Microsoft has reinstated the ‘Material Theme – Free’ and ‘Material Theme Icons – Free’ extensions on the Visual Studio Marketplace after finding that the obfuscated code they contained wasn’t actually malicious. […]
Category: Microsoft
Global Security News, Microsoft
Windows Notepad to get AI text summarization in Windows 11
Microsoft is now testing an AI-powered text summarization feature in Notepad and a Snipping Tool “Draw & Hold” feature that helps draw perfect shapes. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft
Microsoft says button to restore classic Outlook is broken
Microsoft is investigating a known issue that causes the new Outlook email client to crash when users click the “Go to classic Outlook” button, which should help them switch back to the classic Outlook. […]
Cybersecurity, Exploits, Global Security News, Microsoft, Microsoft Office, microsoft windows, remote desktop service, Security, security administration, security patches, Software, windows dns server, windows subsystem for linux
Patch Tuesday: Microsoft Fixes 57 Security Flaws – Including Active Zero-Days
Microsoft’s March 2025 Patch Tuesday includes six actively exploited zero-day vulnerabilities. Learn about the critical vulnerabilities and why immediate updates are essential.
Exploits, Global Security News, Microsoft, Security
Microsoft patches Windows Kernel zero-day exploited since 2023
Slovak cybersecurity company ESET says a newly patched zero-day vulnerability in the Windows Win32 Kernel Subsystem has been exploited in attacks since March 2023. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft
Microsoft: Recent Windows updates make USB printers print random text
Microsoft says that some USB printers will start printing random text after installing Windows updates released since late January 2025. […]
Action1, Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Exploits, Global Security News, Microsoft, Patch Tuesday, Rapid7, Threats, vulnerabilities, zero days
Microsoft patches 57 vulnerabilities, including 6 zero-days
Microsoft patched 57 vulnerabilities affecting its foundational systems and core products, including six actively exploited zero-day vulnerabilities, the company said in its latest security update Tuesday. Four of the six zero-days, which were all added to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s known exploited vulnerabilities catalog, are high-severity on the CVSS scale. The software defects…
Global Security News, Microsoft
Windows 10 KB5053606 update fixes broken SSH connections
Microsoft has released the KB5053606 cumulative update for Windows 10 22H2 and Windows 10 21H2, which fixes numerous bugs, including one preventing SSH connections. […]
Exploits, Global Security News, Microsoft, Security
Microsoft March 2025 Patch Tuesday fixes 7 zero-days, 57 flaws
Today is Microsoft’s March 2025 Patch Tuesday, which includes security updates for 57 flaws, including six actively exploited zero-day vulnerabilities. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft, Software
Windows 11 KB5053598 & KB5053602 cumulative updates released
Microsoft has released Windows 11 KB5053598 and KB5053602 cumulative updates for versions 24H2 and 23H2 to fix security vulnerabilities and issues. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft
Microsoft replacing Remote Desktop app with Windows App in May
Microsoft announced that it will drop support for the Remote Desktop app (available via the Microsoft Store) on May 27 and replace it with its new Windows App. […]
AI, CoreWeave, Global IT News, Global Security News, Microsoft, openai
In another chess move with Microsoft, OpenAI is pouring $12B into CoreWeave
In a grandmaster-level chess move, OpenAI has signed a five-year, $11.9 billion agreement with the GPU-heavy cloud service provider CoreWeave, according to Reuters, which cites people close to the deal. The deal involves OpenAI receiving $350 million worth of equity in CoreWeave, the sources told Reuters. The private placement is said to be separate from…
Global Security News, Microsoft, Software
Microsoft shares guidance on upcoming Publisher deprecation
Microsoft has published guidance for users of Microsoft Publisher as it will no longer be supported after October 2026 and removed from Microsoft 365. […]
AI, Copilot, Exclusive, Gaming, Global IT News, Global Security News, Microsoft
Microsoft appears to be working on 3D gaming experiences for Copilot
Microsoft appears to be working on 3D gaming experiences for Copilot, its AI-powered chatbot platform, according to a new job listing. The listing, published this week, seeks a senior software engineer based in Beijing specializing in 3D rendering engines, particularly engines typically used to build web browser-based video games (Babylon.js, three.js, and Unity). “Are you…
Global Security News, Microsoft
Microsoft lifts Windows 11 update block for some AutoCAD users
Microsoft has removed a compatibility hold that prevented some AutoCAD users from installing the Windows 11 2024 Update due to launch and crash issues. […]
