Windows users, two notes: one urgent, one not. Mac people, skip ahead!

The Urgent One: “PrintNightmare”

If the lock on your door is broken, it’s not a problem until the bad guys know about it, right? Well, someone accidentally posted publicly about a known flaw in Windows, which is akin to putting up a billboard that says MY LOCK IS BROKEN. In response, Microsoft has issued “out of band” updates (meaning they’re not part of the normal update schedule, an indication that they’re urgent). The vulnerability is being called “PrintNightmare,” in case you weren’t worried yet.

What you should do: MANUALLY check for and install any updates for your Windows computer (here’s how) every day you use the computer for the next week or so, just to be safe.

The Not Urgent One

After a long run of Windows 10, Windows 11 is scheduled to roll out at the end of the year. Microsoft HAD posted a tool online called PC Health to let you check whether your computer will be able to run Windows 11, but they pulled it off the web to make some improvements. We’ll give you a heads-up when it’s back online, but please DO NOT run anything called “PC Health” that doesn’t come from Microsoft’s website; there are fakes floating around online that could be dangerous. (Here’s the correct place to find it when it’s back).

Mac Users Patiently Waiting

Quite a few of you are holding out for a Mac with the new processor and a larger screen, and we keep counseling patience. Here’s a thorough analysis of the current options for those on the fence.