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Microsoft has released its first update to PowerToys for 2024. With the release of PowerToys v0.77.0 the team behind the software has started a new development cycle that focuses not only on stability and improvements but also the new features users so crave.

And, sure enough, this release includes a brand-new Command Not Found module -- and it's an absolute must for PowerShell users. Elsewhere there are loads of fixes, updates and a handful of new features.

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Lexar has announced a huge collaboration with Silicon Motion. This partnership combines Lexar’s expertise in storage products with an advanced controller chip from Silicon Motion. The controller features a USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface and four NAND channels, catering to the needs of users demanding high performance with low power consumption.

Lexar plans to introduce two new portable solid state drive (PSSD) products. These products, ARMOR 700 and SL500, boast not only impressive technical specifications but also enhanced durability and compatibility.

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Belkin has introduced an innovative accessory into its lineup -- the Auto-Tracking Stand Pro, compatible with DockKit. This product features silent, motorized camerawork capabilities, using the iPhone's built-in camera coupled with DockKit's automated subject tracking technology. This allows for an immersive 360-degree pan and 90-degree tilt functionality, keeping subjects in focus and frame during movement.

Melody Tecson, Belkin’s vice president of product management, highlighted the unique aspects of this new product. "The Stand Pro is unlike any other Belkin product we’ve created. It blends premium Belkin quality with impressively responsive robotics and advanced subject tracking technology. With DockKit, we aim to offer content creators a product that simplifies and enhances the creation process.”

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It can be a challenging proposition to navigate your first 30 days as CISO. You have the responsibility of securing an entire company on your shoulders, and you know that without robust security infrastructure and processes, the organization is exposed to external threats, service restrictions and degradation, and insider risk.

To effectively guide your organization’s security posture, tackle your first 30 days with a strategic mindset and focus on the following three key priorities: taking in information, identifying quick wins, and implementing robust processes.

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In 2017, WannaCry caused significant disruption to the UK public and private sector. The disruption highlighted vulnerabilities within corporate and government systems, most notably within the UK. It impacted hospitals, healthcare facilities and social care, causing operations and admissions to be cancelled, delayed, or postponed.

The attack exposed a lack of robust cyber security measures, failings in basic IT administration and emphasized the importance of investing in strong defenses to safeguard critical public infrastructure. It prompted a renewed focus on cyber security within the UK and initiated efforts to enhance resilience against future cyber threats.

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Linux Mint, the very popular Linux distribution, has just released its latest version, 21.3, codenamed "Virginia." Linux Mint 21.3 runs on a Linux kernel 5.15 and is based on Ubuntu 22.04.

This long-term support release promises updates until 2027, featuring a ton of enhancements and new functionalities aimed at providing a more comfortable desktop experience. While Xfce and MATE desktop environments are available options, Cinnamon is clearly the star of the show.

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The use of generative AI is becoming common across many industries, but while it undoubtedly offers benefits it can lead to problems too.

Legal firms in particular can fall foul of poor results, one firm was fined $5,000 after a court found that one of its lawyers had used ChatGPT to write a court brief which included false citations.

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When Microsoft released the recent KB5034441 update for Windows 10, the aim was to fix a security vulnerability that could allow attackers to bypass BitLocker encryption by using Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Unfortunately, the update itself proved problematic for many users.

Microsoft has now acknowledged the issue, noting that users may not be able to install the update and may encounter an error message that reads "0x80070643 - ERROR_INSTALL_FAILURE" or " Windows Recovery Environment servicing failed. (CBS_E_INSUFFICIENT_DISK_SPACE)". The company has a solution, but it's a bit of an awkward one.

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Microsoft has announced a series of new artificial intelligence tools, options and capabilities which the company is using to empower retailers.

From copilot templates designed to help retailers provide personalized experiences for customers to generative AI tools for creating ads, Microsoft continues to push hard with AI. Of particular interest in the latest batch of tools is Retail Media Creative Studio, currently in preview.

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USB4 is the latest USB standard, offering a maximum data transfer speed of 40Gbps. Backward compatible with previous USB versions and compatible with Thunderbolt 3, it supports versatile connections for data, power, and video signals.

The standard is currently receiving major version update called USB 80Gbps (also known as USB4 Version 2.0) that -- as you can guess from the name -- increases performance from 40Gbps to 80Gbps and enables the next generation of high-performance displays, storage, and connectivity.

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As we enter 2024, the data landscape is witnessing a surge of transformative changes, building on the significant advancements made in 2023. We’ve seen breakthroughs in Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms, Large Language Models (LLMs), enhanced data analytics capabilities, and notable strides in cloud computing.

These developments have not only reshaped how organizations are using data, but also started to redefine how organizations operate and strategize. Now, as we look forward to this year, the data landscape is set to evolve further, set against the backdrop of continuous AI innovation. From the consolidation of the AI market to revolutionary changes in data management, we're entering an era where data is not just a tool or a nice-to-have, but a driving force. With another year of revolutionary change ahead of us, here are the developments that will dictate data strategy in 2024.

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Cyber awareness and Cyber Awareness Month (CAM) have faced allegations of fearmongering in the past, but this isn’t -- or shouldn’t be -- the case. At times, some vendors or individuals arguably exploit worries about cyber threats to market their products or convince people of their necessity.

But this is a delicate balance to strike. While it is true many security professionals are already struggling under the weight of their responsibilities, Cyber Awareness Month is a time for home truths. The grim reality is that cybercrime is getting worse. According to the Veeam Data Protection Trends Report 2023, 85 percent of organizations suffered at least one cyber-attack in the preceding twelve months, an increase from 76 percent experienced in the prior year. So, in many ways, our current approaches are failing. Does that mean Cyber Awareness Month is failing too? 

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Satechi has unveiled its latest charging product at CES 2024: the 145W USB-C 4-Port GaN Travel Charger. This new charger harnesses the power of GaN (Gallium Nitride) technology to offer a compact yet powerful charging solution.

The charger boasts four USB-C PD ports, supporting a combined power output of 145W. With two USB-C PD 3.1 and two USB-C PD 3.0 ports, it can safely power up to four devices simultaneously, including high-powered devices like the 16-inch MacBook Pro and Lenovo Legion Slim 7i.

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Industry giant IBM is today announcing a collaboration with ERP specialist SAP to develop solutions to help clients in the consumer packaged goods and retail industries enhance their supply chain, finance operations, sales and services using generative AI.

This involves embedding IBM's watsonx enterprise-ready AI and data platform and AI assistants, into SAP solutions to create new generative and traditional AI solutions focused on addressing the complexities of the direct store delivery business process and product portfolio management.

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More than 10 percent of enterprise employees access at least one generative AI application every month, compared to just two percent a year ago, but there are security risks as a result.

New research from Netskope shows ChatGPT was the most popular generative AI application in 2023, accounting for seven percent of enterprise usage. The number of cloud apps the enterprise accessed also increased by an average of 19 percent per year, with users jumping from 14 to 20 different apps in just two years.

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