Microsoft Announces 97 Vulnerabilities in Windows

Microsoft, Ophtek, patches, Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Server, zero-day, , , , , , , ,
25
Jan 2022

Windows is one of the most popular operating systems around and, as it’s a Microsoft product, you would like to think it’s safe. But this isn’t quite true.

As part of their January 2022 ‘Patch Tuesday’ report, Microsoft announced that 97 new security vulnerabilities had been discovered across its range of operating systems. And with an estimated 1 billion Windows PCs in use across the globe, this is very concerning. Any operating system, of course, is a highly complex piece of software. The sheer amount of coding required, to deliver high quality functionality, means that mistakes are inevitable. And then there are the hackers, individuals who are determined to find new and innovative ways to breach Windows.

What Were the Vulnerabilities?

Nine of the reported vulnerabilities were classed as critical by Microsoft, with the remaining 88 being classed as significant threats. Technical details are yet to be released, but it’s known that some of the critical vulnerabilities were associated with Microsoft Exchange Servers and the HTTP Protocol Stack. And, in particular, the HTTP Protocol Stack vulnerabilitiy is one which would allow hackers to allow remote code execution i.e. taking control of an affected PC from a remote connection.

Six of the vulnerabilities discovered have also been categorized as zero-day vulnerabilties. These affect a range of Windows background processes and, as they are classed as zero-day, it’s believed that they were known to hackers before Microsoft’s announcement. Collectively, the 97 vulnerabilities are believed to have impacted the security of major Microsoft applications including Excel, Word, Edge, Windows Defender and all manner of network tools. As a result, it’s believed that users of Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2019 and even Windows Server 2022 are all at risk.

How Can Windows Users Stay Safe?

Naturally, any user of Windows is likely to be very concerned after reading the above. But the good news is that Microsoft’s January 2022 patch addresses all of these vulnerabilities. Installing it, therefore, should be the number one priority for any PCs running Windows. And that will be nearly all of them. Unfortunately, for those running Windows Server 2019 and Server 2022, this patch was withdrawn due to bugs it was generating in these environments. Users of these operating systems should remain extra vigilant and ensure that automatic Windows updates are in place.

Final Thoughts

The last few months have been relatively poor for Microsoft when it comes to patching vulnerabilities. In September 2021, it was revealed that their patch for the ‘PrintNightmare’ flaw contained bugs which negatively affected numerous printers. And, now, it appears to be history repeating itself with Windows Server users left vulnerable to both security risks and buggy updates. These issues will, no doubt, be rectified quickly but, as ever, time is of the essence when it comes to PC security. Ultimately, installing each and every security update remains the very best practice for protecting your IT devices.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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Why It’s Time to Finally Upgrade to Windows 10

Ophtek, upgrade, Windows 10, Windows 7 support, , ,
12
Mar 2019

Support for Windows 7 is coming to a close with Microsoft retiring the operating system in January 2020, so it’s finally time to upgrade to Windows 10.

Mainstream support for Windows 7 ended in January 2015, but extended support has continued and ensured that the OS remains popular with both business and personal users. The familiarity of Windows 7 and the various criticisms that were labeled at Windows 8 have also enhanced its popularity, but it will soon represent a nonviable option. Accordingly, mass migration to Windows 10 is currently taking place and, due to the disruption this can cause, it’s crucial this is completed sooner rather than later.

Why You Need to Upgrade to Windows 10

There are a number of reasons why it’s paramount that you upgrade to Windows 10, so let’s take a look at some of them:

  • Enhanced Security: Running Windows 7 past its retirement date represents a major security concern and it’s one that’s best avoided. At present, security patches are regularly issued by Microsoft to combat any security concerns. However, with support no longer available, Windows 7 will receive no such protection and will be wide open to attacks from hackers. 
  • Compatibility Issues: With Microsoft no longer supporting Windows 7, software and hardware manufacturers have little impetus to ensure their new products are compatible with it. After all, the security risk posed isn’t worth it and the numbers of Windows 7 users is set to plummet, so it’s not a good use of resources. If you do continue with Windows 7, though, you’ll gradually find that less and less new software/hardware will run on your system.
  • Increased Productivity: Windows 10 brings a number of performance enhancements to the table and this can significantly increase your organization’s productivity. The startup process is noticeably faster and users find that they can execute numerous tasks more quickly in Windows 10 than with its predecessors. This helps you to not only get more done throughout the day, but ensures that you can keep pace with your competitors.

How Do You Plan Your Upgrade?