AI, Global IT News, Global Security News, Microsoft, openai
Microsoft reportedly ramps up AI efforts to compete with OpenAI
Microsoft is accelerating its push to compete with OpenAI, its longtime collaborator, by developing its own powerful AI models and exploring alternatives to power products like Microsoft’s Copilot bot. Microsoft has developed its own AI “reasoning” models comparable to models like OpenAI’s o1 and o3-mini, the The Information reports. OpenAI is said to have refused…
Global Security News, Microsoft, Security
Microsoft: North Korean hackers join Qilin ransomware gang
Microsoft says a North Korean hacking group tracked as Moonstone Sleet has deployed Qilin ransomware payloads in a limited number of attacks. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft, Security
Microsoft says malvertising campaign impacted 1 million PCs
Microsoft has taken down an undisclosed number of GitHub repositories used in a massive malvertising campaign that impacted almost one million devices worldwide. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft
Microsoft 365 apps will prompt users to back up files in OneDrive
Starting mid-March 2025, Microsoft will start prompting users of its Microsoft 365 apps for Windows to back up their files to OneDrive. […]
Exploits, Global Security News, Microsoft, Security
Broadcom fixes three VMware zero-days exploited in attacks
Broadcom warned customers today about three VMware zero-days, tagged as exploited in attacks and reported by the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft
New Microsoft 365 outage impacts Teams, causes call failures
Microsoft is investigating a new Microsoft 365 outage that is affecting Teams customers and causing call failures. […]
Exploits, Global Security News, Microsoft, Security
CISA tags Windows, Cisco vulnerabilities as actively exploited
CISA has warned US federal agencies to secure their systems against attacks exploiting vulnerabilities in Cisco and Windows systems. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft
Microsoft links recent Microsoft 365 outage to buggy update
Microsoft says a coding issue is behind a now-resolved Microsoft 365 outage over the weekend that affected Outlook and Exchange Online authentication. […]
Apple, Cybersecurity, end-to-end encryption, Global IT News, Global Security News, Microsoft, Security, Skype
As Skype shuts down, its legacy is end-to-end encryption for the masses
iMessage, Signal, and WhatsApp have made E2EE the default for messaging, but Skype paved the way decades ago. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Global Security News, Microsoft
Microsoft confirms it’s killing off Skype in May, after 14 years
Microsoft has confirmed that the Skype video call and messaging service will be shut down in May, 14 years after replacing the Windows Live Messenger. […]
Apps, Global IT News, Global Security News, Microsoft, Skype, Social, teams
Microsoft hangs up on Skype: service to shut down May 5, 2025
After kickstarting the market for making calls over the internet 23 years ago, Skype is closing down. Microsoft, which acquired the messaging and calling app 14 years ago, said it will be retiring it from active duty on May 5 to double down on Teams. Skype users have 10 weeks to decide what they want…
AI, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybercrime, deepfakes, Global Security News, Microsoft, Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit, North America, openai
Microsoft IDs developers behind alleged generative AI hacking-for-hire scheme
Microsoft has identified individuals from Iran, China, Vietnam and the United Kingdom as primary players in an alleged international scheme to hijack and sell Microsoft accounts that could bypass safety guidelines for generative AI tools. In December, Microsoft petitioned a Virginia court to seize infrastructure and software from 10 unnamed individuals who the company claims…
Global Security News, Microsoft
Microsoft names cybercriminals behind AI deepfake network
Microsoft has named multiple threat actors part of a cybercrime gang accused of developing malicious tools capable of bypassing generative AI guardrails to generate celebrity deepfakes and other illicit content. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft
Microsoft fixes Outlook drag-and-drop broken by Windows updates
Microsoft has fixed a known issue that broke email and calendar drag-and-drop in classic Outlook after installing recent updates on Windows 24H2 systems. […]
Artificial Intelligence, Cloud, Cloud Security, crowdstrike, Cybersecurity, deepfakes, generative ai, Global Security News, identity theft, International, Microsoft, Security, Social Engineering, Software
CrowdStrike Security Report: Generative AI Powers Social Engineering Attacks
Trends in cybersecurity across 2024 showed less malware and phishing, though more social engineering. CrowdStrike offers tips on securing your business.
