Newsletter Archives

• MS-DEFCON 4: March madness? Mostly quiet

  Posted on March 22, 2022 at 02:45 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 19.12.1 • 2022-03-22

  

  By Susan Bradley

  For the majority of computer users, it’s time to get the updates rolled out.

  I’m tracking some issues this month, but not so many as for a typical March. Thus I’m lowering the MS-DEFCON level to 4.

  An unusual occurrence is a problem with a Windows 8.1 update.

  Anyone can read the full AskWoody Plus Alert 19.12.1 (2022-03-22).

  AskWoody Plus Alert, MS-DEFCON AskWoody Alert, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, MS-DEFCON, MS-DEFCON 4

• MS-DEFCON 2: Is it still safe to defer?

  Posted on March 3, 2022 at 02:45 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 19.09.1 • 2022-03-03

  

  By Susan Bradley

  Global troubles lead to patching worries.

  Even with all the heightened concerns regarding cybersecurity, my deferral strategy and recommendations for patching will not change. Use the time between now and next Tuesday (Wednesday for those of you outside the northern hemisphere) to wrap up whatever patching and updating you are doing, and get ready to defer updates. Hopefully, a window will open toward the end of the month, when we can have high confidence that applying patches and updates will be safe.

  Anyone can read the full AskWoody Plus Alert 19.09.1 (2022-03-03).

  AskWoody Plus Alert, MS-DEFCON AskWoody Alert, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, MS-DEFCON, MS-DEFCON 2, Patch Lady Posts

• MS-DEFCON 4: July updates should be installed

  Posted on July 27, 2021 at 01:00 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  ISSUE 18.28.1 • 2021-07-27 PATCH WATCH By Susan Bradley July patches have been well behaved. Consumer and home users If you’ve used the “pause updates” methodology, now is the time to install the July updates. I’ve not seen any major printing issues introduced with these July updates. However, I still recommend that you keep the Print Spooler service disabled. If you do print, consider turning the spooler off and then back on when you need it. Microsoft fixed the issue with the Print Nightmare bug, but another Print Spooler bug has yet to be fixed and is slated to be discussed at the annual security conference in Las Vegas, better known as the Black Hat Conference. For Office updates, open up any installed Office application, click on File, then on Account, then on Office Updates and choose to enable updates. Then click on Update Now to trigger the installation of the updates. Business users For business users, Microsoft has described only one side effect with printers and the July updates. Printers that rely on smart-card (PIV) authentication may fail to print after the installation of the July patches. This is not a widespread problem, and there is no reason to delay installation of the patches. References AskWoody Master Patch List Read the full story in the AskWoody Plus Alert 18.28.1 (2021-07-27).

  AskWoody Plus Alert, Patch Watch AskWoody Alert, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Patch Lady Posts

• AskWoody Alert 16.3.2 just went out

  Posted on February 1, 2019 at 13:09 CST by admin • Comment in the Forums

  

  If you’re a Plus member, you should’ve received an AskWoody Plus Alert in the past few minutes. It points you to the change to MS-DEFCON 4, and the associated Computerworld article.

  (I’ve wanted to do this for years! Yipppeeee!)

  Anyway, if you’re a Plus member,and you don’t get the Alert in the next hour or so, check your spam folder (make sure Editor@AskWoody.com is whitelisted). If you don’t see the email, hit me up on CustomerSupport@AskWoody.com. Our mail delivery system, MailChimp, is very cautious about messages that bounce, for whatever reason. Easier to clean out the pipes from this end….

  Have a good weekend, everybody.

  Windows Patches/Security AskWoody Alert
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