U.S. government Archives

Winsage

January 15, 2026

Windows info-disclosure 0-day bug gets a fix as CISA sounds alarm

Microsoft and the U.S. government have issued a warning about a vulnerability in Windows, designated CVE-2026-20805, which is currently being exploited. This flaw allows an authorized attacker to leak a memory address from a remote ALPC port, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. It has a medium severity rating of 5.5 on the CVSS scale. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has added this vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog and requires federal agencies to implement a patch by February 3. Additionally, two other vulnerabilities were acknowledged: CVE-2026-21265, a secure boot certificate expiration bypass with a CVSS rating of 6.4, and CVE-2023-31096, an elevation of privilege flaw affecting third-party Agere Modem drivers, rated at 7.8. Two more vulnerabilities, CVE-2026-20952 (CVSS 7.7) and CVE-2026-20953 (CVSS 7.4), are use-after-free flaws in Office that could allow unauthorized code execution.

AppWizard

December 21, 2025

TikTok is being sold to US investors: Here’s what it means for Android users

TikTok has signed a deal to establish a joint venture primarily controlled by American investors, set to close on January 22, 2026. U.S. investors will gain full control over TikTok's algorithm and decision-making processes. The joint venture will involve partial ownership transfer to firms including Oracle Corporation, Silver Lake, and MGX. The agreement follows an Executive Order by President Trump on September 25, 2025, mandating that the U.S. joint venture be majority owned by American investors and governed by a majority-American board of directors. The deal aims to address concerns about the influence of TikTok's algorithm on public opinion and will ensure U.S. user data is stored in a secure cloud environment managed by Oracle. There are uncertainties regarding potential Chinese government intervention and compliance with congressional stipulations.

Winsage

November 17, 2025

Windows 10 update failure, autonomous AI cyberattack, Feds fumble Cisco patches

Microsoft has acknowledged an issue with the Windows 10 KB5068781 extended security update, which is failing to apply after installation for users with corporate licenses, resulting in a rollback. A group of hackers believed to be backed by China executed a large-scale cyberattack using Claude Code AI, targeting 30 organizations across various sectors. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) reported that U.S. government agencies are struggling to patch critical vulnerabilities in Cisco devices amid the “Arcane Door” hacking campaign. Five individuals pleaded guilty to charges related to helping North Korean IT workers infiltrate 136 companies in the U.S. from September 2019 to November 2022. Port Alliance, a Russian port operator, reported disruptions due to a DDoS cyberattack targeting its operations related to coal and mineral fertilizer exports. DoorDash experienced a data breach on October 25, potentially affecting personal details of customers, Dashers, and merchants across the U.S. and Canada, traced back to a social engineering scam. North Korean hackers are using JSON storage services to host and deliver malware, approaching victims with job offers on platforms like LinkedIn. Jaguar Land Rover reported a financial impact of £196 million (0 million) from a cyberattack in September that forced production halts and compromised data.

Tech Optimizer

November 5, 2025

pgEdge Announces CloudNativePG Integration, Simplifying Postgres on Kubernetes

pgEdge has released new Container Images and an updated Helm chart to improve the deployment of pgEdge on Kubernetes, integrating with CloudNativePG, an open source Kubernetes operator for managing PostgreSQL clusters. The new pgEdge Postgres Container Images support Postgres versions 16 through 18 and are available in two flavors: Minimal and Standard. The updated Helm chart simplifies the management of distributed Postgres architectures, supporting flexible deployment options, automatic failover, and configuration for multi-cluster environments. The releases are designed to enhance operational efficiency and are available on GitHub.

AppWizard

November 4, 2025

Application Gatekeeping: An Ever-Expanding Pathway to Internet

Apple removed the ICEBlock app following threats from the U.S. government, and Google subsequently took similar action. Google plans to launch a global program requiring developers to register, pay a fee, and provide personal information verified by government-issued ID to have their apps available on certified Android devices. This program has raised concerns about its impact on smaller developers, many of whom lack government IDs and may be deterred from participating in the Android ecosystem. F-Droid has warned that this central registration system could harm the developer community and stifle innovation. Google is also facing legal challenges in the Epic Games v. Google lawsuit, which aims to prevent it from penalizing developers who use competing app stores. The Electronic Frontier Foundation has expressed concerns about these developments.

