Patch List for May 14, 2024

We’re still in testing mode for this month’s updates. So far there has been an acknowledged deployment issue whereby Windows Server 2019/KB5037765 may fail with error code 0x800f0982 when you have multi-language packs installed and do not have en-us language pack support installed. Microsoft is investigating.

Microsoft is rolling out the lock screen ‘widgets’ on Windows 11 and I will have all the info in Monday’s newsletter on how to block them.  Personally, I think they are silly and a waste of coding time.  I’m not THAT into sports to want NBA results on my screen thank you very much.

This week I’ll want you to pay attention to Apple updates and browsers. In the meantime for business patchers I have some long term patching changes that I’ve listed on the Master Patch page.

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 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 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 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!

May updates for Apple and Microsoft

Yesterday Apple released several updates for Safari, iOS 17.5, iOS 16.7.8, Sonoma 14.5. Ventura 13.6.7, Monterey 12.7.5, WatchOS 10.5, tvOS17.5.  On May 8, they also released iTunes 12.13.2 for Windows.  Apple has backported a fix for CVE-2024-23296, a critical security flaw in the RTKit real-time operating system, to older iOS, iPadOS, and macOS versions. The #vulnerability allows attackers to bypass kernel memory protections.  The updates include anti-tracking feature.

Remember – now is not the time to be installing Windows updates.  Before I’d install Apple updates, ensure you have a backup.

May updates for Windows 11  and Windows 10 do include a fix for the corporate vpn bug – This update addresses a known issue that might cause your VPN connection to fail. This occurs after you install the update dated April 9, 2024, or later.

Note that there are .NET updates released but at this time it doesn’t appear there are new security components in the releases (for example). Thus I’ll be monitoring for issues but may not end up recommending installation as they are in my “skip it” category.

.NET 6 does NOT have a new security fix (the KB is wrong) – KB5038350

.NET 7 and .NET 8 have the security fixes see KB5038351 and KB5038352

If you are patching servers, the May updates include the fixes for the NTLM authentication traffic.

For consumers, remember this is the time to ensure your backups are working and properly running. We now wait to see for side effects and test patches on spare machines.

Links for information — Zeroday blog from Dustin Childs

Do you need antivirus for your phone?

ON SECURITY

By Susan Bradley

For many years, I thought it silly to consider adding an antivirus program or other security software to our phones.

Phones were seen as gated communities the bad guys couldn’t enter. Windows was the Wild West, where anything could be downloaded, and we found ourselves with malicious software installed on our systems.

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.20.0, 2024-05-13).
This story also appears in our public Newsletter.

Quantum computing is coming to you soon

PUBLIC DEFENDER

By Brian Livingston

A breakthrough by researchers at Oxford University makes it likely that you’ll be able to access the power of a quantum computing center — remotely from your home or office — sooner than experts previously thought.

“Quantum computing” is an entirely different animal from “digital computing.” A quantum server harnesses the capabilities of quantum states, weird behaviors that exist only at a subatomic level. In theory, quantum computing can operate much faster than even the speediest processors available today.

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.20.0, 2024-05-13).

How to get through Microsoft’s sneaky Windows setup

WINDOWS

By Lance Whitney

Trying to set up Windows 10 or 11? Microsoft steers you toward certain features and settings that will benefit itself more than you.

Here’s how to make the right choices.

In my job as a technology writer, I often must run through the Windows 10 or 11 setup to test and document the various steps. The process can be tricky because you have to make specific decisions along the way. And Microsoft likes to push you toward certain options that are in its best interests but not necessarily in yours. That’s why you have to be on guard during the entire process so you make the best choices for yourself.

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.20.0, 2024-05-13).

Artificial minds

COMMENTARY

By Michael A. Covington

Artificial intelligence changes the ethics and computing scene.

In my previous article, Ethics and computing, I discussed how the rise of personal computing created a break in our natural understanding of ethics.

Now, the rise of AI adds further complications. Let’s delve into that a bit.

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.20.0, 2024-05-13).

Are you into Widgets?

Coming up in the May updates are more widgets on the lock screen.

Apologies for the slightly blurry photo but I took it from an iphone as I couldn’t grab a screen shot.

Personally, I have the computer turn the monitor off when it sits longer than a few moments, so this “lock screen widgets” is something that normally I don’t see much of as once I wake the computer up, the log in screen pops up.

I would love if Microsoft would spend more time on quality control in updates than widgets on a home screen.  The home widget screen can be edited. Go to Settings > Personalization > Lock Screen > Lock Screen Status and select “Weather and more.”

You can choose mail or calendar.

So will you use widgets on the lock screen? Will you adjust it to something else?

MS-DEFCON 2: May updates are right around the corner

By Susan Bradley

Patch Tuesday is only a few days away. As usual, caution is in order.

I’ve therefore raised the MS-DEFCON level to 2. Make sure your system is backed up and you have deferred updates.

In addition, I urge you to take stock of the other software that is installed on your system. Often, it’s this third-party software that may result in side effects.

Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (21.19.1, 2024-05-09).