Newsletter Archives

• MS-DEFCON 2: Seven months and counting

  Posted on April 3, 2025 at 02:45 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 22.13.1 • 2025-04-03

  

  By Susan Bradley

  It’s time to put a pause on updates as I sort out developments from this coming Patch Tuesday.

  Therefore, I’m raising the MS-DEFCON level to 2.

  The security updates coming next week include all supported Windows platforms, including Windows 10. Seven months may seem like a lot, but time flies. Given that time is needed to prepare for the end of Windows 10 updates, it’s better to think that a mere three months are left.

  Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (22.13.1, 2025-04-03).

  AskWoody Plus Alert, MS-DEFCON Alerts, KB5053643, KB5053656, LAPS, MS-DEFCON, MS-DEFCON 2, Patch Lady Posts, Windows 10, Windows 11 24H2

• MS-DEFCON 2: March Madness is upon us

  Posted on March 6, 2025 at 02:45 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 22.09.1 • 2025-03-03

  

  By Susan Bradley

  As usual, I recommend caution just before Microsoft’s Patch Tuesday and thus have raised the MS-DEFCON level to 2.

  Let others (aka me) take the slings and arrows. There’s simply no way that those interested in headlines just as clickbait can assess the implications of any Patch Tuesday in just a few hours. I do some testing on my assorted PCs, follow other experts closely, separate fact from fiction, and aggregate what I learn into a Patch Watch column you can trust.

  And so, relax and use your favorite method to forestall updates.

  Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (22.09.1, 2025-03-06).

  AskWoody Plus Alert, MS-DEFCON Alerts, AutoCAD, Daylight Saving Time, KB5052077, KB5052093, MS-DEFCON, MS-DEFCON 2, OneDrive, Patch Lady Posts, Windows Updates

• MS-DEFCON 2: Kicking off the new year

  Posted on January 9, 2025 at 02:45 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 22.01.1 • 2025-01-09

  

  By Susan Bradley

  We’re less than a week away from the first round of updates for 2025, not just for Windows but for all our devices.

  Although things have been relatively quiet at the end of the year, especially because many of Microsoft’s developers take extended time off over the holidays, we’ll soon be in the thick of patching. That’s why I strongly recommend deferring updates until we have time to study and test them. Therefore, I’m raising the MS-DEFCON level to 2.

  Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (22.01.1, 2025-01-09).

  AskWoody Plus Alert, MS-DEFCON Alerts, Center Stage, InControl, KB5014754, MS-DEFCON, MS-DEFCON 2, Patch Lady Posts, SMB Signing, Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows 11 24H2

• MS-DEFCON 2: Closing out the year

  Posted on December 5, 2024 at 02:45 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 21.49.1 • 2024-12-05

  

  By Susan Bradley

  As we close the year of patching, I’m surprised to see that our vendors are facing many of the same issues they faced years ago — governments looking over their actions.

  But this time, instead of scrutinizing monopolies for on-premises software, they are looking at how Microsoft is making monopolizing cloud services as well as coercing governments to use more of their services. Recently, a ProPublica investigation questioned how much Microsoft’s free government outreach to enhance the security of its products was designed to lock government customers into these subscription services.

  Then the Department of Justice asked a judge to break up Google and force it to sell off the Chrome browser and restrict their use of artificial intelligence and the Android mobile operating system. I still remember the lengthy monopoly trials against Microsoft. It seems like the more things change, the more things in technology stay the same. We constantly have a push-pull relationship with our vendors.

  Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (21.49.1, 2024-12-05).

  AskWoody Plus Alert, MS-DEFCON AI, AirPods Pro 2, Alerts, Antitrust, Apple, Google, MS-DEFCON, MS-DEFCON 2, Patch Lady Posts, Scanners, Windows 11 23H2, Windows 11 24H2

• MS-DEFCON 2: ESU plans announced for Windows 10

  Posted on November 7, 2024 at 02:45 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 21.45.1 • 2024-11-07

  

  By Susan Bradley

  In the midst of Microsoft’s pushing Windows 11 24H2 and updates for Windows 10, caution is in order.