Cloud, Enterprise, EU, Europe, Global Security News, Microsoft
Microsoft finalizes its EU sovereign cloud project
Microsoft says that it has completed a multi-year project to allow Europe-based customers using its cloud services to store and process data in the EU. The project, the EU Data Boundary for the Microsoft Cloud, began in January 2023, went on for two more years, and finally wrapped up this February, Microsoft said. With its…
Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, blackfog, Cybersecurity, data breach, data exfiltration, data theft, exfiltration attack, Global Security News, International, Microsoft, microsoft powershell, Ransomware, Security
Data Theft Drove 94% of Global Cyberattacks in 2024 & Ransomware Defenses are “Increasingly Complex”
Ransomware groups now steal, encrypt, and threaten to leak company data on the dark web, forcing victims to pay or risk exposing sensitive information.
Global Security News, Microsoft
Windows 11 KB5052093 update released with 33 changes and fixes
Microsoft has released the February 2025 preview cumulative update for Windows 11 24H2, with 33 improvements and fixes for multiple issues, including SSH and File Explorer bugs and the volume jumping to 100% when waking the PC from sleep. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft
Windows 11 24H2 upgrades now blocked for some AutoCAD users
Microsoft has introduced a new Windows 11 24H2 upgrade block for systems with AutoCAD 2022, addressing compatibility issues that prevent the program from launching. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft
Microsoft fixes Entra ID authentication issue caused by DNS change
Microsoft has fixed an issue that caused Entra ID DNS authentication failures when using the company’s Seamless SSO and Microsoft Entra Connect Sync. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft
Windows 10 KB5052077 update fixes broken SSH connections
Microsoft has released the optional KB5052077 preview cumulative update for Windows 10 22H2 with nine bug fixes and changes, including a fix for a longstanding known issue that breaks SSH connections. […]
Cloud Security, Cybersecurity, Data Privacy, Data Security, digital signatures, Endpoint, Featured, Global Security News, Google Cloud Security, Identity & Access, Microsoft, Network Security, News, quantum cryptography, Security Awareness, Security Boulevard (Original), Social - Facebook, Social - LinkedIn, Social - X, Spotlight, Threats & Breaches
Google Cloud Takes Steps to Guard Against Quantum Security Risks
Google Cloud is putting quantum-safe digital signatures into its Key Management Service, the latest steps int the cloud giant’s plans to adopt post-quantum cryptography through its portfolio to mitigate security risks that likely will come with the arrival of fault-tolerant quantum computers. The post Google Cloud Takes Steps to Guard Against Quantum Security Risks appeared…
Global Security News, Microsoft
Microsoft launches ad-supported Office apps for Windows users
Microsoft has released ad-supported versions of its Office desktop apps, which have limited features but allow Windows users to edit their documents for free. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft
Microsoft tests ad-supported Office apps for Windows users
Microsoft has released ad-supported versions of its Office desktop apps, which have limited features but allow Windows users to edit their documents. […]
AI, Global IT News, Global Security News, In Brief, Microsoft, openai, Softbank
OpenAI reportedly plans shift from Microsoft to SoftBank
OpenAI is forecasting a major shift in the next five years around who it gets most of its computing power from, The Information reported on Friday. By 2030, OpenAI expects to get three-quarters of its data center capacity from SoftBank, one of its newest financial backers. That represents a major shift away from Microsoft, its…
AI, Global IT News, Global Security News, In Brief, Microsoft, openai, Softbank
Report: OpenAI plans to shift compute needs from Microsoft to SoftBank
OpenAI is forecasting a major shift in the next five years around who it gets most of its computing power from, The Information reported on Friday. By 2030, OpenAI expects to get three-quarters of its data center capacity from Stargate, a project that’s expected to be heavily financed by SoftBank, one of OpenAI’s newest financial…
Cloud, Exploits, Global Security News, Microsoft, Security
Microsoft fixes Power Pages zero-day bug exploited in attacks
