security concerns Archives

Winsage

November 3, 2024

Microsoft’s Recall feature for Windows pushed back again as privacy and security matters keep the AI tool on hold

Microsoft's AI-driven Recall feature, designed to capture and record desktop activity in Windows 11, has faced delays due to privacy and security concerns. Critics have raised alarms about the potential for sensitive personal information to be captured, highlighting vulnerabilities such as the lack of data encryption. Initially postponed to enhance privacy measures, Microsoft planned a testing phase for October 2024 but announced another delay on Halloween, pushing the release back to December 2024 for Windows Insider Program testers with Copilot+ PCs. The company is focused on improving data collection control and secure information storage. There are speculations that Recall could be abandoned if privacy and security issues are not adequately addressed.

Winsage

November 2, 2024

Microsoft Delays Windows Copilot+ Recall Release Over Privacy Concerns

Microsoft has postponed the release of the Recall feature for its Windows Copilot+ PCs from October to December 2024 to enhance user experience and address privacy and security concerns. Recall, introduced in May, is designed to provide a "visual timeline" of users' screens and will now operate on an opt-in basis due to potential privacy risks. Microsoft is implementing additional security measures, including "just in time" decryption, which requires user authentication through Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) to access Recall snapshots.

Winsage

November 1, 2024

Microsoft again delays Recall feature, says it will arrive for Windows Insiders on Copilot Plus PCs in December

Microsoft has postponed the launch of its Recall feature for Copilot+ PCs, now aiming for availability to Windows Insiders by December. Originally set for a June release, the feature captures screenshots of activity on a Copilot+ PC display but has faced delays due to privacy and security concerns. Recall will be an opt-in feature, allowing users to uninstall it if desired. Key security enhancements include data encryption and restricted access through Windows Hello authentication. Recall will not be mandatory or enabled by default on Windows 11 24H2 PCs. Technical issues have also contributed to the delays.

Winsage

October 31, 2024

Microsoft just delayed Recall again

Microsoft has delayed the rollout of its Recall feature for Copilot Plus PCs, originally scheduled for testing with Windows Insiders in October, now pushed to December. The delay is due to the need for additional time to ensure a secure and reliable user experience. Recall was initially intended for a June launch but faced delays due to security concerns. The feature will be an opt-in experience, fully removable by users, and will not be automatically installed on PCs running Windows 11, version 24H2. Microsoft has focused on enhancing Recall's security, including fully encrypting its database and requiring Windows Hello authentication for access. Recall allows users to capture screenshots of their activities and revisit them through an interactive timeline.

Winsage

October 31, 2024

Microsoft is struggling to get Windows Recall out the door — delays releasing first public preview

Microsoft has postponed the rollout of the Windows Recall feature, now expected to preview in December instead of October. The feature was initially set to debut alongside Copilot+ PCs in June. The delay is due to security concerns regarding data storage management. Microsoft has identified significant vulnerabilities and is reassessing its launch timeline, having already delayed the feature for four months. When released, Windows Recall will include a robust security framework, with encrypted data and Windows Hello authentication required for access. Users can filter specific applications and websites, with default settings excluding sensitive information. The feature is unlikely to be available beyond the Insider Program until 2025, and the timeline for access on AMD and Intel Copilot+ PCs remains uncertain, with initial previews expected to launch on Snapdragon X devices in November.

Winsage

October 31, 2024

Microsoft’s Recall AI tool for Copilot+ PCs faces a third delay

Microsoft's AI-powered Recall tool has been delayed again, with the new launch date for Windows Insiders set for December. The tool, initially scheduled for testing in June and then delayed in August, aims to enhance search capabilities on Copilot+ PCs but has faced privacy and security concerns due to its extensive access to user data. Microsoft has made Recall an opt-in feature, requiring user consent for tracking activities, and has outlined privacy protections. However, the delays indicate challenges in implementing robust security measures.

Winsage

October 30, 2024

Microsoft Update Warning—400 Million Windows PCs Now At Risk

Approximately 400 million users are at risk as vulnerabilities in Windows resurface, prompting warnings for immediate action to protect PCs and personal data. The public interest advocacy group PIRG is urging Microsoft to extend Windows 10 support to all users, as the current support for educational institutions will end in one year, potentially rendering many computers obsolete. Microsoft has provided extended support options for educational institutions, allowing them to maintain security for an additional three years at a nominal fee, but details for consumer options remain undisclosed. A significant vulnerability, referred to as a "downdate" threat, remains unpatched, and a new Windows Theme vulnerability has been classified as a zero-day threat. PIRG is advocating for automatic extensions of essential security updates for Windows 10 to prevent a surge of electronic waste and enhance security for users.

Winsage

October 29, 2024

Microsoft isn’t secretly installing Recall on your Windows PC

Microsoft's Recall feature, intended for capturing screenshots on Copilot Plus PCs, has faced controversy due to security concerns, leading to its delay and prioritization of security enhancements. Currently, Recall is not available for testing on Copilot Plus PCs, and there is speculation about its automatic installation with the Windows 11 version 24H2 update. IT manager Chris Titus claimed that Recall would be installed on all systems with the 24H2 update, but Microsoft clarified that it will be an optional feature that users can uninstall. Windows expert Albacore noted that the 24H2 update includes changes to simplify Recall's removal for system administrators, not mandatory installation. Bugs related to Recall's removal have been reported, and Microsoft confirmed that users would have the ability to uninstall the feature. Brandon LeBlanc from Microsoft reiterated that Recall has not been made available to Windows Insiders yet. Despite this, concerns about potential covert installation persist in online discussions.

Winsage

October 28, 2024

“We automated 150 tasks with AI agents, just copy us”: Microsoft’s Windows Agent Arena brings AI assistants keyboard-deep to Windows PCs but there are critical security and performance concerns

Microsoft introduced Windows Agent Arena, a benchmark for testing AI agents in realistic Windows environments. Multi-modal AI agents currently have a performance success rate of 19.5%, compared to the average human performance rating of 74.5%. The benchmark includes over 150 diverse Windows tasks and allows for evaluations in Azure, potentially completing assessments in 20 minutes. Microsoft Research developed a multi-modal agent named Navi, which demonstrated a 19.5% success rate in tasks like converting a website to a PDF. Privacy and security concerns are highlighted, with Microsoft recalling the Windows Recall feature to enhance user security. The open-source framework promotes research and the development of reliable AI models, with an emphasis on responsible AI practices. Other companies, like Anthropic, are also advancing AI capabilities, exemplified by their new API "Computer Use" for human-like interactions with computers.

Winsage

October 25, 2024

What I learned from 3 years of running Windows 11 on “unsupported” PCs

Midrange and high-end laptops have seen enhancements such as high-resolution displays, taller screen aspect ratios (16:10 and 3:2), USB-C charging, and backlit keyboards. The ThinkPad X230 features a booklight next to the webcam for keyboard illumination but lacks a backlit keyboard. Recent laptops offer upgrades that improve productivity and user satisfaction, particularly for Windows 11 support. Windows 11 requires security features like TPM 2.0, hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI), and mode-based execution control (MBEC), which enhance data protection but may affect performance on older systems. Older PCs face vulnerabilities due to the lack of support for the latest security updates and BIOS fixes, increasing their risk.