patch management Archives

Winsage

April 18, 2026

Microsoft closes book on rogue Windows Server 2025 upgrades

Microsoft has officially resolved the incident involving the unexpected upgrade to Windows Server 2025, which occurred over a year ago and caused significant disruption for system administrators. The upgrade was automatic, with no rollback option, and was attributed to third-party products managing updates. Additionally, Microsoft's cumulative update KB5082063 has introduced new issues, causing LSASS crashes on non-Global Catalog domain controllers in environments using Privileged Access Management, leading to repeated restarts and potential inaccessibility of domains. Microsoft has acknowledged this problem and promised a resolution soon.

Winsage

April 16, 2026

Microsoft’s latest Windows update now confirms if your PC is Secure Boot-protected

Microsoft has introduced a new feature in Windows 11 and Windows 10 that informs users about the status of Secure Boot as part of the April Patch Tuesday update. This feature includes a visual indicator that shows whether devices have the latest Secure Boot certificates, which protect against bootkit malware. The Secure Boot icon can display in green, yellow, or red, indicating different security statuses: green means secure with no actions needed, yellow indicates a pending safety recommendation, and red signals that immediate attention is required. Users can check their Secure Boot status through Settings in both operating systems. It is important to install the latest Windows updates to ensure devices have the most recent Secure Boot certificates, as older certificates will expire in June. The April updates also address 164 vulnerabilities, including eight classified as critical and two identified as zero-day flaws. Users are advised to prioritize these updates to maintain system security.

Winsage

April 7, 2026

How to prevent updates on Windows 10 desktops

Organizations may pause or block Windows updates to maintain system stability and compatibility, particularly to avoid disruptions with legacy applications or customized environments, manage bandwidth consumption, and protect fortified Windows configurations. IT departments can disable updates using several methods: 1. Centralized patch management tools like WSUS or Microsoft Intune allow control over update deployment. 2. Configuring Group Policy settings can notify users of available updates without automatic installation. 3. Disabling the Windows Update service halts all future updates until re-enabled. 4. Setting a connection as metered can reduce automatic updates, though some critical updates may still download. In Windows 11, similar strategies apply, but organizations must consider the risks of blocking updates due to the end of regular security updates for Windows 10 and align their strategies with Microsoft's evolving update delivery methods.

Tech Optimizer

February 19, 2026

The 5 Biggest Cybersecurity Threats to Watch in 2026: Is Your Business Safe From These Looming Dangers? – Travel And Tour World

In 2026, cybersecurity has evolved significantly, necessitating organizations to prioritize five critical threats identified by expert Danny Mitchell from Heimdal: 1. AI Vulnerabilities: Attackers can manipulate machine learning models by introducing corrupted data, leading to dangerous decisions by AI systems. 2. Cyber-Enabled Fraud and Phishing: Phishing attacks have become more sophisticated with AI, using deepfake technology to impersonate individuals and evade detection. 3. Supply Chain Attacks: Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in software libraries and vendor relationships, compromising trusted software updates and access credentials. 4. Software Vulnerabilities: The rapid discovery of software vulnerabilities outpaces patching efforts, leaving systems exposed to attacks, especially legacy systems. 5. Ransomware Attacks: Modern ransomware employs double extortion tactics, encrypting and stealing data, pressuring businesses to comply with ransom demands. Mitchell recommends strategies such as auditing AI systems, implementing multi-channel verification, securing supply chains, prioritizing patch management, and developing ransomware response plans to combat these threats.

Winsage

February 12, 2026

Microsoft’s latest update patches six zero-days and two critical flaws – but is it another buggy mess?

Microsoft's February Patch Tuesday update addresses feature and security bugs, continuing the refresh of Secure Boot certificates to protect against bootkit malware. Secure Boot prevents malicious software from executing during startup by using trusted certificates, many of which are set to expire in June. The update is available for both Windows 11 and Windows 10 users, with the latter needing to be enrolled in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program until October 2026. Windows 11 fixes include resolutions for full-screen gaming and WPA3-Personal Wi-Fi connectivity issues, while Windows 10 improvements address Chinese fonts, specific graphics processing units, and custom folder names in File Explorer. A bug causing unexpected restarts in Secure Launch-compatible PCs has also been fixed. The update includes 55 security patches, a decrease from January's 114, with two classified as critical and six identified as zero-day vulnerabilities. One vulnerability exploited in the wild could allow system privilege escalation, another could disrupt network connectivity, and a third could disable security controls and access sensitive data. Users can update their Windows 11 PCs through System > Windows Update, and Windows 10 users through System > Update & Security. Due to previous buggy updates, users may consider waiting a few days before installing the February update, with the option to uninstall if issues arise.