Microsoft has issued a security bulletin for a high-severity elevation of privilege vulnerability in Power Pages, which hackers exploited as a zero-day in attacks. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft
Microsoft testing fix for Windows 11 bug breaking SSH connections
Microsoft is not testing a fix for a longstanding known issue that is breaking SSH connections on some Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2 systems. […]
AI, Artificial Intelligence, cyber security, Cybersecurity, Darktrace, dropbox, Enterprise Software, Global Security News, Google, living-off-the-land, Microsoft, Ransomware, report, Security, sharepoint
Darktrace: 96% of Phishing Attacks in 2024 Exploited Trusted Domains Including SharePoint & Zoom Docs
The cyber security firm reported in its latest annual report that their researchers found more than 30.4 million phishing emails last year.
Amazon, carbon credits, carbon offsets, Climate, Enterprise, exxon, Global IT News, Global Security News, Microsoft
Amazon, Microsoft, and Exxon want to make scandal-plagued carbon markets more trustworthy
A task force, organized by the Bipartisan Policy Center think tank, is hoping to improve credibility of voluntary carbon markets. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Global Security News, Microsoft
Microsoft reminds admins to prepare for WSUS driver sync deprecation
Microsoft once again reminded IT administrators that driver synchronization in Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) will be deprecated on April 18, just 60 days from now. […]
Global Security News, Guest blog, Microsoft, Microsoft Teams, North America, phishing, WhatsApp
Got a Microsoft Teams invite? Storm-2372 gang exploit device codes in global phishing attacks
Security experts have warned that a cybercriminal group has been running a malicious and inventive phishing campaign since August 2024 to break into organizations across Europe, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. Read more in my article on the Tripwire State of Security blog.
Global Security News, Microsoft, Security
Microsoft to remove the Location History feature in Windows
Microsoft announced the deprecation of the Location History feature from Windows, which let applications like the Cortana virtual assistant to fetch location history of the device. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft
Microsoft rolls out BIOS update that fixes ASUS blue screen issues
More ASUS customers can now install Windows 11 24H2 after applying a BIOS update that resolves blue screen of death (BSOD) issues acknowledged in October. […]
Cybersecurity, Exploits, Global Security News, Microsoft, phishing, Research, Russia, Threat Intelligence, Threats, Volexity
Threat researchers spot ‘device code’ phishing attacks targeting Microsoft accounts
Microsoft threat researchers discovered a series of what they are calling “device code” phishing attacks that allowed a suspected Russia-aligned threat group to gain access to and steal data from critical infrastructure organizations, the company said in research released Thursday. The group, which Microsoft tracks as Storm-2372, has targeted governments, IT services and organizations operating…
Global Security News, Microsoft
Microsoft fixes bug causing Windows Server 2025 boot errors
Microsoft has fixed a known issue causing “boot device inaccessible” errors during startup on some Windows Server 2025 systems using iSCSI. […]
Blog, CVE-2025-21391, CVE-2025-21418, Emergency Response, Global Security News, Microsoft, Microsoft vulnerabilities, SBN News, Security Bloggers Network, Windows, Windows vulnerability
Microsoft Security Update Notification in February of High-Risk Vulnerabilities in Multiple Products
Overview On February 12, NSFOCUS CERT detected that Microsoft released a security update patch for February, which fixed 63 security issues involving widely used products such as Windows, Microsoft Office, Azure, Apps, and Microsoft Visual Studio, including high-risk vulnerabilities such as privilege escalation and remote code execution. Among the vulnerabilities fixed in Microsoft’s monthly update…
citable, email, Exploits, Global Security News, Google, Leadership, Microsoft, reasoning, Security
Patch Tuesday: Microsoft Patches Two Actively Exploited Zero-Day Flaws
February’s report on Microsoft patches includes 56 vulnerabilities, two of which are zero-day flaws that have been exploited.
