Darke Cloud Solutions

11/21/2025

Cybersecurity incidents almost always start with one thing: a human mistake. That’s why effective cybersecurity awareness and anti-phishing training is no longer optional for businesses that want to reduce risk, meet insurance requirements, and protect their reputation.

At Darke Cloud Solutions, we partner with CyberHoot to deliver ongoing, easy-to-consume training that strengthens your team’s instincts and dramatically lowers the chance of a successful attack. The result is a more resilient business, better compliance posture, and employees who know how to spot and stop threats before they become disasters.

If you’d like details or pricing for your organization, DM me and I’ll send you the info!

Send a message to learn more

09/08/2024

Microsoft's PowerToys is about to get even better with a new feature called Workspaces.

If you’re not familiar, PowerToys is a collection of free utilities that helps you customize and optimize your Windows experience. It’s perfect for saving time and reducing those repetitive tasks that can slow you down.

So, what’s new?

The upcoming Workspaces feature will let you create custom groups of apps that you can launch with just one click. Imagine having all your essential tools, like your browser, email, and a project management app, open and arranged exactly how you like them, instantly. Whatever your plans for the day, you can set up your workspace in seconds.

Here’s how it works: You arrange your apps on the screen, save the layout, and then create a shortcut. Next time, instead of opening each app individually, just click your shortcut, and everything will pop up in the right place. You can even include commands or run apps as an admin, making it super versatile.

This new feature is expected in the next PowerToys update, version 0.84. It’s a handy tool that can boost your productivity and make your workday smoother.

BIG warning from me though… if you don’t know what you’re doing with PowerToys, you can quickly start changing things that could break your PC. Play it safe and get my team to do this for you.

https://www.neowin.net/news/powertoys-will-soon-let-you-create-app-workspaces-and-launch-them-with-a-single-click/

09/07/2024

Phishing scams are a big deal these days, and they’re getting trickier. But first, what is phishing?

It’s when cyber criminals send you fake emails or messages that look legit to steal your passwords or financial info. If they succeed, it can lead to nasty consequences, like data breaches or losing money.

But here’s the thing: Phishing isn’t just those obvious scam emails anymore. Nowadays, criminals are using AI to create super convincing emails or even fake video calls. It’s getting harder to tell what’s real and what’s not.

So, how do you protect yourself and your business? First, ditch the old-school approach of just looking out for typos. Instead, think about using smart security tools that can catch these attacks before they reach you. AI-powered tools can spot weird behavior and flag it before it becomes a problem.

And don’t forget about your team. Make sure everyone knows what phishing looks like and how to avoid it. Tailored training can help your staff recognize the latest scams so they don’t fall for them.

You don’t need to do it all alone - my team can help with all of this. Let’s talk. Get in touch.

https://www.techradar.com/pro/the-evolving-threat-landscape-staying-ahead-of-phishing-attack-trends

09/04/2024

If you've noticed Outlook crashing lately, especially when opening it or starting in Safe Mode, you're not alone.

Microsoft has identified an issue affecting some people. It’s to do with corrupted email rules within Microsoft 365 accounts, and it can't be fixed by simply going back to an earlier version or creating a new profile.

To check if this issue affects you, you can look for certain error codes in the Windows Event Viewer. But if that sounds complicated, don’t worry, Microsoft has provided a temporary solution.

The key step is to remove all email rules associated with your account. You can do this by running a specific command or manually deleting the rules via Outlook Web Access. If necessary, you might also need to create a new Outlook profile.

This workaround should help keep Outlook running smoothly while Microsoft works on a permanent fix. If you’ve been affected by this, my team can help get things running smoothly again - get in touch.

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-shares-workaround-for-outlook-crashing-after-opening/

09/03/2024

Microsoft has recently shut down a popular trick that allowed people to install Windows 11 on older, incompatible PCs. I don’t mean to sound like a killjoy, but while it might have seemed like a clever workaround, there are good reasons why system requirements exist for operating systems.

Windows 11 is designed to run on newer hardware to ensure stability, security, and performance. By bypassing checks, you could end up with a system that’s prone to crashes, won’t receive crucial updates, and ultimately puts your data at risk.

Microsoft’s move is a reminder that sticking to official upgrade paths is always safer.

If your PC doesn’t meet the requirements for Windows 11, don’t worry. Windows 10 is still supported until October next year, giving you time to plan your next steps. Whether that means upgrading your hardware or considering other options like refurbished equipment, it’s important to make informed decisions.

Need help navigating your upgrade options? My team and I can guide you through the process safely and efficiently.

Be honest with me though… did you try this little upgrade trick?

https://www.pcworld.com/article/2430483/microsoft-blocks-popular-trick-for-bypassing-the-hardware-check-for-windows-11.html

09/02/2024

OK, this is not great news. A new type of malware has been discovered that can bypass antivirus software to install ransomware on devices.

This malware, known as EDRKillShifter, is used by cyber criminals to disable Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools, which are crucial for keeping your systems safe. Once these protections are down, your devices are left vulnerable to ransomware attacks, which can lock you out of your data and demand a hefty ransom to regain access.

