Windows Defender Chrome Browser Anti-SPAM Extension

Microsoft has release "The Windows Defender Browser Protection" chrome extension helps protect you against online threats, such as links in phishing emails and websites designed to trick you into downloading and installing malicious software that can harm your computer. 

This is same SmartScreen API technology used in Outlook.com online and Edge browser, which has been proven very effective in blocking SPAM. 




At last some good news for Microsoft's Edge browser: new tests by NSS Labs have found that it beats Chrome and Firefox hands down at blocking malware downloads and phishing attacks


After 23 days of continuous tests between 23 August and 15 September this year, Edge version 38 blocked 96% of the socially-engineered malware (SEM) samples thrown against it in the form of malicious links and pop-ups, compared to 88% for Chrome version 60 and 70% for Firefox version 55. (The researchers describe SEM attacks as a dynamic combination of social media, hijacked email accounts, false notification of computer problems, and other deceptions to encourage users to download malware.) 


Source https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2017/10/16/chrome-smoked-by-edge-in-browser-phishing-test/

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/microsoft-ports-anti-phishing-technology-to-google-chrome-extension/

Google URL Shortener to close March 30, 2019

It official Google URL Shortening Service to close  March 30, 2019. 

Starting March 30, 2018, we will be turning down support for goo.gl URL shortener. From April 13, 2018 only existing users will be able to create short links on the goo.gl console. You will be able to view your analytics data and download your short link information in csv format for up to one year, until March 30, 2019, when we will discontinue goo.gl. Previously created links will continue to redirect to their intended destination. Please see this blog post for more details.

It switching to Firebase 

Dynamic Links are smart URLs that allow you to send existing and potential users to any location within your iOS or Android app. They survive the app install process, so even new users see the content they're looking for when they open the app for the first time. Dynamic Links are free forever, for any scale.

https://firebase.google.com/products/dynamic-links/

Microsoft open sources Windows File Manager and updated to compile on Windows 10

Microsoft has open sourced Windows File Manager code which was last delivered in  Windows ME (2000). 

Released on Github under the MIT License by Microsoft developer, Craig Wittenberg, the Windows File Manager has been updated so that it can run on modern operating systems such as Windows 10. As long as you have Visual Studio 2015 or later, you can easily compile the File Manager, or WinFile.exe, and start playing with it. 

File Manager (WinFile.exe) Compiled for Windows 10. Shows junctions correctly

From https://github.com/Microsoft/winfile

Version v10.0 represents the entire set of changes from Nov. 2007 until this OSS project was created. For changes post v10.0, see the commit and release history.

In summary v10.0 has the following changes/new features compared to original_plus:

1. OLE drag/drop support
2. control characters (e.g., ctrl+C) map to current short cut (e.g., ctrl+c -> copy) instead of changing drives
3. cut (ctrl+X) followed by paste (ctrl+V) translates into a file move as one would expect
4. left and right arrows in the tree view expand and collapse folders like in the Explorer
5. added context menus in both panes
6. improved the means by which icons are displayed for files
7. F12 runs notepad or notepad++ on the selected file
8. moved the ini file location to %AppData%\Roaming\Microsoft\WinFile
9. File.Search can include a date which limits the files returned to those after the date provided; the output is also sorted by the date instead of by the name
10. File.Search includes an option as to whether to include sub-directories
11. ctrl+K starts a command shell (ConEmu if installed) in the current directory; shift+ctrl+K starts an elevated command shell (cmd.exe only)
12. File.Goto (ctrl+G) enables one to type a few words of a path and get a list of directories; selecting one changes to that directory. Only drive c: is indexed.
13. UI shows reparse points (e.g., Junction points) AND SYMLINK CORRECTLY, unlike Windows Explorer which DOES NOT see my post on this.
14. added simple forward / back navigation (probably needs to be improved)
15. View command has a new option to sort by date forward (oldest on top); normal date sorting is newest on top