TweakHound

Computer stuff...

Windows 8

Patch Tuesday

By

Windows 10
1903 – October 8, 2019—KB4517389 (OS Build 18362.418)
1809 – October 8, 2019—KB4519338 (OS Build 17763.805)
Highlights
Updates to improve security when using Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge.
Updates for verifying user names and passwords.
Updates for storing and managing files.

Improvements and fixes
This security update includes quality improvements. Key changes include:
Addresses an issue in security bulletin CVE-2019-1318 that may cause client or server computers that don’t support Extended Master Secret (EMS) RFC 7627 to have increased connection latency and CPU utilization. This issue occurs while performing full Transport Layer Security (TLS) handshakes from devices that don’t support EMS, especially on servers. EMS support has been available for all the supported versions of Windows since calendar year 2015 and is being incrementally enforced by the installation of the October 8, 2019 and later monthly updates.
Addresses an issue with applications and printer drivers that utilize the Windows JavaScript engine (jscript.dll) for processing print jobs.
Security updates to Windows Shell, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Windows App Platform and Frameworks, Windows Cryptography, Windows Authentication, Windows Storage and Filesystems, Windows Kernel, Microsoft Scripting Engine, and Windows Server.

Windows 8.1
October 8, 2019—KB4520005 (Monthly Rollup)
This security update includes improvements and fixes that were a part of update KB4516041 (released September 24, 2019) and addresses the following issues:
Addresses an issue with applications and printer drivers that utilize the Windows JavaScript engine (jscript.dll) for processing print jobs.
Security updates to Windows Cryptography, Windows Authentication, Windows Kernel, Windows Storage and Filesystems, Microsoft JET Database Engine, Internet Information Services, the Microsoft Scripting Engine, and Windows Server.

October 8, 2019—KB4519990 (Security-only update)
This security update includes quality improvements. Key changes include:
Security updates to Windows Cryptography, Windows Authentication, Windows Kernel, Windows Storage and Filesystems, Microsoft JET Database Engine, Internet Information Services, and Windows Server.

Windows 7
October 8, 2019—KB4519976 (Monthly Rollup)
This security update includes improvements and fixes that were a part of update KB4516048 (released September 24, 2019) and addresses the following issues:
Addresses an issue that may fail to disable VBScript in Internet Explorer by default after installing KB4507437 (Preview of Monthly Rollup) or KB4511872 (Internet Explorer Cumulative Update) and later.
Addresses an issue with applications and printer drivers that utilize the Windows JavaScript engine (jscript.dll) for processing print jobs.
Security updates to Windows Authentication, Microsoft JET Database Engine, Windows Kernel, Internet Information Services, the Microsoft Scripting Engine, and Windows Server.

October 8, 2019—KB4520003 (Security-only update)
This security update includes quality improvements. Key changes include:
Addresses an issue in security bulletin CVE-2019-1318 that may cause client or server computers that don’t support Extended Master Secret (EMS) RFC 7627 to have increased connection latency and CPU utilization. This issue occurs while performing full Transport Layer Security (TLS) handshakes from devices that don’t support EMS, especially on servers. EMS support has been available for all the supported versions of Windows since calendar year 2015 and is being incrementally enforced by the installation of the October 8, 2019 and later monthly updates.
Security updates to Windows Authentication, Microsoft JET Database Engine, Windows Kernel, Internet Information Services, and Windows Server.

Patch Tuesday

By

Windows Updates

Windows 10
Provides protections against a new subclass of speculative execution side-channel vulnerabilities.
Addresses an issue that causes high CPU usage from SearchUI.exe for a small number of users. This issue only occurs on devices that have disabled searching the web using Windows Desktop Search. (1903 only)
Security updates galore.

1903 – September 10, 2019—KB4515384 (OS Build 18362.356) ***This fixes the Bad Win10 1903 Update aka Search UI issue. I checked it myself and the issue is now gone.
1809 – September 10, 2019—KB4512578 (OS Build 17763.737)
1803 – September 10, 2019—KB4516058 (OS Build 17134.1006)
1709 – EOL, time to update to 1809 or 1903

Windows 8.1
Provides protections against a new subclass of speculative execution side-channel vulnerabilities… and a host of Security updates.
September 10, 2019—KB4516064 (Security-only update)
September 10, 2019—KB4516067 (Monthly Rollup)

Windows 7
Provides protections against a new subclass of speculative execution side-channel vulnerabilities… and a host of Security updates.
September 10, 2019—KB4516033 (Security-only update)
September 10, 2019—KB4516065 (Monthly Rollup)

Software Updates:

O&O ShutUp10 1.6.1403
NEW: Chinese (simplified) language integrated
NEW: Search field in task bar can be deactivated (from Windows 10 1903)
FIX***: Deactivating the Bing search is only recommended reservedly, as there are currently problems with Windows search under Windows 10 1903
FIX: The wording in the English version was changed from passive to active to make it clearer
Available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian and Chinese (simplified)
***The fix about Bing is the Bad Win10 1903 Update that was fixed today with today’s Win10 1903 update (see above). So, kinda pointless?
Download | Home Page | Changelog

Nvidia Geforce Game Ready WHQL Driver 436.30
“Provides increased performance and the optimal gaming experience for the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare PC Open Beta, Gears 5, and Borderlands 3”
Download | Release Notes

My New Network

By

I’ve completely redone my network.
I had problems with my old router. I considered replacing the firmware with DD-WRT but I decided against that. After reanalyzing things I decided the old router just couldn’t handle the number of devices and traffic on my network (despite its specs). It simply didn’t have the horsepower. I’ve replaced it with the one below.
[Read more…] about My New Network

Reader Emails

By

Some of these are paraphrased for brevity.

