Monthly Archives: September 2019

Microsoft Updates File Extension Blocks for Security

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Last Wednesday, the Microsoft Exchange Team announced a handful of file extensions that are being added to the list of attachment blocks in Outlook. This change will begin in November. This updated list will help enhance security on Outlook to avoid any possible malicious risks.

According to the Exchange Team blog, the file extensions that are included in this change are as follows:

  • The following extensions are used by the Python scripting language: “.py”, “.pyc”, “.pyo”, “.pyw”, “.pyz”, “.pyzw”
  • The following extensions are used by the PowerShell scripting language: “.ps1”, “.ps1xml”, “.ps2”, “.ps2xml”, “.psc1”, “.psc2”, “.psd1”, “.psdm1”, “.cdxml”, “.pssc”
  • The following extension is used by Windows ClickOnce “.appref-ms”
  • The following extension is used by Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) “.udl”
  • The following extension is used by the Windows sandbox “.wsb”
  • The following extensions are used for digital certificates: “.cer”, “.crt”, “.der”
  • The following extensions are used by the Java programming language: “.jar”, “.jnlp”
  • “.appcontent-ms”, “.settingcontent-ms”, “.cnt”, “.hpj”, “.website”, “.webpnp”, “.mcf”, “.printerexport”, “.pl”, “.theme”, “.vbp”, “.xbap”, “.xll”, “.xnk”, “.msu”, “.diagcab”, “.grp”

If for whatever reason your business, or organization, sees it as a necessity to download any of these attachments, be certain that your computers’ operating system and software are up-to-date. If you would like to add a file extension or remove one, the Exchange Team post has instructions on how to do so.

For inquiries with Microsoft updates, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Frisco Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Frisco, TX please call or text the local office at (469) 299-9005.

iOS 13 Update Bugs and Security Concerns

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With the newly released iOS 13, Apple users were excited to try out some of the fun, innovative features included in this update. iOS 13 optimized Face ID and app download sizes and introduced Dark Mode. However, with its launch came with security and privacy bugs.

App crashes, camera issues and deny location access settings are just a few of the bugs that are causing a ruckus on the iPhone. According to Forbes, they write, “Specifically, it seems iOS 13 isn’t respecting the location privacy settings for certain apps. Fast Company posted a video, showing how the OS would not accept a “Never” access location command, instead changing it back to “Ask Next Time.”

It is rumored that Apple will be releasing their iOS 13.1 update tomorrow, September 24th, so if you are looking to update your iPhone, then that may be the time to do it. This patch should fix the bugs accordingly, as they understand the seriousness of the issues at hand.

For inquiries with Apple issues, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Frisco Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Frisco, TX please call or text the local office at (469) 299-9005.

Extended Support for Windows 7

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Election year is right around the corner, and Microsoft understands that some voting machines in the U.S. continue to run on Windows 7. So to avoid disruption or issues, Microsoft announced on September 20th that they will be extending Windows Support for the operating systems until the end of 2020.

This particular exception will allow security updates to only the election voting machines.

Today, as part of Microsoft’s Defending Democracy Program, we are announcing that we will provide free security updates for federally certified voting systems running Windows 7 through the 2020 elections, even after Microsoft ends Windows 7 support. I would like to share more on why we help customers move away from older operating systems and why we’re making this unusual exception.

Tom Burt, Corporate Vice President, Customer Security & Trust

The company continues to work with government officials to transition the voting machines from Windows 7 to Windows 10. The extended support will officially end January 14, 2020. This means no security or software updates and no technical support available after this date.

If you are needing help with Microsoft issues, please give us a call at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities.  This blog post is brought to you from our staff at the Plano Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Plano, TX please call the local office at (469) 299-9005.

Microsoft Looking Into Start Menu Bug

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An investigation has been open by Microsoft to look into an issue with the Windows 10 Start Menu.

