Privacy alert: Maxthon web browser sends private data about users to China
In the world of web browsers, there are four or five big names to choose from but no end of smaller alternatives. One such browser is Maxthon, and security researchers have just discovered that this Chinese-produced browser is transmitting a wealth of data about users back to China.
Researchers at Fidelis Cybersecurity and Exatel found that Maxthon frequently sends zip files to Beijing over HTTP and this contains a terrifying amount of data about users' browsing habits. The ueipdata.zip file incudes, among other things, details of the sites visited by users, the applications they have installed, and what searches have been performed.
Apple wants to simplify music royalty pay outs and this could harm Spotify
Many artists loathe music streaming services that have proved so popular with music fans. While they offer a platform to showcase music, the returns can be low and the way in which payments are calculated is endlessly complex.
Apple has put forward a proposal to simplify the royalty payment system which would not only see artists getting more money, but would make life more difficult for the likes of Spotify. Keep artists happy, harm the competition -- two birds with one stone. A government filing in conjunction with the Copyright Royalty Board suggests a royalty rate of $0.091 per one hundred streams.
Test responsive websites at multiple resolutions with Emmet Re:view
A well-designed responsive website should adapt its display to work properly on phones, tablets and desktops, but testing this on every possible device might take a while. Emmet Re:view is a free Chrome extension which displays responsive websites in various-sized views, side-by-side, enabling you to see how they work at a glance.
Visit the test website, click Emmet Re:view, and a tab opens with resizable views for each CSS media query breakpoint of your page.
Windows 10 will miss Microsoft’s 1bn devices target, and Windows Phones sales (or lack of) are to blame
Microsoft famously declared that Windows 10 would be running on 1 billion devices in two to three years’ time -- meaning by late summer 2018.
It was a bold claim, but given the OS was free, and available for PCs, tablets, and smartphones, eminently possible. But despite Microsoft’s efforts -- pulling every dirty trick in the book, and then some, to con users into upgrading -- it seems as if the new OS is going to take a while longer to hit that milestone, and blame is being laid squarely at Windows 10 Mobile’s dreadful performance.
Microsoft will release Azure Stack in mid-2017
Microsoft has announced that its Azure Stack offering won’t be released before mid-2017. What’s more, it will come in appliance form, with just a few vendors -- so far only Dell, HPE and Lenovo -- being mentioned.
Announcing the news in a blog post, corporate vice president for Enterprise Cloud, Mike Neil, says the decision has been made following months of feedback gathering.
Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 14390 for PC and Mobile arrives in the Fast ring
The Windows 10 Anniversary Update is due on August 2, and Microsoft is hard at work getting it ready for release.
The software giant has pushed out two new builds to Fast ring insiders in quick succession already, and today we get yet another one -- the third in a week. Microsoft may be sprinting to the finish line now, but there is still work to be done.
Jaguar wants to let you choose how your car drives autonomously
Just nine months after setting up a £11 million research fund into autonomous vehicle technology, Jaguar Land Rover announces that it plans to have 100 driverless cars out on the streets by 2020.
In October, the company began working with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (ESPSRC) with the plan of creating fully autonomous cars.
Printers can let hackers take control of Windows PCs
Security researchers from Vectra Networks discovered a serious vulnerability in Windows which allows hackers to take control over complete computer networks through vulnerable printers.
The report didn’t say which versions of the operating system are affected, but the patch is already issued and you can find it here and here. Everyone who has a printer attached to their system is strongly advised to patch ASAP.
Microsoft releases major firmware update for Surface Book, Surface Pro 4
Microsoft just released the second firmware updates for Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 this month, announcing a significant number of improvements. Two days ago the software giant introduced a driver update to improve the stability of Windows Hello after the upcoming Anniversary Update for Windows 10 is installed.
The new firmware updates for Surface Book and Surface Pro 4, dated July 14, share the same changes, though Microsoft lists different driver versions for certain components. Here is what you should expect.
Ubuntu Linux forums hacked!
There is a common misconception that all things Linux are bulletproof. The fact is, no software is infallible. When news of a Linux vulnerability hits, some Windows and Mac fans like to taunt users of the open source kernel. Sure, it might be in good fun, but it can negatively impact the Linux community's reputation -- a blemish, if you will.
Today, Canonical announces that the Ubuntu forums have been hacked. Keep in mind, this does not mean that the operating system has experienced a vulnerability or weakness. The only thing affected are the online forums that people use to discuss the OS. Still, such a hack is embarrassing, as it was caused by Canonical's failure to install a patch.
Samsung's Galaxy S7 outsells iPhone 6s in US: Is Apple in trouble?
Samsung is enjoying a great deal of success in the US with its Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, as its flagship line is wiping the floor with the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus in terms of sales.
The US has typically been a strong market for iPhone sales, but Apple has to settle for the second place on the podium with more than a quarter to go until its next generation of flagships hits store shelves.
Ransomware victims pay less than they expect
If you’re a cyber-criminal looking to enter the ransomware game, but not sure how much money you should demand for the unlocking of a victim’s files, don’t worry. Kaspersky Lab has done the research for you.
The security firm, together with B2B International, says people value their smartphone data, on average, at $682. In 39 percent of cases, the figure exceeds $1,000. On the other hand, cyber-criminals which have managed to lock a victim’s device through ransomware, usually demand $300.
More than half of companies fail to protect privileged credentials
Details of privileged accounts represent a major prize for hackers because they unlock the access required to exploit virtually any part of an organization's network and data. Yet according to a new report many companies are failing to adequately protect them.
The study by privileged account management (PAM) specialist Thycotic and research firm Cybersecurity Ventures benchmarked the PAM performance of more than 550 organizations and found that 52 percent received a failing grade.
Best Windows apps this week
One-hundred and eighty-nine in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps, games and extensions released for Windows 8.x and Windows 10 in the past seven days.
Major applications like Dropbox or Viber were updated this week with new functionality.
Rock Jaw Clarito earphones: Stylish, budget-priced audio [Review]
Last year we reviewed the Rock Jaw Alfa Genius V2 earphones and they impressed with their adjustable filters, offering a premium listening experience at a mid-range price.
Even so, not everyone is prepared to spend more than $60 on a pair of earphones, so now British company Rock Jaw is targeting more frugal listeners with the new Clarito.
Most Commented Stories
It's finally time to say goodbye to Windows 11 -- Nitrux Linux 3.7.0 is the OS you've been waiting for!
Windows 12.1 is everything Windows 11 should be -- and the Microsoft operating system we need!
© 1998-2024 BetaNews, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Cookie Policy.