Welcome back, Folks!
It’s not Patch Tuesday, but updates from Microsoft, Apple, Google, Mozilla, and many others have triggered an out-of-cycle update.
This Month in Technology
It took Apple over a month to resolve a security issue in their custom OAuth implementation, which would provide app-level access to any site that used Sign in with Apple given only an email address. Facebook and Google both suffered similar XSS issues recently, as did a very popular WordPress plugin.
Not accepting vulnerability reports doesn’t mean the vulnerabilities don’t exist, Apple. Even after vowing now to, Apple is still recording everything you say and do as long as you have Siri enabled.
It still surprises me that people that don’t read the documentation and license agreements still feel the need to sue over their failure to understand how software works. For anyone reading this years from now, browsers load web pages. “Incognito” mode (or any other privacy mode) simply prevents your data from being shared IN THE BROWSER between different sessions. It otherwise does not prevent any websites from operating exactly as they would if you were loading the web page in any other browser. As always, don’t do anything online that you don’t want to be tracked to you. Period.
Even so, eBay, Citibank, TD Bank, Ameriprise, Chick-fil-a, Equifax, and many more websites are performing port scans of visitors computers. If you’re concerned about your privacy, imagine the power companis like eBay and Equifax would have if they collected and consolidated details about every remote support platform installed and used by every visitor to their websites. We’re talking about hundreds of millions of people relying on companies that don’t have the best track record of keeping data safe in the first place.
Veracode reports that about 70% of all mobile and desktop applications contain open-source bugs. This reminds me of one of my favorite computer quotes: Every non-trivial program contains at least one bug. Every non-trivial program can be simplified by at least one line of code. The conclusion of the last two laws: Every non trivial program can be simplified to one line of code, and it will contain a bug.
A widely used EU Cookie Consent image is being used to distribute malware. Directly linking to third-party scripts and images has some serious long-term drawbacks.
As was expected by anyone that can math or understand science, suicide (as a result of the government lockdown) has killed more in California than the plandemic COVID-19. This is, of course, after churches are being burned to the ground for daring to try to serve the same people that currently frequent Walmart, Target and Lowes.
The Spectra exploit demonstrates just how easy it’s going to be to abuse the GACT/Contact Tracing services on many devices.
Now for the good news:
Windows 10 v2004 has been released. Make sure you’ve installed v1909 recently so you won’t be forced into the new build before they work out the bugs. I don’t see a lot of differences between v2004 and v1909 that most people would benefit from, anyway, but these releases tend to take a couple months to work out most of the bugs. For example, many Windows policies are erased during the upgrade which can result in local accounts being forced into using inescapable Microsoft accounts for users that don’t understand that “not now” is an option.
Let’s Get Busy
Apple released updates for macOS Catalina 10.15.5, macOS Catalina 10.15.5 Supplemental Update, Security Update 2020-003 Mojave, Security Update 2020-003 High Sierra, Windows Migration Assistant 2.2.0.0, iCloud for Windows 7.19, iCloud for Windows 11.2, Safari 13.1.1, Xcode 11.5, iOS 13.5.1, iPadOS 13.5.1, tvOS 13.4.6, watchOS 5.3.7, watchOS 6.2.6, and iTunes 12.10.7. These are security updates.
iOS 13.5.1 and 12.4.7 are security updates. Use Settings, General, Software Update to install the most current version. This version also adds the Orwellian contact tracing feature at the system level. While “disabled” by default, you may validate that it is disabled in Settings, Privacy, Health, COVID-19 Exposure Logging, and turn off Exposure Logging.
iPadOS 13.5.1 is a security update. Use Settings, General, Software Update to install the most current version.
tvOS 13.4.6 is a security update. Use Settings, General, Updates to install the most current version.
watchOS 5.3.7 and 6.2.6 are security updates. Use your updated iPhone to install the most current version through the Watch app.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204641
Google has released security updates for Android 9 and 10 which will gradually be published by individual vendors and available to you in the coming weeks. This version also adds the Orwellian contact tracing feature. Disabling Location and Bluetooth will disable the current version of contact tracing.
Google Chrome OS 83.0.4103.77 is a security update. Use Menu, Help, About to install the most current version. A reboot is required.
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.
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.
