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Massive Malvertising Campaign Exposes GitHub-Hosted Malware In early December 2024, Microsoft Threat Intelligence uncovered a large-scale malvertising campaign that has left nearly one million devices exposed to sophisticated information stealers. This unique and multi-stage attack, which harnesses both illegal streaming websites and the trusted GitHub platform, underscores the evolving complexity of cyber threats targeting Windows users worldwide. In this article, we unpack the intricate...

Enabling Japanese Address Predictions in Microsoft IME Microsoft has continually strived to bridge the gap between user convenience and advanced language support. A striking example is the introduction of Japanese address predictions within the Microsoft Input Method Editor (IME). This powerful feature leverages your system dictionary to offer smart, context-based suggestions as you type addresses in Japanese. If you've ever found yourself fumbling with elaborate Japanese address inputs...

Forget Chrome – Discover LibreWolf: The Privacy-Focused Browser for Windows Users Privacy has become a non-negotiable asset in today’s digital landscape, and if you’re among the users feeling uneasy about recent shifts in Mozilla’s priorities, there’s a new alternative in town. LibreWolf, a Firefox fork that has reimagined the browser experience with enhanced privacy and security features, might just be the liberating solution Windows users have been waiting for. A Fork with a Mission...

VirtualBox HMR3 Fix & ICS Cyber Alert In this edition of Windows Forum News, we explore two pressing topics that affect both everyday Windows users and IT professionals alike. First up, we dive into a VirtualBox hiccup that has been frustrating many users—the notorious HMR3Init error—and provide detailed steps to resolve it. Then, we switch gears to an important cybersecurity alert involving industrial control systems, where a CISA advisory highlights critical vulnerabilities in Hitachi...

Windows Innovations: Power Apps, PowerToys, and Game Streaming The technology landscape is buzzing with fresh updates that are expanding the capabilities of Microsoft’s low-code platforms, empowering power users with enhanced utilities, and even reinventing game streaming experiences for Windows gamers. Today, we dive deep into three major developments: Microsoft’s February 2025 Power Apps feature update, a brand-new AWS game streaming service, and an exciting PowerToys update that brings...

CISA Cybersecurity Advisories: Hitachi Energy ICS Vulnerability and Executive Data Extortion Scam In today’s dynamic threat landscape, cybersecurity professionals and IT enthusiasts alike cannot afford to let their guard down. Recent advisories from CISA highlight two critical issues: a serious vulnerability affecting Hitachi Energy’s industrial control systems and an alarming data extortion scam targeting corporate executives. This article delves into the technical details, implications...

Microsoft Revamps Office: Publisher Out, Archiving In In the midst of rapid technological evolution and shifting enterprise needs, Microsoft is reorienting its Office ecosystem. Two notable changes mark this transformation: the planned retirement of Microsoft Publisher, a venerable tool that has been around for 35 years, and the bolstering of Microsoft 365’s role in data preservation, exemplified by Amnesty International’s adoption of Preserve365. Let’s explore these pivotal developments and...

Microsoft's AI Revolution: Strategic Partnerships Reshape Industry Innovation The tech giant Microsoft is once again steering the future with a series of exciting advancements and collaborations in the artificial intelligence landscape. From powering investigative analytics to transforming portfolio management and empowering developers with generative AI tools, Microsoft’s integration of Azure cloud services continues to redefine industry standards. In this article, we delve into four recent...

Microsoft Fuels African Cloud with ZAR 5.4bn In a major boost to South Africa’s digital future, Microsoft announced a bold investment of ZAR 5.4 billion by the end of 2027 to expand its hyperscale cloud and AI infrastructure throughout the nation. This move is the latest chapter in Microsoft’s 30-year commitment to South Africa—a story marked by transformative investments, progressive digital skills initiatives, and a drive to position the nation as a global hub for AI innovation. A...

Balancing Innovation and Security: Microsoft’s Sensor-Enhanced Golf Grip & CISA’s ICS Advisories The technology landscape is as dynamic as ever, with cutting-edge innovations pushing the boundaries of what's possible and cybersecurity threats reminding us to stay vigilant. In a remarkable juxtaposition, recent news reveals Microsoft’s foray into sports technology—via a pressure-sensing golf grip developed in collaboration with none other than golf pro Bryson DeChambeau—alongside critical...

