Your Windows Security Updates Might Stop!?

In reference to Windows security updates released January 3, 2018, and antivirus software.

​Microsoft customers will not receive the January 2018 security updates (or any subsequent security updates) and will not be protected from security vulnerabilities unless their antivirus software vendor sets the following registry key:

Key="HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" Subkey="SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\QualityCompat" Value="cadca5fe-87d3-4b96-b7fb-a231484277cc" Type="REG_DWORD”Data="0x00000000”

You have three options in order to receive future security ​updates

  1. ​Have installed an antivirus software that has set the above registry key set. See this list.
  2. ​​Enable ​Windows Defender (If you have no other AV).
  3. Set the registry key yourself manually (If you have no AV enabled). Download and run this file to do that.

​​Fore more information read this; https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4072699/january-3-2018-windows-security-updates-and-antivirus-software

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  • Nathan House

    Nathan House is the founder and CEO of StationX. He has over 25 years of experience in cyber security, where he has advised some of the largest companies in the world. Nathan is the author of the popular "The Complete Cyber Security Course", which has been taken by over half a million students in 195 countries. He is the winner of the AI "Cyber Security Educator of the Year 2020" award and finalist for Influencer of the year 2022.

  • RIAAN says:

    Thanks Nathan. Blessings for the new year.

  • Steve says:

    Thank you for this information, but I didn’t see how to see if the AV software I have reset the registry key you mentioned.

  • salvador says:

    Thanks for the update

  • Aleksandra says:

    I did got security updates dated at 4th of January (win7)… I did check and my security suite has this register key. Is it possible that 3rd January update is not for me or there is some kind of glitch anyways and I will not receive it? And.. I know, kind a silly question, which security suite do you recommend?

    • Nathan House Nathan House says:

      Everyone should get the update.

      Antivirus/end point protection is covered fully in volume 4. Currently the efficacy of antivirus is questionable. i.e. it doesn’t stop many attacks! Personally I don’t use any on Windows, Mac or Linux and don’t perform actions that can infect my machine. (The actions covered in the course.) But if you’re on Windows and want an extra (but not reliable layer) of security then you may want to go with an antivirus product. Antivirus on Mac and Linux is currently not worth installing.

      I don’t currently recommend any product. I recommend doing your own research and watch volume 4.
      https://www.av-comparatives.org/dynamic-tests/
      https://www.av-test.org/en/

      Go with Defender if you just want something.

      • Aleksandra says:

        I am on volume one now. I really like this course, first it is full of serious knowledge, second it is provided in clear and logic way. I am aware that antivirus may not be reliable, but I feel better to have it, haha. I need to learn more about it then maybe I will change my way of thinking. Thanks for the links!

        My win update did not download the sec update from January 3rd (KB4056897) but I did download it by myself and installed without any issues. It is kind of weird because it did download automatically both sec monthly quality rollups from Jan 4th (KB4056894 and KB4055532). I am wondering why it occurred and how many other updates I did not noticed that I did not get. Hm.

      • Brad Cam says:

        Can we jump straight to that course from volume 1, or do we need to move through the courses in a systematic way?

        Thank you for all your content. I am loving your volume 1 course.

        • Nathan House Nathan House says:

          It is recommended that you always start with Volume 1 and then go onto any of the others volumes. Doing the course in order is always best. If you have a background in cyber security you could do the courses out of order. Volume 1 establishes the fundamentals.

  • Eurico Cancela says:

    Thanks, i will check

    Great work Nathan

    From Portugal congratulations

  • elham says:

    thanks it was helpful

  • Volleykid says:

    Thanks nathan

  • Scott says:

    This was very helpful and much appreciated. Thank you!

  • Jeff says:

    Righteous! Thank you.

  • Arthur says:

    I have no setting in the registry called QualityCompat. I’m confused. I’m not sure how to add this to the registry? need more details/info how to do this. do I select new string? key value? binary value? totally confused on this one.

  • Mick Malkemus says:

    Thanks Nathan.
    I sleep better at night knowing you are on my team of advisors!
    Best.
    Mick

  • Darren says:

    Hi Nathan
    My key data ends like this Data=”0x00000000” (0)
    should it have the (0) or do i need to amend this.

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