And the really scary bit? This malware could be available on the dark web, meaning it might be used by multiple attackers. If your business isn’t protected, the consequences could be severe, including data loss, financial damage, and a big hit to your reputation. Ouch.

So, how can you keep your business safe?

First, make sure your security software has tamper protection enabled, which can prevent attackers from disabling it.

Next, keep your systems and software up to date. This includes ensuring that older, vulnerable drivers are no longer in use.

Lastly, practice strong security hygiene by limiting admin rights and securing Windows security roles to make it harder for attackers to gain control of your systems.

Staying vigilant and keeping your defenses strong is the best way to protect your business from these evolving threats. If you need a hand with any of that, we can help - get in touch.

https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/cybercriminals-launch-new-malware-that-can-completely-wipe-out-your-antivirus

08/31/2024

Remember the July CrowdStrike outage that caused chaos for businesses around the world? If you were affected, you’re not alone - millions felt the impact as travel, banking, and healthcare networks were disrupted by one of the largest IT outages in history.

The culprit? A small software update that left 8.5 million Windows devices facing the dreaded blue screen of death (BSOD).

In a lighthearted twist, CrowdStrike’s president Michael Sentonas took the stage at DEF CON in Las Vegas to accept the “Epic Fail” award, known as the Pwnie, at the world’s biggest hacking and security conference.

The award, given for the most spectacular blunders in cyber security, was a bit larger than usual this year, a nod to the scale of the mishap. Sentonas joked about the surprise of his team when he decided to accept the award in person. But he also took the opportunity to apologize to everyone affected, emphasizing that owning up to mistakes is key to CrowdStrike’s philosophy.

The towering Pwnie trophy will head back to CrowdStrike’s HQ, serving as a reminder that even the best can stumble.

https://www.tomshardware.com/software/security-software/crowdstrike-president-graciously-accepts-pwnie-epic-fail-award-at-def-con-hacking-conference

08/28/2024

Microsoft’s announced a new change coming in January that could impact your OneDrive for Business accounts.

If a OneDrive account has been inactive for more than 90 days and doesn’t have a license, Microsoft will automatically archive it. That could be an account of an ex-employee or one where the license has been removed.

It’s part of their plan to enhance security and streamline cloud storage management. But once an account is archived, you’ll lose access to it, and getting it back won’t be simple or cheap.

If you want to recover an archived account, your admin will need to enable billing, which will cost $0.05 per gigabyte each month in the Microsoft 365 Archive. Fully reactivating the account will be even more expensive, at $0.60 per gigabyte, and the process could take up to 24 hours.

Unlicensed accounts can lead to security risks, file duplication, and confusion within your business. That’s why Microsoft is doing this. To avoid unexpected costs or data loss, it’s a good idea to have your admin check now for any unlicensed accounts. They can generate reports on these accounts using the SharePoint admin center under OneDrive usage. If any unlicensed accounts are found, it’s best to either reassign licenses to keep them active or delete them entirely.

Doing this now can help keep your data secure and prevent surprise charges down the line. If you need help with that, my team is on standby - get in touch.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/SharePoint/unlicensed-onedrive-accounts

08/27/2024

DDoS attacks made headlines recently when X (formerly Twitter) was hit during a high-profile interview. And this wasn’t an isolated incident - new research shows that these attacks have been on the rise throughout 2024.

What is a DDoS attack? It stands for Distributed Denial of Service.

And it's when cyber criminals overwhelm a website or online service with so much traffic that it crashes, making it inaccessible. For businesses, this can mean lost sales, disrupted services, and frustrated customers. It essentially brings your operations to a standstill.

The numbers are alarming: DDoS attacks surged by nearly 50% in the first half of 2024 compared to last year. It’s not just the frequency either; the power of these attacks is also increasing. The most powerful attack in early 2024 reached a staggering 1.7 Tbps, enough to cripple most online services.

So, how can you protect your business?

Use a reputable DDoS protection service to filter out malicious traffic before it reaches your site.

Regularly update your security software to defend against the latest threats.

And create a response plan so your team knows exactly what to do if an attack occurs.

While gaming and gambling industries are often hit the hardest, technology companies, financial services, and even ecommerce businesses are also at risk.

Have you heard of DDoS attacks before?

https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/it-s-not-just-x-ddos-attacks-really-are-hitting-more-victims

08/26/2024

How’s this for a time saver? Microsoft’s making it easier to share files between your Windows PC and Android devices with a new feature that’s rolling out soon. Think of it like Apple’s AirDrop, but for people using Microsoft and Android.

You can quickly send files back and forth between your computer and phone (or tablet).

It really is a game-changer for your business: No more emailing files to yourself or looking for USB cables. With just a few clicks, you can share important documents and photos between your devices.

To use it, all you need is a PC running Windows 10 (May 2019 update or later) or Windows 11, and an Android device with version 9.0 or later.

Once set up, it’s so easy to use. Select what you want to send and choose the right device to send it to. Your files will be transferred instantly.

Keep an eye out for this feature, as it’s expected to be available to everyone soon. How often do you think you will use this?

https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/windows-11/this-new-feature-is-basically-airdrop-but-for-windows-pcs-and-android