TweakHound

Computer stuff...

Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

Friday Random Stuff…

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New Intel Graphics Drivers
Windows 7 & 8.1 | Windows 10 DHC Drivers | Windows (All)

Meltdown Redux: Intel Flaw Lets Hackers Siphon Secrets from Millions of PCs
researchers have uncovered yet another flaw in the deepest guts of Intel’s microscopic hardware. This time, it can allow attackers to eavesdrop on virtually every bit of raw data that a victim’s processor touches.
Today Intel and a coordinated supergroup of microarchitecture security researchers are together announcing a new, serious form of hackable vulnerability in Intel’s chips. It’s four distinct attacks, in fact, though all of them use a similar technique, and all are capable of siphoning a stream of potentially sensitive data from a computer’s CPU to an attacker.
RIDL and Fallout: MDS attacks research page at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
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Wednesday Morning News

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AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin 2019 Edition 19.5.1 Optional
Support for Win10 1903, performance improvements, fixes.
Download | Release Notes

Other Software:
Google Chrome 74.0.3729.157 (Chrome For Android too) – Direct downloads (EN-US): 32-bit | 64-bit
VirtualBox 6.0.8
VMware Workstation 15.1.0

Microsoft warns wormable Windows bug could lead to another WannaCry
Microsoft is warning that the Internet could see another exploit with the magnitude of the WannaCry attack that shut down computers all over the world two years ago unless people patch a high-severity vulnerability. The software maker took the unusual step of backporting the just-released patch for Windows 2003 and XP, which haven’t been supported in four and five years, respectively.
Microsoft Advisory | XP Patches (KB4500331) | Windows 7 Patches

Patch Tuesday

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Windows 7-10 updated.
This may or may not be the last update before the May 2018 feature update.

Windows 7
May 14, 2019—KB4499175 (Security-only update)
May 14, 2019—KB4499164 (Monthly Rollup)

Windows 8.1
May 14, 2019—KB4499165 (Security-only update)
May 14, 2019—KB4499151 (Monthly Rollup)

Windows 10
1809 – May 14, 2019—KB4494441 (OS Build 17763.503)
1803 – May 14, 2019—KB4499167 (OS Build 17134.765)
1709 – May 14, 2019—KB4499179 (OS Build 16299.1146)

Other Software:

Audacity 2.3.2
Download | Release Notes | Home Page

CCleaner 5.57
A whole lotta ‘meh’. I’d skip it.
Download (I use portable) | Release Announcement
See also: Blocking A Programs Internet Access Via The Windows Firewall

Adobe Reader Updated
Download en-US | All Downloads | Security Bulletin | Release Notes

Win10 1903, Are You Ready?

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Windows 10 May 2019 Update
Win10 1903 brings several changes, most of which the average user won’t care about. Two changes of note are supposed increased performance and improved control of Windows Update. The best breakdown I’ve seen to date is:
Neowin – The Windows 10 May 2019 Update is coming – here’s what’s new

Release Date
– “Official” date unknown at this time. “End of May” often quoted. Expect it somewhere between tomorrow and hell freezing over.
– ISOs are floating around now

Blocking 1903
– Easy way: Use O&O ShutUp10
See also: Windows Update section of the Tweak Guide.
(1903 will bring major changes to this.)

Preparing for 1903
– Update all your apps and drivers.
– Backup everything. Make a system image. I use the free Macrium Reflect. This is also a good time to backup everything else.
See also: Windows 10 Backup And Recovery Options

My Recommendation
– Put off installing 1903 at least one month.
– Better safe than sorry. Microsoft will, at some point, state that 1903 is “safe for business”. The October 2018 Update was declared safe on March 28th, 2019.

Tweaking Windows 10
It will be at least a month after release before the Win10 Tweak Guide is updated.

Random Friday Stuff…

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Nvidia Geforce Game Ready WHQL Driver 430.64
Provides the optimal gaming experience for RAGE 2, Total War: Three Kingdoms, and World War Z
Download | Release Notes

Stuff I bookmarked recently. Some off topic, some not

It’s Time to Break Up Facebook
Lots of great points made by Chris Hughes, a co-founder of Facebook.

Parents can’t delete what kids tell Amazon voice assistant
Now those advocates say the kids’ version of Amazon’s Alexa won’t forget what children tell it, even after parents try to delete the conversations. For that and other alleged privacy flaws they found while testing the service, they’re now asking the Federal Trade Commission on Thursday to investigate whether it violates children’s privacy laws.
Here’s a thought. Stop using devices as babysitters.

Mozilla looks to Tor as it ponders Super Private Browsing mode
“Super Private Browsing Mode”? Is this like Double Secret Probation?

Eggheads confirm: Rampant Android bloatware a privacy and security hellscape
The apps bundled with many Android phones are presenting threats to security and privacy greater than most users think.
This according to a paper (PDF) from university researchers in the US and Spain who studied the pre-installed software that 214 different vendors included in their Android devices. They found that everyone from the hardware builders to mobile carriers and third-party advertisers were loading products up with risky code.

Feds charge Chinese national in 2015 breach of health insurer Anthem
Federal prosecutors have indicted a Chinese national they say carried out sophisticated network intrusions on four US companies, including one on health insurer Anthem that stole personal information belonging to close to 80 million people.

Boston Beer Company and Dogfish Head Agree to Merge in $300 Million Deal
The merger brings together the Brewers Association’s second-largest craft beer maker, Boston Beer, with the 13th largest craft brewery, Dogfish Head. Both companies will retain their status as BA-defined independent craft breweries.
This is HUGH news in the craft beer world. Dunno what I think about it yet.

‘Wild Kingdom’ Host Jim Fowler Dead At 89
The wildlife expert co-hosted Mutual of Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom” with Marlin Perkins beginning in 1963.
I loved that show.

Cap2Cap
Tomorrow I’m riding the Cap2Cap annual bike ride fundraiser event for the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation. Not enough time riding this year so I’m only doing the 23 miler.

Tuesday Morning Random Stuff…

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O&O ShutUp10 Updated
Version 1.6.1402 features Win10 1903 support.
Download | Changelog

Tails 3.13.2
Fixes and improvements
Download & Info

Tor Browser 8.0.9
This release fixes the issue which caused NoScript and all other Firefox extensions signed by Mozilla to be disabled.
Download & Info

Stuff I bookmarked recently. Some off topic, some not:
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