security risk Archives

Winsage

March 2, 2026

Still on Windows 10? That’s a security risk now

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, reduced from its regular price of 9, until March 8 at 11:59 P.M. Pacific. Windows 11 Pro includes enhanced security features such as TPM 2.0 support, BitLocker device encryption, Smart App Control, and Windows Sandbox. It also offers productivity tools like Hyper-V, Azure AD support, Snap layouts, and AI-assisted Copilot integration. Minimum system requirements for the upgrade include a 1 GHz or faster 64-bit processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, and DirectX 12 compatible graphics.

Winsage

March 2, 2026

NTLM is going away: what Microsoft’s phaseout means for MSPs and IT teams

The migration from NTLM to Kerberos authentication is essential for improving security in Windows systems, but it faces challenges such as legacy systems and hardcoded authentication. Organizations must identify NTLM usage, conduct testing with NTLM disabled, and make necessary adjustments or upgrades to migrate successfully. Ongoing monitoring is crucial post-migration to prevent NTLM from re-entering the network. NTLM is associated with significant security vulnerabilities and has been exploited by various threat groups, making its elimination a priority for organizations despite potential hesitations to invest in the migration process. Transitioning to Kerberos is seen as a strategic security investment.

AppWizard

February 26, 2026

Russia’s “Secure” Max App Flagged as Security Risk, Troops in Ukraine Told to Stop Using It

Russian military personnel in Ukraine have been advised against using the state-sponsored messaging application, Max, due to security concerns raised by pro-war military bloggers. Directives have been issued to prohibit the use and installation of Max, described sarcastically as the “most secure national messenger in the world.” An alternative communication program is expected to be introduced for frontline use, although details remain undisclosed. The Russian Digital Development Ministry has noted that while Telegram will not be blocked for troops, foreign intelligence agencies may access its correspondence, posing risks for the Russian military. The Federal Security Service has warned that Ukraine’s military could obtain information shared via Telegram, which could be used for tactical advantages.

Tech Optimizer

January 27, 2026

Not a virus: What it means and why antivirus flags it

The term “not a virus” is used by antivirus software to indicate that a file does not match known malware signatures but still triggers a detection. This means the file is not automatically blocked or confirmed as a threat; the alert highlights something unusual, leaving the decision to the user. Alerts typically arise when software exhibits behavior associated with increased risk, despite lacking clear evidence of malicious intent. Malware is specifically designed to inflict harm, while files labeled “not a virus” may perform actions that raise security concerns but are not classified as harmful. Antivirus programs identify threats through signature detection and heuristic behavior-based detection. Legitimate programs, such as system utilities, download managers, and game cheats, can inadvertently trigger “not a virus” alerts. Common types of detections include adware, riskware, and potentially unwanted applications (PUA). The primary security risk of “not a virus” files is exposure rather than direct attacks, and privacy concerns often arise from data collection by these programs. If an antivirus detects “not a virus,” users should identify the file, review recent changes, compare detections, and decide whether to keep or remove it. To reduce unwanted alerts, users should download from official sources, use custom installation options, and remove unused software.

Winsage

January 16, 2026

For January, Patch Tuesday starts off with a bang

Users accessing Azure Virtual Desktop or Windows 365 Cloud PCs through the Windows App may experience authentication errors and credential prompt failures after installing updates KB5074109, KB5073455, or KB5073724. Microsoft is preparing an out-of-band fix and advises affected users to connect via the Remote Desktop client for Windows or the Windows App Web Client. A minor subset of users may also find the password icon missing on the Windows login screen, an issue since the August 2025 update, for which Microsoft has introduced a Known Issue Rollback for Pro and Home users, while enterprise deployments should implement an updated Group Policy. Microsoft has removed legacy Agere and Motorola soft modem drivers to address CVE-2023-31096, a security vulnerability, which will render hardware reliant on these drivers non-functional after the January updates. Additionally, certificates from 2011 used by many Windows devices will begin to expire in June and October, potentially causing boot issues or loss of access to Secure Boot security fixes for devices not updated with 2023 certificates. A new section for resolved issues has been introduced in the monthly updates, addressing challenges impacting enterprise environments.

