Monthly Archives: January 2025

• Where did the rest of AI go?

  Posted on January 20, 2025 at 02:42 CST by Michael Covington • Comment in the Forums

  AI

  

  By Michael A. Covington

  The term “artificial intelligence” goes back to the 1950s and defines a broad field.

  The leading academic AI textbook, Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach by Stuart Russell and Peter Norvig — reportedly used at 1,500 colleges — mentions generative neural networks in only two of its 29 chapters.

  Admittedly, that book dates from 2021; although it hasn’t been replaced, maybe it predates the revolution. Newer AI books are mostly about how to get results using off-the-shelf generative systems. Is it time for the rest of AI to die out? I don’t think so.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (22.03.0, 2025-01-20).

  AI AI, Alan Turing, Artificial Intelligence, ELIZA, Generative AI, LLMs, Machine Learning, Neural Networks, Newsletters, Turing Test

• Protecting us from TikTok

  Posted on January 17, 2025 at 14:51 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  I have mixed feelings about the upcoming TikTok ban. While not a huge user/follower of the app, I can appreciate someone who has built a business on a platform and then gets word that an important rug is being pulled out from under it — your business model is disrupted.

  I understand the concerns about technology being used by foreign countries to spy on us. But I don’t think it’s any better when we are spied on by companies in our own country Let’s be just as concerned and take action regarding all vendors, platforms, and social media sites.

  Bottom line: we need to remember that we are the product, and act accordingly.

  Security

• Are you prepared for the worst?

  Posted on January 16, 2025 at 13:11 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums
  

  Phone showing two-factor code

  The recent fires in Los Angeles are far enough away that I will feel no impact, either personally or professionally. But I know people in that area. They may not have lost their homes, but they know the impact will be felt for a long time. Everyone should think about the “what if’s” when it comes to disasters of every kind. The American Insitute of CPAs has a checklist; I suggest that everyone read it.

  As soon as I know my family is safe, I always think in terms of what items would I grab. For me, it’s my cell phone. It has the two-factor authentication systems (apps or text messages) that I need to get into just about anything. Without question, it’s the first thing I would grab. Others have recommended a “go bag” of documents with the same kind of information. That could be helpful if you were concerned about the availability of power, but these days the most important go bag item is that phone with everything in digital form.

  In such emergencies, the cloud surely has a place. Businesses and banks burned down in the Los Angeles fires. Would your safety deposit box survive this sort of disaster? Should you consider an encrypted cloud location for at least some of your key items, such as copies of insurance policies and other important documents?

  Have you heard about the blue VW bus that survived the fire with amazingly little damage? Keep your eye on the newsletter — I have an idea for an article rolling around in my head.

  Security

• Master patch listing for January 2025

  Posted on January 15, 2025 at 14:52 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  I’ve updated the master patch list here.  It’s the first of the year and I have personally seen one issue whereby I atempted to install 2025-01 Security Update for Windows 10 22H2 KB5050411 along with the main security update and the .net update at the same time.  The first time it failed on error 0x80070643. Rescanned and it installed the second time. Confirmed in the forums by PK, and reports on the web seeing the same behavior.

  Please note I am not recommending installing updates at this time, we are just testing and reporting.

  I am keeping an eye on the other patches released this month. January was a HUGE release. I’m more concerned about business patchers than I am about consumers this month. I’m also honestly looking more forward to February’s release of the “new” Outlook and will be providing guidance on how to proactively deal with that (stay tuned, planning KB posts and video guidance).

  As always, thank you all for supporting the cause! Remember we use the “name your price” model where you can choose how much you will pay for a membership. Plus membership gives you full access, And if you donate $50 or more, you’ll get a special code to enable text messages sent to your phone each time the Master Patch List gets updated and when I change the MS-DEFCON level.

  More details about these updates in Monday’s newsletter.  You are missing out if you don’t sign up. All content is human made with our own blood, sweat, tears, fingers, and brain power — and it’s 100% AI free.  Therefore, if I’ve fat fingered any KB numbers or if you have any questions, as always post in the forums and I’ll follow up!

  Windows Patches/Security Master Patch List, Patch Lady Posts

• January 2025 patches get released

  Posted on January 14, 2025 at 12:25 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  It’s the first of the year and the start of our ten month countdown to end of support (but not end of using) Windows 10. Today’s updates include the following:

  Windows 10 22H2 – KB5049981 – also includes an update to the Windows Kernel vulnerable driver blocklist.

  Windows 11 23H2 – KB5050021  – This update adds to the list of drivers that are at risk for Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attacks.

  Windows 11 24H2 – KB5050009 As a reminder I am still not officially recommending using or installing 24H2. I know many of you have but I still have reservations for consumers, gaming platforms and some business uses.

  Citrix has documented issue, including a workaround which can be performed prior to installing the January 2025 Windows security update. For details, see Microsoft’s January Security Update Fails/Reverts on a machine with 2411 Session Recording Agent.

  Next steps: Microsoft is working with Citrix to address this issue and will update this documentation once a resolution is available.

  Just a reminder, I do not recommend installing updates at this time, we are now in test mode.

  For Apple, I do recommend installing iOS 18.2.1 released on January 6th.

  Windows Patches/Security Patch Lady Posts

• Treasure Hunt — 10 hidden gems on OlderGeeks.com

  Posted on January 13, 2025 at 02:45 CST by Deanna McElveen • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 22.02 • 2025-01-13

  FREEWARE SPOTLIGHT

  

  By Deanna McElveen

  This week we’re looking at ten very useful and free programs that just kind of got buried in the thousands of other programs on our website.

  This is not a “Top Ten” list — the selections are not ranked. But most have their place and serve a purpose, so I hope you’ll find something useful here.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (22.02.0, 2025-01-13).
  This story also appears in our public Newsletter.

  Freeware Spotlight ChrisPC DNS Switch, Cstitch, Deanna's Freeware Spotlight, GrandOrgue, Hosts File Editor, Lum Screen Recorder, MiTeC DirList, Newsletters, Piggy Banks, SyncDroid, WaGi’s IP-Blacklister, Writemonkey

• Forum Top Ten lists!

  Posted on January 13, 2025 at 02:44 CST by Will Fastie

  FROM THE FORUMS

  

  The forums are a centerpiece of AskWoody, allowing our community to engage with one another to solve problems, share insights, offer feedback, and add to our collective knowledge. (Not to mention keeping us in line.)

  We appreciate both the questions and the ongoing willingness of forum members to participate.

  Here’s a quick summary of posts from the second half of 2024. We look forward to seeing what happens in 2025.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (22.02.0, 2025-01-13).
  This story also appears in our public Newsletter.

  From the Forums Forums, Newsletters

• Technology fail! Hackers steal $870M from Zelle users, US says

  Posted on January 13, 2025 at 02:43 CST by B. Livingston • Comment in the Forums

  PUBLIC DEFENDER

  

  By Brian Livingston

  Three of America’s largest banks — Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo — were sued last month by the US Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) for fraudulent losses suffered by their Zelle online-payment customers.

  These banks and others launched Zelle in 2017 to compete with electronic funds-transfer apps like PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App. But the financial institutions failed to implement basic fraud-prevention measures, and as a result, Zelle customers have lost $870 million to hackers since the services began, the CFPB says.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (22.02.0, 2025-01-13).

  Public Defender Bank of America, Banks, Financial Fraud, JPMorgan Chase, Newsletters, Scams, Security, Wells Fargo, Zelle
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