Tech Optimizer

December 12, 2025

The digital impersonators: How cybercriminals hijack your brand to launch malvertising attacks

Brand trust is highly valued by consumers, leading cybercriminals to exploit it through malvertising, which embeds malicious code in legitimate ads. Malvertising can redirect users to phishing sites or download malware. Cybercriminals create fake ads that mimic trusted brands, targeting high-traffic moments and using real-time bidding to distribute these ads on reputable sites. The process involves setting up fake accounts, creating convincing ads, purchasing ad space, and delivering malware through exploit kits. The consequences include identity theft and financial loss for consumers, and reputational damage for brands. To protect against these threats, organizations should implement regular software updates, continuous employee training, protective tools, and consider partnering with managed service providers for enhanced security measures.

Winsage

November 18, 2025

Microsoft: Windows 10 KB5072653 OOB update fixes ESU install errors

Microsoft released an emergency out-of-band update, KB5072653, on November 17, 2025, to address installation issues related to the November extended security updates for Windows 10. This update specifically targets the error code 0x800f0922 that prevented users from successfully installing the ESU update. To install this update, devices must be running Windows 10 version 22H2 and have the October 2025 KB5066791 cumulative update installed. Users can check for updates via Windows Update, where KB5072653 will be included. Microsoft plans to release a new Scan Cab with updated metadata to improve compliance update checks for organizations using WSUS and SCCM.

Winsage

November 18, 2025

Microsoft fixes Windows 10 update flaw

Jack Bicer, the director of vulnerability research at Action1, advises IT leaders to ensure the latest servicing stack update (SSU) is installed before reapplying a patch after Microsoft’s patch release on November 17. He recommends troubleshooting steps for system file corruption, including: 1. Temporarily disabling non-Microsoft services and startup applications through a Clean Boot. 2. Manually installing the update by downloading the .msu package for KB5068781 from the Microsoft Update Catalog and using the command wusa.exe .msu /quiet /norestart. 3. Verifying the build number with the winver command, targeting build numbers 19045.6575 (22H2) or 19044.6575 (21H2).

Winsage

November 16, 2025

Microsoft: Windows 10 KB5068781 ESU update may fail with 0x800f0922 errors

Microsoft has acknowledged an issue with the installation of the Windows 10 KB5068781 extended security update, which is causing 0x800f0922 errors on devices using corporate licensing. This update, released on November 11, is the first extended security update for Windows 10. Reports indicate that the update fails to apply after installation on some devices, despite users having the necessary ESU licenses. Microsoft is investigating the issue, which appears to affect devices activated through Windows subscription activation via the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. There is currently no estimated time for a resolution or any workarounds provided. Additionally, some Windows 10 devices are not recognized as needing the KB5068781 update, even when properly licensed.

Tech Optimizer

November 13, 2025

Hackers Using RMM Tools LogMeIn and PDQ Connect to Deploy Malware as Legitimate Software

Cybersecurity researchers at AhnLab Security Intelligence Center (ASEC) have discovered an attack campaign that uses legitimate Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tools, specifically LogMeIn Resolve and PDQ Connect, to deploy backdoor malware on users' systems. Attackers lure victims to fake download sites that mimic legitimate software pages for utilities like Notepad++, 7-Zip, and VLC Media Player, delivering modified versions of LogMeIn Resolve. The malicious installers are disguised with filenames such as "notepad++.exe" and "chatgpt.exe." Once executed, these files install the RMM tool and additional malware capable of stealing sensitive information. ASEC has identified three CompanyId values associated with the attacks: 8347338797131280000, 1995653637248070000, and 4586548334491120000. The malware, known as PatoRAT, is a Delphi-developed backdoor that gathers system information and has extensive malicious capabilities, including keylogging and remote desktop access. Users are advised to download software only from official websites and verify digital signatures, while organizations should monitor for unauthorized RMM installations and the identified indicators of compromise.