Microsoft Finally Pulls the Plug on RC4: A Farewell to 26 Years of Cyber Insecurity
Microsoft is finally saying goodbye to the outdated RC4 encryption cipher after 26 years. Despite its vulnerabilities and a senator’s critique, RC4 lingered like a bad habit. By 2026, Microsoft promises to upgrade to the more secure AES standard. So long, RC4—don’t let the digital door hit you on the way out!
Hot Take:
In the world of cybersecurity, Microsoft has finally decided to take RC4 out back and put it out of its misery. This ancient cipher has been hanging around like a bad smell for 26 years, and it’s about time it got the boot. Consider it the digital equivalent of that smelly old couch your spouse has been begging you to throw away for years. The move to AES-SHA1 is the equivalent of upgrading to a sleek new sofa that doesn’t collapse when you sit on it. Better late than never, right?
Key Points:
- Microsoft is phasing out the RC4 encryption cipher, a Windows staple for 26 years.
- RC4 has been a major vulnerability, leading to significant hacks, including at Ascension Health.
- By mid-2026, Windows servers will default to the more secure AES-SHA1 encryption.
- Administrators must identify systems still using RC4 before the change.
- Microsoft is releasing tools to help pinpoint RC4 usage in networks.