Global Hardware: Computer Maintenance

29/03/2026

So, the latest thing you should do that Microsoft aren't really making much noise about is updating the 'Secure Boot certificates' on your Windows PC...

Microsoft are updating the 'Secure Boot certificates' that expire in just a few weeks, June 2026, ensuring continued protection against boot-level threats for Windows devices. Devices should receive these 2023 certificate updates automatically via Windows Update. If not updated, devices may lose security protections, affecting features like BitLocker and safe booting.

The thing is, for what ever reason lots of PCs, including two of mine haven't picked them up. A few videos have popped up on YouTube as the panic sets in, warning of doom and gloom. But there is an easy check to see if you are up-to-date, and an easy fix if you're not.

First, run the following PowerShell/terminal command as an Administrator and verify that the DB has been successfully updated:

[System.Text.Encoding]::ASCII.GetString((Get-SecureBootUEFI db).bytes) -match 'Windows UEFI CA 2023'

This command should return 'true' not 'false'. If it's true you're good to go. If not...

1.
Set the regkey to perform the update to the DB. To do this, open a Command Prompt window as an Administrator, type each of the following commands separately, and then press Enter:

reg add HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Secureboot /v AvailableUpdates /t REG_DWORD /d 0x40 /f

2.
Then:

Start-ScheduledTask -TaskName "\Microsoft\Windows\PI\Secure-Boot-Update"

3.
Run the following PowerShell command again as an Administrator and verify that the DB has been successfully updated. This command should return True:

[System.Text.Encoding]::ASCII.GetString((Get-SecureBootUEFI db).bytes) -match 'Windows UEFI CA 2023'

(Note: A restart might be required if the Virtual Secure Mode feature is enabled on the device. Such as Credential Guard, Device Guard, or Windows Hello).
Good luck.

24/02/2026

Google has issued a Chrome patch for a high‑severity zero‑day exploit. It should update itself, but if you don't regularly exit chrome and leave it running for days on end, then maybe not...
So, to update manually, click the More menu (the three dots), then go to Settings > About Chrome.... If an update is available, Chrome will start downloading it. Relaunch Chrome to complete the update.

12/01/2026

Instagram security breach
Hackers have recently stolen sensitive information of 17.5 million Instagram accounts. Complete with usernames, physical addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and other info...

This data is used by cybercriminals to impersonate trusted brands, trick users, and steal their passwords etc.
Sadly, this data is already being offered up on the 'Dark web', so do a password reset ASAP... Users should get a notification from Instagram to do so, but please be careful and check any notification really is from Instagram. Log in to your Instagram account and reset your password to a new, strong, unique password, at least 12 characters long.

Check if you were exposed:
With free scanning tools like Malwarebytes’ Digital Footprint Portal,( https://www.malwarebytes.com/digital-footprint ) you can see if you were included in the Instagram and other breaches. Simply enter the email address that you used to register with Instagram and their Digital Footprint scan will report your level of exposure online.
Another good site to check if your info has been hacked is https://haveibeenpwned.com. It can show you if you've been exposed.

Some Malware writers are now using cross-platform languages such as 'Rust'to create malware that can run on Windows, macOS, Linux, mobiles, and even 'Internet of Things' devices like your smart fridge... Often disguising themselves as fake apps to steal credentials or stealthily take over devices. A recent wave of advanced banking Trojans, such as 'Herodotus', can mimic human typing behaviours to evade detection.

Bring back the High street bank, That's what I say!!

If your personal data was exposed in a data breach, you need to check your digital footprint. Use our free tool here.

16/10/2025

As the big push towards Windows 11 from Microsoft continues, it might be worth pointing out that the 'Paid for' Extended Security Updates Enrolment program for home users has been quietly dropped...
You can now get this for free, taking you through to October 2026 with the monthly security patches and other important OS update. So, if you're still running Windows 10 because your system isn't Windows 11 compatible, and have a Microsoft account and/or can't afford to splash out on a new one, all is not lost.
If you go to 'Setting' and click on 'Updates and Security', make sure you've got the latest updates for 22H2 installed, and you've backed up your system. Then, where it says 'Windows 10 Support ends in October 2025' you should see 'Enrol now'... Just click it and follow the on-screen instructions. If you aren't sure what to do, there are a few videos coming out on YouTube to guide you.

Microsoft still have a long way to go with this... Market Share Worldwide of Windows Desktop Versions - As of September 2025...

Win11 - 49.05%
Win10 - 40.84%
Win7 - 9.15%
Win8 - 0.44%
WinXP - 0.3%
Win8.1 - 0.18%

In the UK it's a bit different, with the swing to Windows 11 at around 60%. But the most shocking thing here is that the worldwide market share held by Windows 7... (Oh I sooo loved Windows 7)... Has jumped from just 2.2% back in June, to nearly 1 in 10 systems out there !!!

12/08/2025

Some of you may have noticed, Last month, Google skipped its monthly security update for Android. Well, that has left you open to a handful of what's being called 'Critical Vulnerabilities'. Nothing new about that. In the meantime, Google's Artificial Intelligence Big Sleep system found 20 vulnerabilities in several open-source software apps. So update your kit ASAP.

