…and you must update.
Not because it is offering some shiny new widgets – the best you can find for that is a news and interests widget for the Taskbar and configuration options for multiple cameras when used in conjunction with Windows Hello face recognition security (actually thinking about it, I have multiple cameras on my office laptop set up so that may be useful!). This time there are only minor changes.
One feature of Microsoft’s updates is that they roll up the changes they want to implement in Windows 10 so this update does contain technical things of interest to some nerds. For the average user you need to know that these changes are important if you want your copy of Windows 10, and consequently your data and information, to remain secure. There is an update to Defender (the built-in Windows 10 security software) as well as other changes and additions – see here:
Introducing the next feature update to Windows 10, version 21H1 | Windows Experience Blog
One of the best defences against cyber-threats is to keep your operating system and software patched and up-to-date. When you are working on your computer it is a pain to let Windows reboot after an update, but it has to be done. So – save that work and let Windows and Microsoft do their thing. Getting your apps to check automatically for updates when you open them may delay your work whilst they update, but doing this does keep your software working properly and secure.
Often the malicious software distributed through spam and phishing emails is targeted at the vulnerabilities discovered by the hackers when they read about the issues software patches fix. They are looking for those people who still have those vulnerabilities because they could not be bothered to update.
Many of our security conscious clients are now subscribing to the remote monitoring and management (RMM) service we provide, as with this tool we can monitor and report on the update status of all their computers and if necessary force an update on a computer to keep it and the company systems secure. If you would like that same reassurance please contact Martin (martin@octagontech.com) and he can organise this for you.
Here is a useful URL for you:
Update Windows 10 (microsoft.com)
The October 2020 Update is still showing on this page – the update we have been discussing will become automatically available in early May 2021 (probably May 11, patch Tuesday).
Get a coffee whilst the machine reboots!
Clive
Clive is the CIO at Octagon Technology with special responsibility for data privacy and security. The world of business technology is constantly changing and to meet this challenge he recently graduated from Edinburgh Napier University with an MSc in Advanced Computer Security and Digital Forensics. His dissertation was on data privacy in small businesses using Microsoft 365 for business.
The degree is not the end of the studying – to keep current Clive spends some of his time at work simply reading and studying the latest technology trends and threats so our clients can benefit from this knowledge. This knowledge also shapes and supports the products and services our people deliver to the clients.
To fully use Clive’s new Master’s degree in Computer Security, Clive and Diana have a joint venture with an international research company to get access for our clients to up to date information, schemas, analytics, templates, actionable tools and guidance. Whatever the size of your organisation if you are not approaching IT, security and privacy in a way that supports and benefits you, they can help, from the boardroom to the shop floor.
If you would like to discuss any of these matters with Clive, email me at kamila@octagontech.com and I will organise a video meeting for you. He will be happy to answer questions about your particular issues.
Kamila
General Manager
