Microsoft Defender Updated: Blocks AutoKMS Activation Tool
Microsoft Defender Updated: Blocks AutoKMS Activation Tool
Microsoft Defender Updated: Blocks AutoKMS Activation Tool.
Microsoft Defender Updated Improves Windows 10/11 Performance and Blocks AutoKMS Activation Tool.
Earlier this week, Microsoft released the August Patch Tuesday security updates for Windows 10 (KB5029244), Windows 11 (KB5029263/KB5029253), and server versions. The updates finally address the Intel DirectX issue on older versions of Windows 10.
In addition, somewhat surprisingly, this month’s patches also enable the Kernel Security Vulnerability Mitigations feature by default, despite Microsoft’s prior warning in June that this could potentially disrupt certain elements within your system.
The company also rolled out Microsoft Defender update installation images for Windows 11, Windows 10, and servers a few days later. The team explained in the support article:
Due to vulnerabilities in Microsoft Defender, newly installed Windows deployments could be left vulnerable during the initial hours. This is because the operating system installation images might contain outdated anti-malware executables.
The Defender update also includes crucial performance fixes that enhance user experience. Devices using the built-in Windows antivirus or other security solutions can benefit from these updates.
This article introduces the anti-malware update package for Microsoft Defender in operating system installation images (WIM and VHD files).
This feature supports the following operating system installation images:
– Windows 11
– Windows 10 (Enterprise, Professional, and Home editions)
– Windows Server 2019
– Windows Server 2016
Version Information:
– Defender Package Version: 20230809.1
– Platform Version: 4.18.23070.1004
– Engine Version: 1.1.23070.1005
– Security Intelligence Version: 1.395.68.0
From Microsoft’s security advisory, we understand that Security Intelligence Update Version 1.395.68.0 was released just a few days ago.
It adds detection for various threats such as trojans, ransomware, and backdoor vulnerabilities.
Most critically, it also blocks the use of AutoKMS (Key Management Service) Windows activation software widely used by pirated users. At the time of writing, the latest intelligence update version is 1.395.318.0.
Apart from Windows updates, Microsoft also released Office security updates for Outlook, Excel, Word, and other applications, addressing issues like deception and remote code execution (RCE).
