Security researcher Abdelhamid Naceri published a proof-of-concept called BigDiskBuster that stops Microsoft Defender from receiving signature updates without exploiting any vulnerability. The roughly 300-line C++ tool monitors the C: drive for Defender update activity and fills nearly all free disk space with a hidden file, causing each update attempt to fail while Defender's service and real-time protection keep running normally. LevelBlue researchers reproduced the technique after the original GitHub page was taken down, confirming it creates what they called a 'silent detection gap.'
Microsoft's support document confirms Office 2021 reaches end of support on Tuesday, October 13, halting technical support, security patches, bug fixes and updates. Online help and support pages for the product will also stop being maintained. The software will still run, but without ongoing protection or official troubleshooting resources.
Acronis has developed a security checklist for managed service providers (MSPs) to evaluate the security of remote monitoring and management (RMM) software. The list emphasizes testing capabilities such as endpoint discovery, patch automation, privileged access control, incident containment, and tenant separation. This guidance aims to address the vulnerabilities inherent in RMM tools, which are prime targets for cyberattacks due to their extensive access across customer networks.
OpenAI has announced a new update to ChatGPT, improving its ability to generate more accurate and context-aware responses. The update includes expanded features for code debugging, image generation, and web browsing, with some functionalities now available through a subscription model. The company emphasizes ongoing improvements to make the AI more versatile for users.
Nikkei revealed that unknown hackers accessed two employee email accounts, one of which was used to send thousands of phishing emails in September. The breaches involved a Google Workspace account in July and a Microsoft 365 account in September, prompting the company to change passwords and warn staff about ongoing threats. No customer or reader data was affected in these incidents, according to Nikkei.
A 2024 cybersecurity incident involving CrowdStrike software led to a global IT outage, disrupting flights, hospitals, and payment systems, and resulting in $5.4 billion in losses for top US firms. Additionally, a 2025 blackout in Spain and Portugal halted internet and electronic payments, costing €1.6 billion. These events highlight how digital failures can have widespread economic impacts without physical damage.
The Nasdaq and S&P 500 reached new highs on Monday, with the Nasdaq closing at a record, despite Treasury yields climbing to multiyear peaks. Key companies like Nvidia, Microsoft, and Meta led the rally, supported by strong earnings and growth catalysts specific to each firm. This divergence suggests that investor enthusiasm for these tech giants is overshadowing broader bond market pressures.
Ryan Roslansky, who has led LinkedIn for six years and been with the company for 18, announced his departure citing the company's increased emphasis on in-person work at Microsoft’s Redmond headquarters. He stated that relocating would be necessary for effective leadership, but he prefers to remain in the Bay Area with his family, especially as his youngest daughter begins high school. Microsoft’s broader return-to-office policies require employees within 50 miles to work on-site at least three days a week.
The Xbox Series X, released in 2020, continues to run current and upcoming major titles like GTA VI despite rising component costs pushing up Xbox hardware prices. Microsoft's new disc-to-digital conversion feature and rumored next-gen console, codenamed Project Helix, raise questions about the console's remaining lifespan and an eventual shift to all-digital gaming.
At a September gathering of about 50 enterprise customers in Seattle, CEO Satya Nadella urged companies to widely deploy AI tools, describing adoption as happening 'bottom up, top down, and middle up.' He has also recently spoken publicly about pacing AI development responsibly and addressing safety concerns, even as Microsoft hosts a Windows and Surface event in San Francisco focused on 'local AI' for PCs.
Microsoft is designing landscaping around some of its data centers that includes public hiking trails and restored waterways, aiming to offset the facilities' environmental footprint. The move comes amid growing local opposition to data centers over their heavy land, energy, and water use, as well as noise complaints that have prompted lawsuits in some communities.
Windows 11 marks its fifth anniversary since launching on October 5, 2021, a tenure marked by hardware compatibility fights, pressure to use online Microsoft accounts, and the rocky rollout of Copilot+ PCs and the Recall app. Microsoft has just begun rolling out the 26H2 update, which it describes as aiming for a 'predictable and low-disruption' experience rather than major new features.
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