Critical Security Update: January 16, 2026 (Microsoft Windows 11, Outlook, Cisco, Verizon, Chrome for Android, Telegram)

Critical Security Update

Microsoft Windows 11, Outlook, Cisco, Verizon, Chrome for Android, Telegram

Risk 1: Low

Issue: The recent Windows 11 update is causing the Outlook desktop application to freeze freeze when connecting using the POP email protocol. Most modern e-mail platforms (Google, Microsoft, etc) are not requiring POP to be used. If you use the Outlook mail configuration, you are more than likely NOT using POP.

Secondly, the recent update is also causing some (older) computers to not shut down.

Resolution: Microsoft is working on a deployment/correction.

Now would be a good time to consider migrating to a modern email platform. If you are leveraging a POP protocol, there are still minor significant issues from a performance and security perspective. You can confirm your protocol under Settings in Outlook.

The Outlook web application is not impacted.

For the shut down issue, Microsoft has released an update so please apply the most recent update.

Risk 2: High

Issue: Cisco has updated multiple recent vulnerabilities with both impact stability and security-related hits.

Resolution: Anybody using a Cisco firewall or router should apply the most recent update immediately.

Risk 3: Low

Issue: Verizon had an outage this week and they are blaming the cause related to an internal software issue. No additional details have been released.

Tracking data does show that AT&T, T-Mobile, and Voda also had regional outages. This typically is the result of routing software.

Resolution: No resolution necessary.

Risk 4: Warning

Issue: An upcoming release of Google Chrome for Androids will convert Chrome into an AI-powered (agentic) browser.

Users should determine if this is in-line with their current permitted and expected uses of AI in their environment.

Resolution: Google has not announced if there will be an option to disable this migration or not. We will provide more information as this migration occurs.

Risk 5: High

Issue: Several older Windows security certificates (allowing you to use Cloud-based credentials when logging on are set to expire. If you do not perform the most recent Windows update, you may not be able to log in using those credentials.

Resolution: Windows users should perform an update as soon as possible to ensure these certificates are ready.

Risk 6: Warning

Issue: Telegram, a popular secure messaging app, has revealed that an existing exposure allows the sender’s IP address to be revealed. This could reveal the exact location of the sender, even device-related details.

Telegram has issued a warning, although there has not been a clear statement as to whether they intend to hide this information in the future or not.

Resolution: Telegram users should just be aware that their personal information may not be as hidden as previously believed.

Announced Data Breaches

• Grubhub

• Kyowon

• Cloud Marketplace

• Department of Education, Victoria AU

• Monroe University

• Central Maine Healthcare

• AZ Monica (Hospital)

• Betterment

• Target (development servers)

• University of Hawaii Cancer Center

Privacy Wins & Updates

• The FTC has banned GM form setting driver location data for 5 years.

• France has fined Free Mobile €42 million for improper protection of user data

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