CVE, Cybersecurity, Exploits, Global Security News, Microsoft, Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center, Research, Russia, Seashell Blizzard, Threats, Uncategorized, vulnerabilities
Russian state threat group shifts focus to US, UK targets
A subgroup of Seashell Blizzard has shifted its focus to targets in the U.S., Canada, Australia and the U.K. within the past year, expanding the scope of its malicious activity, Microsoft’s threat intelligence team said in a report released Wednesday. The initial-access operation, which Microsoft tracks as the “BadPilot campaign,” has allowed the Russian state…
brightmind, cisco, Enterprise, Exclusive, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, id management, identity, identity access management, Microsoft, Security, sgnl, TC
SGNL snags $30M for a new take on ID security based on zero-standing privileges
Security experts often describe identity as the “new perimeter” in the world of security: in the world of cloud services where network assets and apps can range far and wide, the biggest vulnerabilities are often leaked and spoofed log-in credentials. A startup called SGNL has built a new approach that it believes is better at…
Cybersecurity, Exploits, Global Security News, Microsoft, Patch Tuesday, vulnerabilities
Microsoft fixes 63 vulnerabilities, including 2 zero-days
Microsoft patched 63 vulnerabilities affecting some of its underlying systems and core products, the company said in its latest security update Tuesday, including Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Windows CoreMessaging and Windows Storage. More than two-thirds of the vulnerabilities covered in the update are high-severity flaws on the CVSS scale. Vulnerabilities with high-severity base scores run…
AI, Climate, data center, Global Security News, Microsoft, North America, solar
Microsoft powers AI ambitions with 400 MW solar purchase
Microsoft has added another 389 megawatts of renewable power to its portfolio as the tech giant scrambles to meet the power demands required to match its AI ambitions. The additional renewable power spans three solar projects developed by EDP Renewables North America — two in southern Illinois and one outside Austin, Texas. Microsoft is buying…
Global Security News, Microsoft
Windows 10 KB5051974 update force installs new Microsoft Outlook app
Microsoft has released the KB5051974 cumulative update for Windows 10 22H2 and Windows 10 21H2, which automatically installs the new Outlook for Windows app and fixes a memory leak bug. […]
Exploits, Global Security News, Microsoft, Security
Microsoft February 2025 Patch Tuesday fixes 4 zero-days, 55 flaws
Today is Microsoft’s February 2025 Patch Tuesday, which includes security updates for 55 flaws, including four zero-day vulnerabilities, with two actively exploited in attacks. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft, Software
Windows 11 KB5051987 & KB5051989 cumulative updates released
Microsoft has released Windows 11 KB5051987 and KB5051989 cumulative updates for versions 24H2 and 23H2 to fix security vulnerabilities and issues. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft, Security
Russian military hackers deploy malicious Windows activators in Ukraine
The Sandworm Russian military cyber-espionage group is targeting Windows users in Ukraine with trojanized Microsoft Key Management Service (KMS) activators and fake Windows updates. […]
Artificial Intelligence, Global Security News, Microsoft, Security
Microsoft raises rewards for Copilot AI bug bounty program
Microsoft announced over the weekend that it has expanded its Microsoft Copilot (AI) bug bounty program and increased payouts for moderate severity vulnerabilities. […]
AI, Apps, Copilot, Enterprise, evergreens, generative ai, Global IT News, Global Security News, Microsoft, microsoft copilot
Microsoft Copilot: Everything you need to know about Microsoft’s AI
In this post, we explain the many Microsoft Copilots available and what they do, and highlight the key differences between each. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Cybersecurity, data breach, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, Microsoft, Russia, Security