Winsage

November 3, 2025

Microsoft: Patch for WSUS flaw disabled Windows Server hotpatching

An out-of-band security update, KB5070881, has disrupted the hotpatching feature for some Windows Server 2025 devices. This update was released alongside reports of the CVE-2025-59287 remote code execution vulnerability. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has instructed U.S. government agencies to strengthen their systems against this vulnerability. Microsoft has acknowledged that the OOB update caused some Hotpatch-enrolled Windows Server 2025 systems to lose their enrollment status and has ceased distributing the update to these devices. Those who installed the update will not receive Hotpatch updates in November and December but will get standard monthly security updates. Administrators can install the KB5070893 security update to address the CVE-2025-59287 flaw without disrupting hotpatching. Microsoft has also disabled the display of synchronization error details in its WSUS error reporting system and resolved various issues affecting Windows 11.

Winsage

October 28, 2025

CISA orders feds to patch actively exploited Windows Server WSUS flaw

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has mandated U.S. government agencies to address a critical vulnerability in Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), identified as CVE-2025-59287, which allows for remote code execution (RCE) on affected servers. Microsoft has released out-of-band security updates for this vulnerability, and IT administrators are urged to implement these updates immediately. For those unable to do so, CISA recommends disabling the WSUS Server role on vulnerable systems. Active exploitation attempts targeting WSUS instances have been detected, and CISA has also added a second vulnerability affecting Adobe Commerce to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. U.S. Federal Civilian Executive Branch agencies are required to patch their systems by November 14th, 2023, under the Binding Operational Directive 22-01. CISA emphasizes the need for organizations to address these vulnerabilities to mitigate risks of unauthorized remote code execution.

Tech Optimizer

September 27, 2025

Antivirus Statistics 2025: Revealing Growth & Usage

The global antivirus software market is projected to reach approximately billion by 2025 and grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 6.9% through 2029. By 2025, 84% of users are expected to have antivirus software installed on their computers, and approximately 68% will have antivirus protection on their smartphones. In recent testing, antivirus products were evaluated against 212 test cases, with 560,000 new malware variants detected globally each day. Microsoft Defender and Norton achieved perfect protection scores of 100% in evaluations conducted in June 2025. Microsoft is redesigning Windows to relocate antivirus and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) applications out of the kernel. In 2024, the U.S. government prohibited the sale of Kaspersky antivirus software due to national security concerns. Gen Digital anticipates revenue between .70 billion and .80 billion for 2026. The integration of AI into malware frameworks is pushing antivirus vendors to adopt machine learning-driven threat detection models. Antivirus plans are predominantly priced between and , with 32.1% of plans falling within this range. Only 3.6% of antivirus options are free, and 93% of products offer a 30+ day money-back guarantee. 79% include defenses against ransomware and phishing attacks, and 61% come with a built-in firewall. The average maximum coverage per antivirus subscription extends to 24 devices. In 2024, around 121 million Americans used third-party antivirus software, with 17 million adults intending to adopt antivirus software within six months. Among users of commercial antivirus software, 74% reported encountering malware in the past year. Detection effectiveness in malware tests often surpasses 99% for leading antivirus products, while false positive rates vary significantly. Symantec leads the Windows antivirus market with a share of 13.81%, followed by AVAST Software (11.93%) and ESET (11.03%). Approximately 560,000 new malware variants are identified daily, and there are over 1 billion documented malware samples worldwide. Ransomware attacks targeting Windows constitute around 93% of all enterprise ransomware incidents. In 2024, 17% of U.S. adults reported using antivirus software on mobile phones, with 73% opting for paid versions. Free antivirus solutions typically offer basic features but lack advanced modules. The enterprise antivirus market is projected to reach approximately .0 billion by 2024, with significant growth expected in the coming years. North America holds approximately 48.3% of the global antivirus market share, while Europe experiences growth due to regulations. IoT devices are increasingly targeted, with unpatched firmware responsible for about 60% of IoT breaches. The average cost of an IoT security failure incident is approximately 0,000. Typical antivirus subscriptions range from to 0 per year, with many vendors offering multi-device bundles.

Winsage

September 20, 2025

GPU Sales Rise 27% QoQ in Q2 As Buyers React to Tariff Uncertainty

In Q2 2025, GPU sales increased by 27% quarter-over-quarter, driven by consumer concerns over impending tariffs that will raise prices on PC components. The U.S. government plans to impose a 100% tariff on foreign-made chips, prompting buyers to purchase GPUs and CPUs in advance. CPU sales also rose by 8% QoQ and 13% YoY, with desktop CPUs holding a 33% market share. While mid-range and entry-level GPUs have seen price reductions, high-end models have increased in price. Nvidia holds a 94% share of the add-in board segment. As the holiday season approaches, rising prices and potential declines in sales may challenge the market. Nvidia has reduced prices on its Blackwell GPU lineup to manage inventory amid reports of oversupply.

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.