Microsoft Defender/365 subscrition

[zappaDPJ]

I'm just wondering if anyone else gets email from mydefender@microsoft.com

I treat anything unsolicited as spam or a scam and it goes straight into the bin including email from the above address. However I noticed the latest email contains a message that my 'Windows device needs attention' with a link to 'Open Defender'.

Having read the email it claims Defender is included with a Microsoft 365 subscription, something I do subscribe to. Anyway long story short, having confirmed the email is legitimately sent by Microsoft I clicked the link which opens a browser page inviting me to 'Subscribe to Microsoft 365 to use Defender', something I already subscribe to and am signed in to.

My take on this is it is an unsolicited Microsoft scam, designed to worry people into taking out a subscription but I'm open to hear otherwise. I have raised this directly to Microsoft who have failed to reply.

[Simon]

I thought Defender came with Windows.  Didn't know there was a need to subscribe to Microsoft 365 to use it.

I don't have any of these subscription based things.  I'm still using MS Office 2010 (or maybe 2013), and see no reason to update something that works perfectly well. 

[zappaDPJ]

That's my understanding although the Internet seems to suggest otherwise.

Microsoft 365 is a pain in the backside. I use it extensively and because it's always updating I'm forever fighting to find the simplest functions. I have tried other options but always end up with compatibility issues.

[zappaDPJ]

After taking a rather long trip down the rabbit hole I finally managed to log into Defender...

You cannot view this attachment.

Illuminating or what!

[Simon]

At least your system looks clean.   

[zappaDPJ]

Indeed, nothing to worry about there

[nowster]

That's my understanding although the Internet seems to suggest otherwise.

Microsoft 365 is a pain in the backside. I use it extensively and because it's always updating I'm forever fighting to find the simplest functions. I have tried other options but always end up with compatibility issues.

LibreOffice is much more stable and compatible nowadays, as long as your document isn't doing something really fancy with VBA.

[zappaDPJ]

LibreOffice is much more stable and compatible nowadays, as long as your document isn't doing something really fancy with VBA.

Thanks. It's been a long while since I last tried it but I might give it another go.

[robinc]

On the Office front, you might want to take a look at Softmaker. They have a paid for version and also a free version. I have always found it it to work perfectly with output from MS Office and the interface allows easy picking of ribbon / menu styles to suit your taste.
The free version is feature limited, for example stuff like text to table isn't there, but if it's just basic stuff you need then it's a great option. Softmaker Free Office
I have used the paid for version for many years. Buy once and either stick with that major version or pay for upgrade if you want. Alternatively subscription with rolling upgrades. Softmaker Office Professional

[zappaDPJ]

Thanks, it's another option to look at

[nowster]

Thanks. It's been a long while since I last tried it but I might give it another go.

I've been using it since it was called StarOffice.

[zappaDPJ]

I've been using it since it was called StarOffice.

I remember StarWriter, we used to run it on CP/M based computers. That would have been about 40 years ago!

[nowster]

I remember StarWriter, we used to run it on CP/M based computers. That would have been about 40 years ago!

You're thinking of WordStar, I suspect.

[zappaDPJ]

You're thinking of WordStar, I suspect.

Wordstar I remember well. I was responsible for deploying it across a regional health authority at a time when all the admin staff were using manual typewriters. It still make me shudder to think back on it.

I believe this is the product I recall https://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Star-Writer

[nowster]

Wordstar I remember well. I was responsible for deploying it across a regional health authority at a time when all the admin staff were using manual typewriters. It still make me shudder to think back on it.

I believe this is the product I recall https://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Star-Writer

WOW! Today I learned.