TweakHound

Computer stuff...

Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

Win10 January 3, 2018 Updates And AV Software

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Important information regarding the Windows security updates released on January 3, 2018 and anti-virus software
Microsoft has identified a compatibility issue with a small number of anti-virus software products.
The compatibility issue is caused when anti-virus applications make unsupported calls into Windows kernel memory. These calls may cause stop errors (also known as blue screen errors) that make the device unable to boot. To help prevent stop errors caused by incompatible anti-virus applications, Microsoft is only offering the Windows security updates released on January 3, 2018 to devices running anti-virus software from partners who have confirmed their software is compatible with the January 2018 Windows operating system security update.
If you have not been offered the security update, you may be running incompatible anti-virus software and you should follow up with your software vendor.

Intel CPU Fiasco – More Info

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last updated: 0838EST, 04JAN2018

Full breakdown: https://meltdownattack.com/

iVerge – Microsoft issues emergency Windows update for processor security bugs

Google: “These vulnerabilities affect many CPUs, including those from AMD, ARM, and Intel, as well as the devices and operating systems running on them.”

AMD says, “near zero risk”

CERT: Vulnerability Note VU#584653 – CPU hardware vulnerable to side-channel attacks

WARNING – Do Not Run Windows Update

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Patches will be rolling out today for the Intel CPU Fiasco.
(See below for the email I woke up to this morning.)
I highly recommend you pause, disable, stop, do not run Windows Update.
Full details have not been released as of this writing. These updates will at the kernel level. For the non-Geek that means at the core of Windows. I am not trying to play chicken little (henny penny for my U.K. friends). IMHO these updates are being rushed out and will be altered over time. They could slow down or even hose your PC. Let someone else beta test this stuff.
[Read more…] about WARNING – Do Not Run Windows Update

Intel Says It Is Not A Bug

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Intel has just released an official statement in the newest CPU fiasco. Basically they just said it’s nothing, isn’t unique to Intel CPUs, and that performance impacts “should not be significant”.
OK. But if there is a performance impact of more than a percent then I want in on the class action lawsuit.
Intel Responds to Security Research Findings
I’ve saved this web page so we can see how their statements change over time.
BTW, has anyone got the full low-down of Intel’s CEO selling stock? I mean in light of all this news?

Wednesday Morning News

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Intel CPU Design Flaw
Over the last 24 hours most tech sites are reporting a doom and gloom scenario invloving Intel CPUs. The gist of it is there is a security flaw in Intel CPUs that requires patching at the OS level. This patch may impact performance. Clickbaiters are using 30% as a number. IMHO we have no reliable info on the scale or impact of this issue yet. I would take everything you read with a grain of salt.
‘Kernel memory leaking’ Intel processor design flaw forces Linux, Windows redesign
Good breakdown: Serious Intel CPU design flaw may require a Windows patch, but probably won’t affect gaming performance
Technical breakdown: The mysterious case of the Linux Page Table Isolation patches
Original paper on this issue: KASLR is Dead: Long Live KASLR

Fakespot
I’ve been looking for an action camera for a while now. Go Pros are out of my price range. I saw a deal for the DBPower EX7000 4K Sports Action Camera. 4K, touchscreen, blah, blah, blah. Seemed like a great deal. I start Googling. Red flag number one, this thing seems to always be on “sale”. Red flag number two, I can’t find a reliable review. Gut feeling says stay away from this thing. I keep Googling. In the comment section at one deal site I see a comment about fake reviews for this product on Amazon. It mentions a site called Fakespot. Never heard of it.
You copy/paste a url from Amazon. Fakespot then “looks for patterns to filter out reviews we think are unreliable”.
Depending on whether you look up the camera or camera kit, Fakespot says the reviews for the aforementioned camera are 74% or 100% “low quality”. Gut feeling reinforced, I skip this camera.
Very cool. Fakespot is now on my bookmarks list.
https://www.fakespot.com/about

Asinine
I just ran into this: KDE Dropping “Run As Root” Feature Stumbles Backlash From The Community

 
3 Computers, 1 Mouse, 20% Off
“Meet the next generation of Logitech’s flagship mouse, re-designed to provide the ultimate experience for power users and masters of their craft. MX Master 2S works seamlessly across three computers, including navigating and copy-pasting between them. The stunning design is packed with advanced features to help you get more done, more efficiently and comfortably than ever.”
Logitech MX Master 2S Wireless Mouse

My Home Server – Windows 7

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Here is my current setup. I will be attempting to switch over to a Linux server setup in the near future (just because).
This machine was my secondary workstation and has been repurposed for my home server.
This is a quickie article. No hand holding. If you do not know your way around Windows this article is not for you.
[Read more…] about My Home Server – Windows 7