Happy Valentine’s Day, Folks!

Show her how much you care with a subscription to SaferPC!
https://saferpc.info/updates/

Today is Patch Tuesday and it’s a big one. Alongside every major vendor updates, nearly all mobile platforms have major updates over the last month to address security issues with WiFi and a lot of hardware has hit, or is nearing, end-of-life (EOL).

This month Nvidia drops support for the entire Fermi line of GPUs including everything from the GeForce, GT and GTX models 4xx up to 8xx. If your video card falls in line with these models you should consider replacing the card or the device. While it will continue to operate it can no longer be secured.

Windows 7 is nearing EOL. It will be supported for less than a year from this posting. If you’re still using Windows 7 you need to start actively looking for alternatives. Windows 10 is a seamless upgrade for most, but switching to Linux is also a viable option for others.

The last couple weeks has seen Firefox 65 severely stumble as a result of Avast’s poorly designed MITM “security feature,” Apple’s FaceTime being abused to listen in to call recipients, whether they answer or not, and Facebook paying children to install an “anything-but-private” VPN. While each of these is a horrible abuse of trust, their supporters quickly dismiss the severity of the issues because they’re large companies. That’s not the way it works. The larger the company, the more thought and process went into each and every decision. If anything, this demonstrates exactly why these companies should never be trusted.

The typical computer should see roughly 1.5 GB in updates today. Let’s get started.

Microsoft released updates for Windows, Flash, Edge, .NET, and MSRT (~500MB). This includes security updates. A reboot is required.

Apple released updates for iOS 12.1.4, macOS Mojave 10.14.3 Supplemental Update, Security Update 2019-001 High Sierra, Security Update 2019-001 Sierra, Shortcuts 2.1.3 for iOS, Safari 12.0.3, watchOS 5.1.3, tvOS 12.1.2, iTunes 12.8.2 for Mac, Pro Video Formats 2.1, iCloud for Windows 7.10, and iTunes 12.9.3 for Windows. This includes security updates. Use Apple Software Update to install these updates. A reboot is required.

iOS 12.1.4 is a security update. Use Settings, General, Software Update to install the most current update.

watchOS 5.1.3 is a security update. Use the Watch app on your iPhone to install the most current version.

tvOS 12.1.2 is a security update. Use System, Software Update to install the most current version.

Adobe Flash Player 32.0.0.142 is a security update.
Win: https://12pd.com/click?flash
Win: https://12pd.com/click?flashie
Mac: https://12pd.com/click?flashmac

Google Chrome OS 72.0.3626.97 is a security update. Use Menu, Help, About to install the most current version. A reboot is required.

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.

The now-current release of Windows 10 (1809) will cause your computer to feel unusually slow until it is installed. This is a side-effect of the Windows 10 upgrade cycle, which pushes out 3-6 GB 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, or, if you prefer to have me mail it to you please contact me for information. Windows 10 v1903 will be available within the next 6 weeks, and if you don’t have 1809 by then, it will be forced on you.

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 18.0.0.8 resolves several bugs and improves compatibility. This is not a security update.
https://www.wagnardsoft.com/display-driver-uninstaller-ddu

Intel Driver Update 19.1.4 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/detect

nVidia 418.81 adds support for newer hardware and benchmark testing of DLSS. This is not a security update.

Logitech SetPoint 6.69.123 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://support.logitech.com/en_us/software/setpoint

Browser Updates

One or more of these are likely to be of interest to everyone.

Vivaldi 2.3.1440.41 adds several new features and bug fixes. This is a security update.
https://vivaldi.com/

Google Chrome 72.0.3626.96 is a security update. Use Menu, Help, About to install the most current version.

Firefox 65.0 is a security update, and is sadly unreliable due to several factors. The next build, due any time, will add MITM detection to resolve issues with poorly designed security products like Avast. Use Menu, Help, About to install the most current version.

Firefox ESR 60.5.0 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 1.5.6 resolves several bugs and improves mail setup for certain ISPs. This is not a security update.
https://getmailspring.com/

Thunderbird 60.5.0 is a security update. Use Menu, Help, About to install the most current version.

