Dan's Computer Services

https://thehackernews.com//teamviewer-password-hacking.html Be sure your TeamViewer version is fully patched.

Just a reminder that faster versions of the PCI-Express bus are coming... Intel hasn't even transitioned to PCIe v.4 on it's latest 10th-gen CPUs, while AMD has been shipping CPUs that support v.4.0 since last year. https://www.tomshardware.com//pcie-60-release-date-spec-sp

For those of you still on Windows 7, Microsoft has provided an alternative browser to the built-in Internet Explorer (which has been out of support since mid-January). By rebuilding Edge around the Chromium engine Microsoft delivers a credible browsing experience, competitive with Chrome or Firefox. This is currently being delivered to 7 SP1 and 8.1 machines, with the latest update released on June 17. https://venturebeat.com//microsoft-launches-chromium-edge/

Next-gen heat-assisted magnetic recording drives from Seagate are still moving forward, and should be making a commercial debut this year. (Blog post from 2019, but still very relevant.) https://blog.seagate.com/crafts/hamr-next-leap-forward-now/

Have no use for the modifications Microsoft has been making to the save menu in Office 2016 / 2019? A change in settings could restore the traditional "Save As" dialog box: https://support.microsoft.com//customize-the-save-experien

Another flaw discovered in the UPnP protocol. Since the first was discovered back in 2010 we have generally been disabling this protocol on routers, due to the security vulnerabilities it can pose. https://arstechnica.com//upnp-flaw-exposes-millions-of-ne/

So there are some changes to be excited about in Microsoft's latest Windows 10 build... Firstly they are removing Cortana and replacing it with a standalone app (for those who want to download it.) And another nuisance application is being removed as well--Microsoft Edge. This has been made into a downloadable program as well, having been rebuilt around the Chromium engine. So build 2004 should be worthwhile upgrading to (notwithstanding some initial deployment bugs). https://www.zdnet.com//windows-10-2004-these-are-the-feat/

Another reminder of why it is advantageous to use a platform other than WordPress to build out your website. We have always encouraged custom-built sites using conventional code wherever possible... WordPress sites can be low-hanging fruit for hackers, because of the platform's popularity. On May 3rd alone there were over 20 million attacks against them. https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com//wordpress-hacker-a/

Tech tip: sometimes the latest BIOS update isn't a good thing. While usually good in theory (assuming the upgrade is successful), sometimes this can create compatibility issues with the latest version of Windows, or even hardware compatibility issues. That's why it's always best to make sure the BIOS can be downgraded back to a version you know is stable for your particular configuration.

If you don't want to have an AI tool running in the background in Windows 10 (without your permission), this is a way to disable it--either through a registry edit or Group Policy. For those concerned about excess data collection this can also help alleviate that, together with other settings we can put in place. https://www.groovypost.com//disable-cortana-replace-windo/

Security updates for currently-supported builds of Windows 10 will continue to be released until the coronavirus crisis is over, after which time MS will begin to roll out new features again, and thus new build versions. https://www.tomshardware.com//windows-10-updates-paused-co

All the more reason to help make sure your personal/small business computers are properly maintained: https://www.wired.com//coronavirus-cyberattacks-ransomwar/

Coronavirus update: During this time of heightened concern over the spread of COVID-19, Dan's Computer Services will continue to operate--offering on-site service calls for both home & small-business customers--just as before. However, we take a common-sense approach to everything, and reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who is either showing signs of illness, or otherwise overly demanding. We strive to maintain an environment that is both safe for all, as wellas mutually respectful. If you have any questions about our policies or approach, feel free to reach out

https://arstechnica.com//amd-threadripper-3990x-is-here-6/ Windows 10 Pro breaks this into 2 groups of 64-threads (2 virtual sockets). This can be compensated for by turning off hyperthreading. Windows 10 Pro for Workstations handles it as being one large grouping of 128 threads.

Tip for Windows 10 users--if you want to use the old Windows calculator--that was commonly-available from XP all the way up to Windows 8.1, then here is a third-party program than can replace the clunky one Microsoft has put into Windows 10: https://winaero.com//get-calculator-from-windows-8-and-wi/

https://thehackernews.com//02/chrome-extension-malware.html Part of why we aren’t fans of Chrome here in the shop. Far too easy to infect with malicious code, relative to Firefox or others.

Windows 7 end of support has arrived today. The last scheduled update cycle was delivered January 14, 2020. This means the OS should be good for about another month, but then any users remaining on 7 should be looking to get an in-place upgrade to Windows 10 done. Windows 7 has been a great operating system and is still used on about 25% of computers worldwide, but is now getting to the point where continuing to use it will become a growing security issue. https://venturebeat.com//microsoft-ends-support-for-windo/

With Windows 7 end of support around the corner, Microsoft has updated their Office 365 support policy. After Jan 14, 2020 Office 365 will cease to get new feature updates but will still be receiving security updates for another 3 years, in an effort to help give customers more time to transition to Windows 10. These security updates are a good thing, though it will still be a risk to keep using Win 7 from February onwards--unless in a corporate environment with Extended Support Updates. Also keep in mind that this change only affects subscriptions for Office 365 and doesn't affect customers who have actually bought either Office 2013 or 2016. https://support.office.com//windows-7-end-of-support-and-o

Amazing new chips from AMD coming this fall: https://www.extremetech.com//301665-amds-16-core-ryzen-9-3

32GB DDR4 RAM modules are coming out this fall, which will enable most decent-quality Socket 1151 v2 motherboards to support up to 128GB RAM! A BIOS update delivered by most manufacturers back in March enables compatibility with the new super-capacity modules. We will add these to our custom line-up once they become available... https://www.anandtech.com//corsair-unveils-32-gb-vengeance

As long as Apple continues to use x86 processors in their Macintosh systems, we will continue to support them. There is really no reason for them to change with the current batch of Intel & AMD CPUs! "The current 15-inch MacBook Pro offers a 2.4GHz 8core 9thgeneration Intel Core i9 processor, which is pretty close to Intel’s top-of-the-line." https://www.macworld.com//16-inch-macbook-pro-display-keyb

Here's some more clarity on the issue of hyperthreading availability on newer-generation Intel CPUs: https://www.pcworld.com//intel-launches-18-9th-gen-desktop

And as good as these 8th/9th-gen chips are, more exciting yet will be Intel's future 10th-gen "Ice Lake" CPUs, which will offer an average of 18% more IPC (instructions per clock cycle) than the current Skylake-derivative we are on right now. Granted, clock speeds will be less, but performance should improve overall. What's more, the standard desktop platform could go from 8-cores with the current i7 models to 10 cores, which should help to compete against AMDs upcoming 3rd-generation Ryzen CPUs! https://www.tomshardware.com//intel-10th-generation-core-1