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Cyberattacks are on the rise across all industries, but the history of the public sector’s weaker protections makes it an increasingly attractive target for cybercriminals with costly consequences. IBM asserts the toll of each cybersecurity incident in the public sector averages a substantial $2.6 million. In addition, according to the 2023 Verizon DBIR, Public Administration was the leader in the total number of incidents and the total number of breaches last year.

Cyberattacks can have detrimental impacts on government agencies and officials. Municipal services such as water supply, emergency services, public transportation and waste management rely heavily on interconnected digital systems. Cyberattacks like ransomware can disrupt these services, causing inconvenience and potential safety issues for residents.

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Businesses are on the cusp of an era of transformation with the widespread take-up of AI. Many have already invested time and resources in exploring how these tools could bring additional value. For some that may be improving efficiency and increasing productivity, or creating tailor-made customer experiences to increase sales; for others, it could mean developing new product concepts. The list is endless.

AI promises ground-breaking innovation across industries and professions, provided organizations are fully prepared to take advantage of its capabilities. But are businesses anywhere near ready for AI? Or are they in danger of rushing ahead, akin to the early days of cloud technology, and could live to regret decisions made in the race not to miss out?

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As the NFL season culminates in the highly anticipated Super Bowl, football enthusiasts are gearing up for an immersive viewing experience. The wait for the perfect TV to elevate your Super Bowl Sunday is over, thanks to TCL's timely big screen TV deals. Known for their partnership with the NFL, TCL is offering sports fans an amazing opportunity to witness every thrilling play in stunning detail.

TCL's latest promotion, available now through February 11, showcases a range of TVs designed to bring the stadium atmosphere right into your living room. Leading the pack is the colossal 98” S5 model, priced under $2,000 for a limited two-week period. With its 4K ultra HD resolution and expansive screen, 33 percent larger than an 85” TV, the S5 promises to be a game-changer for your home theater setup.

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Printer owners have several options when it comes to supplying their printers with ink. The two main choices are to buy first-party or third-party printer ink. The former is official, the latter less expensive. Both options work well, provided that manufacturers do not manipulate printers to block support for third-party ink cartridges.

Printer manufacturers like HP have a vested interest that customers purchase first-party printer ink or, even better, subscribe to printing plans. HP CEO Enrique Lores confirmed to CNBC Television that HP loses money with each printer sold and that the company makes money with printer ink sales and subscriptions.

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Cybersecurity company Thales is launching a first-of-its-kind Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Starter Kit in collaboration with Quantinuum, aimed at supporting enterprises in their transition to a post-quantum era and helping them understand the implications that quantum computing will have on the security of their infrastructure.

While 73 percent of organizations recognize quantum computing poses a threat to traditional cryptography, 61 percent have yet to define a strategy for a post-quantum world.

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Microsoft Windows might have its issues from time to time, but each iteration is well-designed and easy to use. That isn’t always something that can be said of rival operating systems.

For that reason, some Linux OSes borrow heavily from Windows aesthetics. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to run a non-Microsoft version of Windows 11, then the answer is Wubuntu.

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By 2026, 80 percent of new enterprise digital infrastructure investment is forecast to be operated through a subscription-based model.

The Global Interconnection Index (GXI) 2024, released today from Equinix, predicts that in order to meet the ever-growing demands of data-dense technologies such as AI, 5G and edge computing, IT decision-makers are increasingly shifting away from long-term purchases of physical equipment, such as servers, routers and storage arrays, in favor of flexible subscription-based models.

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iOS 17.3 has been one of the more eagerly awaited iOS updates from Apple in some time, and now it is finally here. This is a significant update that brings, among other things, major new security features.

One of the biggest additions is Stolen Device Protection which makes a stolen phone more difficult to use by adding extra security when the handset is in non-typical locations. It will not, however, stop someone from stealing your iPhone in the first place. Other new features include collaborative playlists and the arrival of AirPlay hotel support.

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Amazon is currently hosting a can't-miss sale on a range of Plugable products, offering significant discounts. Tech enthusiasts and bargain hunters alike will find something to love in this sale, which runs through the end of January.

Starting with the TBT3-40G80CM, a premium 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 cable, now available at just $24.95, this sale cuts across various product categories. This cable is essential for those needing high-speed data transfer and is now more affordable with a 10 percent discount.

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In a recent announcement by developer Clement Lefebvre (aka Clem), Linux Mint has released an "Edge" ISO image for its 21.3 “Virginia” version. This update targets users with newer hardware that may not be compatible with the 5.15 LTS kernel included in the standard Linux Mint 21.x series. The Edge ISO addresses this issue by instead featuring the newer kernel 6.5.

This release aims to enhance the compatibility of Linux Mint with the latest hardware, potentially broadening its user base. For those interested in learning more about the Edge ISO and its features, further information is available on the Linux Mint User Guide.

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Sony Electronics has launched the SRS-XV500 Bluetooth party speaker, which focuses heavily on karaoke. The SRS-XV500 is engineered with two X-Balanced Speaker Units, ensuring robust, high-quality bass with minimal distortion. Alongside these, two tweeters enhance the speaker's ability to deliver clear vocals and an expansive sound field, creating an immersive listening experience.

A significant advantage of the SRS-XV500 is its impressive battery life. Offering up to 25 hours of playback, this speaker is ideal for extended events. Its quick charging capability is a bonus, providing 2.5 hours of usage with just 10 minutes of charging. Additionally, the Battery Care function prevents overcharging, prolonging the speaker's longevity.

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MX Linux users, brace yourselves for an exciting update! The MX-23.2 version is now available, offering a ton of enhancements and updates. This release marks the second major refresh of the MX-23 series, primarily focusing on bug fixes, kernel updates, and application improvements. Importantly, for existing MX-23 users, there's no need for a fresh installation as all updates are accessible through regular update channels.

Key highlights of MX-23.2 include the transition to Debian 12.4 “bookworm” base, ensuring users benefit from the latest and most stable Debian offerings. Additionally, this update introduces several new and updated applications, enhancing the overall user experience.

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We've all become used to scam phone calls of various kinds, but it seems AI is allowing them to become more sophisticated.

According to NordVPN, scammers are now able to create realistic voice clones from samples collected online and use them to extort money and data from victims' friends, relatives, or colleagues.

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In March this year, EU countries' interior ministers are due to vote on the introduction of mandatory client-side scanning for all providers in order to identify child abuse material.

But an open letter, published today, from a group of privacy-focused companies warns of the risk of opening up a backdoor and calls on ministers to defend citizen's right to privacy and strengthen the position of EU companies.

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Generative AI models like ChatGPT are creating a lot of enthusiasm for what they can do for businesses, but they are generating just as much fear over what can go wrong with the data they handle. There is a lack of trust between large companies that have the data and the AI startups that want to use them.

What can we expect to see in the near future? We spoke with Katy Salamati, senior manager of the advanced analytics lifecycle at SAS, to find out.

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