Windows Security
The latest Windows Security coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
Smart App Control Blocks Critical OEM Tools on Xbox Handheld PCs
Microsoft's Smart App Control (SAC), the evolution of Windows Defender Application Control, has created significant disruption for users of Xbox-focused handheld gaming PCs, blocking critical OEM...
Reprompt Attack Threatens Copilot Security: How Windows Users Can Protect Their Data
Security researchers have uncovered a sophisticated vulnerability in Microsoft's Copilot AI assistant that could allow attackers to create stealthy data-exfiltration pipelines through seemingly...
Forshaw reveals Windows 11 24H2 admin bypass patched by Microsoft in November 2024
Google Project Zero researcher James Forshaw has revealed a sophisticated privilege escalation chain that could have bypassed Microsoft's Administrator Protection model, a critical security feature...
ibaPDA Security Flaw: Critical Patch v8.12.1 & Windows Defense Strategies
A critical security vulnerability in ibaPDA, a widely used industrial data acquisition and analysis software, has prompted an urgent patch release and renewed focus on layered Windows security...
Massive 149 Million Credential Leak: Critical Security Steps for Windows Users
A staggering security breach has exposed approximately 149 million unique usernames and passwords in an unsecured database containing roughly 96 GB of raw authentication data, creating what security...
Is Microsoft Defender Enough in 2026? A Comprehensive Windows Security Analysis
The perennial question for Windows users—whether the built-in security solution is sufficient protection—has evolved significantly as we move through 2026. Microsoft Defender, once considered a...
CVE-2025-26386: Critical Buffer Overflow in Johnson Controls iSTAR ICU Threatens Windows OT Security
A newly disclosed critical vulnerability in Johnson Controls' iSTAR Configuration Utility (ICU) tool poses a significant threat to Windows-based operational technology (OT) environments. Designated...
Wiping a Windows PC for handoff: Microsoft tools alone may leave recoverable data.
When it's time to pass along a Windows PC—whether selling, donating, or recycling—properly wiping the device is crucial for both privacy protection and ensuring a smooth experience for the next...
Microsoft sets AES as default Kerberos encryption, RC4 removal targeted by 2026.
Microsoft is embarking on a significant security overhaul of its Kerberos authentication protocol, with changes that will fundamentally alter how Windows domain controllers handle encryption. The...
Windows Fast Startup Explained: Performance Gains vs. Hidden Problems
Windows Fast Startup, a feature introduced in Windows 8 and present in all subsequent versions including Windows 10 and Windows 11, represents Microsoft's attempt to bridge the gap between...
Microsoft's January Patch Tuesday Fixes Critical Secure Boot Certificate Expiration
Microsoft's January 2025 Patch Tuesday has delivered a crucial security update that addresses expiring Secure Boot certificates on Windows devices, a preventative fix that security experts are...
Microsoft Fixes WinSqlite3.dll False Positives: January 2026 Updates End Security Alert Chaos
Microsoft's January 13, 2026 cumulative updates have finally resolved the months-long outbreak of misleading security alerts that incorrectly flagged WinSqlite3.dll—a core Windows library—as...