security updates

Wed
24
Aug
John Lister's picture

Report: Windows Privacy vs Security a 'False Choice'

A consumer rights group has slammed Windows 10's privacy settings. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) says Microsoft is unfairly linking privacy to security in its update system. The attack comes in a lengthy blog post by the EFF's Amul Kalia, ... published just after Microsoft released its Windows 10 Anniversary Update. It starts by recapping the numerous complaints about Microsoft using unfair measures to try to maximize the number of people upgrading to the system, including closing an on-screen window as consent for the installation. (Source: eff.org ) Data Transfer Is " ... (view more)

Tue
10
May
John Lister's picture

Phone Manufacturers, Carriers Under Security Probe

Two government agencies are investigating the way smartphone manufacturers and wireless carriers issue security updates for devices. They say they are particularly worried about older devices being left unpatched. It's a rare joint probe by both the ... Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). While the FCC usually handles issues relating to the Internet and smartphones, the FTC usually only gets involved in cases of misleading advertising or unfair contracts. That may suggest officials are exploring whether companies have overstated the security their ... (view more)

Thu
15
Jan
John Lister's picture

Windows 7 Mainstream Support Ends

As expected and according to Microsoft's Windows lifecycle page, Windows 7 mainstream support officially ended on January 13, 2015. It means there will be no more significant updates to the Windows 7 operating system, other than security updates. ... The end of mainstream support is in line with Microsoft's general policy of offering support for its operating systems five years after being released, followed by extended support for a further five years. The only exception to this policy was Windows XP, where the total support period lasted for 13 years. That was largely because the system ... (view more)

Fri
05
Dec
John Lister's picture

Experts: Avoid Windows XP Update 'Trick'

Earlier this year, a hack was discovered that would allow Windows XP users to continue receiving security updates , despite Microsoft no longer officially supporting the system . However, experts are now warning users that the hack guarantees ... neither security, nor stable computing. Windows XP: No More Security Updates Microsoft finally pulled the plug on Windows XP in April this year , including all future security updates. The problem is that many people still continue to use the operating system, despite significant security risks . The Windows Embedded hack essentially tricks Windows XP ... (view more)

Mon
02
Jun
Brandon Dimmel's picture

Windows XP 'Trick' Gets Security Updates, but Risky

A special hack for the Window XP registry reportedly allows users of the aging operating system (OS) to access security updates -- even though Microsoft has officially stopped supporting the operating system as of April, 2014. The hack was first ... discovered last week. It 'tricks' Windows XP computers into believing they are running a special variant of the Windows XP operating system known as Windows Embedded POSReady 2009, which is often used for ATMs and cash registers. According to reports, Microsoft plans to support this unique off-shoot of Windows XP for another five years. Registry Hack ... (view more)

Mon
14
Apr
Brandon Dimmel's picture

Is Using Windows XP Really That Dangerous?

Is it really that dangerous to continue using Windows XP? Microsoft's Windows XP has officially been decommissioned as of April 8, 2014, meaning that Microsoft will not longer support the software insofar as security updates are concerned. Without ... any security updates, Windows XP is extremely vulnerable to attack if and when an operating system exploit is discovered. And, even if one is discovered, it may or may not make headlines - which means most users running Windows XP simply won't be aware their system has been compromised. It's these types of attacks that are most dangerous ... (view more)

Tue
22
Oct
Dennis Faas's picture

Google Updating Chrome For Windows XP Until 2015

Google says it will continue offering security fixes for people running the Chrome browser on Windows XP until April 2015. That's a year after Microsoft's termination date for the aging operating system (OS). For its part, Microsoft has warned users ... not to rely on the Chrome protection and says that even with Google's efforts, users of Windows XP will still face a serious risk of malicious software infection. After launching Windows XP in 2001, Microsoft stopped selling the operating system in 2008. The firm no longer offers Windows XP users technical support, but it has continued to offer ... (view more)

Thu
12
Apr
Dennis Faas's picture

All Windows XP Security Updates To End In 2014

Microsoft has announced it will finally stop supporting Windows XP in April of 2014. The decision leaves users of that operating system (OS) out in the cold, without security updates or support of any kind from the software giant. The company had ... already begun phasing out support for the original versions of XP and currently offers support only for copies containing the final batch of updates for the software, Service Pack 3 (SP3). Even Windows XP with SP3 has already reached the "extended support" phase. As a result, Microsoft issues free security updates, but offers tech support on a paid ... (view more)

Mon
11
Jul
Dennis Faas's picture

July Patch Tuesday: Major Fixes for Windows, Office

Tomorrow is the second Tuesday of the month, which means it's Microsoft Patch Tuesday . This month's patches address 22 software vulnerabilities and are associated with four security updates that address flaws in Microsoft Windows and Visio 2003. ... Without applying the patches, PCs remain vulnerable to attacks. Only one of the security updates has been marked "critical." So far, this is the third-most number of fixes offered in a single month for 2011. The number of fixes this month (22) is behind 34 patches issued in June and the record-breaking 64 vulnerabilities addressed in April ... (view more)

Mon
13
Jun
Dennis Faas's picture

June Patch Tuesday to Fix 9 Critical Windows Flaws

Microsoft plans to release a heavy Patch Tuesday, with 16 security updates addressing a total of 34 different vulnerabilities in Windows, the Internet Explorer web browser, Office software, SQL Server and various other products. The patches will ... begin to roll out starting June 14, 2011 via Windows Updates. Andrew Storms, nCircle Security director of security operations, says he isn't surprised by the weight of this month's Patch Tuesday. "It's the usual mishmash for an even-numbered month," Storms said. "But to some degree, we expected a big month. And they stayed true to form." (Source: ... (view more)

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