BitLocker could be cutting the performance of SSDs almost in half in Windows 11
A new report goes some way to showing that the BitLocker security feature of Windows 11 could be massively reducing the performance of SSDs.
An investigation found that the data encryption tool, which is enabled by default in Windows 11 Pro, can slow solid state drives by as much as 45 percent. While it would be reasonable to expect a bit of a performance drop overall as the software works away encrypting and decrypting files, few people would expect the hit to be quite so significant.
VIZIO TVs get NFL app
VIZIO has teamed up with the National Football League to launch the NFL app on its smart TVs. This move is sure to delight football aficionados, as they now gain access not only to the NFL app but also NFL+, the league’s exclusive direct-to-consumer streaming service.
The availability spans across various devices within the United States, offering a comprehensive live stream of NFL Network and NFL RedZone. Subscribers will enjoy live out-of-market preseason games, live local and primetime regular and postseason games (although, the latter is restricted to phone and tablet only), live local and national audio for every game, and access to the coveted NFL Films’ archives among other features.
Eight ways to bolster your cybersecurity resources without blowing your budget
IT security breaches are becoming more frequent and costly. According to IBM Security’s Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023 UK organizations shell out an average of £3.4m for data breach incidents. There isn't a CISO around that doesn't wish they had that kind of budget to spend on IT security. The tools to help security teams do their job more effectively are out there, but getting them approved in the annual budget is not guaranteed and investment can sometimes be too late.
So what can UK IT leaders do to make sure they continue to improve their IT security without blowing their budget? Here are eight ways to bolster cybersecurity resources:
AI delivers for marketers but comes with challenges
A new study of go-to-market (GTM) leaders finds they expect investments in AI to pay off, with 85 percent of respondents believing the fusion of AI and GTM strategy will lead to revenue growth for their organization.
The report from Seismic shows that among this group leaders predict an average of 23 percent growth will be directly attributed to AI utilization over the next five years.
QR codes used in 22 percent of phishing attacks
As QR codes have become popular, they're used for all kinds of things from mobile payments to access control and even document sharing. The problem is that they can also hide risks so it's no surprise that they're becoming a popular vehicle for phishing.
New analysis from Hoxhunt finds the use of QR codes in 22 percent of attacks on its 'global human risk network' in the first weeks of October 2023.
Microsoft launches Azure AI Content Safety to filter harmful content from users and AI
Microsoft has announced the general availability of its Azure AI Content Safety service. The system is designed to help platform operators to detect and filter harmful user-generated content and that generated by artificial intelligence in their services and apps.
Azure AI Content Safety can be used to scan and block text and image-based content, and Microsoft has made it highly customizable so it can be tailored for various modalities. The company says that the service can be used to weed out content that is offensive, risky, or undesirable, such as profanity, adult content, gore, violence, hate speech, and so on.
Your 'personal' personal information
Let’s talk about the personal information that belongs to you, your personal personal information. What is your level of tolerance for the amount of data collected about you? Are you willing to provide your email to get a 15 percent discount? What if it’s 50 percent? What if it’s your phone number, too? These are all questions that we are faced with almost everyday and everyone has a different opinion.
One of the biggest problems is knowing what you are signing up for, and what personal information may have already been obtained. When you first visit a site, cookies and other technologies can automatically collect your IP address, set trackers, and more. Once you enter your personal information into other places, you may unwittingly allow yourself to receive direct marketing, allow the business to sell your information, or allow it to be shared with others for purposes you were not anticipating.
Seagate launches FireCuda 520N M.2 2230 SSD for Steam Deck, Legion Go, Surface Pro, and ROG Ally
Today, Seagate brings something new to the table for gamers and tech lovers with its latest FireCuda 520N NVMe solid state drive, designed in a compact 2230-S2 M.2 form. This new SSD is a great fit for popular portable devices like Valve’s Steam Deck, Microsoft Surface Pro, ASUS ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go, all of which have 2230 M.2 slots ready for an upgrade.
