hospitals Archives

Winsage

January 16, 2026

Microsoft Ends Windows Server 2008 Support on January 13, 2026

Microsoft has officially ceased all support for Windows Server 2008 as of January 13, 2026, including paid extended security updates. This end-of-life scenario poses significant security risks for organizations still using the outdated operating system, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks. The transition away from Windows Server 2008 requires careful planning, as many organizations face challenges in migrating legacy applications to modern systems. The lack of ongoing patches means that any new vulnerabilities will remain unaddressed, potentially leading to data breaches and compliance failures, particularly in regulated sectors like healthcare and finance. Microsoft has encouraged migration to Azure, offering incentives for early adopters, but the transition can be complex and costly. The end of support also affects global supply chains and compatibility with newer software applications. Organizations are advised to conduct audits of their software portfolios and consider hybrid environments to enhance flexibility and security.

AppWizard

November 11, 2025

German healthcare aims to replace faxes and phones with secure mess…

Germany's healthcare system is introducing TI-Messenger, an encrypted messaging service overseen by Germany’s National Digital Health Agency, Gematik, to enhance communication among patients, healthcare professionals, and insurance companies. This service aims to replace traditional communication methods like faxes and phone calls, with initial trials showing significant time savings for medical staff. TI-Messenger, based on the Matrix open network technology standard, is designed to allow secure communication across health institutions while maintaining data control. As of July 15, 2025, it became accessible to all German citizens with public health insurance. A trial in Hamburg demonstrated that pharmacists significantly reduced phone calls by using TI-Messenger. There are two versions of the service: TI Messenger ePA for citizens and TI-Messenger Pro for healthcare professionals, which has not yet seen widespread adoption. Challenges in user adoption exist, with potential solutions including financial incentives and simplified onboarding processes. Future developments may lead to automated responses and improved communication practices, with hopes for collaboration with other European countries using similar technologies.

AppWizard

November 4, 2025

Cities Skylines’ traffic headaches are nothing compared to this brutal new city builder, where your population’s lives are literally on the line

Microlandia is a city-building simulation game developed by Information Superhighway Games that emphasizes the challenging aspects of urban life. The game introduces realism by incorporating consequences for inadequate funding in hospitals, leading to mass death as a gameplay element. Players' decisions impact citizens' lives, with issues like bad traffic potentially resulting in job loss. The housing market reflects greed and desperation, driving some citizens to crime. The game is based on data from reputable sources, ensuring authenticity in its portrayal of urban management. Microlandia will launch on November 21, priced at .99 / ~£5.32, and is available for wishlisting on Steam. The developer plans to expand the simulation post-launch with additional policy tools.

Winsage

October 30, 2025

Microsoft issues security update addressing critical vulnerability impacting Windows server services

Microsoft has released a security update to address a remote code execution vulnerability in various versions of Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has advised organizations to follow Microsoft's guidance to mitigate risks from potential cyberthreats. Scott Gee from the American Hospital Association highlighted the seriousness of the vulnerability, stating it allows attackers to gain complete control over a victim's system.

Winsage

October 29, 2025

When the Patches Stop: Protecting Your (Windows 10) Environment with CDR

Microsoft has ceased providing free security updates for Windows 10 as of mid-October 2025, marking the end of support for the operating system. Organizations can purchase Extended Security Updates (ESUs) to extend support temporarily, but these do not protect against zero-day vulnerabilities. Transitioning to Windows 11 presents challenges, including hardware incompatibility and the need for extensive planning and validation in regulated industries like healthcare and finance. Many businesses rely on Windows 10 systems that are integral to their operations and cannot easily be replaced. Cybercriminals exploit unpatched systems, with approximately 70% of successful breaches stemming from zero-day attacks. Traditional defenses are ineffective against undisclosed vulnerabilities, and human behavior remains a significant risk factor. Votiro offers a proactive solution through Content Disarm and Reconstruction (CDR), which sanitizes files in real-time to eliminate malware before it reaches unpatched systems, providing a protective barrier for organizations still using Windows 10.

AppWizard

October 5, 2025

Delta Force devs’ horror game combines extraction shooters, Dead by Daylight, and CRPGs, and it has no right to look this good

Team Jade is developing a new tactical shooter titled Project Spectrum, which combines elements of various gaming genres to create a unique multiplayer experience. The game features a blend of tactical military simulation and a supernatural environment, with players acting as agents equipped with military-grade weaponry. The gameplay includes navigating a dilapidated mansion while tracking a dark energy source called the Ember, encountering eerie creatures, and managing a sanity meter that distorts perception. The game introduces an asymmetrical multiplayer component where players can become the Executioner, a powerful entity that poses a threat to agents. Players can customize their agents and engage in resource management through a crafting system that allows for weapon upgrades. The progression system diverges from typical extraction shooter models, enabling players to recruit, manage, and upgrade their agents, adding depth to the gameplay. Project Spectrum aims to deliver a fresh take on multiplayer gaming by blending tactical FPS, extraction shooter, survival horror, and CRPG elements.

