Hi, Folks!
It’s March, so the next build of Windows 10 will be released any day now. This is a 6gb download that introduces a few new features and controls, but is not yet widely tested. Don’t be the guinea pig. For at least the next month, when you’re prompted that “the new version of Windows is ready,” just say no! I’ll report here when I believe it is safe for most users.
It’s Patch Tuesday and it’s a big one. Lots of small updates for almost all popular software.
The typical computer should see roughly 1.7gb in updates today. Let’s get started.
Microsoft released updates to Windows, MS Office, Edge, Internet Explorer, Flash, .NET, and MSRT (~1gb). This includes security updates. A reboot is required.
Apple released macOS High Sierra 10.13.3 Supplemental Update (again! You’d think they would eventually change the version number). This includes security updates. Use Apple Software Update to install these updates. A reboot is required.
iOS 11.2.6 is a security update. Use Settings, General, Software Update to install the most current update.
watchOS 4.2.3 is a security update. Use the Watch app on your iPhone to install the most current version.
tvOS 11.2.6 is a security update. Use System, Software Update to install the most current version.
Google Chrome OS 64.0.3282.192 is a security update. Use Menu, Help, About to install the most current version. A reboot is required.
Adobe Flash Player 29.0.0.113 is a security update.
Win: https://12pd.com/click?flash
Win: https://12pd.com/click?flashie
Mac: https://12pd.com/click?flashmac
Adobe AIR 29.0.0.112 is a security update.
Win: https://12pd.com/click?air
Mac: https://12pd.com/click?airmac
Don’t forget to check your mobile devices, too! Many updates will also apply to your tablet, phone, kindle or television – so check your device-appropriate App Store and install updates.
Important Notes
Everything above this section should be checked by everyone on every computer. Chances are good that close to every single computer you touch will be affected by those updates. This is not the case with the items below, though you should still check each line item below to see if it applies to software you have installed.
I’ve had a lot of calls recently from people whose computers seem unusually slow since late October. This is a side-effect of the Windows 10 upgrade cycle, which pushes out 6gb through Windows update to get you to the latest Windows 10 release every 6 months. If you don’t let it finish and you’re on a slow connection, it will kill your Internet performance forever. If you don’t have the bandwidth to download the bits, I’m happy to provide loaner USB drives to our local clients at The Farmory, or, if you prefer to have me mail it to you please contact me for information.
Please remember that while I list many different applications within these updates, most people should ONLY install updates for a program if they already have a previous version of that program installed.
It is essential to maintain all the applications you have installed on your computer, but often you can minimize the time investment and the potential for exploitation simply by uninstalling software you do not need.
Also note that using the applications own “check for updates” function, when available, will best preserve your current settings, and often avoid any crapware that might come with a fresh installer. Use this option if it’s available to you.
Finally, if you’re sick of doing this all yourself, let me! Call or email me any time, and we can set you up with subscription SaferPC updates which will be installed each month whenever necessary. Click, call or email for more details:
https://saferpc.info/updates/
209-565-12PD
shawn@12pointdesign.com
Driver Updates
If you’re using this hardware – these updates are for you.
UniFi Controller 5.7.20 improves Neighboring, reduces log spam, improves IPv6 provisioning, and resolves several bugs. This should be treated as a security update.
https://www.ubnt.com/download/
Display Driver Uninstaller 17.0.8.4 improves Intel cleanup and resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.wagnardsoft.com/display-driver-uninstaller-ddu
Browser Updates
One or more of these are likely to be of interest to everyone.
Google Chrome 65.0.3325.146 is a security update. Use Menu, Help, About to get the most current version.
Firefox 59.0 is a security update. Use Menu, Help, About to install the most current version.
Firefox ESR 52.7.0 is a security update. Use Menu, Help, About to install the most current version.
Opera 51 is a security update. Use Menu, Help, About to get the most current version.
SeaMonkey 2.49.2 is a security update. Manual update is required. If you’re using SeaMonkey, download the update here:
https://www.seamonkey-project.org/releases/
Email Updates
One or more of these are likely to be of interest to everyone.
OutlookAttachView 3.11 adds Select All and Deselect All to the Column Settings. This is not a security update.
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/outlook_attachment.html
Internet Updates
One or more of these are likely to be of interest to everyone.
