Critical Security Update: January 6, 2025 (Windows 10 End of Life, Telegram Malware, Windows 11 Installation)
Critical Security Update
Windows 10 End of Life, Telegram Malware, Windows 11 Installation
Risk 1: Low
Issue: Windows 10, now 10 years old, is approaching its End of Life on October 14, 2025, with no extension planned. On this date, Microsoft will halt security and operating system updates for the operating system. Users will have the ability to pay an annual fee for up to three years to retain updates if they choose not to update.
This is wild because roughly 2/3 of Windows devices are running Windows 10.
Resolution: Users currently on Windows 10 will need to plan for one of the following options:
Upgrade to Windows 11
Come October 2025, plan to purchase the Extended Security Updates ($61 for first year, $122 for second, and $244 for the third)
Please plan to account for this upcoming deadline.
Risk 2: Medium
Issue: New Android-based malware appears to mimic the Telegram messaging app, but steals contact information, message contents, and banking data.
Resolution: Android users who use Telegram should be extra cautious as to what app they download and use for messaging services.
If a user finds they installed the malware, the cleanest solution to correct it is to back up data and perform a clean reinstallation of the operating system.
Risk 3: Medium
Issue: Microsoft has discovered a flaw in Windows 11 installations in October and November 2024, where the installation used external media (USB, CD, DVD, BR). This flaw prohibits ALL future security updates from being installed.
Resolution: If you installed Windows 11 during these two months from an external media, you should backup and reinstall Windows to ensure your system is applying updates correctly.
Announced Data Breaches
US Treasury
Charter
Windstream
RIBridge
ZAGG
Volkswagen
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