HPE begins notifying data breach victims after Russian government hack
Hackers with Russian foreign intelligence were blamed for the breach, which also targeted Microsoft. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Global Security News, Microsoft, Security
Microsoft shares workaround for Windows security update issues
Microsoft has shared a workaround for users affected by a known issue that blocks Windows security updates from deploying on some Windows 11 24H2 systems. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft, Software
Microsoft has finally fixed Date & Time bug in Windows 11
Windows 11’s January 28 optional update has fixed a long-standing issue in Windows 11 24H2 that prevents non-admin users from changing their time zone in Date & Time Settings. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft, Software
Microsoft Edge update adds AI-powered Scareware Blocker
Microsoft Edge 133 is now rolling out globally, and it ships with several improvements, including a new scareware blocker feature. In addition, Microsoft is updating the backend of the Downloads UI with performance improvements. […]
AI, Amazon, datacenters, Global IT News, Global Security News, GPUS, Meta, Microsoft
Amazon doubles down on AI with a massive $100B spending plan for 2025
Amazon is joining other Big Tech companies by announcing huge AI spending plans for 2025. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Global Security News, Microsoft, Security
Microsoft says attackers use exposed ASP.NET keys to deploy malware
Microsoft warns that attackers are deploying malware in ViewState code injection attacks using static ASP. NET machine keys found online. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft, Security
Critical RCE bug in Microsoft Outlook now exploited in attacks
CISA warned U.S. federal agencies on Thursday to secure their systems against ongoing attacks targeting a critical Microsoft Outlook remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability. […]
AI, Copilot, Enterprise, GitHub, Global IT News, Global Security News, Microsoft, TC
GitHub Copilot brings mockups to life by generating code from images
GitHub has announced a slew of updates for Copilot, while also giving a glimpse into a more agentic future for its AI-powered pair programmer. Among the notable updates includes a feature called Vision for Copilot, which allows users to attach a screenshot, photo, or diagram to a chat, with Copilot generating the interface, code, and…
Global Security News, Microsoft, Security
Microsoft script updates bootable media for BlackLotus bootkit fixes
Microsoft has released a PowerShell script to help Windows users and admins update bootable media so it utilizes the new “Windows UEFI CA 2023” certificate before the mitigations of the BlackLotus UEFI bootkit are enforced later this year. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft, Security
New Microsoft script updates Windows media with bootkit malware fixes
Microsoft has released a PowerShell script to help Windows users and admins update bootable media so it utilizes the new “Windows UEFI CA 2023” certificate before the mitigations of the BlackLotus UEFI bootkit are enforced later this year. […]
apache ofbiz, Exploits, federal enterprise, Global Security News, Microsoft, patch management, prtg network monitor, Security, Software
CISA Adds Four Vulnerabilities to Catalog for Federal Enterprise
CISA adds four new vulnerabilities to its catalog, urging agencies to remediate risks. Learn about the latest exploits and how they impact enterprise security.
AI, Artificial Intelligence, Global Security News, google gemini, Microsoft, Microsoft 365, microsoft copilot, Microsoft Defender, Security, VPN
Microsoft Will Remove the Free VPN That Comes With Windows Defender Soon
The feature will no longer be available starting Feb. 28. Microsoft wants to focus on “new areas that will better align to customer needs.”