28/05/2025

Google are pushing out an emergency update for their Chrome browser to patch an actively exploited vulnerability which could allow an attacker to steal information you share with other websites...
Chrome should update itself as it cycles through the open and close process... But this can fail and if you don't ever close your browser it ain't happening. Click 'Settings' (accessed through the three-dot menu in the top right corner of the browser window), and then> 'About Chrome'. That should indicate the version number. Click check for updates and let it do its thing.

13/03/2025

A relatively quiet week in computer land, no massive developments in software or hardware. The usual never-ending ‘I clicked on a link and now it’s running slow’ phone calls have kept me busy rooting out malware that has eluded the antivirus.

The only thing apart from downloading the usual system and program patches. Is my recommendation for today... get your Firefox browser updated to the current version by the 14th of March, or you may find a key 'Root security certificate', used to verify digitally signed content, protected media, and add-ons has expired.
Mozilla said "While it's possible to use Firefox without updating, you may experience problems such as add-ons being disabled, DRM media difficulties, and other interruptions" ...You should be using Ver. 136.0.1

12/11/2024

A really busy couple of months dealing with the aftermath of scams and ID thefts... Usually as a result of people responding to pop-ups saying their PC is infected with a virus or phishing emails.

Don't speak...
Hackers are getting data using a multitude of methods. Some of the more inventive being through smart device surveillance, the latest is the Smart Air-fryer app... If you've got a Xiaomi, Cosori or Aigostar Air-fryer, don't install the app on your phone, as according to 'Which' they want to know customers’ precise location, as well as permission to record audio on the user’s phone.

Watch what you tick...
Hackers can take control of email accounts by stealing cookies, even if you have 2FA by using session cookies for the likes Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and AOL if they can get hold of them, and resetting your passwords and recovery details to your other accounts and logins. So don't tick the 'Remember me' box and always sign out of your account after use. Signing in every time is a pain, but it's safer.

Ad you by the short and curlies...
Watch out for an eBay malvertising campaign... sponsored Ads posting fake phone numbers and page links in searches.

Not a patch on...
Google Android have released some big fixes this month for some 51 vulnerabilities now patched in November’s updates, so make sure your smartphone software is up-to-date people.

04/07/2024

First off... Sorry for not posting for a while, busy, busy, busy... So what's been going on in the IT world? Well, not much change from last time... Same as usual, all hacks and breaches and the slow but sure introduction of ‘in your face ads’ with the Microsoft product range. The one that's bugging me the most, the ads on the MS weather app... Mostly sunny, Light winds and 'Oven cleaner'... FFS.
We can look forward to them all over the OS before too long including the Start menu !!

The issue of hacks is much the same for the home user, little change, just be sensible with your passwords, don’t save them in your browser and don’t save your bank card details there either, and definitely don’t save them in your online accounts in case the company or a third party data broker used by them, falls victim to a data breach. As is often the case these days and as we’ve seen with the NHS and blood records, AU10TIX, an Israeli based authentication company, who’s major customers include the likes of Uber, TikTok, X, Fiverr, Coinbase, LinkedIn, and Saxo Bank.

The ‘Buy now, pay later’ payment specialist Affirm warns that holders of its payment cards had their personal information exposed after a ransomware attack and data breach at Evolve Bank & Trust.
In February this year, Prudential Financial reported it had fallen victim to a ransomware attack.
The attack was discovered one day after it started, but not before some 2.5 million people had been impacted by the resulting data breach.

Also watch out for data harvesting apps on your ‘smart phones’ (dum ass user)… TEMU an online shopping platform used by millions, is ‘dangerous’ Chinese malware, according to the Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, alleging that the retailer’s mobile app spies on users, surreptitiously granting itself access to virtually all the data on a user’s phone. Much like all the other apps users have on their devices. (Oh for a Nokia 310)

Here’s a quick breakdown of some security advice from the smart boys and girls at MalwarebytesLABS regarding protecting yourself after a data breach.

‘There are some actions you can take if you are, or suspect you may have been, the victim of a data breach’….

Every breach is different, so check with the vendor to find out what’s happened, and follow any specific advice offered.

Change your password. You can make a stolen password useless to thieves by changing it. Choose a strong password that you don’t use for anything else. Write it down.

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). If you can, use a FIDO2 (Fast IDentity Online 2) compliant hardware key, laptop or phone as your second factor. Some forms of two-factor authentication can be phished just as easily as a password. 2FA that relies on a FIDO2 device can’t be phished.

Watch out for fake vendors. The thieves may contact you posing as the vendor, much the same as a phone call scam. Check the vendor website to see if they are contacting victims, and verify the identity of anyone who contacts you using a different communication channel.

Phishing attacks often impersonate familiar people or brands, claiming things require urgent attention, such as missed deliveries, account suspensions, security alerts and email account updates in need of upgrading.

Seriously consider not storing your card details on website. It’s definitely more convenient to get sites to remember your card details for you, but don’t.

I would like to talk about what’s going on with Windows updates and OS security, but I haven't got the energy.

15/04/2024

Another Windows update pig...KB5034765 breaks Windows 11 Taskbar.... Nightmare for millions !!

Go to the Windows Update section and click Update history.
Press Uninstall updates.
Find KB5034765 and click Uninstall.
Windows will ask you to confirm the action, so click Uninstall again.
Restart your computer. Hopefully that sould sort it.