Microsoft may have fixed LSA bug with kernel-mode hardware stack protection in Windows 110 0

Sayan Sen Neowin · Apr 18, 2023 13:16 EDT · Hot!

Update: Microsoft has confirmed it has been fixed.

Microsoft may have quietly fixed a widespread issue that was affecting Windows Defender recently. Following multiple user reports and complaints, the company confirmed that a recent Defender update (KB5007651, version 1.0.2302.21002), released via March's Patch Tuesday, led to an error that caused the Windows Security app to wrongly display Local Security Authority (or LSA) protection as disabled. This left users worried as the message would suggest that their devices could be vulnerable.

As a result of the bug, users were failing to toggle LSA protection to on as a device restart, which was prompted by the change. It would do nothing and revert the change automatically. In essence, LSA protection would remain disabled even after the PC was restarted as instructed by the Defender app.

Microsoft had provided a workaround for the issue, and it basically involved dismissing such warnings. However, the company may have since fixed the problem with a more recent Defender update (KB5007651).

According to Deskmodder, the new update, Windows Security Service version 1.0.2303.27001 has supposedly fixed the issue. The site suggests the issue was resolved by an update to "Kernel-mode Hardware-enforced Stack Protection" security feature present under Core Isolation (VBS). The feature was introduced with Windows 11 22H2. However,this update (KB5007651) was released nearly two weeks ago and Microsoft's known issues dashboard still lists the bug as open. Hence, there may be more to the story here.

Elsewhere online, others are also noticing that the setting may be disabled by default (via Windows 11 forums), or it could be a bug. In order to use the Kernel-mode Hardware-enforced Stack Protection feature, Intel's Control-flow Enforcement Technology (CET) or AMD Shadow Stack technology is required. Supported chips include Intel 11th Gen Tiger Lake or newer parts, or AMD Zen 3 and newer.

'Please stop doing anything that would make me touch ketchup.'

What’s the best way to leave your table at a restaurant to help out the staff? Servers are weighing in after one TikToker expressed her own opinion on the matter.

Jade (@jadesandwich) shared her gratitude for patrons who stack their plates after eating, with one caveat.

“But please stop doing anything that would make me touch ketchup,” she wrote, getting more specific in her video’s caption. “Like putting all your silverware onto a pile of ketchup,” she added.

Stacking plates to be cleared away after dining in is a controversial practice. Jade is clearly a fan, as are many of her commenters who have worked at restaurants. 

“Absolutely refuse to leave a restaurant without stacking and pushing everything to the front of the table,” wrote @ssippipp. “Bussing tables is a nightmare.”

“I worked as a dishwasher for a couple months and now I always clean up and stack,” @rainy.daze.jd agreed.

But that opinion is far from universal. Last year, professional etiquette coach Maryanne Parker told People that stacking plates can be “extremely frustrating for the server, because they have to carry it.” 

“They have a particular number of plates that they can carry. They don’t know to break something. They know their restaurant,” she added.

Dirty Habit service captain William Bonilla similarly told TODAY, “As much as we appreciate the effort to assist us, it really just makes it harder for us to clear and clean a table.”

So while the verdict seems to be mixed in terms of actually stacking dishes, service industry workers replying to Jade’s TikTok had some other suggestions, at least, for things not to do.

“NEVER stick napkins in your drink cup,” wrote @rigor.morris.

“Omg if you stack plates put the silverware ON [THE] TOP PLATE NOT IN THE MIDDLE,” @gulliblecheeks suggested.

“Stack order is plates, napkins (to cover food so workers won’t [accidentally] touch it when bussing tables), THEN. silverware,” said @novaxxbri.

If all of this didn’t help clear things up for you, don’t worry—you’re not alone.

“I’ve seen so many of these with different rules atp I’m about to go back to not stacking,” admitted @isaiahdsax.

The Daily Dot has reached out to Jade via TikTok comment.

*First Published: Jan 2, 2024, 10:00 am CST

Rachel Kiley is a writer who sometimes writes things and sometimes is based in L.A., but is definitely always on Twitter @rachelkiley.

Best GMAT Prep Courses

Overall, Magoosh is our top choice because it offers an extensive GMAT prep course for a reasonable price. The $249 course includes a year of access to course materials and comes with a 50-point score improvement guarantee. It’s not the cheapest or the most robust course, but it does a good job of balancing cost and value for future GMAT test-takers.

If you plan to take the GMAT, a GMAT prep course or study guide may be an essential resource. Some students may get by with only a test prep book, but online classes with live help, practice exams, and large libraries of practice questions help others achieve a higher score. Magoosh does a good job of catering to various learning styles and needs without breaking the bank.

*Discounted to $1,299-$1,699 as of March 2023. ** Discounted to $69-$259 as of March 2023.

To pick the best GMAT prep courses, it’s a good idea to look at course materials, the number of practice exams and questions, cost, score improvement guarantees, and duration as top factors.

GMAT prep courses are not the only way to study for the GMAT, but they are an important option for many future GMAT participants. GMAT prep courses are worthwhile to anyone who wants to do better on the GMAT exam and doesn't trust themselves to study well using only books and other non-course resources. Depending on your needs, there’s likely a GMAT prep course that meets your budget, schedule, and learning style.

The GMAT is the Graduate Management Admissions Test. This test is the standard entrance exam for Masters in Business Administration (MBA) programs worldwide. The GMAT is a computer-based test including multiple-choice questions and an essay section. GMAT scores range from 200 to 800, with an average score of around 575. Every university has different MBA admission requirements, so you should check your desired programs for typical undergraduate grades and GMAT scores for admission.

GMAT prep courses teach both the content included in the GMAT test and test-taking skills to help you succeed with the GMAT format. Class-style instruction, practice tests, and sample questions prepare future GMAT takers with the knowledge and skills to earn their best possible score on the exam. Depending on the GMAT prep course you choose, you may get a score improvement guarantee of up to 100 points over past attempts.

While there are free GMAT preparation resources available, most GMAT-bound individuals would likely benefit from a paid GMAT prep course. Among the courses we reviewed, costs ranged from $69 for basic, self-guided online programs to around $3,000 for a one-on-one, personalized course experience. Quality courses start at about $250 for online, self-guided lessons and materials. Many course providers offer additional tutoring and one-on-one instruction for an additional cost.

To pick the best GMAT prep courses, we looked at the details of 10 popular course providers, focusing on materials, cost, duration, and learner outcomes. Courses with extensive question banks, multiple practice exams, and long durations fared best in our ratings. The cost was a factor but carried less weight, as MBA programs may cost as much as six figures, and GMAT prep is a relatively small expense, even in the $3,000 range. Only well-reputed test preparation companies were included in our final results.