WhatsApp is rolling out chat themes to help make every chat unique
WhatsApp has started the rollout of a feature it says that users have been asking for -- chat themes. Using a combination of wallpapers and colored chat bubbles, every conversation can be given its own look.
This is a change that is about more than aesthetics, though. In providing the option to make every chat look different, WhatsApp is making it much easier to identify chats and avoid the tricky issue of sending a message to the wrong person or group.
Ransomware up fourfold as threats get more complex
Analysis of data logged by the Barracuda Managed XDR Security Operations Center shows ransomware threats have increased by four times over the last year.
In 2024, Barracuda Managed XDR logged 11 trillion IT events -- 350,000 per second. Just over a million were flagged as a potential risk and of these, 16,812 were identified as high-severity threats that required immediate defensive action. That’s a small percentage but highlights the need for powerful engines, analysis tools and human expertise to detect them.
Nearly half of organizations suffer third-party security incidents
New research finds that 47 percent of organizations have experienced a data breach or cyberattack over the past 12 months that involved a third-party accessing their network.
The study, carried out by the Ponemon Institute for Imprivata, also shows 64 percent of respondents believe these types of third-party data breaches will either increase or remain at alarmingly high levels over the next 12-24 months.
Fraud-as-a-Service allows cybercriminals to launch complex attacks with minimal skills
User-friendly fraud kits that enable amateurs to execute complex attacks against thousands of accounts in minutes are widely available on the dark web according to the latest 2024 Report on Global Identity Fraud from AU10TIX.
FaaS platforms provide all the tools, templates and automation that fraudsters need, including deepfake generators to create synthetic selfies and videos, botnets to automate mass-scale account creation and takeover, and phishing kits for email and web-based scams.
BlueAnt Pump X over-ear Bluetooth headphones feature fitness-ready design
Let’s be honest -- exercising sucks. While some people enjoy fitness, many people (such as myself) absolutely detest it. Whether you love or hate being active, however, it is undoubtedly an essential part of good health. In other words, a fully sedentary life is destined for tragedy.
If you want to make fitness more enjoyable, listening to music can do the trick. Put on a pair of headphones, crank your favorite tunes, and you just might find yourself more motivated.
The rise of adversarial AI threatens smaller organizations
Email remains a vital channel for business communications, but the availability of easy-to-use AI tools makes protecting the inbox a challenge as it's easier than ever for cybercriminals to launch sophisticated attacks.
A new report from Abnormal Security charts the rise of adversarial AI which has seen a 54 percent year-on-year rise in business email compromise attacks.
AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA S (GC553Pro) capture card debuts with 4K60 HDR and RGB24
AVerMedia has released its newest capture card, the Live Gamer ULTRA S, model GC553Pro. This device is primarily designed for gamers who livestream. AVerMedia says it offers recording at high frame rates, captures true-color RGB24, and provides 5.1-channel surround sound.
Streamers are often looking for equipment that can improve their broadcasts and engage their viewers more effectively. The Live Gamer ULTRA S aims to meet those demands with support for 4K60 HDR/VRR pass-through, capturing at high frame rates up to 4K60, 1440p144, 1080p240, and HDR up to 1440p30. The utilization of RGB24 format promises color accuracy, maintaining the visual integrity of the content.
What startups can learn from special forces strategy
On the battlefield and in the trenches of entrepreneurship, victory comes to those who dare to think unconventionally and act with precision. As a former Green Beret, I've seen firsthand how the principles of unconventional warfare can translate into the business arena. Both demand team building, strategic thinking, and adaptability in dynamic environments.
Let's break down the seven-phase model of unconventional warfare and see how it can guide a startup from its inception to market dominance.
How technical sprints can drive innovation and resolve tech debt through developer empowerment
Whilst Agile has revolutionized the way we work in software development, the pace of development is fast and delivery can feel relentless. It’s typical for developer teams to struggle to find dedicated time for R&D and to catch up with the persistent technical debt -- especially when under constant pressure to deliver the next feature or product iteration.
For developers on longer term contracts, they deliver code, release and tomorrow they’re picking up the next iteration. There’s often no time to pause to celebrate success and take a break. In fact, the risks of team burnout and technical debt accumulating to worrying levels are very real.
Apple now lets you transfer purchases from one account to another -- Google should be taking notice!
Many people have more than one Apple Account, and it can be frustrating to have to bounce from one to another just to manage digital purchases. If only there was a way to consolidate everything into one account...
Well, now there is! Apple has quietly launched a new option to migrate apps, music, and other purchased content from one Apple Account to another. There are, of course, caveats, and it’s not a feature that is available everywhere, but it is an exciting development that will make Android users jealous.
Apple finally brings the Apple TV app to Android
There is a sensible logic to Apple focusing on creating and improving apps that work on its own devices, but the company sometimes has to acknowledge the fact that not every phone and tablet out there is an idevice.
The latest app release from the iPhone-maker is proof of this in action. After far, far too long overlooking the platform, the company has now released the Apple TV app for Android users. The launch comes ahead of the 2025 season of Major League Soccer, and there is even the option to test drive the service for free.
YouTube TV subscribers may lose CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, and more as Paramount dispute escalates
Subscribers to YouTube TV might soon be without key Paramount channels such as CBS, MTV, and Nickelodeon. The platform has indicated that current negotiations with Paramount are faltering, and without a new deal by February 13, 2025, these channels could vanish from the service.
The channels endangered in this corporate standoff span a wide array, including BET, CBS Sports Network, Comedy Central, VH1, NewsNation, and the Smithsonian Channel. Moreover, local CBS affiliates in significant markets like New York, Philadelphia, Dallas, and San Francisco are also on the chopping block. This disruption isn’t limited to live programming; DVR recordings from these channels would become unavailable, and add-ons like BET+, Paramount+ with Showtime, and Entertainment Plus would be excised from YouTube TV.
Oreon 10, our favorite Windows replacement, has just been updated -- and it's about to get much, much better!
The biggest problem with saying goodbye to Windows 10 or 11 is knowing what to use instead. macOS is a great choice, but you’ll probably need to buy a Mac to run it, so that makes it an expensive option.
There’s no shortage of Linux distros you can use, including the big ones like Ubuntu and Mint, but they aren’t for everyone. One relatively new choice is the stunning Oreon 10 which we declared had "arrived to replace Microsoft Windows" when it launched last December. That OS has just received a big update, but it’s what’s coming next that has us most excited.
Deepgram launches improved AI-based voice transcription for enterprises
Accurate voice transcription is important for enterprises, whether it's to ensure appropriate responses or create accurate records.
However some situations make this challenging to achieve -- where there are multiple speakers or noisy backgrounds, for example. With the launch today of Nova-3, its most advanced speech-to-text (STT) model to date, Deepgram is looking to offer greater accuracy along with self-service customization to tailor results for industry-specific needs.
Enterprises under growing pressure to demonstrate readiness for cyber threats
A new study commissioned by Immersive Labs shows 96 percent of cyber leaders believe effectively communicating cyber-readiness to senior leadership and boards will be crucial in 2025, driven by regulatory compliance requirements and an increase in attacks.
The survey conducted by Sapio Research reveals that 49 percent of those surveyed report having experienced a cyberattack in the past year.
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