As you may know by now, Silhouette America released Silhouette Studio v3.3.622 on Wednesday afternoon (June 10).
Unlike the previous upgrades where new software features were introduced, this latest update was necessary in order to protect Silhouette's customers' credit card information. (See the release notes HERE).
The following text was quoted from Silhouette's FAQ page:
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"What is the Critical Security Update included in V3.3.622?
As of 10 June 2015, Silhouette offered an update (V3.3.622) in order to provide a Critical Security Update. This update changes the way that information is transferred from secure web pages through the Silhouette Design Store. Previously, the software used a native browser from your computer to open and run the Silhouette Design Store. This meant that the software could only use the browser’s security protocol when connecting. Recently, the SSL security protocol that is used by many operating systems’ native browser became vulnerable and is no longer deemed secure by credit card companies.
The new version uses the TLS protocol to send data to the Silhouette Design Store, which offers proper data security. The update only affects the Silhouette Design Store and its security, as well as securely transferring information when upgrading the software with a license key.
Why is it necessary?
We are required by credit card processing companies to ensure proper data encryption. Otherwise, they do not allow us to accept payment and subsequently we would no longer be able to offer access to the Silhouette Design Store.
It is not just credit card information that is potentially vulnerable and in need of protection. It also includes things like your username and password each time you log in. For users who may share the same password for other websites and accounts, this unlocks the door for a hacker to gain access to other accounts that they use apart from the Silhouette Design Store.
This update is for the protection of our customers and their information. It is also required by law to secure your information properly.
What does this mean for anyone using an older software version?
Older versions of the software will continue to function properly for all areas aside from a) being able to access and download content from the Silhouette Design Store, and b) the ability to transfer information securely, such as when seeking to upgrade the software with a license key.
The ability to connect through older versions will need to be shut down by 23 June 2015."
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It is no secret that I am not a fan of Silhouette Studio version 3.x. Even though I did not experience any major issues with the last update (v3.3.451), I hesitate to use it. Personally, I found that the version 2s were more efficient than any of the version 3s. To put it simply, it was more fun using v2 than v3. That is why I am still using the Legacy version (v2.9.45) today.
Silhouette's explanation for the new v3.3.622 is reasonable. There have been a lot of credit card data breaches in recent years and the new update is an attempt to protect our account and credit card information, especially when we are using it to access their store. If you are already using v3.3.451, installing this v3.3.622 update probably wouldn't make that much of an obvious difference. However, if you are using the Legacy version, you may want to wait a little while before going ahead with installing this new update. I understand that Silhouette will be putting up a patched version of v2.9.45 that will meet the new security requirements for the Silhouette Design Store before June 22. (Thanks, Sara Nelson for the info!).
At this time, I am not installing v3.3.622. I will wait for the v2 patch but I have a feeling that my days of using the Legacy version are numbered anyway. With the upcoming release of the Curio, I expect Silhouette to release yet another update to their software that will be required in order to use the new machine. If I buy the Curio, I will probably have to start using v3. But I'm not going to worry about that now. I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
Once again, thank you! I don't visit the Silhouette website often and I seldom buy designs there but this is good to know. I am still using the same software version you are so I will look forward to updates.
ReplyDeleteI really only use the silhouette store for the weekly freebie, so even though I'm not technically purchasing anything, will I be able to access that? I am also running the legacy version
ReplyDeleteJin, How can I tell which version of the software I am running? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteno Jin, but when you open up Silhouette software, under "help" is an "about" button and that should have your version in it
Deletethank you so much for this info Jin. I haven't done any updates in a while....so I will wait it out too. Not sure if I'm using Legacy...don't know how to check...but I know it's been a while since updating.
ReplyDeleteSo if I don't upgrade will I still be able to access the files I've already purchased?
ReplyDeleteThank you once again Jin for sharing your valuable insight with us. I don't want to update to v3 either and am holding out for the v2 patch. I currently have a monthly subscription and I really enjoy buying the designs so I'm hoping that the patch is definitely out by June 22nd. Do you know if Silhouette will notify those of us who are subscribers?
ReplyDeleteI updated before I read this; now I cannot open the program!
ReplyDeleteyou need to do a system restore to back to a date before you installed the update.
DeleteI tried the new update yesterday and it too stopped running. I had to remove the update by doing a restore back to a previous state and now it opens....phew!!
ReplyDeletehow do I get this patch for version 2 and will I then be able to use the store?
ReplyDeleteJin, I know you hear this all the time, but I want to add my PERSONAL thanks to you for sharing all of this great silhouette info.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: I use the same V2 version as you do for all the same reasons. The only issue I have at this point (and it's a biggie to me) is that I cannot select just a couple of design elements in out of some that are near or layered among other elements. If I want to select a handful to group together to to move things around and separate them color-wise, the program selects everything in it's path and all layers! Is there an option to disable this "feature" and go back to selecting what I WANT to select and not the whole page of elements? Thanks so much. :)
~CC
Go to File - Preferences - Selection and you can change your settings there. :)
DeleteHa! You are a lifesaver! Though I'm a little embarrassed that I didn't see that for myself. Regardless... you've just saved me HOURS of work. Bless you!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! :D
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