Tech Optimizer

September 23, 2025

The Evolution Of PostgreSQL In The Age Of AI – Open Source For You

PostgreSQL, enhanced with the pgvector extension, allows for semantic search capabilities alongside traditional SQL functionalities. The pgvector extension enables developers to perform vector similarity searches, mapping unstructured content into multi-dimensional embeddings for comparison. This capability addresses the growing need for databases that can handle both structured queries and AI-driven semantic searches. Hybrid SQL databases combine traditional relational capabilities with modern AI-native features, allowing for the management of both structured and unstructured data. PostgreSQL, with pgvector, supports vector similarity search, text, graph, and time-series data, and provides a unified query language (SQL) while integrating AI and analytics in one system. The pgvector extension allows for storing embeddings from various sources and performing similarity searches using different distance metrics. It is particularly suited for hybrid workloads, consolidating structured and unstructured data analytics and AI functionalities. Real-world use cases include early detection of aircraft engine failure through semantic anomaly pattern matching and AI-assisted diagnosis support in rural health centers. In these scenarios, historical data is embedded into vectors, enabling the retrieval of similar past cases or incidents based on semantic meaning rather than exact wording. Compared to other vector databases, pgvector offers minimal setup costs, seamless integration with SQL, and full data control, making it a cost-effective solution for organizations already using PostgreSQL. As AI continues to evolve, hybrid SQL + vector databases like PostgreSQL with pgvector are positioned to reshape data system design, facilitating intelligent applications that combine structured querying with semantic understanding.

Winsage

September 12, 2025

FTC should investigate Microsoft after Ascension ransomware attack, senator says

A U.S. senator, Ron Wyden, has requested an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) into Microsoft's role in a ransomware attack on Ascension Health, alleging "gross cybersecurity negligence." The attack, which occurred in 2024, involved hackers using a method called "Kerberoasting" to exploit Microsoft’s Active Directory server, taking advantage of the outdated RC4 encryption standard. Wyden criticized Microsoft for not making the more secure Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) the default option in Windows and for failing to adequately warn customers about vulnerabilities related to Kerberoasting. Microsoft acknowledged that RC4 is outdated but stated that disabling it could disrupt customer systems. The company plans to disable RC4 by default in new installations of Active Directory Domains using Windows Server 2025 by early 2026. Wyden noted that the ransomware attack originated from a malicious link clicked by a contractor while using Microsoft’s Bing, leading to malware installation and subsequent ransomware deployment across Ascension’s systems. The attack severely impacted Ascension's operations, forcing its 140 hospitals to revert to manual processes for weeks and compromising sensitive data of nearly 6 million individuals. Patients in Texas, Illinois, and Tennessee have filed class action lawsuits against Ascension due to the breach. The Black Basta ransomware gang has been implicated in the attack, although they have not claimed responsibility.

Winsage

September 12, 2025

Senator blasts Microsoft for ‘dangerous, insecure software’

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden has called for an investigation by the FTC into Microsoft’s cybersecurity practices, citing concerns over the distribution of "dangerous, insecure software" that has allegedly facilitated cybercriminal activities, particularly impacting the Ascension hospital network. A ransomware attack on Ascension, which operates over 140 hospitals, was triggered by a contractor clicking a malicious link, exploiting vulnerabilities in Microsoft’s software. The breach resulted in disruptions to surgical procedures and the theft of personal and medical information from approximately 5.6 million patients. Wyden highlighted a vulnerability known as "Kerberoasting" and criticized Microsoft for using the outdated RC4 encryption algorithm, which has not been replaced despite the availability of more secure options. He noted that Microsoft has been aware of these issues for a long time but has not taken adequate action, including failing to implement a promised patch to disable RC4. Wyden accused Microsoft of prioritizing profit over security and emphasized the need for regulatory action to ensure the company implements secure defaults and provides clear security guidance to customers.

AppWizard

September 5, 2025

Kazakhstan’s Rollout of Aitu Messenger Sparks Fears Over Internet Freedom – The Times Of Central Asia

Kazakhstan has mandated the use of its national messaging application, Aitu, for government officials and state-owned enterprises by September 15, as part of an initiative led by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the need for enhanced protections for citizens' personal data due to risks associated with using foreign messaging platforms. Aitu, launched in 2018 and currently with around six million users, is owned by Kazakhtelecom JSC and BTS, with its infrastructure hosted in Kazakhstan. Concerns have been raised about the app's security features, with calls for more transparency. The Ministry of Digital Development has denied any intentions to ban international messaging platforms like WhatsApp or Telegram, asserting that Aitu is meant solely for official communication.