Display Driver Uninstaller 18.0.2.5 resolves an AMD audio bug. This is not a security update.
https://www.wagnardsoft.com/display-driver-uninstaller-ddu
Intel Driver and Support Assistant 20.6.22 improves OEM device support, performance and resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/detect
Logitech Options 8.20.329 adds support for Edge and resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/options
nVidia 446.14 improves VRSS in Onward and resolves several stability, performance, and battery life issues. This is not a security update.
https://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us
Browser Updates
One or more of these are likely to be of interest to everyone.
Brave 1.9.76 is a security update. Use Menu, Help, About to install the most current version.
https://brave.com/
Google Chrome 83.0.4103.97 is a security update. Use Menu, Help, About to install the most current version.
Microsoft Edge 83.0.478.44 is a security update. Use Menu, Help, About to install the most current version.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge/business/download
Firefox 77.0 and 77.0.1 are security updates. Use Menu, Help, About to install the most current version.
Firefox ESR 68.9.0 is a security update. Use Menu, Help, About to install the most current version.
Email Updates
One or more of these are likely to be of interest to everyone.
Mailspring 1.7.8 is a security update.
https://getmailspring.com/
OutlookAttachView 3.40 changes the Image Preview feature to Preview Pane which will show other attachment types than images. 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.
Trillian 6.3.0.5 resolves @mentions. This is not a security update.
https://www.trillian.im/
Trillian Mac 6.3.0.3 resolves a tooltip bug and removes some unused entitlements. This is not a security update.
https://www.trillian.im/
FileZilla Client 3.48.1 is not a security update.
https://filezilla-project.org/
FreeFileSync 10.24 resolves several bugs, improves compatibility, adds new macros and improves error handling. This is not a security update.
https://www.freefilesync.org/download.php
Zoom 5.0.26213.0602 resolves several bugs, enables GIPHY, improves privacy controls and admin controls, improves unmute behavior, and adds waiting room ringtone. This is not a security update.
https://zoom.us/
WinSCP 5.17.6 resolves several bugs. The installation package is a security update.
https://winscp.net/eng/index.php
Media Updates
These are unlikely to be of interest to most people.
iTunes 12.10.7 is a security update. Use Apple Software Update to install the most current version.
Game Updates
These are unlikely to be of interest to most people.
Steam 2020.06.01 adds “Play Next”, direct IP connectivity for Remote Play, P2P improvements, and resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
PlayStation PS4 7.51 improves performance. This is not a security update.
https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/system-updates/ps4/
Office Updates
One or more of these are likely to be of interest to most people.
Adobe Reader DC 20.009.20067 resolves several stability and reliability issues. This is not a security update. Use Help, Check for updates to get the most current version.
Atom 1.47.0 updates libraries and resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://atom.io/
Audacity 2.4.1 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.fosshub.com/Audacity.html
LibreOffice Fresh 6.4.4 resolves nearly 100 bugs. This is not a security update. Be advised that “Fresh” is the beta version and should be avoided by most people.
https://www.libreoffice.org/
Lightworks NLE 2020.1 resolves hundreds of bugs and adds several new features. This is not a security update.
https://www.lwks.com/
Paint.net 4.2.12 resolves several bugs and improves metadata export between formats. This is not a security update.
https://www.getpaint.net/
MyPaint 2.0.1 resolves several bugs, including a repetitive load image quality loss bug. This is not a security update.
https://github.com/mypaint/mypaint/releases/latest
Security Software Updates
One or more of these is likely to be of interest to most people.
RogueKiller 14.5.0 updates the RKSvc, core engine, and resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.adlice.com/download/roguekiller/
uBlock Origin 1.27.10 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
Capture Updates
These are unlikely to be of interest to most people.
ScreenToGif 2.24.2 resolves FFmpeg compatibility. This is not a security update.
https://github.com/NickeManarin/ScreenToGif/releases/latest
Converter Updates
These are unlikely to be of interest to most people.
DVDFab 11.0.8.9 adds support for new encodings and 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.
DesktopOK 7.27 adds delete confirmation. This is not a security update.
https://www.softwareok.com/?seite=Freeware/DesktopOK
Easy2Boot 2.03 resolves several bugs and updates libraries. This is not a security update.
https://www.fosshub.com/Easy2Boot.html
Etcher 1.5.96 updates libraries and resolves several bugs. This should be treated as a security update.
https://www.balena.io/etcher/
GoodSync 11.2.0 improves compatibility and stability. This is not a security update.
https://12pd.com/click?goodsync
MPI Tool Kit 0.099 doesn’t provide a changelog so should be treated as a security update.
https://www.fosshub.com/Easy2Boot.html
MS ISO Downloader 8.37 adds images for developer and insider releases of Win10 build 19628, Office 2016/2019 for Mac, and resolves accessibility issues. This is not a security update.
https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/67-microsoft-windows-and-office-iso-download-tool
PointerStick 4.11 improves compatibility. This is not a security update.
https://www.softwareok.com/?seite=Freeware/PointerStick
PowerToys 0.18.1 adds Run and Keyboard manager, and resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/latest
TeamViewer 15.6.7 improves performance of multi-participant sessions, allows disabling the Outlook add-in during installation, and resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.teamviewer.com/en/download/windows/
WakeMeOnLan 1.86 updates the internal MAC address database. This is not a security update.