Below is an in-depth look at two distinct yet equally intriguing developments for Windows and Office users—from Microsoft’s upcoming OneDrive prompt built into Microsoft 365 apps to an innovative alternative file manager that’s poised to challenge File Explorer’s status quo. Microsoft’s Upcoming OneDrive Prompt for Microsoft 365 Microsoft is preparing to nudge enterprise and individual users toward better cloud data protection with a new prompt integrated into Microsoft 365 desktop apps...

Privacy & Productivity: LibreWolf, uBar Reviewed As technology users become increasingly discerning—demanding both robust privacy settings and a workplace-like user interface regardless of operating system—two intriguing projects have emerged. LibreWolf, a privacy-enhanced browser built for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and uBar, a Windows-inspired taskbar for macOS, are addressing niche needs for power users. In this article, we dig into how each offers unique benefits, why they matter for the...

Microsoft Update: Copilot’s “Think Deeper” Innovation and Outlook.com Outage Woes Microsoft’s ecosystem is always full of surprises. On one side, AI is getting more sophisticated with its latest Copilot update, while, on the other, Outlook.com users are facing a frustrating service disruption. In this article, we’ll break down Microsoft Copilot’s new Think Deeper feature—a tool promising to revolutionize how we query AI—and then examine the continuing issues with Outlook’s email service...

Microsoft Rolls Out Windows 11 Innovations: JPEG XL, OneDrive Prompts, and Publisher’s Farewell Microsoft never ceases to surprise its community of Windows users. The tech giant’s latest updates are poised to improve everything from image compression to data backup while drawing the curtain on a legacy application. In this article, we explore three significant updates: the introduction of JPEG XL support in Windows 11, the forthcoming OneDrive backup prompts in Microsoft 365 apps, and the...

Microsoft's Dual Strategy: AI-Enhanced Nuclear Innovation and Cloud Partnership Reshuffles Microsoft is making headlines on two very different fronts. On one side, the tech giant is helping revolutionize the maritime nuclear energy landscape with cutting-edge AI; on the other, it's reevaluating its cloud partnerships in the face of delivery challenges. Let’s dive into these developments and explore what they mean for the technology and regulatory sectors. AI-Driven Nuclear Innovation in...

Amnesty International Empowers Digital Archive with Preserve365 in Microsoft 365 In a bold move to safeguard decades of critical human rights data, Amnesty International has adopted Preservica’s Preserve365® – an innovative Active Digital Preservation solution seamlessly embedded into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. By integrating this cutting-edge technology with Microsoft SharePoint, the global organization is setting a new standard for digital records archiving and preservation. Pioneering a...

Microsoft’s Bold Moves: FastTrack, AI Expansion, and Contract Clarity Microsoft is making waves across the technology landscape—fueling cloud adoption, expanding artificial intelligence infrastructure, and navigating the intricate network of partner relationships. Recent developments include Caf2Code’s rapid ascent to FastTrack Partner status, a major investment in South African AI data centre infrastructure, and emerging discussions about contractual ties with AI cloud startup CoreWeave...

Microsoft’s AI Wave: Transforming Windows, Cloud, and Beyond In a bold step across multiple fronts, Microsoft is pushing the envelope of artificial intelligence from everyday productivity tools to ambitious cloud innovations and even nuclear technology. Today’s roundup uncovers how Microsoft’s latest AI integrations and strategic partnerships are reshaping the digital landscape, and what this means for Windows users and enterprise customers alike. Upgrading Everyday Tools: AI in Windows 11...

Microsoft Tames Updates, Axes Battery Indicator In a clear message to Windows users, Microsoft is shaking up its approach to two long-standing irritants: incessant update interruptions and a confusing new battery indicator for Windows 11. While one move promises to enhance the everyday computing experience, the other highlights the growing pains of rolling out fresh features in a rapidly evolving ecosystem. Taming the Update Interruptions The Annoying Reality of Windows Updates For years...