user authentication Archives

Winsage

June 16, 2025

Windows Hello webcams have stopped working in the dark. I don’t care

Microsoft has updated its Windows Hello biometric recognition system to use both the standard optical webcam and the infrared depth camera for user authentication, addressing a potential spoofing vulnerability. Testing on three laptops (Surface Laptop 7th Edition, Asus ZenBook S 14, and MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo) showed that all devices successfully recognized the user in dim lighting conditions. However, some colleagues reported issues with facial recognition in similar low-light environments, indicating inconsistency across devices. Microsoft has included a numeric PIN option as a backup login method. The update is said to enhance security by requiring visible light for recognition, but its practical impact on user experience appears minimal.

Winsage

April 15, 2025

Goodbye Windows Hello — Microsoft Update Kills Biometric Login

Microsoft's recent Patch Tuesday updates have caused significant issues with Windows Hello, its biometric authentication feature, leading to login difficulties for users. The problems arose after the installation of update KB5055523, which also created an unsolicited "inetpub" folder on systems. This update primarily affects Windows 11 24H2 users and server platforms with certain security features enabled, specifically the System Guard Secure Launch or Dynamic Root of Trust for Measurement. Microsoft has warned that users who perform a reset after installing the update may be unable to log in using Windows Hello's facial recognition or PIN. Interim workarounds include re-enrolling in Windows Hello by following prompts on the login screen or navigating to Settings to set up facial recognition again.

Winsage

April 9, 2025

Microsoft fixes auth issues on Windows Server, Windows 11 24H2

Microsoft resolved an authentication issue related to Credential Guard on systems using the Kerberos PKINIT pre-authentication protocol, affecting Windows 11, version 24H2, and Windows Server 2025. The problem involved improper password rotation when using the Identity Update Manager certificate, leading to user authentication issues primarily in enterprise environments. Devices failed to change passwords every 30 days, causing them to be perceived as stale, disabled, or deleted. The resolution was provided in April 2025 through Windows security updates, and Machine Accounts in Credential Guard were temporarily disabled. Microsoft advised users to install the latest updates for improvements and fixes. This is not the first authentication issue Microsoft has addressed; previous challenges occurred in November 2022 and November 2021, involving Kerberos sign-in failures and delegation scenarios.

Winsage

March 29, 2025

No More Passwords? Microsoft Stock (NASDAQ:MSFT) Plunges on Paradigm Shift

Microsoft has announced a shift from traditional passwords to passkeys for user authentication, which has caused a more than 2.5% drop in its share prices. Passkeys are linked to a user's hardware, providing enhanced security, but raise concerns about device failure and account recovery. The company is also reintroducing the People app, integrating it into Teams to improve connectivity. Analysts have given Microsoft a Strong Buy consensus rating, with 32 Buy recommendations and two Holds, despite a 9.75% decline in share price over the last year. The average price target suggests a potential upside of 34.52%.

BetaBeacon

March 5, 2025

Xsolla introduces Offerwall Solution to boost game revenue and player engagement

Xsolla has introduced Xsolla Offerwall, a solution that allows developers to create a balanced monetization strategy by offering players virtual rewards for completing quests or actions from advertisers.

Tech Optimizer

February 15, 2025

Simplify database authentication management with the Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL pg_ad_mapping extension

Authentication is essential for security in enterprise environments, protecting sensitive data and resources from unauthorized access. Kerberos authentication is utilized for Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition with AWS Directory Service for Microsoft Active Directory, particularly through the pg_ad_mapping extension, which enhances access control management. Aurora PostgreSQL supports multiple authentication methods, including password authentication, AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) database authentication, and Kerberos authentication. By default, password authentication is enabled, while IAM and Kerberos can be used independently. Users are assigned specific roles based on the authentication method: rds_iam for IAM, rds_ad for Kerberos, and no specific roles for password authentication. Kerberos authentication integrates with Microsoft Active Directory, allowing centralized authentication and single sign-on (SSO) capabilities. With versions 14.10 and 15.5, Aurora PostgreSQL introduced the pg_ad_mapping extension, which allows administrators to manage access through Active Directory (AD) security groups instead of provisioning individual users. This extension checks AD group memberships upon user login and assigns corresponding database roles, prioritizing roles based on assigned weights. The pg_ad_mapping extension includes functions such as pgadmap_set_mapping to add mappings between AD security groups and database roles, pgadmap_read_mapping to list existing mappings, and pgadmap_reset_mapping to delete or reset mappings. To deploy the solution, a CloudFormation stack is used to create necessary resources, including an AWS Managed Microsoft AD server, an Aurora PostgreSQL database cluster, and a Windows EC2 instance. Users can be added to AD groups, and roles can be mapped to facilitate access management. Security best practices for Aurora PostgreSQL include using IAM policies for resource management, implementing security groups for database access control, utilizing encryption for data protection, and employing Transport Layer Security (TLS) for secure connections. For auditing, the pg_stat_gssapi view can be used to identify authenticated users, and enabling the log_connections parameter will log session establishments, including AD user identities.

