Google makes its new gradient G logo company-wide

Google gradient G

It is a little while since Google first started to use an updated version of its colorful G logo. The design revamp saw the company moving away from the four colored blocks of color towards something with more flow.

The graduated look of the G was introduced with little in the way of fanfare, and quite what Google had planned was not clear. Now, having seemingly tested the waters by trying out the new look in a limited number of places, the company is ready to use it more extensively.

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Gen Z most likely to fall for phishing attacks

Woman touching a phishing concept

A new survey reveals that 44 percent of all participants admit to having interacted with a phishing message in the last year. Gen Z stands out as the most susceptible demographic, with 62 percent reporting engagement with a phishing scam in the past year, significantly higher than other age groups.

Commissioned by Yubico and conducted by Talker Research, the survey gathered insights from 18,000 employed adults across nine countries including Australia, France, Germany, India, Japan, Singapore, Sweden, the UK and the US. It explored individuals’ cybersecurity habits in both their workplace and personal lives.

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OpenAI introduces parental controls for ChatGPT

ChatGPT Parental controls

OpenAI is rolling out new parental controls for ChatGPT, as well as a new parent resource page, and expanded safeguards for teens. The features, arriving today, let parents link accounts with their children and manage how the service is used at home.

The move is part of OpenAI's wider push to support families and to ensure the system works in a safe, age-appropriate way. Parents and guardians will be able to adjust settings, restrict features, and receive notifications if concerns about their teen’s well-being arise.

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Gaming giant Electronic Arts acquired for $55bn

Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts has accepted a $55 billion acquisition offer, marking it one of the largest take-private deals ever reported.

The consortium behind the purchase of one of the world’s best known gaming companies includes Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake, and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners.

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Mobile apps expose sensitive data and create privacy risks

Mobile security

New research from NowSecure tested 50,000 mobile apps in August and finds over 77 percent contain common forms of PII.

It’s well known that the vast majority of mobile apps are built using third-party components like SDKs. The study finds that 98 percent of iOS apps have incomplete privacy manifests due to omissions relating to third-party components, violating Apple transparency requirements and creating major blind spots.

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Bridging the gap between boardroom and SOC demands [Q&A]

Boardroom CISO

It’s inevitable that different parts of the enterprise will pull in different directions. This is particularly true when it comes to the IT world where operational teams like the SOC tend to focus on operational resilience while management and the boardroom worry about compliance.

We talked to Kyle Wickert, field chief technology officer of AlgoSec, about how IT pros can balance the compliance demands of the C-suite while maintaining security across sprawling hybrid environments.

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Luxury retailer Harrods confirms customer information taken in cyber incident

Harrods

Cyber security has been big news in the UK this year, with businesses from retail to automotive facing attempted breaches and service disruption. Experts warn that attacks are becoming ever more sophisticated and damaging.

In recent months, high-profile incidents have included the ongoing disruption to Jaguar Land Rover’s global production lines, and well published breaches of Marks & Spencer and the Co-op in the summer. Now luxury department store Harrods has confirmed that customer data had been exposed through a third-party service provider.

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OpenAI partners with AARP for new AI training to help older adults spot scams

AI training for scammed seniors

Artificial intelligence giant OpenAI has begun a multi-year collaboration with AARP and its Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) to expand resources that help older adults understand and use AI.

A video released through the OpenAI Academy demonstrates how ChatGPT can support users in spotting potential scams, with a focus on recognizing common warning signs. A survey by Avast released three months ago found that nearly 60 percent of older adults have fallen for cyber scams.

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AI reshapes managed security services but it’s a double-edged sword

AI security attack

A new survey from OpenText Cybersecurity reveals that MSPs find AI as both a driver of growth and source of new challenges as as demand for scalable, integrated tools continues to rise.

In 2024, 93 percent of MSPs and managed security service providers (MSSPs) said AI interest would drive growth in their business that year. That trend has carried forward to this year, with 92 percent of MSPs now reporting business growth driven by interest in AI, and 96 percent expecting AI to drive business growth this year.

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Ad-free versions of Facebook and Instagram are coming to the UK – for a price

Meta, Facebook, Instagram, Messanger and WhatsApp logos

Meta has announced that it is launching a subscription service in the UK that will let users of Facebook and Instagram pay to avoid ads.

The plan has already been rejected by the European Union, but this does not affect post-Brexit UK. Separate subscription tiers are available for the social platforms’  mobile apps and the web. For anyone unwilling or unable to pay, the Facebook and Instagram experience will remain riddled with ads.

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Suno Studio is an AI-powered audio workstation for artists and producers

Suno Studio

Suno has launched Suno Studio, a generative audio workstation that combines professional multi-track editing with AI-powered stem generation.

AI generated music is a bit of a problem for the industry -- as proven by Spotify’s recent announcement that it will be clamping down on spammy tracks and artist impersonation -- but Suno Studio is being presented as a new way for songwriters, producers, and aspiring artists to create music.

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System integrations -- strategic phasing or waterfall implementation? [Q&A]

integration jigsaw

As organizations continue to navigate complex system integrations, one critical decision that arises is whether to embrace strategic phasing or waterfall implementation. The choice of approach can shape the success or failure of projects, particularly when dealing with large-scale ERP consolidations and replacements.

We spoke with Scott Maggiolo, SVP of information technology at Ribbon Communications to understand the pros and cons of each and how the decision is not one-size-fits-all.

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Spotify removes 75 million spam tracks and introduces stronger AI rules

Spotify

Spotify has removed more than 75 million spam tracks in the last year, a move it says is part of its response to the rapid growth of generative AI in music.

The audio streaming giant announced the figure alongside new policies to curb spam uploads, protect artists from impersonation, and give listeners clearer information about when AI tools are involved in a track’s creation.

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Microsoft makes Windows 10 ESU completely free... for a year... for some

Microsoft logo

With just a month to go until the official end of support for Windows 10, Microsoft has been forced to cede ground. The company will now offer a year of ESU (Extended Support Updates) available completely free of charge, no strings attached, for people living in the European Economic Area (EEA).

While free access to the ESU program is available in other parts of the world, it is only available with conditions. In Europe, these conditions no longer apply.

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YouTube finally lets you hide recommendations at the end of videos

YouTube logo blocks

There is a lot to feel frustrated about in relation to YouTube, but Google has announced a change that helps to squash one of its annoyances.

While in-video ads are becoming increasingly difficult to avoid – short of paying for the privilege – there is now a way to hide “end screens”. These short snippets at the end of the video you have just watched are a form of advertising used by creators to promote their other content.

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