Windows 10 - Yea or Nay?

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Message 1972831 - Posted: 31 Dec 2018, 17:50:48 UTC - in response to Message 1972810.  

It was ransomware. ..., the Ryuk ransomware. This is used by directed attacks, not just general malware. It will encrypt any server it is steered onto, Windows, Linux and others.

And this is why you have air-gapped backups.

On mobile so briefly:

Ryuk looks to be purely Windows specific... See: Ryuk ransomware


And offline/air-gapped is a very good idea. As is also running checks and testing that you really can recover a trashed system...

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Message 1972846 - Posted: 31 Dec 2018, 20:04:15 UTC - in response to Message 1972810.  

It was ransomware. As Gary already said, the Ryuk ransomware. This is used by directed attacks, not just general malware. It will encrypt any server it is steered onto, Windows, Linux and others.

Yes, directed attack as in espionage level.

(Wonder if those minutes POTUS spent with Kim and no one else was in the room means an attack on the Fake News as a favor? ;-)

And this is why you have air-gapped backups.

You better believe it, and keep them going back some time because some of those ransom programs are smart and encrypt some time before they deny access just to be sure your backups are trashed.
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Message 1973212 - Posted: 3 Jan 2019, 15:41:57 UTC

Greetings,

I was looking in Task Manager for whatever reason yesterday and saw something I didn't remember ever seeing before. It's called: "Windows Remediation Service". Weird! I cannot find it now. :\ Anyway, something else I found out is that while I only had 1 Windows update last month, update history shows 4 updates. Micro$oft is accessing MY computer to put their crap on it without me knowing about it? I decided to do some Googling...

I found a forum entry on Windows TenForums where someone was asking what "Windows Remediation Service" was, but his problem was that his PC no longer goes to sleep per his schedule settings. He can manually put it to sleep, but no automation. Come to find out, that it's Micro$oft's fault. This is all do to update KB4023057.

You can read all about it here:
"Only certain builds of Windows 10, versions 1507, 1511, 1607, 1703, 1709, and 1803 require this update. Devices that are running those builds automatically get the update downloaded and installed through Windows Update."

The theory is that "Windows Remediation Service" has something to do with this update and what it does perhaps has something to do with preventing a PC from going to sleep per a schedule. Unfortunately I haven't found anything on Micro$oft sending updates willy nilly to PERSONAL computers. KB4023057 was one of those 4 updates I got and I am most confident that it wasn't the regular update that one needs to reboot the PC for. Because of this, I believe I should make a note when I have to participate in the update and watch for updates that show up afterward, or even before.

Call me paranoid, but this smells like Micro$oft's initial Windows 10 setup to be pay-as-you-go. They're gonna do it behind our backs and one day we'll turn our monitors on to see a screen that says, "Give us you credit card number if you want to continue to use OUR computer!" ;)

Have a great day! :)

Siran
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Message 1973242 - Posted: 3 Jan 2019, 17:43:15 UTC - in response to Message 1973212.  

Greetings,

I was looking in Task Manager for whatever reason yesterday and saw something I didn't remember ever seeing before. It's called: "Windows Remediation Service". Weird! I cannot find it now. :\ Anyway, something else I found out is that while I only had 1 Windows update last month, update history shows 4 updates. Micro$oft is accessing MY computer to put their crap on it without me knowing about it? I decided to do some Googling...

I found a forum entry on Windows TenForums where someone was asking what "Windows Remediation Service" was, but his problem was that his PC no longer goes to sleep per his schedule settings. He can manually put it to sleep, but no automation. Come to find out, that it's Micro$oft's fault. This is all do to update KB4023057.

You can read all about it here:
"Only certain builds of Windows 10, versions 1507, 1511, 1607, 1703, 1709, and 1803 require this update. Devices that are running those builds automatically get the update downloaded and installed through Windows Update."

The theory is that "Windows Remediation Service" has something to do with this update and what it does perhaps has something to do with preventing a PC from going to sleep per a schedule. Unfortunately I haven't found anything on Micro$oft sending updates willy nilly to PERSONAL computers. KB4023057 was one of those 4 updates I got and I am most confident that it wasn't the regular update that one needs to reboot the PC for. Because of this, I believe I should make a note when I have to participate in the update and watch for updates that show up afterward, or even before.

