The NSA found a 'severe' security flaw with Microsoft Windows 10, and it's urging all users to do a software update immediately

[MASTERBAKER]

The NSA found a 'severe' security flaw with Microsoft Windows 10, and it's urging all users to do a software update immediately
Aaron Holmes

2 hours ago

FILE (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File) Associated Press

• The National Security Agency has detected a "severe" security flaw in the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system, the agency announced Tuesday.
• Microsoft acknowledged the flaw and rolled out a security update Tuesday afternoon.
• The flaw hasn't been actively exploited, as far as Microsoft can tell, but all Windows users are urged to install the software update as soon as possible.
• The NSA first reported the flaw to Microsoft after detecting it — it's exceedingly rare for government agencies to share their discovery of vulnerabilities with a private company, an expert says.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The National Security Agency is urging all Windows 10 users to update their software after detecting a "severe" security flaw in the operating system, the agency announced Tuesday.
The NSA first detected the flaw and alerted Microsoft, prominent security researcher Brian Krebs first reported. NSA Director of Cybersecurity Anne Neuberger confirmed that the agency told Microsoft about the flaw in a call with reporters Tuesday morning.
Microsoft confirmed the flaw and rolled out a patch update for Windows 10, as well as Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server 2019, on Tuesday afternoon. Microsoft hasn't found any evidence that the flaw has been actively exploited, but urged all Windows users to install the latest update.
The security flaw allows attackers to target users of unpatched Windows systems with malware that mimics the digital signature of a trusted provider. If people downloaded the malicious file, hackers could access "confidential information" stored on their computers, according to Microsoft.
It's exceedingly rare for a federal agency to tell a company about a cybersecurity flaw — according to Neuberger, this is the first time the NSA disclosed a vulnerability to Microsoft.

In an email to Business Insider, Amit Yoran, founding director of the Department of Homeland Security's US Computer Emergency Readiness Team and CEO of Tenable, underscored how unusual this disclosure is.
"For the US government to share its discovery of a critical vulnerability with a vendor is exceptionally rare if not unprecedented," Yoran said. "These are clearly noteworthy shifts from regular practices and make this vulnerability worth paying attention to."

 

[mrcmd187]

What a big surprise Microsoft has flaws.

 

[veritech]

bump

 

[BKF]

What a big surprise Microsoft has flaws.

Nothing is flawless.

 

[b_visionary]

They has better patch everything up before IRAN uses your PC is a DOS attack.

 

[blackbull1970]

Interesting.....

You cats do know the NSA is heavily involved in snooping on American citizens.

So let’s get with the Conspiracy.....scare Americans that their Microsoft is flawed, they panic and put the “Update” on their computer.

What’s the chance this “Update” has new software allowing more intrusive ability for the NSA and other alphabet agencies to snoop on you?

Normally Microsoft and other software companies will put out a Alert by sending you a email, text msg or a news story on the major networks.

 

[mrcmd187]

 

[Flawless]

Interesting.....

You cats do know the NSA is heavily involved in snooping on American citizens.

So let’s get with the Conspiracy.....scare Americans that their Microsoft is flawed, they panic and put the “Update” on their computer.

What’s the chance this “Update” has new software allowing more intrusive ability for the NSA and other alphabet agencies to snoop on you?

Normally Microsoft and other software companies will put out a Alert by sending you a email, text msg or a news story on the major networks.

The NSA has always had a backdoor into windows.

 

[ronmch20]

Not surprised. That's why I'm still using Windows 7 and will until my computer dies. Windows 10 locks you into too much shit I don't want or need.

 

[robfmnola]

They are just releasing this to the public. This was discovered almost 2 weeks ago. The Gov't threw Microsoft a bone and gave them time to come up with a patch before going public.

 

[robfmnola]

Not surprised. That's why I'm still using Windows 7 and will until my computer dies. Windows 10 locks you into too much shit I don't want or need.

Not a good idea brother. Windows 7 has a shitload of vulnerabilities and bad part of that is Microsoft isn't looking for patches for 7. They stop supporting it today. This is my job so trust me on this.

 

[ronmch20]

Not a good idea brother. Windows 7 has a shitload of vulnerabilities and bad part of that is Microsoft isn't looking for patches for 7. They stop supporting it today. This is my job so trust me on this.

I hear ya... I know when it dies, it dies, but I've been using it for years with no problems. Maybe that's because I run NOD32 Antivirus and don't load a lot of extraneous programs on the basic platform. I appreciate you input though.

 

[playahaitian]

Not a good idea brother. Windows 7 has a shitload of vulnerabilities and bad part of that is Microsoft isn't looking for patches for 7. They stop supporting it today. This is my job so trust me on this.

I gotta update today, do I need to do a backup first or am I Ok with just doing the update?

 

[robfmnola]

I gotta update today, do I need to do a backup first or am I Ok with just doing the update?

I ran the update patch without backing anything up. But I don't keep shit that's worth saving. I will do a fresh install out of boredom lol. Always safe to grab a thumb drive just in case.