You can get the FireCuda 520N in either 1TB or 2TB capacities, and it’s built to work especially well in hand-held gaming gadgets. The 2TB version can read and write data super fast, at up to 5,000 MB/s, while the 1TB model is a tad slower, but still speedy at up to 4,800 MB/s. What’s exciting is that this drive brings the kind of performance you’d expect from a big desktop gaming setup into the palm of your hand. Plus, it’s flexible -- it can fit into older Gen3 and Gen2 PCIe slots too.
Microsoft data leaks and the importance of open-source intelligence
Interconnected digital technology advances at a rapid pace, and so do the tactics and strategies employed by malicious individuals, criminal groups, and even nation-states. The World Economic Forum predicts global cybercrime will reach $10.5 trillion by 2025, forcing businesses and governments to look for next-generation solutions against emerging digital threats.
Unfortunately, deliberate criminal activity is only part of the challenge in this data-driven era. Costly leaks of sensitive data might happen due to simple human errors -- in September, Microsoft’s data was leaked two times, not only disclosing the company’s plans for the next-gen Xbox but also exposing private employee data. As we already know, at least one of these events happened due to an accidentally misconfigured URL link.
Mastering cloud cost optimization: Strategies for efficiency and resiliency
In an era driven by digital transformation, cloud computing has emerged as a game-changer for businesses of all sizes. However, as cloud adoption continues to soar, so does the need to manage cloud costs effectively. Balancing cost reduction with maintaining and increasing resiliency has become a top priority for businesses seeking to maximize the benefits of the cloud.
The need to optimize is evident, but achieving this goal can be complicated. Without appropriate cost containment and governance strategies, organizations risk falling into a continuous climb spend pattern. Often, businesses address cost optimization as a sporadic, reactive exercise -- like making annual bulk purchases of reserved instances. To break free from this cycle and achieve sustained cost efficiency, a shift towards a collaborative, ongoing and iterative approach to cost optimization and management is a key priority.
Number of ransomware victims reaches record high
A new report from GuidePoint Security's Research and Intelligence Team (GRIT) shows a total of 3,385 publicly posted ransomware victims in the first three quarters of this year, claimed by 57 different threat groups, representing an 83 percent year-on-year increase.
Attacks directed against US-based organizations decreased, but there has been a marked increase in attacks impacting other nations. Other countries consistently affected, like the UK, saw an approximate 41 percent increase in attacks in Q3.
Google has a quintet of improvements to supercharge Chrome's address bar
Google has announced a number of upcoming changes to the address bar in Chrome. The company says that the five improvements will help people to browse even faster.
Some of the enhancements are long-overdue, such as updating URL autocomplete so that characters you type do not have to be the first part of the address. Others are sensible ease-of use and security-related improvements, such as automatic typo correction for typed URLs.
WhatsApp will let you sign into two accounts at once... but there's a catch
Life is about to get a little easier for WhatsApp users with more than one account. Many people have a work phone and a personal device, each associated with a different WhatsApp account. There are also plenty of users with two phone numbers for other reasons.
Simplifying living with more than one account, WhatsApp is introducing the ability to log into two accounts simultaneously. This eliminates the need to keep logging in and out, or having to carry two phones around to stay connected. So what's the catch?
Netflix is increasing prices by as much as 20 percent for many US customers
As Netflix revealed its quarterly earnings, the company also announced a couple of subscription price hikes for its customers in the US, UK and France. The price increases come despite Netflix's recent password-sharing crackdown which it says has resulted in millions of new revenue-bringing subscribers.
Both the Premium plan and the Basic plans will increase in price, but the Standard and ad-supported plans will remain as they are. Although Netflix's Basic plan is no longer available to new customers, users who have been grandfathered on this tier face the largest price jump.
SanDisk launches new storage solutions including 1.5TB microSD card
Western Digital is back at it, unveiling a new range of storage gadgets under its SanDisk brand. In a time where digital memories are stacking up, the demand for extra storage is a no-brainer. Whether it's about saving baby's first steps, a weekend wildlife expedition, or just backing up a hefty music collection, SanDisk is pitching its latest gear as the go-to fix.
Susan Park, the Vice President of Consumer Solutions at Western Digital, explains, “We get it. People need more room for their digital stuff, be it personal or work-related. That's what keeps us on our toes to come up with something that folks can count on, now and later. We're hoping the new gear we're launching will get people excited to create more.”
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