Call me paranoid, but this smells like Micro$oft's initial Windows 10 setup to be pay-as-you-go. They're gonna do it behind our backs and one day we'll turn our monitors on to see a screen that says, "Give us you credit card number if you want to continue to use OUR computer!" ;)

Have a great day! :)

Siran

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Message 1973387 - Posted: 4 Jan 2019, 15:20:57 UTC

A new year, new Windows 10 problems and dumb ideas.

Microsoft Japan warns that when you upgrade from 1803 to 1809, you have one or more other administrator accounts enabled, and you have the built-in Administrator account enabled, that it's possible that this account gets disabled and cannot be enabled again.

Microsoft announces first log-in by SMS code on all Windows 10 versions. Yes, because it's really a good idea to also give them your phone number. Nothing said about multi-factor authentication not being very secure anymore, not with sim hacking.
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Message 1973406 - Posted: 4 Jan 2019, 17:38:36 UTC - in response to Message 1973387.  

A new year, new Windows 10 problems and dumb ideas.

Microsoft Japan warns that when you upgrade from 1803 to 1809, you have one or more other administrator accounts enabled, and you have the built-in Administrator account enabled, that it's possible that this account gets disabled and cannot be enabled again.

Microsoft announces first log-in by SMS code on all Windows 10 versions. Yes, because it's really a good idea to also give them your phone number. Nothing said about multi-factor authentication not being very secure anymore, not with sim hacking.

Hi Jord,

The first page was in Japanese and I cannot read Japanese. :|

On the second one, I could not find an option, in that article, stating that we can still log into Windows 10 with a password. I have a very long password that is virtually unforgettable and when tested, it would take 10s of 1,000s of years for it to be cracked. I have no Windows account at Micro$oft and will NEVER have one. They will still allow "old school" style logins, right? ;) At least until they roll out their "pay-as-you-go" version of Windows 10. ;)

Have a great day! :)

Siran
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Winders 11 OS? "What a piece of junk!" - L. Skywalker
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Message 1973438 - Posted: 4 Jan 2019, 19:58:39 UTC - in response to Message 1973406.  

The first page was in Japanese and I cannot read Japanese. :|
So use a translator page, like https://translate.google.com/. It's what I used.

On the second one, I could not find an option, in that article, stating that we can still log into Windows 10 with a password.
Yes, they're phasing out passwords. Those aren't secure enough, they say. Of course they aren't if you don't allow all characters to be used.

Microsoft wrote:
We’re pushing forward on eliminating passwords

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Message 1973448 - Posted: 4 Jan 2019, 20:36:21 UTC - in response to Message 1973438.  

The first page was in Japanese and I cannot read Japanese. :|
So use a translator page, like https://translate.google.com/. It's what I used.

On the second one, I could not find an option, in that article, stating that we can still log into Windows 10 with a password.
Yes, they're phasing out passwords. Those aren't secure enough, they say. Of course they aren't if you don't allow all characters to be used.

Microsoft wrote:
We’re pushing forward on eliminating passwords

Hi Jord,

Then they're gonna push people away from Windows. I have full confidence in my password for logging into Windows. As a matter of fact, I have been using a variation of this password on my banking site and many other sites I need a login for. I found a test website that tests the strength of passwords and as I mentioned, my current password will prevent cracking for 10s of 1000s of years. An older one I used to use I tested and it would be cracked in less than a day, probably a few hours at the most. I don't remember off hand.

So basically Micro$oft is of the opinion that by taking away my secure password and having me use a solution where someone could get my login within seconds is in their mind more secure? BAH! Micro$oft be damned. If and when that happens, Windows is GONE!!! Linux will be my OS of choice from then on.

Have a great day! :)

Siran
CAPT Siran d'Vel'nahr - L L & P _\\//
Winders 11 OS? "What a piece of junk!" - L. Skywalker
"Logic is the cement of our civilization with which we ascend from chaos using reason as our guide." - T'Plana-hath
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Message 1973462 - Posted: 4 Jan 2019, 21:06:53 UTC

Hmm...