Global Security News, Microsoft, Software
Microsoft kills off Defender ‘Privacy Protection’ VPN feature
Microsoft announced it is killing off its Privacy Protection VPN feature in the Microsoft Defender app at the end of the month to focus on other features. […]
Advanced Planning Unit, AI, apu, generative ai, Global IT News, Global Security News, Microsoft, Microsoft AI
Microsoft is forming a new unit to study AI’s impacts
Microsoft says that it’s creating a new unit, the Advanced Planning Unit (APU), within its Microsoft AI business division that will help the company understand the societal, health, and work implications of AI the company hopes to build. Microsoft AI, which encompasses Microsoft’s Copilot, Bing, and Edge products, is becoming core to Microsoft’s growth strategy…
Global Security News, Microsoft
Microsoft improves text contrast for all Windows Chromium browsers
Microsoft says it improved the contrast of text rendered in all Chromium-based web browsers on Windows, making it more readable on some displays. […]
carbon credits, carbon removal, Chestnut Carbon, Climate, Enterprise, Global IT News, Global Security News, Microsoft, reforestation, Startups
Microsoft signs massive carbon credit deal with reforestation startup Chestnut Carbon
The 25-year deal would enable Chestnut Carbon to reforest 60,000 acres of land across Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, Copilot, copilot+ pc, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, Microsoft, snapdragon x, Surface, surface laptop, surface pro
Microsoft’s Copilot-focused Surface Pro and Laptop PCs ship with Snapdragon and Intel options
At an event in New York City on Thursday, Microsoft unveiled two additions to the Surface line of PCs. The new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop both arrive with Copilot+ PC certification. Announced in May 2024, the program aims to identify business-focused devices that are designed specifically for the company’s AI platform, Copilot. It’s a…
Gaming, Global Security News, Microsoft
Microsoft lifts Windows 11 update block for PCs with gaming issues
Microsoft has removed a safeguard hold that prevented devices with Auto HDR enabled from installing the Windows 11 2024 Update due to gaming issues. […]
AI, deepseek, Global IT News, Global Security News, Microsoft, openai, SoftBank Group
SoftBank in talks to invest as much as $25B in OpenAI, report says
SoftBank is in talks to invest up to $25 billion in OpenAI as part of a broader partnership that could see the Japanese conglomerate spend more than $40 billion on AI initiatives with the Microsoft-backed startup, according to Financial Times. The potential investment would make SoftBank OpenAI’s largest single backer, the report said, surpassing Microsoft…
Enterprise, Global IT News, Global Security News, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Premium, Social
LinkedIn passes $2B in premium revenues in 12 months, with overall revenues up 9% on the year
LinkedIn, the social platform where people look for and talk about work, may be less visible in Microsoft’s earnings compared to the years when it was an independent company. But around earnings time, LinkedIn often reveals some figures that point to how it continues to grow. On Wednesday, as Microsoft reported its Q2 numbers, the…
AI, Azure, azure ai foundry, copilot+ pcs, deepseek, deepseek-r1, Enterprise, generative ai, Global IT News, Global Security News, Microsoft, r1
Microsoft brings a DeepSeek model to its cloud
Microsoft’s close partner and collaborator, OpenAI, might be suggesting that DeepSeek stole its IP and violated its terms of service. But Microsoft still wants DeepSeek’s shiny new models on its cloud platform. Microsoft today announced that R1, DeepSeek’s so-called reasoning model, is available on Azure AI Foundry service, Microsoft’s platform that brings together a number…
Apple, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, ChatGPT, deepseek, DeepSeek v3, deepseek-r1, Developer, generative ai, Global Security News, Innovation, International, Microsoft, nvidia, open source, openai, reasoning models, Security
DeepSeek Chatbot Beats OpenAI on App Store Leaderboard
The Chinese firm said training the model cost just $5.6 million. Alibaba Cloud followed with a new generative AI model, while Microsoft alleges DeepSeek ‘distilled’ OpenAI’s work.