NK2Edit 3.39 resolves a cosmetic bug. This is not a security update.
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/outlook_nk2_edit.html

Internet Updates

One or more of these are likely to be of interest to everyone.

Prosody 0.11.2 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://prosody.im/download/start

Skype 8.37.0.98 improves notifications, keyboard shortcuts, and status controls. This is not a security update.
https://12pd.com/click?skype

Evernote 6.17.6.8292 improves templates, notebook management, and resolves bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.evernote.com/

FileZilla Client 3.40.0 is a security update.
https://filezilla-project.org/

FreeFileSync 10.9 resolves several bugs and extends several Windows and macOS features to Linux. This is not a security update.
https://www.freefilesync.org/download.php

MaxMind GeoIP 201902 is a data refresh.
https://dev.maxmind.com/geoip/

Npcap 0.99-r9 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://nmap.org/npcap/

Technitium DNS Server 2.4 resolves several bugs and adds new features, including identifying source blocklists with a TXT record and import/export. This is not a security update.
https://technitium.com/dns/

Media Updates

These are unlikely to be of interest to most people.

VLC Media Player 3.0.6 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.videolan.org/vlc/

MusicBrainz Picard 2.1.2 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://picard.musicbrainz.org/

FastStone Viewer 6.9 adds support for M2TS, file properties shortcut, and resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
http://www.faststone.org/FSViewerDetail.htm

Game Updates

These are unlikely to be of interest to most people.

EA Origin 10.5.34.21025 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.origin.com/en-us/download

Steam 2018.02.01 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.

Office Updates

One or more of these are likely to be of interest to most people.

Adobe Reader DC 19.010.20091 is a security update. Use Help, Check for Updates to get the most current version.

Artweaver 6.0.10 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.artweaver.de/

IcoFX 3.3 adds light and dark modes, monochrome theme, corner rounding, touch support, and resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://icofx.ro/

LibreOffice Still 6.1.5 provides nearly 80 bug fixes and improvements. This is not a security update.
https://www.libreoffice.org/

LibreOffice Fresh 6.2.0 is the first release of the new Fresh line and resolves almost 250 bugs from the previous build. This is not a security update.
https://www.libreoffice.org/

Notepad++ 7.6.3 is a security update. This version reverses all of the annoying plugin changes since 7.6 and adds Markdown support.
https://12pd.com/click?npp

Security Software Updates

One or more of these is likely to be of interest to most people.

QubesOS 4.0.1 is a security update.
https://www.qubes-os.org/downloads/

Java 8u201 is a security update. If you are unsure whether you need Java or think that Java and JavaScript are the same thing, you should remove Java instead.

DNSQuerySniffer 1.73 resolves a cosmetic bug and adds an option to disable header line in export data. This is not a security update.
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/dns_query_sniffer.html

Avast! Home Edition 19.2.2364 is a bug-fix release. However, I strongly advise you to consider any other AV since Avast performs MITM attacks against all secure websites. Among other things, it will inevitably result in their root certificate being exploited to infect everyone that uses Avast.

Wireshark 2.6.6 is a security update.
https://www.wireshark.org/

IISCrypto 3.0 adds support for new OS, improves controls and strict template, and resolves several bugs. This should be treated as a security update.
https://www.nartac.com/Products/IISCrypto/Default.aspx

RogueKiller 13.1.4 improves stability and reliability, updates libraries, and exclusion controls. This should be treated as a security update.
https://www.adlice.com/softwares/roguekiller/

SuperAntiSpyware 8.0.1030 doesn’t have a valid changelog, so should be treated as a security update.
https://www.superantispyware.com/download.html

TDSSKiller 3.1.0.26 adds new malware detection and removal. This should be treated as a security update.
https://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/utility#TDSSKiller

Wireless Network Watcher 2.20 resolves a device association bug. This is not a security update.
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wireless_network_watcher.html

Converter Updates

These are unlikely to be of interest to most people.

CDex 2.14 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://cdex.mu/?q=download

DVDFab 11.0.1.5 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.