Line 8.3.0 adds several features to the Friends tab, and integrates slideshows. This is not a security update.
https://line.me/update
Trillian 6.1.0.13 adds Blast Messaging, and resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.trillian.im/
Trillian Mac 6.1.0.6 adds Blast Messaging, and resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.trillian.im/
WinSCP 5.13 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://winscp.net/eng/index.php
Evernote 6.9.7.6770 adds Spaces for Evernote Business, resolves several bugs. This should be treated as a security update.
https://www.evernote.com/
uTorrent 3.5.3 Build 44358 resolves several bugs, improves reliability and sanity. This is a security update.
https://www.utorrent.com/downloads
FileZilla 3.31.0 adds ability to trust all SANs/domains in a multi-subject certificate, resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://filezilla-project.org/
FreeFileSync 9.9 adds high-DPI support, resolves several bugs, improves validation. This is a security update.
https://www.freefilesync.org/download.php
MaxMind GeoIP Data 201803 is a data refresh.
https://dev.maxmind.com/geoip/
Npcap 0.99-r2 improves installer behavior, hardware compatibility, and follows a major code review. This is a security update.
https://nmap.org/npcap/
Media Updates
These are unlikely to be of interest to most people.
VLC 3.0.1 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.videolan.org/vlc/
Game Updates
These are unlikely to be of interest to most people.
PlayStation PS4 5.50 improves parental controls, PlayStation Plus integration, improves media sharing, video and music controls, and more. This is not a security update.
https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/system-updates/ps4/
EA Origin 10.5.14.38647 resolves a lot of bugs, improves performance and diagnostics. This should be treated as a security update.
https://www.origin.com/en-us/download
Office Updates
One or more of these are likely to be of interest to most people.
Adobe Reader DC 18.011.20038 is a security update. Use Help, Check for Updates to get the most current version.
Notepad++ 7.5.5 adds back search paddles, improves file monitoring, and resolves several bugs. This is not a security update
https://12pd.com/click?npp
Artweaver 6.0.8 reduces memory usage and resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.artweaver.de/
LibreOffice Fresh 6.0.2 resolves many bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.libreoffice.org/
Security Software Updates
One or more of these is likely to be of interest to most people.
Tails 3.6 is a security update.
https://tails.boum.org/
Avast! Home Edition 18.2.2328 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download
Wireshark 2.4.5 is a security update.
https://www.wireshark.org/
Wireless Network Watcher 2.17 updates internal MAC addresses database. This is not a security update.
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wireless_network_watcher.html
RogueKiller 12.12.8 adds detections. This should be treated as a security update.
https://www.adlice.com/softwares/roguekiller/
Capture Updates
These are unlikely to be of interest to most people.
XSplit Broadcaster 3.3.1803.0502 adds macro support, log upload, audio track separation, and many bug fixes. This is not a security update.
https://www.xsplit.com/get/
XSplit Gamecaster 3.3.1802.1511 adds log upload, mixer improvements, and many bug fixes. This is not a security update.
https://www.xsplit.com/get/
Converter Updates
These are unlikely to be of interest to most people.
DVDFab 10.0.8.6 adds support for new encodings, resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.dvdfab.cn/download.htm
Utility Updates
These are unlikely to be of interest to most people.
Google Chrome Dictionary 8-0 resolves the spell-check issues in Chrome.
NTLite 1.5.0.6080 improves progress tracking, resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.ntlite.com/download/
1Password for Mac 6.8.7 improves detection and resolves several bugs. This should be treated as a security update.
https://1password.com/downloads/
RoboForm 8.4.7 adds Edge integration, resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://12pd.com/click?rf
GoodSync 10.8.0 improves reliability, and resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://12pd.com/click?goodsync
Bitcoin 0.16.0 updates dependencies, improves GUI, now uses a HD wallet by default, and resolves several bugs. This should be treated as a security update.
https://bitcoin.org/en/download
DesktopOK 5.06 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.softwareok.com/?seite=Freeware/DesktopOK
Drive Snapshot 1.46 improves performance and compatibility. This is not a security update.
http://www.drivesnapshot.de/en/
ImageUSB 1.3.1005 does not provide a changelog, so should be treated as a security update.
https://www.osforensics.com/tools/write-usb-images.html
IsMyHdOK 1.34 resolves a couple bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.softwareok.com/?seite=Microsoft/IsMyHdOK
FileLocator Pro 8.2.2766 improves indexing, resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.mythicsoft.com/filelocatorpro/download
CurrPorts 2.50 adds new columns for traffic monitoring. This is not a security update.