...think I'm safe for a few weeks :-)
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Message 1973492 - Posted: 4 Jan 2019, 23:48:31 UTC - in response to Message 1973462.  

Hmm...



...think I'm safe for a few weeks :-)

That all depends on the assumptions made...

But wait... For just one cotton pickin' moment... You did what?!!!

Really, you gave a third-party website your password?!

I wonder what they could do with that... (Another entry in the dictionary attack against you... That gives you not long at all...)


IT is what we make it...
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Message 1973493 - Posted: 5 Jan 2019, 0:10:15 UTC - in response to Message 1973492.  

Hmm...



...think I'm safe for a few weeks :-)

That all depends on the assumptions made...

But wait... For just one cotton pickin' moment... You did what?!!!

Really, you gave a third-party website your password?!

I wonder what they could do with that... (Another entry in the dictionary attack against you... That gives you not long at all...)


IT is what we make it...
Martin

BINGO!
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Message 1973495 - Posted: 5 Jan 2019, 0:18:02 UTC - in response to Message 1973493.  

But wait... For just one cotton pickin' moment... You did what?!!!
Really, you gave a third-party website your password?!

What do you think occurs with those online password managers that are so popular? People will even pay them to take their passwords.
Grant
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Message 1973498 - Posted: 5 Jan 2019, 0:45:25 UTC - in response to Message 1973492.  

That all depends on the assumptions made...

But wait... For just one cotton pickin' moment... You did what?!!!

Really, you gave a third-party website your password?!

I wonder what they could do with that... (Another entry in the dictionary attack against you... That gives you not long at all...)


IT is what we make it...
Martin
For an I.T. Guru, you seem to make a lot of assumptions. Well what more can one expect from a Linux geek. :-)
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Message 1974324 - Posted: 9 Jan 2019, 17:16:37 UTC

Greetings,

I stumbled onto a cool video about how bad Windows 10 really is. They guy has, I think, 8 certs from Micro$oft. I'd say he's pretty much qualified.

Enjoy and have a great day! :)

Siran
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Winders 11 OS? "What a piece of junk!" - L. Skywalker
"Logic is the cement of our civilization with which we ascend from chaos using reason as our guide." - T'Plana-hath
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Message 1974333 - Posted: 9 Jan 2019, 18:01:44 UTC

Got a cumulative update on Windows 10 1803 on the new PC, while the older PC is still running 1809 with no apparent problem. It is running SETI@home both CPU and GPU on a GTX 750, the only one I had with a VGA socket to connect it to a cathode tube monitor which was obsoleted. I enjoy seeing the SETI@home screensaver running on it.
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Message 1974354 - Posted: 9 Jan 2019, 20:24:23 UTC - in response to Message 1974324.  
Last modified: 9 Jan 2019, 21:23:36 UTC

Greetings,

I stumbled onto a cool video about how bad Windows 10 really is. They guy has, I think, 8 certs from Micro$oft. I'd say he's pretty much qualified. ...

Thanks for that and yes, he sounds very qualified and sounds like he really has gone through the various iterations of Windows in the very real world...

Two stand-out bits in the vid:

  1. The comment of "monumentally retarded" for one of the more painful 'features'...
  2. And just as he is explaining about some of the Windows 'security features', a black cat spookiely wanders out from behind his chair and skulks off... Very spooky! (Beware The Matrix? ;-) )



His comments echo closely my experiences in supporting Windows in various environments. Except I began my move away from Windows into a far better IT world at about the time of Windows Vista when various Marketing promises for that latest greatest version turned out to be lies.


Indeed, is Microsoft now run by and for the Marketing and Sales people and the users be damned?...

IT is what we allow it to be...
Martin


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Message 1974465 - Posted: 10 Jan 2019, 6:22:04 UTC

Indeed, is Microsoft now run by and for the Marketing and Sales people and the users be damned?...



.............it is.

"Sour Grapes make a bitter Whine." <(0)>
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Message 1974490 - Posted: 10 Jan 2019, 12:01:33 UTC - in response to Message 1974354.  