Q – You’ve recommended cheap CD keys before. Other sites warn against using them?
A – I’ve used these keys for several years. Not a single one has been deactivated. Even if it was I could buy 5 (or more) of these keys before I even approach the full price. YMMV of course but check Techbargains for such things.

Q – When is the next Win10 Tweak Guide?
A – I don’t know. It takes considerable time, focus, and effort. I’ve personal things to deal with ATM.

Q – Yada, yada backups…
A – System images, system images, system images.

Q – Do you have a favorite web site specifically about computer security?
A – I browse the internet a lot, probably too much. If I had to pin down a single site about security I would pick Krebs on Security.

Q – Why do you hate Apple so much?
A – “Hate” is rather strong but… It all started with the arrogance of Steve Jobs, never liked him. That arrogance permeated their marketing and to some extent their fan base. There is nothing about that cult I find appealing.

Q – I don’t like the Off Topic stuff.
A – Sorry, not sorry. Posting that stuff helps keep me sane. It’s easier to ignore it than bitch about it.

Q – The band Lamb of God is from your area. Are you a fan?
A – I used to play poker with a couple of those guys. Both were incredibly nice and as I recall a tad shy. Having said that, their metal is not my metal. I grew up in the “Hair Metal” era and still love that stuff.

 

Patch Tuesday

By

Patch Tuesday
Windows 7
July 9, 2019—KB4507456 (Security-only update)
Security updates to Windows Server, Microsoft Graphics Component, Windows Storage and Filesystems, Windows Shell, Windows Input and Composition, and Windows Kernel.
July 9, 2019—KB4507449 (Monthly Rollup)
Security updates to Windows Server, Microsoft Graphics Component, Windows Storage and Filesystems, Windows Shell, Windows Input and Composition, and Windows Kernel.

Windows 8.1
July 9, 2019—KB4507457 (Security-only update)
Security updates to Windows Wireless Networking, Windows Server, Windows Storage and Filesystems, Microsoft Graphics Component, Windows Input and Composition, Windows Kernel, and Windows App Platform and Frameworks.
July 9, 2019—KB4507448 (Monthly Rollup)
This security update includes improvements and fixes that were a part of update KB4503283 (released June 20, 2019) and addresses the following issues:
– Addresses an issue that may cause BitLocker to go into recovery mode if BitLocker is being provisioned at the same time as updates are being installed.
– Security updates to Windows Wireless Networking, Windows Server, Windows Storage and Filesystems, Microsoft Graphics Component, Windows Input and Composition, Windows Kernel, and Windows App Platform and Frameworks.

Windows 10
1903 – July 9, 2019—KB4507453 (OS Build 18362.239)
This update includes quality improvements. Key changes include:
– Addresses an issue that may cause BitLocker to go into recovery mode if BitLocker is being provisioned at the same time as updates are being installed.
– Addresses an issue that may cause Mixed Reality users to see a tilted world after connecting their headsets.
– Addresses visual quality issues some users may have seen with Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) headsets and Steam®VR content.
– Security updates to Windows Wireless Networking, Microsoft Scripting Engine, Windows Server, Windows Storage and Filesystems, Windows Kernel, Microsoft HoloLens, Internet Explorer, Windows Input and Composition, Windows Virtualization, Windows App Platform and Frameworks, Microsoft Graphics Component, Microsoft Edge, and Windows Cryptography.

1809 – July 9, 2019—KB4507469 (OS Build 17763.615)
This update includes quality improvements. Key changes include:
– Addresses an issue that may cause the system to become unresponsive when an application uses the CameraCaptureUI API.
– Addresses an issue that may cause BitLocker to go into recovery mode if BitLocker is being provisioned at the same time as updates are being installed.
– Security updates to Windows Server, Microsoft Scripting Engine, Microsoft Graphics Component, Internet Explorer, Windows Input and Composition, Windows Virtualization, Windows App Platform and Frameworks, Windows Kernel, Microsoft Edge, Windows Cryptography, and Windows Fundamentals.

1803 – July 9, 2019—KB4507435 (OS Build 17134.885)
This update includes quality improvements. Key changes include:
– Addresses an issue that may cause BitLocker to go into recovery mode if BitLocker is being provisioned at the same time as updates are being installed.
– Security updates to Windows Wireless Networking, Windows Server, Microsoft Scripting Engine, Windows Storage and Filesystems, Microsoft Graphics Component, Windows Kernel, Internet Explorer, Windows Input and Composition, Windows Virtualization, Windows App Platform and Frameworks, Microsoft Edge, Windows Cryptography, and Windows Fundamentals.

– – – – – – – – – –

Firefox 68
Download | Release Notes
This means Tails has been updated and Tor Browser will be.

Nvidia Geforce Game Ready WHQL Driver 431.36
“Provides the optimal gaming experience for Tom Clancy’s The Division 2, Strange Brigade, and Metro Exodus”
Download | Release Notes

Win10 1903, Are You Ready?

By

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.