Upgrading to a new OS is a major step, so it’s important that you plan carefully to minimize the disruption that this can cause:

  • Backup Your Data: Installing a new OS is a complex task and one that’s resource heavy on your PCs, so there’s every chance that something could go wrong. And this is why it’s important that your data is backed up to prevent any data loss from corrupted/failed installs.
  • Roll out the Upgrades: Upgrading every member of staff to Windows 10 at once is a risky move as, if your upgrade plan is even just slightly flawed, this will impact upon your entire workforce. Instead, work on a roll-out plan that upgrades Windows 7 on a user by user basis. This approach allows you to monitor any potential problems and rectify them before too many users are affected.
  • Train Your Staff: Windows 10 is packed full of new features and processes, but you need to make sure that your staff know how to use it and get the best out of it. Windows 10 is substantially different in its design to Windows 7 and, without the correct training, even the most experienced PC user will find they struggle.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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New Processors to Only Support Windows 10

hardware, Office IT, ,
01
Mar 2016

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Many people have resisted migrating from Windows 7 and 8.1 to Windows 10, but Microsoft has now announced that new processors will only run on Windows 10.

You might have noticed, last summer, that windows were popping up on your PC encouraging you to switch to Microsoft’s latest operating system (OS) – Windows 10. However, a high percentage of users avoided hitting the ‘INSTALL’ button.

You see, Windows 8 was somewhat of a disaster for Microsoft, both technically and aesthetically. As a result, consumers were reticent to take up Microsoft’s offer of a free upgrade as they had no idea what would be waiting for them.

These fears were further compounded when story after story emerged of issues with Windows 10 e.g. security flaws and Microsoft actively forcing installs onto users’ systems. As I’m sure you’ll agree, though, progress is always necessary, so you were probably going to give in at some point.

Microsoft has decided to try and force your hand a little sooner with their announcement that new processors will only be compatible with Windows 10, so let’s take a look at what this means for you and your business.

What Exactly Has Microsoft Announced?

Microsoft is keen for the latest processors being designed to use the most up to date Windows OS. This means that new processors released by AMD, Intel and Qualcomm will only work on PCs running Windows 10. If you’re running an old OS, they simply won’t work. And when Windows 11 comes around, the exact same procedure will be put in place.

Why is Microsoft Making This Policy Change?

Windows-10-Free-Upgrade-Windows-10-Free-Insider-Program-Windows-10-how-Can-Upgrade-How-to-Upgrade-Windows-10-586338

Upgrading previous versions of Windows always had a financial pinch for consumers, but Windows 10 is completely free. This is all part of Microsoft’s plan to market Windows 10 as a service rather than a costly product.

Microsoft wants everyone to adopt it, so ensuring that Windows 10 is essential for new processors means there will be no choice but to upgrade.

It’s also a move which will keep hardware developers for Microsoft happy as they will no longer have to outlay huge amounts of cash on making their processors backwards compatible.

Does This Mean You Have to Upgrade Immediately?

Microsoft-Upgrade-Your-World-Windows-10-600x360-600x330

You might be concerned that Windows is forcing you to not only upgrade to Windows 10, but also to upgrade to one of the new processors. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Windows 7 and 8.1 will still receive essential security and application updates for several years, so, as long as your hardware stays the same, your OS will remain supported.

However, remaining on an ‘antiquated’ OS is not the best way for your business to stay competitive and work to its full potential. That’s why it seems as though it’s only going to get harder and harder to resist the upgrade to Windows 10.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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Microsoft Downloading Windows 10 To Your Machine Anyway

Network, ,
09
Nov 2015

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By now you will have seen the ‘Get Windows 10’ popup on your PC, but did you know that it’s being downloaded to your system even if you haven’t opted in?

Microsoft has decided to start installing Window 10 on systems and this, of course, is eating into people’s broadband usage, so it’s riled many consumers. It’s not the first time that Microsoft has ‘borrowed’ peoples broadband, so let’s take a look at this latest scandal in a little more detail.

Pushing Windows 10

Many users of previous Windows are more than happy with their current operating systems; after the criticism of Windows 8 it’s no surprise that consumers are a little reticent to trust Microsoft’s software.

windows-10-upgrade-notification

Even though Microsoft is working hard to shout “IT’S FREE!” from every available rooftop, some people are still refusing the upgrade. However, it’s been discovered that Windows is prepping your system to accept the upgrade.