Winsage

January 9, 2026

Use These Windows Registry Hacks to Tame the Disruptive Windows Updates

Many users are frustrated with Microsoft's management of Windows updates, which can disrupt workflows during critical tasks. While completely disabling updates poses security risks, users can modify the Windows Registry to regain control. To prevent automatic downloading and installation of updates, users can create a key in the Registry at HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows, naming it WindowsUpdate, and then create another key named AU. A DWORD value named AUOptions can be set to 2 to prompt for permission before updates. To stop automatic restarts during logged-in sessions, users can navigate to HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsUpdateAU and create a DWORD value named NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers, setting its value to 1. To lock Windows to a specific version and avoid feature upgrades, users can access HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsUpdate and create a DWORD value named TargetReleaseVersion set to 1, along with two String values: ProductVersion for the current version and TargetReleaseVersionInfo for the desired version. To prevent automatic driver updates, users can go to HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsUpdate and create a DWORD value named ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate, setting its value to 1. To extend the pause limit for updates beyond five weeks, users can access HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsUpdateUXSettings and create a DWORD value named FlightSettingsMaxPauseDays, setting its value to 365 or any preferred duration. These modifications allow for greater control over Windows updates, although emergency updates may still occur.

Winsage

December 5, 2025

Microsoft Silently Fixes 8-Year Windows Security Flaw

Microsoft addressed a critical vulnerability in Windows, identified as CVE-2025-9491, which had existed for nearly eight years and allowed cybercriminals to conceal malicious commands within .LNK (shortcut) files. This flaw was exploited by state-sponsored hacking groups from countries including China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia, with evidence of nearly 1,000 malicious shortcut files used in various campaigns. The vulnerability was initially downplayed by Microsoft, which stated it did not require immediate servicing. However, as exploitation increased, Microsoft eventually included a fix in its November 2025 Patch Tuesday updates, which was not publicly announced. The fix allows the entire Target command to be displayed in the Properties dialog, addressing the security risk. Research indicated that around 70% of campaigns exploiting this flaw were focused on espionage and information theft across multiple sectors.

Winsage

November 28, 2025

Microsoft gives Windows admins a legacy migration headache with WINS sunset

Many organizations using Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) do not actively leverage it for critical operations, and it often operates quietly in the background. WINS poses significant security risks due to design limitations, particularly its lack of a robust mechanism for authenticating name registrations, making it vulnerable to spoofing attacks. Attackers can register malicious entries, such as Web Proxy Auto-Discovery (WPAD) records, allowing them to intercept web traffic or redirect connections, which facilitates lateral movement within a network and threatens organizational security.

AppWizard

October 16, 2025

Minecraft mods: When ‘hacking’ your game becomes a security risk

Minecraft and Roblox are popular platforms for creativity and community engagement among younger audiences, but they also attract cybercriminals who exploit players by disguising malware as mods, cheats, or automation tools. A mod, short for "modification," is a user-created software extension that alters gameplay in Minecraft, but these mods can be maliciously exploited. Recent threats include over 500 GitHub repositories distributing an infostealer disguised as Minecraft mods and attacks using popular modding platforms like Bukkit and CurseForge to spread malware. Attackers often present malware as essential mods, which can lead to harmful background processes once installed. Common types of malware masquerading as mods include Trojans, infostealers, ransomware, and cryptominers. To reduce risks, players should download mods from trusted platforms, verify developers' reputations, be cautious of unusual file types, and use security software to check downloads. If a suspicious mod is installed, players should delete it, run a full antimalware scan, reinstall Minecraft from the official website, change passwords, and consult cybersecurity professionals if needed. To stay safe while using mods, players should use non-administrator accounts, keep systems updated, maintain regular backups, and implement robust security measures.

Winsage

October 16, 2025

Patch Tuesday: Windows 10 end of life pain for IT departments

Microsoft has ceased support for Windows 10 and released a significant Patch Tuesday update addressing several zero-day vulnerabilities, including CVE-2025-24990, which involves a legacy device driver that has been completely removed from Windows. This driver, the Agere Modem driver (ltmdm64.sys), supports hardware from the late 1990s and early 2000s and has not kept pace with modern security practices. The removal of the driver is a strategic decision to reduce security risks associated with outdated components, as patching such legacy code can lead to instability and may not effectively resolve vulnerabilities. Another vulnerability addressed in the update is CVE-2025-2884, related to the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 reference implementation. Additionally, CVE-2025-49708, a critical vulnerability in the Microsoft Graphics Component with a CVSS score of 9.9, poses severe risks by allowing a full virtual machine escape, enabling attackers to gain system privileges on the host server from a low-privilege guest VM. Security experts recommend prioritizing patches for this vulnerability to maintain the integrity of virtualization security.