Microsoft hits a new low -- sneaks Windows 10 advertising into an Internet Explorer security patch
It seems there are no depths that Microsoft will not sink to in its relentless quest to get the world using Windows 10. It’s already made the new OS a 'recommended' update for Windows 7 and 8.x, which will see the update download and install automatically on some systems.
But the company's latest sneaky trick is beyond the pale. According to Microsoft’s own documentation, a new security patch for Internet Explorer also "adds functionality to Internet Explorer 11 on some computers that lets users learn about Windows 10 or start an upgrade to Windows 10". In other words, as well as fixing vulnerabilities with Internet Explorer, the security patch will also advertise the new OS to customers. In what world is that acceptable?
Open source database improves protection and performance
Most enterprises rely on databases in some form or another, but they can be vulnerable to attack from people looking to steal information. They can also lead to performance problems as the amount of data stored grows.
Open source database specialist MariaDB Corporation is launching its latest MariaDB Enterprise aimed at tackling the most pressing enterprise data management challenges.
Android Trojan targets customers of major banks and can bypass 2FA
Researchers at security company ESET have uncovered a new strain of Android malware that can steal the login credentials of mobile banking users.
Named Android/Spy.Agent.SI, the malware presents victims with a fake version of the login screen of their banking application and locks the screen until they enter their username and password.
The adoption of flash storage is slowly rising
Flash storage has a bright future ahead, IT decision makers from the UK, US and France agree. According to a new research by Kaminario and Vanson Bourne, the adoption of flash storage, such as solid-state drives, will increase as the performance of these devices improves, and the prices drop.
The research also shows that currently, less than 50 percent of storage media is flash, suggesting that there is a lot of space for growth.
Android Lollipop now reigns supreme, surpasses KitKat
The adoption of new Android distributions rises at a glacial pace so you should not expect the latest -- and, arguably, the greatest -- of the bunch to gain traction quickly. In fact, up until this month, the landscape was dominated by KitKat, which is now two and a half years old, and not Marshmallow, which Google introduced last October.
However, going into March, things have changed. KitKat no longer reigns supreme, as Google reveals that Lollipop is now finally running on more devices than its older brother. The usage share difference is relatively small, however, suggesting that it may take a while before KitKat will be as irrelevant as, say, Ice Cream Sandwich.
Google Docs now exports to ePub format
Google Docs has a new option allowing your documents to be saved directly to the ePub format.
All you have to do is click File > Download as > EPUB Publication. EPUB documents are widely supported across most ebook readers, so this could be a good choice for sharing your work with others.
Enterprises struggle to implement security without harming other business initiatives
While data security has become a priority for management, many businesses are still struggling to incorporate it effectively into their organization.
A new Data Security Survey from Dell reveals that although the C-suite recognizes the benefits of data security, organizations are still struggling to develop programs that effectively incorporate security strategies without detracting from other business initiatives.
TreeSheets: a smarter way to organize your data
TreeSheets is a freeform data organizer, which developer Wouter van Oortmerssen describes as "the ultimate replacement for spreadsheets, mind mappers, outliners, PIMs, text editors and small databases".
Okay, yes, that is a little over-ambitious, but van Oortmerssen -- a software engineer at Google, who formerly worked at Crytek on the original Far Cry -- knows what he’s doing, and TreeSheets delivers far more than we expected.
Do managers really know what's happening in their data centers? [Q&A]
A new survey from Intel Data Center Manager and Dell reveals that around half of IT managers don't really know what's happening in their data centers.
It also finds that only 53 percent of IT managers use DCIM systems, which provide critical info about power and thermal usage, despite the fact that 44 percent experience power issues and 37 percent cooling issues in their data centers on a weekly basis.
Online gamers hit by sexist, racist and homophobic abuse
Nearly a third of gamers say they have been harassed while playing online, figures from a survey by Broadband Genie show. 31 percent of players found themselves on the receiving end of abuse, and 13 percent of respondents said they don’t always feel safe in online games. While it's possible to dismiss some of the harassment as banter (bantz, if you will) this is not true in every instance.
Two thirds of gamers thought abusive comments could be classed as little more than banter, but the prevalence of racist, sexist and homophobic -- as illustrated by the ongoing Gamergate controversy -- serves as a warning not only for gamers, but for the parents of children let loose online. Some harassment is limited to within games, but in five percent of cases, victims said the abuse continued on social media and forums.
Consumers do not trust websites with new domains
According to a new study from global cyber security and risk mitigation firm NCC Group, over half of consumers (52 percent, up three percent from last year) do not feel comfortable visiting websites ending in new domains.
In fact, just two per cent of the 10,000 consumers surveyed in the Trust in the Internet Study 2016 said they feel extremely comfortable visiting the new generic top-level domains (gTLDs).
Can't travel right now? Google takes you to Mzansi, South Africa
South Africa, as the name implies, lies at the very bottom tip of the continent for which the nation is named. The coast is a region that has long been feared by mariners, who dubbed it Cape of Good Hope -- hopes were that you would survive the journey around it, passing from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean.
But there is much more to South Africa than just that, there's a history there and, also great wildlife that needs to be protected, not to mention the beautiful scenery.
Plan your next vacation with 'Destinations on Google'
One of my favorite things to do each year is go on a cruise. Since I am not wealthy, it is a great way to take a vacation without breaking the bank. While the trip itself is great, knowing that a holiday is on the horizon keeps me happy and motivated to work hard during the rest of the year -- a light at the end of a tunnel, if you will.
Planning a cruise can be simple, but more in-depth vacations can be much more difficult. Deciding on travel, hotels, rental cars, food, and more can be dizzying. Luckily, the always-helpful Google wants to make your vacation-planning easier. If you want to make your plans using a mobile device, the all-new 'Destinations on Google' should make you very happy.
NYC getting high-tech buses with free Wi-Fi and USB charging
If you live in the suburbs, such as on Long Island, you pretty much have to own a car. Without a vehicle, getting around in a reasonable amount of time can be downright impossible. Sure, taxis are available, but that is way too expensive.
City dwellers, however, can get by without owning a car. Quite frankly, having a vehicle can be more trouble than it's worth, with hard-to-find parking and frequent dents and dings. Instead, public transportation is the wiser choice -- it is fairly affordable and dependable. Unfortunately, buses and trains are not always modern -- especially in NYC. Luckily, this is changing a bit, as NY Governor Cuomo announces an initiative to introduce free Wi-Fi and USB charging to 2,042 new buses.
Microsoft was right about Surface! Detachable tablet sales set to explode thanks to Windows
When Microsoft released the first Surface tablets, many consumers -- including me -- were dubious. Windows on a tablet was not ideal, and it made lap-typing damn-near impossible. Worst of all, Surface RT confused consumers, tainting the Surface branding entirely. A detachable laptop/tablet was a massive failure, right?
Wrong. Microsoft persevered, and wisely maintained course, eventually making the Surface an honest-to-goodness success. If you can afford it you really can't go wrong with a Surface Pro or Surface Book. Heck, Google has even copied Microsoft's concept with its atrocious Pixel C, while Apple has seen success with its beautiful iPad Pro. Microsoft was the leader, and it is apparently paying dividends, as detachable tablet sales are predicted to increase leaps and bounds. Sorry, haters, Microsoft was right all along.
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