you’re probably already aware of the looming deadline. If you’ve blocked it out of your mind, or if you’ve missed the notifications that Microsoft has been sending out, here’s what you need to know. The End-of-Life deadline …

Microsoft Is Phasing Out Windows 8.1

If you are still using Windows 8.1 and if you’ve somehow managed to avoid seeing the parade of notices Microsoft has been sending out, you should know that the end is nigh. Support for the aging OS will end on January 10, 2023.  If you have not already done so, you should begin making plans now to migrate away from …