NTLite 1.7.2.6717 adds support for new OS, updates components and resolves several bugs.
https://www.ntlite.com/download/

1Password for Windows 7.3.657 resolves an upgrade bug and several crash issues. This is not a security update.
https://1password.com/downloads/windows/

8GadgetPack 28.0 resolves several bugs and updates all included gadgets. This is not a security update.
https://8gadgetpack.net/

Beyond Compare 4.2.9.23626 resolves several OneDrive compatibility issues and resolves folder timestamp comparison bug. This is not a security update.
https://www.scootersoftware.com/download.php?zz=dl4

DesktopOK 6.03 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.softwareok.com/?seite=Freeware/DesktopOK

Everything 1.4.1.932 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.voidtools.com/

GoodSync 10.9.23 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://12pd.com/click?goodsync

HWMonitor 1.39 adds support for new hardware. This is not a security update.
https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html

ImageUSB 1.4.1001 resolves issues with writing to bit-locked drives and other bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.osforensics.com/tools/write-usb-images.html

IsMyHdOK 1.64 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.softwareok.com/?seite=Microsoft/IsMyHdOK

SimpleWMIView 1.35 adds support for class auto-completion. This is not a security update.
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/simple_wmi_view.html

TcpLogView 1.31 resolves a log file compatibility bug. This is not a security update.
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/tcp_log_view.html

USBDeview 2.79 adds always-on-top option. This is not a security update.
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/usb_devices_view.html

WifiInfoView 2.42 updates internal MAC addresses file and resolves SSID mapping bug. This is not a security update.
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wifi_information_view.html

WinScan2PDF 4.71 now preserves window location and adds open/edit options. This is not a security update.
https://www.softwareok.com/?seite=Microsoft/WinScan2PDF

WizTree 3.28 resolves two filter 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.

MySQL 8.0.15 resolves over 300 bugs, adds dual-password support and updates libraries. This is not a security update.
https://www.mysql.com/downloads/installer/

Node.js 11.9.0 updates libraries and resolves dozens of bugs. This is a security update.
https://nodejs.org/en/

Redemption 5.19.0.5248 resolves several bugs and improves compatibility with Outlook 2019. This is not a security update.
http://www.dimastr.com/redemption/

SQLite 3.27.1 resolves several bugs and improves security enforcement. This is a security update.
https://www.sqlite.org/download.html

DB Browser for SQLite 3.11.0 is now released in MSI format for Windows and provides dozens of other improvements and bug fixes. This is not a security update.
https://sqlitebrowser.org/

Virtual Machine Updates

These are unlikely to be of interest to most people.

VirtualBox 6.0.4-128413 adds support for additional hardware, resolves several bugs, and improves stability. 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.

ScreenConnect 6.9.21691.6956 resolves several stability bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.screenconnect.com/Download

Joomla 3.9.3 is a security update.
https://www.joomla.org/

TinyMCE 5.0.0 is a major new update with dozens of new features and controls. This is not a security update.
https://www.tiny.cloud/get-tiny/

Drupal 8.6.9 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://drupal.org/download

Nextcloud Server 15.0.4 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://nextcloud.com/

phpMyAdmin 4.8.5 is a security update.
https://www.phpmyadmin.net/home_page/news.php

Adminer 4.7.1 resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.
https://www.adminer.org/en/

WordPress 5.0.3 resolves over 40 issues, mostly with the new block editor. This is not a security update.
https://wordpress.org/

Akismet 4.1.1 improves responsiveness. This is not a security update.

Antispam Bee 2.9.1 resolves several bugs and improves reliability. This is not a security update.

Postie 1.9.28 resolves several bugs. This is a security update.

Redirection 3.7.3 adds PHP warnings and resolves several bugs. This is not a security update.

NextScripts Social Networks Auto-Poster 4.3.3 is a security update.

W3 Total Cache 0.9.7.2 resolves many bugs and compatibility issues. This is not a security update.

WooCommerce 3.5.4 resolves dozens of bugs. This is not a security update.

WP Add Custom CSS 1.1.4 resolves a compatibility issue. 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/