Tech Advisor February 2023

Windows 8 stunk. It might have helped cost chief executive Steve Ballmer his job. Windows 8.1 was a bit better, but if you love it, you have only a few days or so left to enjoy it. Microsoft will kill off Windows 8.1 support on 10 January. There’s no out: Microsoft will not be offering an extended support package for Windows 8.1. At that point, you’ll have a choice: buy a new Windows PC, or officially pay to upgrade to either Windows 10 or 11. What does the end of support mean? Until 10 January, Microsoft will offer security patches and other fixes for any security issues that crop up. Afterwards, you’re on your own. If any exploit or malware surfaces, you’ll have to depend on any antivirus software you…

Windows 8 stunk. It might have helped cost chief executive Steve Ballmer his job. Windows 8.1 was a bit better, but if you love it, you have only a few days or so left to enjoy it. Microsoft will kill off Windows 8.1 support on 10 January. There’s no out: Microsoft will not be offering an extended support package for Windows 8.1. At that point, you’ll have a choice: buy a new Windows PC, or officially pay to upgrade to either Windows 10 or 11. What does the end of support mean? Until 10 January, Microsoft will offer security patches and other fixes for any security issues that crop up. Afterwards, you’re on your own. If any exploit or malware surfaces, you’ll have to depend on any antivirus software you have running…

Information security usually focuses on a single device, at least as far as consumers are concerned. But in an increasingly connected world, it might be worth re-examining that approach. Case in point: a newly discovered piece of malware in use by state-sponsored hacking groups. Private security company ESET (fave.co/3FsHBXA) found that the tool, once established on a Windows PC, will search the storage of any phone connected for even more information to steal. The ‘Dolphin’ malware is connected to multiple spyware and digital espionage groups believed to be working for the government of North Korea, primarily for the purposes of gathering information on South Korea and other Asian governments and industrial interests. It’s being deployed to specific targets. The tool uses fairly standard Python-based methods of searching a victim’s machine,…

Information security usually focuses on a single device, at least as far as consumers are concerned. But in an increasingly connected world, it might be worth re-examining that approach. Case in point: a newly discovered piece of malware in use by state-sponsored hacking groups. Private security company ESET (fave.co/3FsHBXA) found that the tool, once established on a Windows PC, will search the storage of any phone connected for even more information to steal. The ‘Dolphin’ malware is connected to multiple spyware and digital espionage groups believed to be working for the government of North Korea, primarily for the purposes of gathering information on South Korea and other Asian governments and industrial interests. It’s being deployed to specific targets. The tool uses fairly standard Python-based methods of searching a victim’s machine, then…

If you’re bored at work, you no longer need to furtively seek distraction in games – you can play games with your co-workers right within Microsoft Teams with the new Games for Work app. Yes, a ‘Games for Work app’. For Microsoft Teams. It may seem counter-intuitive, but Microsoft Casual Games cited (fave.co/3BdOHfX) a BYU study that found that “teams who played short video games together were 20 percent more productive than those who participated in more traditional team‑building activities”. Even more interesting, all of the games available within the app are multiplayer, even those that have traditionally been single-player by design: Solitaire, for instance. Wordament, Minesweeper, and IceBreakers – a game where players are asked to make choices to foster conversation – are all included, with options for two…

If you’re bored at work, you no longer need to furtively seek distraction in games – you can play games with your co-workers right within Microsoft Teams with the new Games for Work app. Yes, a ‘Games for Work app’. For Microsoft Teams. It may seem counter-intuitive, but Microsoft Casual Games cited (fave.co/3BdOHfX) a BYU study that found that “teams who played short video games together were 20 percent more productive than those who participated in more traditional team‑building activities”. Even more interesting, all of the games available within the app are multiplayer, even those that have traditionally been single-player by design: Solitaire, for instance. Wordament, Minesweeper, and IceBreakers – a game where players are asked to make choices to foster conversation – are all included, with options for two players to…