Microsoft Releases a New Windows 7 Monthly Rollup May 12, 2021 07:19 GMT
New update for Windows 7 ESU devices
Microsoft has released a new monthly rollup for Windows 7 devices, though it’s important to keep in mind that this particular version is no longer supported for home users.
The new monthly rollup is KB5003233, and it obviously comes with an increased focus on security improvements given it lands on a Patch Tuesday.
There are two important changes in this new release.
First and foremost, KB5003233 resolves an issue hitting the SMB protocol that causes Blue Screen of Death errors on devices powered by Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1. This problem doesn’t affect Windows 7 workstations.
First published on
The cyberattack earlier this month on Oldsmar, Florida water treatment facility has reopened a debate over the use of the unsupported Windows 7 operating systems at thousands of small- and medium-sized firms, organizations and critical infrastructure providers. Continued use puts organizations at risk, experts say. In the world we live in now, a fully up-to-date Windows operating system is an absolute must, John Hammond, senior security researcher at Huntress said. Leaving an outdated, unsupported and overall dead technology running in production, isn t like leaving the door open it s like there is no door at all.
The actors, who have not yet been identified, attempted to poison the water supply of the small Florida city by hacking into the water treatment facility and increasing the amount of sodium hydroxide also known as lye during the water treatment process. The change, if missed, would have threatened the health of residents.
02/12/2021
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has published advisory AA21-042A regarding the Feb. 5 electronic intrusion into a Florida water treatment facility by an unknown attacker.
The attacker used TeamViewer software and attempted to change the water supply s chemical composition at the Oldsmar water treatment facility near Tampa, Fla., according to Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gaultieri in a
Reuters interview. TeamViewer is a remote desktop software program typically used by IT pros for remote device maintenance.
A technician at the facility observed changes being made on screen using the plant s supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) software. The attacker attempted to increase the levels of sodium hydroxide (lye) in the water, a caustic substance that s used to change water acidity, but the changes were reversed and it s said the public wasn t endangered.
|
The end-of-the-year patching all-clear
As 2020 slips away and 21 comes into view, it s time to get Microsoft s latest patches installed, and maybe do a little DIY upgrades on your hardware. Traitov / Getty Images
It’s that time of the month to give the final 2020 all-clear for installing updates.
Microsoft has already fixed the issue with KB4592438 for Windows 10 20H2 and 2004, where if you were lucky, or rather, unlucky enough to perform a chkdsk c: /f on your system after installing the December updates you might have been forced to rebuild your system not exactly the greatest holiday present from Microsoft. As I noted last week, this issue was fixed with a cryptic behind-the-scenes update for those who get their updates from Windows update.