Microsoft Removes Reinstallation Requirement for Enabling Smart App Control in Windows 11
Microsoft has removed the main limitation of Smart App Control in Windows 11. Home users can now enable or re-enable the protective feature without a clean installation of the operating system.
Previously, changing this single setting required users to effectively reinstall the entire computer. Smart App Control checks launched programs through Microsoft's cloud reputation system and analyzes their digital signatures. Suspicious, potentially dangerous, and unknown unsigned files are blocked before execution.
According to updated Microsoft documentation, the toggle is located in Windows Security → App & browser control → Smart App Control. The change is being delivered gradually through Windows 11 updates.
However, there is a caveat. If a user has previously disabled the sending of optional diagnostic data, activating Smart App Control may still require resetting the computer or reinstalling Windows 11 with the setting enabled during setup.
The feature can also interfere with developers and corporate users working with rare or unsigned tools. It is not possible to allow a single specific blocked application: users must either disable the entire protection or ask the developer to properly sign the code.
Related articles
Russian State Operators Must Report Cyber Incidents to FSB Within 24 Hours From September 2026
Starting 1 September 2026, operators of state information systems in Russia will be required to notify the National Coordination Center for Computer Incidents within 24 hours of detecting a cyber incident. The mandate is set out in FSB Order 297 and applies to operators of GIS, information systems of state bodies, state unitary enterprises and state institutions. The order places particular emphasis on incidents involving unauthorized data transfers. Organizations will interact with GosSOPKA through the technical infrastructure of NKTsKI, which will issue an incident identifier upon receipt of the report. The new rules formalize what was previously considered good practice and stem directly from Law 568-FZ adopted in December 2025. The requirement removes any possibility of delaying notification to the FSB.
Trusting Russian Root Certificates and Monitoring Domestic CT Logs
The article examines risks associated with installing Russian root certificates issued by the Ministry of Digital Development. It explains how these certificates, when trusted, enable potential MitM attacks through TSPU infrastructure by allowing on-the-fly issuance of fraudulent certificates for foreign domains. Yandex Browser stands out by enforcing Certificate Transparency checks for domestic certificates, unlike other browsers that disable CT validation in the presence of added roots. Three primary domestic CT logs are maintained by Yandex, VK, and the Ministry, with log lists updated annually. A Python script is provided to query these logs directly and verify SCT inclusion for any certificate. The piece also notes limitations of existing web monitors such as ct.tlscc.ru when dealing with newer log endpoints.
Why Legitimate Russian Websites Fail to Load With or Without VPN: TSPU RKN Blocking and MinTsifry Certificates Explained
Russian internet users are experiencing widespread access issues to legitimate domestic websites both when using VPNs and when connecting directly. The problems stem from TSPU devices installed by all ISPs under Roskomnadzor requirements and the transition to national MinTsifry certificates that foreign browsers do not trust. Three distinct error scenarios are documented: ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT when accessing Russian-IP sites over VPN, ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID on major bank sites without VPN, and partial page loading failures caused by TSPU fingerprinting. Solutions for ordinary users include split-tunneling VPN clients, installing MinTsifry root certificates, or switching to Yandex Browser and Chromium-Gost. Website owners are advised to disable TLS 1.3, enable HTTP/2 support, and consider changing server IP addresses if SSH connections are also blocked. The article explicitly excludes any discussion of circumvention methods for prohibited content and focuses only on legal Russian resources as of August 2026.
Smart Homes on Pause: Why Digital Systems in New Buildings Fail After Three Years
Modern residential complexes increasingly rely on digital infrastructure, yet many smart home systems stop functioning properly within three years of commissioning. The root causes lie in decisions made during the design phase rather than after handover. Marketing-driven features often lack any sustainable operational model, leading to disappearing services once the warranty period ends. A fragmented vendor landscape, missing documentation, and absent ownership further accelerate degradation. Cybersecurity risks grow when updates and monitoring are neglected, turning buildings into easy targets. The article outlines how to build resilient systems that remain functional for 10–20 years by focusing on total cost of ownership, open standards, and clear responsibility frameworks.