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/cports.html
DevManView 1.51 adds select all/none options. This is not a security update.
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/device_manager_view.html
NetworkTrafficView 2.13 adds select all/none options. This is not a security update.
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/network_traffic_view.html
USBDeview 2.75 provides cosmetic changes and adds select all/none options. This is not a security update.
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/usb_devices_view.html
WakeMeOnLan 1.83 updates the internal MAC addresses file. This is not a security update.
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wake_on_lan.html
WifiChannelMonitor 1.56 updates the internal MAC addresses file, improves hardware compatibility, and adds select all/none options. This is not a security update.
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wifi_channel_monitor.html
OSFMount 2.0.1000 updates dependencies, updates requirements to Win7+, improves performance, and resolves bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.osforensics.com/tools/mount-disk-images.html
OSForensics 5.2.1006 improves record tracking, stability, reliability, and resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.osforensics.com/download.html
PointerStick 3.01 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.softwareok.com/?seite=Freeware/PointerStick
PSAppDeploy 3.7.0 resolves many bugs. This is not a security update.
http://psappdeploytoolkit.com/
Process Monitor 3.50 adds a /runtime switch to control headless capture, correctly shows picoprocesses, displays details for file system APIs introduced in Windows 10, and includes numerous minor improvements and bug fixes. This should be treated as a security update.
http://sysinternals.com/
Autoruns 13.82 shows Onenote addins and fixes several bugs. This should be treated as a security update.
http://sysinternals.com/
Du 1.61 now handles paths greater than MAX_PATH (260 characters) in length. This is not a security update.
http://sysinternals.com/
SDelete 2.01 resolves a reliability bug. This is not a security update.
http://sysinternals.com/
SystemRescueCD 5.2.1 is a security update.
https://www.sysresccd.org/
TaskSchedulerView 1.40 adds an option to hide hidden tasks. This is not a security update.
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/task_scheduler_view.html
TeamViewer 13.1.1548 introduces a single-window interface reducing clutter, and resolves several bugs. This is a security update.
https://www.teamviewer.com/en/download/windows/
WinScan2PDF 4.04 improves preview. This is not a security update.
https://www.softwareok.com/?seite=Microsoft/WinScan2PDF
WizTree 3.19 adds command-line exports (thanks, Dominic!), select all files of a file extension, and resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://antibody-software.com/web/software/software/wiztree-finds-the-files-and-folders-using-the-most-disk-space-on-your-hard-drive/
Developer Updates
These are unlikely to be of interest to most people.
Redemption 5.16.0.4972 adds several new features and resolves a dozen bugs. This is not a security update.
http://www.dimastr.com/redemption/
Web Package Updates
These are likely to be of interest only to web developers.
Adminer 4.6.2 provides cosmetic and performance improvements, and resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.adminer.org/en/
TinyMCE 4.7.9 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.tinymce.com/download/
Drupal 8.5.0 is a security update.
https://www.drupal.org/download
MailEnable 10.14 improves notifications, diagnostics, usage reporting, and resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.mailenable.com/
phpMyAdmin 4.7.9 resolves several bugs. This is a security update.
https://www.phpmyadmin.net/home_page/news.php
ScreenConnect 6.5.16479.6613 breaks custom extensions by requiring a ConnectWise-approved signature on all extensions! It also improves reliability on newer operating systems, and resolves several bugs. This should be treated as a security update UNLESS you use custom extensions.
https://www.screenconnect.com/Download
Joomla 3.8.6 is a security update.
https://www.joomla.org/
Akismet 4.0.3 improves cleanup behavior. This is not a security update.
Contact Form 7 5.0.1 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
Email Log 2.2.5 improves GUI. This is not a security update.
Multisite Enhancements 1.4.2 improves language, resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
NextScripts Social Networks Auto-Poster 4.1.7 resolves several bugs and improves compatibility. This is not a security update.
Postie 1.9.18 resolves bugs. This is not a security update.
Sucuri Security 1.8.12 resolves several bugs and improves compatibility. This should be treated as a security update.
WooCommerce 3.3.3 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
WordPress Importer 0.6.4 improves compatibility and resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
WP Add Custom CSS 1.1.2 resolves a compatibility bug. This is not a security update.
WPtouch 4.3.27 resolves a bug. This is not a security update.
That’s all for now folks. Keep it clean out there. 😉
Regards,
Shawn K. Hall
https://SaferPC.info/
https://12PointDesign.com/