Global Security News, Microsoft
Microsoft investigates Microsoft 365 outage affecting users, admins
Microsoft is investigating an ongoing outage preventing users and admins from accessing some Microsoft 365 services and the admin center. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft, Software
Windows 11’s Start menu is getting iPhone and Android integration
Windows 11’s Start menu is getting a big update with full-fledged Android and iPhone integration. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft
January Windows 10 preview update force installs new Outlook
Microsoft has started force-installing the new Outlook email client on Windows 10 systems for users who deploy this month’s KB5050081 non-security preview update. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft
Windows 11 KB5050094 update fixes bugs causing audio issues
Microsoft has released the optional KB5050094 Preview cumulative update for Windows 11 24H2 with 28 bug fixes and changes, including fixes for bugs causing audio playback issues on systems with USB audio device drivers. […]
AI, deepseek, distillation, Global IT News, Global Security News, Microsoft, openai
Microsoft probing whether DeepSeek improperly used OpenAI APIs
Just a few hours after David Sacks claimed DeepSeek used OpenAI’s models to train its own models, Bloomberg Law reports that Microsoft is investigating DeepSeek’s use of OpenAI’s application programming interface (API). According to security researchers working for Microsoft, the Chinese company behind the R1 reasoning model may have exfiltrated a large amount of data…
Apps, Global IT News, Global Security News, Microsoft, Social, TikTok, TikTok Ban
Trump says Microsoft is in talks to acquire TikTok
President Donald Trump told reporters that Microsoft is in talks to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations, Bloomberg reports. Although Trump didn’t elaborate, he stated that “there’s great interest in TikTok” and that there will be “a lot of people bidding on it.” Microsoft and Oracle were in the running to acquire the ByteDance-owned app back in…
Global Security News, Microsoft
Microsoft tests Edge Scareware Blocker to block tech support scams
Microsoft has started testing a new “scareware blocker” feature for the Edge web browser on Windows PCs, which uses machine learning (ML) to detect tech support scams. […]
Climate, Fundraising, fusion power, Global IT News, Global Security News, Helion, lightspeed venture partners, Microsoft, nuclear fusion, sam altman, softbank vision, SoftBank Vision Fund 2
Helion raises $425M to help build a fusion reactor for Microsoft
Helion’s unorthodox approach to fusion power and relative secrecy has earned it plenty of fans — and critics. But don’t count its investors among the naysayers. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Apps, EDGE, Global IT News, Global Security News, Microsoft, scareware, Security, Windows
Microsoft tests ‘scareware blocker’ for Edge that uses computer vision to detect scams
Microsoft is rolling out a new tool dubbed “scareware blocker,” which uses machine learning and computer vision to identify a very pervasive type of online scam. “Scareware” has blighted the web almost since its inception, often in the form of fake antivirus software that claims to have detected a non-existent threat on a user’s machine.…
Global Security News, Microsoft
Microsoft: January Windows security updates break audio playback
Microsoft has confirmed that the January 2025 Windows security updates are breaking audio playback on some systems with external DACs (digital-to-analog converters). […]
Global Security News, Microsoft, Software
Windows 11 24H2 preview brings new taskbar features
Windows 11 taskbar is testing a new feature that helps you understand the current power state of your laptop’s battery, including showing the battery percentage directly on the taskbar. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft, Security
Microsoft Teams phishing attack alerts coming to everyone next month
Microsoft reminded Microsoft 365 admins that its new brand impersonation protection feature for Teams Chat will be available for all customers by mid-February 2025. […]
Global Security News, Microsoft
Microsoft to deprecate WSUS driver synchronization in 90 days
Microsoft has reminded Windows administrators that driver synchronization in Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) will be deprecated on April 18, 90 days from now. […]
Enterprise, Europe, european union, Global Security News, Google, Government & Policy, LinkedIn, Meta, Microsoft, Social, TikTok, X
The EU wants to talk to US tech companies ahead of Germany’s upcoming election
The European Union will give tech and social media companies a “stress test” to see how they handle misinformation ahead of Germany’s election next month. European Commission officials have invited tech companies, including: X, Meta, Snap, TikTok, Google, Microsoft, and LinkedIn, to a meeting on January 31, according to multiple news outlets. During this meeting,…
Global Security News, Microsoft, Security
Hackers use Windows RID hijacking to create hidden admin account
A North Korean threat group has been using a technique called RID hijacking that tricks Windows into treating a low-privileged account as one with administrator permissions. […]