Greetings,

I stumbled onto a cool video about how bad Windows 10 really is. They guy has, I think, 8 certs from Micro$oft. I'd say he's pretty much qualified. ...

Thanks for that and yes, he sounds very qualified and sounds like he really has gone through the various iterations of Windows in the very real world...

Two stand-out bits in the vid:

  1. The comment of "monumentally retarded" for one of the more painful 'features'...
  2. And just as he is explaining about some of the Windows 'security features', a black cat spookiely wanders out from behind his chair and skulks off... Very spooky! (Beware The Matrix? ;-) )



His comments echo closely my experiences in supporting Windows in various environments. Except I began my move away from Windows into a far better IT world at about the time of Windows Vista when various Marketing promises for that latest greatest version turned out to be lies.


Indeed, is Microsoft now run by and for the Marketing and Sales people and the users be damned?...

IT is what we allow it to be...
Martin


Greetings Martin,

Yeah, I saw that cat too and thought "right on, he has a black cat". I like black cats. No superstitious mumbo jumbo here.

I watched a 10 video series he has and the cats were in them, yes I saw 2 different cats, on his migration from Windows 10 to Linux. Other than a few software packages he has to use on Windows 10, he is now full on Linux. He's using Fedora 29 on his office PC and Ubuntu on his home PC. He recommends Linux Mint for any Windows users fed up with Windows 10 and want to crap can it for Linux.

Have a great day! :)

Siran
CAPT Siran d'Vel'nahr - L L & P _\\//
Winders 11 OS? "What a piece of junk!" - L. Skywalker
"Logic is the cement of our civilization with which we ascend from chaos using reason as our guide." - T'Plana-hath
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Message 1974539 - Posted: 10 Jan 2019, 18:27:23 UTC - in response to Message 1974490.  
Last modified: 10 Jan 2019, 18:28:32 UTC

... on his migration from Windows 10 to Linux. Other than a few software packages he has to use on Windows 10, he is now full on Linux. He's using Fedora 29 on his office PC and Ubuntu on his home PC. He recommends Linux Mint for any Windows users fed up with Windows 10 and want to crap can it for Linux.

Yep, depending on the use-case, I recommend people try Kubuntu, Ubuntu, Mint or Mageia. The main differences between those are largely cosmetic with the "look and feel" of the default desktop supported. In reality, you can have any desktop you like on any of those distros (although the big point about Mint is to enjoy the Mint desktop!).

There's a good summary list of the 'top favoured distros' over on: Distrowatch Top Ten Distributions

Enjoy!

IT is indeed what we make it...
Martin
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Message 1974545 - Posted: 10 Jan 2019, 18:49:57 UTC
Last modified: 10 Jan 2019, 18:51:42 UTC

Quite an "Ouch!" for this one... Not sure why it has hit the news again just now but this does show the very unfortunate extra costs that can very badly bite Windows users such as seen in just this one example 'event':


[The Alaskan Community Sent Back in Time]

In 2018, a remote Alaskan community’s infrastructure was hit by a malware attack which forced it offline. It was only then they realised how much they depended on computers

They still don’t know where it came from. But when it hit, the Alaskan borough of Matanuska-Susitna was knocked for six. Malware rapidly spread across the borough’s computer networks, disrupting a bewildering array of services. Hundreds of employees found themselves locked out...



The original story reported for that is from August 2018:

Town dusts off typewriters after cyber-attack

Government workers in a borough of Alaska have turned to typewriters to do their jobs, after ransomware infected their computer systems.

A spokeswoman for Matanuska-Susitna said the malware had encrypted its email server, internal systems and disaster recovery servers.

She said staff had "resourcefully" dusted off typewriters and were writing receipts by hand...

... anti-virus software had detected one component of the attack on 17 July but had missed other elements of the malware, which allowed it to spread...




That ads up to a very big loss and very big disruption and extra costs... And that is for just one example 'incident' for what is an all too often repeated story...

Really all just a feature?!

Microsoft has had over TWENTY YEARS to put a stop to such silliness...!

Perhaps they will 'fix things' for 'next year'?...


IT is what we allow it to be...
Martin
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