Several users claimed a critical error appears when they try to type anything in the Start Menu. The error states “Your Start Menu isn’t working. We’ll try to fix it the next time you sign in.” One Reddit user said, “Thought I would give KB4515384 a shot on a spare test computer (released today, yeah I’m brave). Now, when I type in something to the start menu to bring up a program, it does absolutely nothing.”

He then updated his issue with, “I uninstalled it and the problem went away.”

This particular bug doesn’t seem to be affecting everyone, but rest assured that Microsoft is looking into it and hoping to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

For help with Windows 10 issues, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Mesa Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Mesa, AZ please call the local office at (480) 240-2950.

Windows 10 Update Turning Desktop Orange

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Microsoft’s Windows 10 KB4512941 update was causing CPU utilization to heighten. Now according to PCMag, several users have been saying that their desktop screen is turning an unusual orange (or red, some have said) tint.

One Microsoft user said, “My screen turns red when I capture a screenshot. How can I turn it off? I haven’t changed any settings; yesterday it was fine. I tried using different snipping tools, and the regular PrtSc button. All red. I have the night mode off, and everything else is regular.”

Microsoft hasn’t responded on social media just yet about this particular issue. But the Microsoft Community Board seems to be finding ways to fix the eye sore.

What’s causing it, and how can it be resolved?

There have been resolves around just uninstalling the new update. Others have accessed the services tab from the System Configuation and unchecked all Lenovo boxes, then restarting their computer. However, a Windows Independent Advisor says, “This is a direct result of an update to the Lenovo Application named Lenovo Vantage and the Eye Care mode feature. See the following Lenovo documentation for resolution.“

For inquiries with Windows 10 updates, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Frisco Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Frisco, TX please call or text the local office at (469) 299-9005.

High CPU Utilization with Windows 10

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Windows tweeted, “We will provide an update in an upcoming release.”

The elective Windows 10 update KB4512941 has a few issues occurring, including a high CPU usage. The update that was rolled out on August 30th has landed quite a few upset users, stating that there have been reports of high CPU utilization showing up in their Task Manager.

As of today, Microsoft has shared on Twitter their awareness of the issue connected to “SeachUI.EXE” and has gone the necessary steps to get the issue cleared up. Not everyone is experiencing this, but if you are, there is a way that you can resolve this issue. Thankfully, WindowsCentral shares two ways to fix it:

Open Settings.

Click on Update & Security.

Click on Windows Update.

Click the View update history option.

Click the Uninstall updates option.

Select the “Update for Microsoft Windows (KB4512941)” item.

Click the Uninstall button.

Click the Yes button.

Click the Restart Now button.

-KB4512941 removing update

The second one, using the Registry settings, is a riskier fix and may cause permanent damage if done incorrectly. And nobody wants that. It is highly encouraged to create a complete backup of your computer before beginning.

For help with Windows 10 issues, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Mesa Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Mesa, AZ please call the local office at (480) 240-2950.

Adobe Flash Getting the Boot from Edge

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Microsoft Edge is among the other browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla that are getting rid of Adobe Flash.

Adobe announced a couple years ago that they were planning on removing the Flash software in December 2020. So this news definitely doesn’t come as a surprise.

Colleen Williams, the Senior Program Manager of Microsoft Edge wrote in a blog post on August 30th:

“In the next version of Microsoft Edge (built on Chromium), we will continue to retire Flash in the same timeframe as other Chromium based browsers. You can learn more of that timeline in this blog post. Flash will initially be disabled, and the user will need to re-enable Flash on a site-by-site basis; Flash will be completely removed from the browser towards the end of 2020. Group policies are available for enterprise admins and IT pros to change the Flash behavior prior to that date.”

Microsoft said that they will no longer update or change anything related to Adobe Flash functionality on the browser. You’ll receive permission request notifications at the top left corner of the browser.

If you are needing help with Microsoft issues, please give us a call at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities.  This blog post is brought to you from our staff at the Plano Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Plano, TX please call the local office at (469) 299-9005.