Strengthening cyber resilience -- cautious collaboration between organizations and third-party vendors needed
Ransomware is continuously on the rise. Despite multiple major law enforcement actions against ransomware groups over the past year, there has been a significant increase in ransomware attacks between 2023 and 2024. Interestingly enough, there was also a tracked 35 percent drop in ransomware payments in 2024, but it is clear that this is not stopping ransomware attacks from continuing as threat actors are finding other ways to monetize the data they’re stealing.
To combat this rise, cyber security measures within organizations need to be improved at every level, especially as the threat landscape grows even more complex. This past year has shown us that the importance of careful third-party vendor collaboration particularly must not be overlooked. With that said, there are a few considerations that need to take priority as 2025 progresses.
Apple iPhone 16e brings flagship features at a budget price
Apple has announced the iPhone 16e (yes, not SE), the latest addition to its iPhone range. The Cupertino-based tech giant describes the new device as a more affordable option for users looking to experience what the iPhone 16 has to offer.
“iPhone 16e packs in the features our users love about the iPhone 16 lineup, including breakthrough battery life, fast performance powered by the latest-generation A18 chip, an innovative 2-in-1 camera system, and Apple Intelligence,” said Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing. “We’re so excited for iPhone 16e to complete the lineup as a powerful, more affordable option to bring the iPhone experience to even more people.”
FanDuel Sports Network brings live local sports to Prime Video
As someone who loves watching sports and placing a good bet now and then, I know how important it is to have easy access to live games. FanDuel Sports Network is making that even simpler by launching as an add-on subscription through Prime Video. Starting today, fans in FanDuel Sports Network markets can sign up for $19.99 per month and get access to tons of local sports content and live events.
Eric Ratchman, President of Distribution and Business Development for Main Street Sports Group, said, “This relationship with Prime Video gives fans another way to watch their favorite local teams and underscores the essential role our distribution partners play in driving our future growth. We’re excited to offer a seamless and convenient way to stay in the game.”
New Connectivity Guru uses AI to streamline Wi-Fi troubleshooting
The average home now has multiple devices reliant on Wi-Fi connections and businesses have many times more. Users expect fast, consistent speeds, but troubleshooting problems can be complicated, leading to frustration, while service teams lack the visibility to diagnose issues beyond the router.
With the launch of its Connectivity Guru, TechSee is harnessing Agentic AI to transform the way Wi-Fi issues are diagnosed and resolved.
Malware-as-a-Service accounts for 57 percent of all threats
A new report from Darktrace reveals that Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) is now responsible for 57 percent of all cyber threats to organizations, a 17 percent increase from the first half of 2024.
The use of remote access trojans (RATs) has also seen a significant increase in the latter half of last year, representing 46 percent of campaign activity identified, compared to only 12 percent in the first half.
Software supply chain attacks and how to deal with them [Q&A]
Increased use of open source and third-party code leaves organizations open to more attacks on the software supply chain.
Open source vulnerabilities have become a prime target for attackers and organizations need to strengthen their defenses. We spoke to Richard Clark, senior solutions architect at JFrog, to discuss the importance of proactive measures in protecting against these threats.
Google makes buying books easier for Play Books users on Apple iPhone
If you’re the type of person who loves to dive into a good book, Google has just made things simpler for you on your iPhone (and iPad). Historically, Play Books has been great for reading ebooks and audiobooks, but buying them on iOS was less than ideal. That’s changing now.
Google has introduced a new “Get Book” feature in the Play Books iOS app, which now directly navigates you to the Google Play website for a seamless purchase. Gone are the days of navigating through confusing mazes; just tap, buy, and start your reading without distractions.
Right now, there is no right or wrong SASE answer
Adoption of SASE, or secure access service edge, is accelerating -- especially, according to IDC, at organizations of over 1,000 employees, while it’s estimated the global SASE market will grow from last year’s $1.83 billion to over $17 billion by 2033.
The business case for such rapid take-up is simple: SASE is the perfect way of blending the best of your network, the cloud, and cybersecurity. According to Gartner, because SASE is primarily delivered as software as a service it’s a great way to enable full zero trust access based on the identity of the device or entity, and it’s easily combined with real-time context and security and compliance policies.
Companies block GenAI but workers still use it
A new report from Fortanix finds that 97 percent of companies block or restrict GenAI usage, and 89 percent of the respondents believe that such controls on usage are successful.
However, the same report -- based on a survey of 1,000 executives -- reveals that 95 percent of professionals use some form of AI, and 66 percent of respondents use GenAI for work, with 64 percent using personal email accounts to access the tools.
Plugable launches USBC-MSTH3 USB-C HDMI hub for triple-monitor setups
If you need to connect multiple displays, you'll be pleased to know that Plugable has just released the USBC-MSTH3, a new USB-C hub designed for that very purpose. The hub uses Multi-Stream Transport (MST) technology, which allows users to spread their Windows desktop across three external screens.
The hub supports HDMI 2.1, offering various display configurations:
New platform helps enterprises take control of AI
Artificial intelligence is finding its way into more and more areas and that presents a challenge for businesses who need to keep things secure. Add in shadow use of AI and the problem becomes worse.
Californian start up Singulr.ai is launching a new enterprise AI governance and security platform to help organizations stay on top of AI adoption.
P3 Pro portable charger with MagSafe Qi2 wireless charging and global adapters launches from Infinacore
Infinacore has released the P3 Pro, its latest portable charger and power bank designed to meet the charging needs of modern users. Following a successful Kickstarter campaign, the P3 Pro is now available for purchase.
The P3 Pro features two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, and MagSafe-compatible Qi2 wireless charging, enabling users to charge up to three devices simultaneously. It is designed to work with a variety of devices, including laptops, smartphones, gaming consoles, and cameras. For travelers, the charger includes interchangeable adapter prongs for US, UK, and EU outlets, making it a practical companion for international trips.
Who needs Windows 11? FreeXP is a modern version of Microsoft's greatest OS, powered by Debian Linux
I appreciate calling Windows XP “Microsoft’s greatest OS” will elicit snorts of derision from a good number of you. That honor probably belongs to Windows 7, or maybe even Windows 10 (once Microsoft ironed out the many problems that plagued it from the start). But certainly, Windows XP was a classic, and a huge step up from the operating systems that preceded it.
If you miss XP but aren’t crazy enough to run an OS that (mostly) hasn’t had security updates in over a decade, FreeXP might be just what you’re looking for. It’s not XP, and it’s not from Microsoft, but it looks and feels just like it.
A third of people would like to delete themselves from the internet
Around a third of web users say they would like to delete themselves from the internet, with people in the US and Canada being at the top of the list.
Research from cybersecurity company NordVPN and personal data removal service Incogni, finds that worldwide 45 percent of people are worried about being hacked, one of the key reasons for wanting to take themselves off the web.
Microsoft is pushing a security update to Windows 11 that breaks File Explorer
The last round of security updates saw Microsoft release the KB5051987 update for Windows 11. As this patch addresses a number of security issues with the operating system, it is a mandatory update that will be automatically installed for most people.
As we’ve seen time and time again, the automatic installation of security updates is a good thing... until it isn’t. And with the KB5051987 update, there are numerous problems that raise the question of whether it is advisable to have Microsoft pushing out obligatory patches that can wreak havoc.
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