• MS-DEFCON 3: Consumers get a break

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    ISSUE 21.13.1 • 2024-03-27

    MS-DEFCON 3

    By Susan Bradley

    Business patchers take heed.

    Usually, monthly updates have the same impact on both business and consumer PCs. This month, applying patches to consumer machines is generally safe, which would have earned a MS-DEFCON level of 4. But business machines are another matter; I’ve lowered the level to 3.

    For the most part, I think the business issues are resolved as of the publication of this alert. But we’re experiencing one of those media frenzies which is vastly overstating the occurrence of blue screens of death (BSOD).

    Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (21.13.1, 2024-03-27).