cybersecurity concerns

Winsage
December 10, 2024
Microsoft has allowed users to install Windows 11 on older, unsupported hardware, moving away from its previous strict hardware requirements. Users can manually install the operating system, but devices that do not meet minimum requirements will not receive updates via Windows Update, requiring manual management of updates. A watermark will appear on the desktop, and a notification in Settings will indicate that the upgrade is not recommended. Microsoft will not lower the minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11, citing cybersecurity concerns. Unsupported devices will also be excluded from the Windows Insider Program. Users can revert to Windows 10 within ten days of the upgrade through the Settings menu.
Winsage
November 23, 2024
Microsoft is rolling out its Recall feature for testing on Copilot+ PCs with Qualcomm Snapdragon chips. This feature allows users to take snapshots of their screens and search for specific words or objects within those images. Currently, Recall is available to users in the Windows Insider Program's dev channel, but only on devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon chips. Initial testing has revealed challenges, including inconsistent screenshot frequency, incomplete search results, and slow loading times for viewing captured images. Microsoft has addressed cybersecurity concerns by encrypting the database and disabling the feature by default.
AppWizard
October 15, 2024
Nintendo has a history of opposing emulation and has taken legal action against emulator creators and ROM distribution websites, stating that downloading or copying older titles violates copyright laws. A Twitter user discovered that a SNES controller at the Nintendo Museum in Japan was disconnected via USB, producing a sound associated with Windows, suggesting that a SNES title was being emulated on a Windows PC. This revelation raises questions about the museum's choice to use an emulator instead of a functioning SNES console. Additionally, the setup poses cybersecurity risks, as the easily disconnected controller could allow unauthorized devices to connect, creating vulnerabilities.
Winsage
September 3, 2024
Windows 11 users are experiencing issues with Microsoft's "Recall" feature, which captures screenshots of user activity. An update to Windows 11 version 24H2 suggested that users could uninstall Recall, but Microsoft clarified this was a glitch. Brandon LeBlanc from Microsoft stated that Recall was incorrectly listed as an option in the Control Panel and would be fixed in a future update. Recall uses an on-device generative AI model to track user actions, raising concerns about the capture of sensitive data. Kevin Beaumont, a former Microsoft security expert, criticized Recall as a significant cybersecurity risk. In response to backlash, Microsoft announced that Recall would be opt-in and disabled by default, and the UK's Information Commissioner's Office is investigating potential privacy violations. The rollout of Recall, originally planned for June, has been postponed to October for testing by Windows Insiders.
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