security policies

Legacy Update’s newly expanded mirror of material removed from Microsoft’s Download Center is a reminder that software preservation, operational necessity, and security policy will continue to collide—this volunteer‑run archive restores access to installers, viewers and runtimes Microsoft...

The Preview pane in File Explorer now shows a hard stop — “The file you are attempting to preview could harm your computer” — for many files Windows marks as coming from the Internet, and while that message is a deliberate security hardening it can break productivity; this guide explains exactly...

Microsoft has quietly taken away one of Windows users’ last simple choices: the ability to permanently turn off automatic updates for apps installed from the Microsoft Store. What previously was a binary toggle — “Update apps automatically: On/Off” — now behaves like a forced pause button...

All West Virginia University–managed computers still running Windows 10 will be removed from the university network on Oct. 1, a last-resort enforcement step intended to protect WVU systems, research data and patient information ahead of the operating system’s end-of-support cycle. This hard...

Microsoft’s Copilot Studio has moved from built‑in guardrails to active, near‑real‑time intervention: organizations can now route an agent’s planned actions to external monitors that approve or block those actions while the agent is executing, enabling step‑level enforcement that ties existing...

Microsoft Word for Windows has quietly shifted the default lifecycle of new documents: starting with Insider builds identified as Version 2509 (Build 19221.20000), a freshly created document will be saved to the cloud with AutoSave enabled by default, unless the user or administrator changes the...

Microsoft Teams is getting a tighter security posture: Microsoft is rolling out new protections that will block weaponizable file types in chats and channels, scan and warn about malicious URLs at the time of delivery and click, and extend administrative control by integrating Teams with the...

A rapidly escalating security threat has emerged for organizations relying on Microsoft 365, as hackers have devised sophisticated phishing campaigns that can bypass even two-factor authentication (2FA) protections. Since the beginning of 2025, attackers have compromised nearly 3,000 accounts...

GitHub Actions’ relentless pace of innovation shows no signs of slowing, with the latest announcement poised to reshape how developers and organizations manage workflow settings and automation environments. The recent unveiling of new REST APIs and a consequential migration of the...

The evolution of phishing campaigns in the cloud era has introduced a new breed of attacks that are increasingly hard to spot, even for seasoned security professionals. Among these, a recent campaign targeting Microsoft 365 logins stands out for its cunning use of Microsoft OAuth applications...

For IT professionals, security administrators, and everyday users of Microsoft 365, workbook links have long represented a double-edged sword: a productivity enabler, but also a potential vector for significant risk. Microsoft’s latest announcement signals a pivotal shift in how these links will...

Microsoft continues to reshape the security landscape for Windows users and administrators with a series of strategic changes to how its flagship productivity apps handle potentially risky content. A landmark update is scheduled to roll out between October 2025 and July 2026: Excel will disable...

In an era where cyber threats evolve each day and security teams struggle to stay ahead of ever-morphing attack vectors, BitLyft’s latest release of its AIR® platform signals a fundamental shift in the very nature of incident response for Windows-centric environments. BitLyft AIR, now...

In the wake of a sweeping and sophisticated cyberattack, security vulnerabilities in Microsoft’s on-premises SharePoint Server software have thrust the global spotlight squarely onto the tech giant’s patch management process and the broad-reaching consequences when that system falters. As news...

Microsoft has recently announced a significant policy shift: the company will no longer employ engineers based in China to provide technical support for the U.S. Department of Defense's (DoD) cloud computing systems. This decision follows an investigative report by ProPublica that raised...

The recent revelation that Microsoft employed China-based engineers to support the U.S. Department of Defense's (DoD) cloud computing systems has ignited a firestorm of concern over national security and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. This practice, which involved foreign engineers assisting...

Microsoft has recently expanded its Security Copilot assistant to integrate seamlessly with Microsoft Intune and Microsoft Entra, introducing AI-driven features aimed at enhancing endpoint management and identity infrastructure. This development underscores the pivotal roles of Intune and Entra...

As the October 2025 end-of-life date for Microsoft Office 2016 and 2019 approaches, organizations are facing critical decisions regarding their IT infrastructure. Beyond the immediate concerns of software obsolescence, this transition period brings to light significant security vulnerabilities...

The release of Microsoft Office Administrative Templates (ADMX/ADML) version 5506.1000 marks yet another critical milestone in granular administrative control over the Office suite—encompassing not just the perennial Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise, but also the more specialized and long-term...

In the aftermath of Microsoft’s sweeping Secure Future Initiative, administrators across enterprises have been confronted with a new and urgent challenge: Teams-certified Android devices—spanning Teams Rooms, Phones, Panels, and Displays—have suddenly lost remote access capabilities, leaving...