The first security patches release date of the new year 2024 is coming closer to support ever-changing world of IT and software security. This post will try to present you with a brief overview of current trends, announcements, and changes in the field of IT security including forecast for Windows updates coming on Patch Tuesday, January 9, 2024.
December 2023 Patch Tuesday brought the smallest update as we remember, fixes for 18 vulnerabilities in Windows 11 and Windows 10, 22 for server version, and 3 for Office. At that time .NET, Sharepoint, Exchange Server, or any other widely supported software didn’t receive updates. KB5033375 Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2 update rolled out.
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January 9, 2024, Patch Tuesday Monthly security updates forecasts and expectations
Here is what we expect from Patch Tuesday, January 9, 2024: Monthly security updates:
Printing problems
Some days ago, a message appeared about a problem with printers in Windows and the system unexpectedly installed HP smart app without any reason. After that, printer names and icons were automatically changed. Microsoft released Select KB5034510 Microsoft Printer Metadata Troubleshooter Tool in late December, but it’s unclear if more work will be done to address the issue.
Windows Protected Mode Printing
Windows Protected Print mode (WPP) was kicked off with several security enhancements last year to provide a new, modern, and secure way to print. Throughout 2023, vulnerabilities and operational problems with printers were part of a routine. Acknowledging the feedback, Microsoft made significant changes to almost every aspect of the printing process. Currently, WPP is rolled out to Windows 11 Insider Canary channel and can be enabled for early testing.
End of support for Defender Guard
Defender Application Guard for Microsoft Edge for Business was rolled out in Windows 10 back in 2019. and added to Microsoft 365 in 2024 to start support for Office applications. Redmonds issued a white paper to clarify the transition to Copilot and other security technologies.
Patch Tuesday, January 2024 Forecast
- Distribution of Standard OS updates for Windows 11, Windows Server 2022, Windows 10, and Office is expected on Patch Tuesday, January 9, 2024. Furthermore, .NET Framework and Exchange Server are likely to receive updates this month. The Service Stack Updates (SSU) were released in November 2023 so we shouldn’t notice any major updates this month.
- Generally, Adobe typically unleashes a major security update for Acrobat and Reader in January of each year, the trend should be maintained.
- In the last week of December 2023, Apple released Safari 17.2.1, macOS Sonoma 14.2.1, and iOS 17.2.1. Update for Monterey or Ventura is expected soon, but it’s unlikely that will happen next week.
- This week Google released updates for the stable and extended channels of the desktop version of Chrome for Windows, MacOS, and Linux and changed their versions to 120.0.6099.199/200, but more updates are expected next week. The existing version incorporates fixes for four vulnerabilities with a high severity rating.
- Previous Mozilla updates arrived to Firefox and Thunderbird on December 19, so we’re expecting a new release next week.
Seeing Microsoft addressing current printer issues seriously should be a good experience. However, it will take a long time to implement new technology, but at least tangible steps are already being taken. And next week we should see the usual mix of Microsoft and third-party updates.
That’s all!!