Newsletter Archives

• Patch Apple, defer Windows

  Posted on May 20, 2024 at 02:42 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  PATCH WATCH

  

  By Susan Bradley

  Apple often seems to get its foot in the door first, and last week’s patch release was no different.

  One day before Microsoft’s Patch Tuesday, Apple released its security and feature updates. (Just as I advise for Microsoft, ensure your backups are up to date on any platform that receives updates.)

  For Apple, go into Settings and search for Backup. Given the capacities of phones these days, I recommend backing up to Apple’s cloud and purchasing an iCloud+ subscription to obtain enough capacity. You’ll thank me for it later.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.21.0, 2024-05-20).

  Patch Watch CVE-2023-24932, CVE-2024-30040, KB5025885, KB5034441, Newsletters, Patch Lady Posts, Windows Lock Screen, WUShowHide

• MS-DEFCON 4: Safe — for now

  Posted on April 23, 2024 at 02:45 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 21.17.1 • 2024-04-23

  

  By Susan Bradley

  The April updates have been relatively quiet, with some exceptions.

  That’s why I’m lowering the MS-DEFCON level to 4. Most of my concerns lie not with this month’s patches but rather with the timing of future mandates.

  In addition, Microsoft finally acknowledged an “oopsie” with Edge.

  Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (21.17.1, 2024-04-23).

  AskWoody Plus Alert, MS-DEFCON Alerts, BitLocker, CVE-2023-24932, Edge, KB5014754, KB5025885, KB5034441, MS-DEFCON, MS-DEFCON 4, Secure Boot, Suggestions

• A new patching year

  Posted on January 8, 2024 at 02:43 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  PATCH WATCH

  

  By Susan Bradley

  Tomorrow, as usual, Microsoft will release the January patches.

  Today, as usual, I’m recommending that you not install the patches right away. If you’ve been dealing with and following patching as long as I have, you’ll know that it takes about a week or so for problems to bubble up.

  Side effects are somewhat sporadic — some see them, some don’t. Those who see none sometimes move along to the next vulnerability. Lately, however, Microsoft has been taking a long-term look at vulnerabilities thus and taking several months to implement changes. 2024 looks to be no different, with many long-term issues needing resolution.

  This week’s edition of Patch Watch focuses specifically on business patching and what we may see in the coming months. For consumers, you probably will not have the same side effects or concerns as business patchers.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.02.0, 2024-01-08).

  Patch Watch CVE-2021-42291, CVE-2023-24932, Exchange Server, KB5008383, KB5025885, Newsletters, NTLM, Patch Lady Posts, Secure Boot