Microsoft Patch Tuesday for May

[ITSec]

It's a busy month in security land.

For Windows users, there are some very important patches newly released, so make sure you update your system soon. It'll be a biggie, with most systems seeing around 20-24 new patches to be installed. Some are extremely important, particularly for those who use IE or the new Edge browser. If you are keeping Win10 off your system, remember to deselect the patch labeled KB3035583 - it'll be near the bottom of the list, and won't be labeled as a security patch. After deselecting it, you can right-click and select HIDE to keep it from popping up again for a while.

For those running Macs, OS-X has had some important recent updates as well, so it's a good time to check that you're up to date. Linux users are likely already in the habit, but a few of these issues cross over multiple operating systems.

Finally, users on all platforms should verify that the following are current if they are installed - Java, Adobe Acrobat and Flash, Adobe Air, and your browser software (Firefox, etc). If (like me) you are beginning to become annoyed with Acrobat's bloating, changing privacy policy and cloud dependence, there are some alternatives that might be worth considering.

[Wayne Orwig]

Finally, users on all platforms should verify that the following are current if they are installed - Java, Adobe Acrobat and Flash, Adobe Air, and your browser software (Firefox, etc). If (like me) you are beginning to become annoyed with Acrobat's bloating, changing privacy policy and cloud dependence, there are some alternatives that might be worth considering.

I tried some Acrobat alternatives on the PCs in the lab here. The techs didn't want to learn anything new, so I had to go back. As often as it needs security updates, Acrobat must have a LOT of holes in it.

[jackson]

ITSec; Thanks for the heads up.  Hopefully, Microsoft will stop attempting to sneak Win10 on our computers when the "free download period" expires. I have ZERO interest in Win10.

[twowings]

Thank you for the info, ITSec!  Since I have been using Ubuntu MATE since 2012, I won't need any of this stuff BUT I will tell my Windoze friends to be vigilant and update!   

[atavar]

I would gladly do Win10 if it didn't break my peripherals.  It pisses me off that they keep pushing it at me and if it gets in it stops my built in card reader and my printer from working. 

[rodekyll]

Thanks for the heads-up.

Atavar -- Unless you have a very old computer, the card reader should move to W10.  Likewise, if the printer was W8.X compliant it should also move to W10.  If the upgrade process has a problem with on-board stuff like the card reader it should flunk you before attempting the load rather than destroying your computer.  But you can check for W10 drivers for both of your suspect devices before doing the upgrade.  Sometimes these fears are unfounded.  Also remember that you have 30 days to uninstall W10 and revert to your W7 or newer opsys.

[atavar]

Thanks for the heads-up.

Atavar -- Unless you have a very old computer, the card reader should move to W10.  Likewise, if the printer was W8.X compliant it should also move to W10.  If the upgrade process has a problem with on-board stuff like the card reader it should flunk you before attempting the load rather than destroying your computer.  But you can check for W10 drivers for both of your suspect devices before doing the upgrade.  Sometimes these fears are unfounded.  Also remember that you have 30 days to uninstall W10 and revert to your W7 or newer opsys.

I have actually installed W10 twice, hoping they fixed the issues.  No Drivers for the onboard card reader and I have no idea why it doesn't like my Canon iX6820 WiFi wide format photo printer.  That should work.  I may try again in hopes drivers have appeared in the months since I last tried.  The computer is a 4 year old Alienware M17x R3 which is still not listed as W10 compatible by Dell. 

"Product not tested for Windows 10 upgrade
Dell is not testing or developing Windows 10 drivers for this product. If you choose to upgrade, some features, applications, and connected devices may not work as expected."

[rodekyll]

Given the odd alienware hardware you might want to stay where you are.  I have not gotten a clean W10 evaluation of one yet.  So the card reader and printer (easily replaced with compliant stuff) aren't going to be the critical problems.  I don't know if DELL is going for W10 certification of alienware platforms or not.  There aren't a lot of them.  It might not be worth it for DELL to try.

[atavar]

Sort of amusing and suspicious that they certified the M17 R2 but not the M17 R3..  I assume the main reason is the 3D video in the R3.. 

I'll try the W10 qualifier again tonight and see what it says.  In the past it said all was well, but some few items just didn't work in W10. 

[Cool Runnings]

Ok, I weeded out 28 updates and left out KB3035583.

[ITSec]

I would gladly do Win10 if it didn't break my peripherals.  It pisses me off that they keep pushing it at me and if it gets in it stops my built in card reader and my printer from working.

Get GWX Control Panel from http://ultimateoutsider.com/downloads/ . It will allow you to manage the Win10 upgrade, stop it until you purposefully choose to allow it.

[pehayes]

Do a Google search.  There is a way to stop the repetitive Microsoft attempts to move you up to W10.



Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[jreagan]

https://www.grc.com/never10.htm is easier than the GWX control panel.  Plus, Steve Gibson at GRC has lots of other good utilities as well.