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Microsoft has announced that Office Online Server will reach end of support deadline on December 31, 2026. After this date, the company will no longer provide security updates, bug fixes, or technical support for the platform. According to Microsoft, this change will help to focus on cloud-first solutions like Microsoft 365. This means that systems…

Microsoft has released a new Windows 11 update to resolve a bug that disabled mouse and keyboard inputs within the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). The issue stemmed from the recent October 11 security update (KB5066835), which left users unable to navigate recovery tools. Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) is a built-in toolset in Windows that helps…

Cybersecurity officials are sounding the alarm as CISA flags a critical Windows SMB client flaw that hackers are actively exploiting. The vulnerability, which allows attackers to gain system-level control, underscores the urgent need for organizations to patch their systems before it’s too late. The Windows SMB (Server Message Block) client is a network protocol component…

Cayosoft has launched Guardian Protector, a free, always-on threat detection tool built to secure Microsoft Active Directory (AD) and Entra ID. This tool offers real-time alerts and unlimited monitoring, and it allows IT teams to detect and stop identity-based attacks proactively, without straining their budgets. Specifically, Cayosoft highlighted the growing vulnerability of hybrid identity systems…

New-ADUser creates users at scale, sets attributes, places them in the right Organizational Units (OUs), assigns passwords, and even adds them to groups, all programmatically. Let’s get into how to learn more about New-ADUser and elevate your AD management skills from good to great. Create a new Active Directory user with New-ADUser Here’s the basic…

Microsoft has found that over half of all cyberattacks are now fueled by extortion and ransomware. As AI-powered threats surge and supply chain risks escalate, organizations can no longer rely on outdated defenses to stay secure. According to the sixth annual Digital Defense Report, Microsoft mentioned that it processes 100 trillion security signals daily, blocks…

In this post, I’ll explain what network monitoring tools are, why they’re important for keeping your IT systems running smoothly, how security plays a role, and how to choose and implement the right solution. I’ll cover key features, popular tools, best practices, and common mistakes to help you build a robust monitoring strategy. What are…

The global PC industry is showing strong signs of recovery, with shipments rising 8% in the third quarter of 2025. This growth comes as the market shifts toward AI-powered PCs, which indicates a broader push to accelerate the adoption of next-generation computing technologies. According to a new report from Gartner, over 69 million personal computers…

Microsoft has launched Ephemeral OS Disk support in public preview for Azure Virtual Desktop. This new feature is part of its Enhanced Host Pool Management initiative aimed at streamlining deployment and boosting performance. An Ephemeral OS Disk stores the operating system directly on the VM’s local storage rather than in Azure-managed storage. This setup is…

In this episode of First Ring Daily, Brad Sams and Paul Thurrott discuss the new “Hey Copilot” wake word and new agentic experiences Microsoft is bringing to Windows 11.

Microsoft has disrupted a highly sophisticated ransomware campaign launched by Vanilla Tempest, which used fake Microsoft Teams installers and fraudulently signed malware to target victims. This takedown, involving the revocation of over 200 malicious certificates, highlights the growing threat of SEO poisoning. Vanilla Tempest, also known as VICE SPIDER or Vice Society, is a cybercriminal…

Cybercriminals have escalated their tactics with Whisper 2FA, a sophisticated phishing kit that’s already been used in nearly a million attacks against Microsoft 365 users — stealing credentials and intercepting MFA in real time by imitating trusted brands. The Whisper 2FA phishing kit was discovered and named by Barracuda’s threat analysts, who began tracking its…