  As a result, I’m raising the MS-DEFCON level to 2. Keep 24H2 at bay, and give me a few weeks to understand and fully vet next week’s updates.

  We’ve known for some time that Extended Security Update (ESU) plans would be offered for Windows 10 in October 2025, when regular support ends. What we did not know until recently was the cost for consumers. Last week, on Halloween, Microsoft gave us a treat by announcing a price of $30 for one year. Exact details about obtaining these ESU plans will be disclosed later next year.

  Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (21.45.1, 2024-11-07).

  AskWoody Plus Alert, MS-DEFCON Alerts, CVE-2024-38094, iOS 18, KB5002606, KB5002615, KB5002618, macOS Sequoia, MS-DEFCON, MS-DEFCON 2, Patch Lady Posts, Windows 10, Windows 10 ESU, Windows 11 24H2, Windows Server 2025

• MS-DEFCON 2: Windows 11 24H2 is out!

  Posted on October 1, 2024 at 20:03 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 21.40.1 • 2024-10-01

  

  By Susan Bradley

  It’s not that 24H2 was unexpected — but we had very, very little notice.

  You won’t be surprised by this advice: Don’t take the 24H2 update just yet. Nobody has had time to react to today’s announcement — much less examine the changes, check out the new features, and assess the effects of the update on existing systems.

  I considered raising the MS-DEFCON level to 1 because of the suddenness of the news, but 24H2 is not exactly an emergency. So I’m raising the level to 2. I recommend that you use your preferred delaying tactic to prevent 24H2’s installation until we’ve gone through our testing and you reach your own comfort level. As usual, I suggest Steve Gibson’s easy InControl app.

  Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (21.40.1, 2024-10-01).

  AskWoody Plus Alert, MS-DEFCON Alerts, KB5042207, KB5042209, KB5042211, KB5042214, KB5042215, KB5042217, KB5042749, KB5043145, MS-DEFCON, MS-DEFCON 2, Patch Lady Posts, Windows 11 24H2

• MS-DEFCON 2: 24H2 is around the corner

  Posted on September 5, 2024 at 02:45 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 21.36.1 • 2024-09-05

  

  By Susan Bradley

  I can always tell when fall is in the air.

  No, it’s not a decrease in temperatures — we’re still very hot here in Central California. No, it’s not that pumpkin-spice aroma around coffee shops.

  It’s the technology headlines about imminent updates from Redmond and Cupertino. Naturally, that means I’m raising the MS-DEFCON level to 2. Here are a few things you should consider.

  Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (21.36.1, 2024-09-05).

  AskWoody Plus Alert, MS-DEFCON Alerts, Apple, CVE-2024-26248, CVE-2024-29056, InControl, KB5014754, KB5025885, KB5037754, MS-DEFCON, MS-DEFCON 2, Patch Lady Posts, RSA, TLS, Windows 11 23H2, Windows 11 24H2

• MS-DEFCON 2: Microsoft and Apple betas near finish line

  Posted on August 8, 2024 at 02:45 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 21.32.1 • 2024-08-08

  

  By Susan Bradley

  Hold off on updates from both companies until they are fully vetted.

  With so much activity around forthcoming Windows updates, continued caution is recommended. That’s why I’m raising the MS-DEFCON level to 2.

  I realize that the window between today and last week’s Alert has been brief. It’s just a matter of the calendar — more testing time was needed last month, and Patch Tuesday is next week.

  Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (21.32.1, 2024-08-08).

  AskWoody Plus Alert, MS-DEFCON Alerts, Black Hat USA, CVE-2024-36971, iOS 18, KB5001716, KB5025885, MS-DEFCON, MS-DEFCON 2, Office 2019, Patch Lady Posts, Windows 11 24H2
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