July 2023
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Windows Update will automatically initiate a feature update to version 22H2 for Windows 10 devices running at home and at companies in unmanaged enterprise environments. Many unmanaged Windows 10 computers have already been upgraded to Windows 11.
We recommend upgrading to Windows 11 after confirming your hardware and software are compatible.
Microsoft products reaching the end of support October 10, 2023:
- Windows 11 21H2 (22000) Home and Pro.
- Windows Server 2012 and R2
- Hyper-V Server 2012 and R2
- Windows Storage Server 2012 and R2
- Internet Explorer 7
- Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac, including the individual products.
Entering extended support in October 2023:
- Microsoft Office 2019, including the individual products.
Office documents can be autosaved only if stored on Microsoft’s OneDrive or SharePoint.
Autorecover is available to save a local copy every 10 minutes but must be turned on. Here’s How. You can turn off the marketing messages to set up OneDrive by disabling “AutoSave files…” in Word Options/Save.
LastPass password manager users have been experiencing significant login issues starting early May after being prompted to reset their authenticator apps. Numerous users have been locked out of their accounts and unable to access their LastPass vault, even after successfully resetting their MFA applications (e.g., LastPass Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator).
Affected customers cannot seek assistance from support since contacting LastPass support requires logging into their accounts which they can’t do because they’re locked in an infinite loop of being prompted to reset their MFA authenticator.
Don’t go small on a Solid State Drive (SSD). Service lifetime for an SSD depends on how many times it is written to and how much reserve space has been set aside to replace bits in the drive that have gone bad. The way reserve space works is that the larger the drive, the longer the probable lifetime of the drive.
Twitter’s bot spam keeps getting worse.
Windows 11 will get support for 7-Zip, RAR, and GZ as archive formats in addition to ZIP.
Amazon AntiTrust suit from the FTC. Another FTC suit is alleging prime membership trickery.
Showtime is moving to Paramount+. Paramount+ featuring Showtime will be $12/Month.
Netflix Tests Killing Off Its ‘Basic’ Subscription in Canada.
The Trust equation – a tool for improving your skill with customers/clients.
CHATBOTS and AI
Harvard class is being taught by AI instructor.
Junk news sites are abusing ad systems with AI-generated content.
OpenAI Sued for using ‘stolen’ data, violating your privacy with ChatGPT.
SECURITY
Apple security updates fix known exploit – update now.
Fortinet firewalls must be on the latest patch if SSL VPN is enabled. We will be contacting you if you are affected. “CVE-2023-27997 is exploitable and allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute code remotely on vulnerable devices with the SSL VPN interface exposed on the web.”
MOVEit security breach
Over 130 companies have had data compromised because they were using MOVEit software, which turned out to have a security flaw.
Among those affected were CAL-PERS and CAL-STRS retirement systems. Data exposed includes Social Security Number, date of birth, and zip code. Pension data was not accessed.
Norton LifeLock had employee data compromised.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is investigating what was exposed.
Shell, British Airways, Boots, Johns Hopkins, NYC Schools, Siemens Energy, the Department of Energy, along with some state and federal agencies, also lost data or got hacked.
We have confirmed that none of our clients are using the MOVEit software.
If your Social Security number was exposed, be sure to:
Lock (freeze) your credit files.
Create an online IRS account if you have not already, and set a PIN.
Create an account for California taxes with the FTB. You will get a PIN by mail.
Create an online Social Security account and make sure you have a very secure password.
If you know your Social Security information has been compromised, you can request to Block Electronic Access. This is done by calling 1-800-772-1213.
For many years, the IRS would provide a PIN only to those who had suffered an identity theft. Now, anyone may proactively file for this additional protection.
Before you think that e-filing or extending your return puts you at risk for identity theft, be aware that the IRS has admitted that the personnel who key-enter your paper return will sometimes steal your identity — because they have access to your entire tax return. Sending the return using an online tax filing service can actually be safer.
Meduza stealer targets 19 password Managers and 76 Crypto Wallets
It’s currently being offered for sale on underground forums. The information stolen by the malware is made available through a user-friendly web panel. No programming required.
Top routinely exploited software bugs.
HUMOR
Tim Torian