Microsoft is so confident that users will want Windows 10 eventually that they’re downloading it to a hidden folder on people’s systems. The folder – labelled ‘$Windows.~BT’ – is around 3.5GB to 6GB, so counts for a significant section of your hard drive.

It’s an intrusive move on Microsoft’s part and, given the recent spate of Windows 10 security concerns, highlights the software giant as being somewhat arrogant and out of touch.

Microsoft Responds

When questioned about this latest accusation, Microsoft has been keen to point out this being for the customer’s benefit:

“For individuals who have chosen to receive automatic updates through Windows Update, we help upgradable devices get ready for Windows 10 by downloading the files they’ll need if they decide to upgrade.”

Now, of course, almost all of us sign up to the automatic updates as we’re advised it’s the best way to protect the security of our systems. However, it feels as though Microsoft is exploiting this need for security to push their own products at the expense of their users’ choice.

How Do You Remove Windows 10?

Understandably, many users are unhappy with Microsoft’s underhanded tactics, so are intent on removing Windows 10 for good and taking back control of their system.

Remove-Upgrade-to-Windows-10

It’s not as simple as just deleting the ‘$Windows.~BT’ folder as it will just keep re-populating and using up more of your broadband allowance. However, it is possible by going through the following steps:

  1. Go to Windows Updates and click on Installed Updates
  2. Locate update KB3035583 as this is the update which downloaded Windows 10
  3. Windows 7 users need to delete and hide this update along with KB2952664, whilst Windows 8 users should delete KB3035583 and KB2976978
  4. Head to the root directory where your current Windows OS is installed and delete $Windows.~BT
  5. Run ‘Disk Cleanup’ on your system and delete all ‘Temporary Windows installation Files’

Final Thoughts

Is it right to sneak a product onto everyone’s system through the patch management interface?

Despite most Windows updates installing new files on our systems the size has never been an issue. In this instance, however, Microsoft may have forced some users into unknowingly exceeding their broadband limits.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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Windows 10 Blows Data Caps and Gives Some Consumers Huge Bills

Network,
21
Sep 2015

windows-10-update-downloadMicrosoft’s Windows 10 claims to improve the PC experience, but the forced update is causing data caps to blow and creating financial chaos for its users.

No one likes to receive a huge bill for their wireless costs, so many consumers are furious that this is happening due to Windows 10’s automated update service. It’s not the first complaint that consumers have raised about Windows 10, but it’s certainly one of the most serious.

We decided to take a look at the situation to keep you informed about this latest headache to hit Windows 10.

What’s Blowing the Data Caps?

Many internet providers put in place a data cap on people’s subscriptions in order to provide a fairer use of the available bandwidth e.g. someone who downloads files 24/7 is going to use a lot of bandwidth and, therefore, slow down the connection for other users, so a data cap discourages users from hogging the bandwidth.

This is all well and good in normal circumstances, but Windows 10 has changed the playing field. The automated update service for Windows 10 is very busy at the moment and runs quietly in the background, so users aren’t even aware of its activity.

Due to the number of people rushing to sign up to Windows 10 coupled with the flurry of updates, users’ bandwidth usage is, unknowingly, skyrocketing and running up huge bills for consumers.

The Impact of Windows 10 Updates

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The fees associated with exceeding bandwidth usage vary between ISPs and even countries, but some of the hardest hit customers are those in remote locations where internet access is already expensive.

Users in areas such as New Zealand have already received bills totaling $400 for just one month’s usage, so it’s no surprise to learn that this type of financial hardship is actually forcing users off the internet.

To add insult to injury, even the intial ‘free’ download of Windows 10 is also stretching many consumers’ bandwidth usage due to its 3GB size.

How to Counter the Data Usage

There are, however, ways to tame Windows 10’s hungry appetite for bandwidth, so let’s take a look at some of them:

  • The simplest solution is to roll Windows 10 back to the previous version of Windows you were using. This will immediately stop the automated updates.
  • By accessing the ‘Change Wi-Fi Settings’ in the start menu, users can enable a ‘metered connection’ in the ‘Advanced Options’. This makes sure that your system knows you’re running on a data cap and will ask permission before downloading any updates.
  • There are also certain manual changes you can make to driver updates through a special troubleshooting app released by Microsoft. However, this solution is recommended to advanced experts only.

Will Microsoft Weather the Storm?

This latest crisis to hit Microsoft’s newest installment of their flagship Windows product is certainly embarrassing, but teething problems are always going to be present in new software. With around 70 million downloads and counting, Microsoft certainly needs to ensure updates to counter this issue is resolved soon and with their users’ permission.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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