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wake_on_lan.html
WinScan2PDF 5.41 improves detection of multi-function devices. This is not a security update.
https://www.softwareok.com/?seite=Microsoft/WinScan2PDF
WizTree 3.33 resolves network drive access issues, improves export/import accuracy, 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/
ControlMyMonitor 1.26 now displays an error code if unable to parse settings from the display. This is not a security update.
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/control_my_monitor.html
Cygwin 3.1.5 adds support for WSL symlinks and resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://cygwin.com/
DesktopOK 7.41 resolves installation and removal bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.softwareok.com/?seite=Freeware/DesktopOK
DevManView 1.67 adds an option to uninstall the selected device. This is not a security update.
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/device_manager_view.html
FileLocator Pro 8.5.2946 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.mythicsoft.com/filelocatorpro/download
NetworkInterfacesView 1.21 adds Interface LUID column. This is not a security update.
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/network_interfaces.html
Bitcoin 0.20.0 improves reliability and stability, removes dependency on OpenSSL, and resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://bitcoin.org/en/download
NTLite 1.9.0.7490 adds several new setting controls and resolves several bugs.
https://www.ntlite.com/download/
WinScan2PDF 5.51 improves translations. This is not a security update.
https://www.softwareok.com/?seite=Microsoft/WinScan2PDF
Windows 10 Media Creation Tool v2004 is now available. This is not a security update.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
Developer Updates
These are unlikely to be of interest to most people.
ADB 30.0.0 adds support for wireless pairing, incremental APK installation, client-side support for compression of various commands with Android 11, and improves performance. This is not a security update.
https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools
Inno Setup 6.0.5 is a security update.
https://www.jrsoftware.org/isdl.php
Node.js 14.4.0 resolves dozens of bugs. This is a security update.
https://nodejs.org/en/
Node.js 12.18.0 is a security update.
https://nodejs.org/en/
Android Studio 4.0.0.16 is a major update and adds several new features and improvements. This is not a security update.
https://developer.android.com/studio
SQLite 3.32.1 is a security update.
https://www.sqlite.org/download.html
TortoiseSVN 1.14.0 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://tortoisesvn.net/downloads.html
Virtual Machine Updates
These are unlikely to be of interest to most people.
VirtualBox 6.1.8-137981 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
Web Package Updates
These are likely to be of interest only to web developers.
Drupal 8.9.0 is the final minor build of the 8.x series and updates libraries and resolves several bugs. Drupal 8.8.6 and 8.7.14 are security updates.
https://drupal.org/download
HumHub 1.5.2 resolves over 25 bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.humhub.com/en/download
Nextcloud Server 19.0.0 adds document collaboration to video chats, password-less login, performance improvements, guest groups and more. This should be treated as a security update.
https://nextcloud.com/
Joomla 3.9.19 is a security update.
https://www.joomla.org/
phpList 3.5.4 is a security update.
https://www.phplist.org/
ScreenConnect 20.5.28493.7445 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.connectwise.com/software/control/download
Autoptimize 2.7.2 resolves several bugs. This is a security update.
BuddyPress 6.0.0 is a major update adding several new features and resolving many bugs. This is a security update.
Contact Form 7 5.1.9 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
myStickymenu 2.4.1 is a cosmetic update. This is not a security update.
Postie 1.9.52 resolves a category parsing bug. This is not a security update.
WooCommerce 4.2.0 resolves dozens of bugs. This is not a security update.
bbPress 2.6.5 doesn’t provide a changelog so should be treated as a security update.
Redirection 4.8 resolves two minor bugs and adds importer. This is not a security update.
Social Post Feed 2.15.1 adds several new features. This is not a security update.
Theme My Login 7.1 adds a new dashboard action, improves performance and resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
W3 Total Cache 0.14.1 resolves several bugs. 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/