Tech Optimizer

February 11, 2025

10 Best UTM (Unified Threat Management) Firewalls

Unified Threat Management (UTM) firewalls integrate multiple security functionalities into a single platform, streamlining security management and reducing costs for organizations, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). UTM solutions include features such as firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS), antivirus, anti-spam, VPN, web content filtering, and application control, providing comprehensive protection against various cyber threats. UTM firewalls serve as a gateway between internal networks and external connections, inspecting all traffic to block malicious activity. They continuously monitor for suspicious patterns, scan for malware, filter web access, provide VPN capabilities for secure remote connectivity, and filter emails to protect against spam and phishing. UTM systems offer centralized management through a unified dashboard, receive regular updates for emerging threats, and may include performance optimization features. The distinction between UTM and traditional firewalls lies in UTM's broader range of security functions, acting as a comprehensive security solution rather than solely focusing on real-time malware scanning. Top UTM firewalls include: 1. SonicWall UTM: Intrusion prevention and gateway anti-virus. 2. Sophos UTM: User-friendly management with advanced security measures. 3. Check Point UTM: Comprehensive protections including firewalls and VPNs. 4. Fortinet FortiGate UTM: Integrates security and networking functions. 5. WatchGuard UTM: Balances performance, security, and management ease. 6. Juniper UTM: High-performance security services. 7. Barracuda UTM: Extensive network protection through integrated functions. 8. Stormshield UTM: Proactive defense mechanisms. 9. Huawei Unified Security Gateway (USG): Versatile security protections. 10. Cisco UTM: Integrated security and threat management services. Key features of the best UTM firewalls include application control, advanced threat prevention, reporting and analytics, scalability, endpoint protection, and DDoS protection.

Winsage

December 10, 2024

Windows 11 Home vs. Pro: Which is right for you?

Windows 11 offers two versions: Home and Professional, each with distinct features. Security Features: - Windows 11 Pro includes BitLocker, a full-disk encryption tool that protects files from unauthorized access and requires user authentication. - Windows 11 Home has Device Encryption, which activates with a Microsoft account but has limitations, such as not encrypting external drives and potentially being unavailable on older PCs. Limitations of Windows 11 Home: - Cannot join a domain or utilize Azure Active Directory. - Lacks the Private Catalog feature in the Microsoft Store. - Limited remote desktop capabilities; can connect to Pro but not access Home remotely. - Does not include Hyper-V for virtual machines or the Local Group Policy Editor. Exclusive Features of Windows 11 Pro: - Windows Sandbox allows users to test software securely, erasing all data when closed. Pricing: - Windows 11 Home costs 9, while Windows 11 Pro costs 9. Users can upgrade from Home to Pro affordably through the Settings menu. Many new PCs come with Windows 11 Home, but some higher-end models may include Pro. The choice between the two versions depends on individual needs, with Pro being more suitable for users requiring advanced security and management features, while Home suffices for casual users.

Winsage

December 7, 2024

New Windows 7 To 11 Warning As Zero-Day With No Official Fix Strikes

A zero-day vulnerability has been discovered by researchers at Acros Security, affecting all versions of Windows from 7 to 11 and Windows Server 2008 R2 and later. This vulnerability targets the Windows NT LAN Manager and allows attackers to obtain a user's NTLM credentials by having the user view a malicious file in Windows Explorer. Currently, there is no official patch from Microsoft. The 0patch platform has released a free "micropatch" for users to protect their systems until an official fix is available.

Winsage

December 6, 2024

Microsoft expands Recall preview to Intel and AMD Copilot+ PCs

Microsoft is testing its AI-powered Recall feature on AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs within the Windows 11 Insider program. Recall captures screenshots of active windows at regular intervals, analyzes them, and allows users to retrieve specific snapshots through natural language queries. It is an opt-in feature that requires user authentication via Windows Hello and filters out sensitive information like credit card numbers and passwords. Users can exclude specific applications or websites from being saved and have options to manage storage settings, delete snapshots, or disable the feature. Recall will support multiple languages and is expanding its availability to the European Economic Area. Additionally, Microsoft is enhancing the Microsoft Photos app with new features such as Image Creator, Restyle Image, and Click to Do for Recall, which allows text rewriting and summarization. These updates are being rolled out to Windows Insiders following the installation of a specific Windows 11 Insider Preview Build.