In today’s digital age, computers have become an integral part of our daily lives. We use them for work, entertainment, and communication, and they store a vast amount of personal and sensitive information. As such, it’s essential to take proper precautions to protect our computers from malware and other cyber threats. One of the most effective ways to do this is by installing and regularly updating an antivirus program.

Antivirus software is designed to detect and remove malicious software, such as viruses, worms, and Trojans, from your computer. These programs work by scanning your computer’s files, memory, and network connections for signs of malicious activity. If a threat is detected, the antivirus program will either remove it or quarantine it to prevent it from causing further damage.

One of the most significant benefits of having an antivirus program installed on your computer is that it can protect you from various types of malware, including viruses, worms, Trojans, and more. These malicious programs can cause a wide range of problems, including stealing personal information, deleting files, and even taking control of your computer. An antivirus program can also help to protect you from phishing attacks, which are attempts to trick you into giving away sensitive information, such as login credentials or credit card numbers.

Another advantage of using an antivirus program is that it can help to protect your computer from the latest threats. Cybercriminals are constantly developing new types of malware and exploit kits, and an antivirus program can help to protect you by regularly updating its threat definitions. This means that as new threats are discovered, the antivirus program will be able to detect and remove them, keeping your computer safe.

It’s also important to note that not all antivirus programs are created equal. Some programs may be more effective than others in detecting and removing malware, while others may have features that are more suitable for your needs. It’s essential to research different antivirus programs and select one that is reputable, reliable and compatible with your computer.

In conclusion, having an antivirus program installed on your computer is crucial in 2023. With the constant threat of cyber attacks and malware, it’s important to take the necessary steps to protect your computer and the sensitive information it contains. Make sure to choose a reputable antivirus program and keep it updated regularly to stay protected against the latest threats.

Microsoft disclosed the new threat as part of its May 2022 ‘Patch Tuesday’ update, which contains fixes for 75 flaws across its products and platforms, including three zero-day vulnerabilities (1,2,3). Of the three, the big news is CVE-2022-26925, which has been actively exploited and impacts every Windows Version, from old Windows 7, all the way to the new, Windows 11 and all Windows Server versions.

As it stands, Microsoft is limiting information about the zero-day and has only described it, in general, and confirmed it has been exploited in the wild: “Publicly Disclosed: Yes. Exploited: Yes. Latest Software Release: Exploitation Detected.”

The big piece to understand about CVE-2022-26925 is it has the ability to allow hackers to gain elevated privileges(Admin privileges) right up to the identity of a domain controller. This is the “Holy Grail” for hackers because it gives them the right to perform any action on your PC. In isolation, Microsoft has assigned the flaw as carrying a CVSS severity rating of 8.1/10, but this can rise to 9.8/10 when used in conjunction to attack other computers and servers on a network.

Intuit announced a massive change to its Desktop Software.  Starting October 12, 2021, users are no longer able to purchase the licensed software for QuickBooks Desktop Pro, Premier, Enterprise, or Mac.

Intuit has moved to a subscription-only model starting with the 2022 version.  This Doesn’t come as a surprise as intuit has been using the subscription model for payroll and online versions for a long time now. Users of 2019 or 2020 must convert to a subscription basis to have continued access to the data.

The following QuickBooks Desktop licenses will remain unchanged until support is ended:

• 2021 will be supported through May 2024
• 2020 will be supported through May 2023
• 2019 will be supported through May 2022

The Good news – the subscription model will be faster, have unlimited customer support and data recovery, and will stay updated with the latest features and products.

Other news – it will likely cost more.  Intuit already states that “A periodic price increase enables Intuit to constantly reinvest in the ecosystem of products to deliver more value for businesses”.

The bad news – If you cancel your subscription You will NO  longer have access to the software and will only be able to open your company files on a machine with an active license.