Microsoft brings Copilot back from the dead after accidentally nuking it
Copilot remains a divisive addition to Windows, so there was a mixture of jubilation and despair when Microsoft released updates for Windows 10 and Windows 11 that had the unintended side effect of deleting the AI-powered digital assistant.
At the time, Microsoft acknowledged the accidental deletion and unpinning of the app and suggested Copilot fans manually download and reinstall the app while it worked on a proper fix. Now the company says it has things sorted out -- to the delight or chagrin of those affected.
Windows 11 build 26100.3613 hits the Release Preview Channel with an updated Task Manager that actually makes sense
Microsoft often likes to do things in a contrary fashion, particularly when it comes to Windows. But there are also times when the company sees that it doesn’t always makes sense to work against the tide, and makes changes to its software accordingly.
And this is just what has happened with the latest Release Preview build of Windows 11. This is a build that brings a lot of changes and new features, but one of the most interesting, useful and pleasing is an update to Task Manager that finally sees it complying with industry standards for the way it shows CPU usage.
Top 10 data security best practices for 2025
2024 ushered in one of the biggest shifts in data security, as cyber threats continued to increase in sophistication by leveraging advancements in AI to outpace traditional defenses. High-profile breaches across all industries continued, uncovering vulnerabilities in even the most robust systems. Meanwhile, the ongoing hybrid work models and migration to cloud-based technologies expanded the attack surface, creating new challenges for protecting sensitive data.
As 2025 rolls on, organizations need to follow best practices that represent a proactive, forward-thinking framework to stay ahead of emerging threats, protect critical data, and maintain the trust of their stakeholders. Here are ten best practices that organizations should consider.
How startups are redefining conflict
Conflict, like everything else these days, is now shaped by technology. The old model -- industrial-scale production, multi-decade procurement cycles, and the primacy of sheer manpower -- is fading. In its place something faster, leaner and more precise is emerging. Small teams with energy, ambition and good ideas now do in months what legacy contractors once did in years. In Ukraine, for example, drones built by startups and programmed by engineers barely out of university, are destroying tanks worth millions of dollars. The battlefield is changing. And with it, so is the balance of power.
A modern conflict, then, is not won by the biggest army. It’s won by those who can see first, move first, and strike first. This is the reality that some countries in some regions have been slow to grasp. I am a German citizen with friends in the force who have witnessed this first-hand. Their systems are bureaucratic, their procurement cycles sluggish. In a world where technology evolves in real time, they cannot keep pace. And after decades of peace, they haven’t felt motivated to do so.
Plex announces higher prices and new remote streaming rules
Plex is making some massive adjustments, and users -- both free and paying -- are going to feel the impact. Sadly, the company has announced price increases for its Plex Pass subscription, a new “Remote Watch Pass,” and a decision that will end free remote streaming for personal media collections.
Starting April 29, 2025, the cost of Plex Pass is going up. The monthly plan will jump to $6.99, the annual plan to $69.99, and the Lifetime Plex Pass will more than double to $249.99. However, there’s still time to grab a lifetime subscription at the current $119.99 price before the hike kicks in. Plex says these changes will help fund future improvements, such as an integration with Common Sense Media, an upgraded server management app, and a new open API for server customization.
The biggest security flaw of every cloud service that no one talks about -- until it's too late
Do you trust your SaaS vendor with the keys to your kingdom? The agent running on your systems is only as secure as your cloud vendor’s security posture. It’s a security risk that should keep every organization’s IT and security teams up at night.
Many vendors will cite pen testing, bug bounty programs, and certifications like SOC 2 and ISO 27001 as a testament to their security. But the reality is that breaches still happen.
GNOME 48 Linux desktop launches with performance boosts but System76’s Cosmic is a rising threat
GNOME 48 is finally here, and as a longtime Linux user, I have to say -- it is my favorite desktop environment. I’ve tried KDE Plasma, as just one example, and while it’s packed with customization options, it always feels a little too cluttered for my taste. GNOME, on the other hand, is clean, modern, and just works. With version 48, the GNOME developers continue refining their vision with smoother performance, new features, and improved usability.
One of the best additions in this release is notification stacking. If you’ve ever been bombarded with notifications from the same app, you’ll appreciate this change. Instead of a never-ending list, notifications are grouped together, making it easier to find what’s important.
ZAGG unveils new USB-C hubs and docks to supercharge productivity
Today, ZAGG rolls out a fresh lineup of USB-C accessories that can transform your portable device into a makeshift desktop. The company’s latest offerings include the 4-Port Hub with Wireless Charging, 6-Port Media Hub, 9-Port Hub, and the Pro Dock -- all aimed at elegantly expanding connectivity for both laptops and tablets.
Brad Bell, ZAGG’s senior vice president of global marketing, highlighted the purpose behind these new hubs, saying, “In a fast-paced world, our new line of productivity solutions helps people stay ahead by transforming their laptop or tablet into a powerful workstation.”
Google Pixel 9a crushes Apple iPhone 16e with smarter AI and a better price
After many leaks, Google’s Pixel 9a is finally here! For anyone not locked into Apple’s ecosystem, it’s looking like the smarter choice over the iPhone 16e. At just $499, it packs AI-powered features, a pro-level camera system, and the powerful Google Tensor G4 chip -- all at a lower price than Apple’s so-called budget offering.
The Pixel 9a isn’t just another mid-range phone -- it’s got some legit flagship-level perks. Its 6.3-inch Actua display is the brightest ever on an A-series phone, hitting 2700 nits, while the 120Hz refresh rate makes for smoother scrolling than the iPhone 16e’s 60Hz screen. Google’s color choices -- Peony, Iris, Porcelain, and Obsidian -- also bring more fun and variety compared to Apple’s standard options.
Vanta launches new features to boost compliance and trust
Trust management platform Vanta has announced a series of new features and capabilities to help security and GRC teams seamlessly collaborate across their organization and extended network.
With 65 percent of businesses reporting that customers, investors and suppliers increasingly require proof of compliance, maintaining a strong security posture is essential for growth and unlocking new market entry. Vanta's new features simplify delegation, improve contextual communication and ensure accountability, allowing businesses to use their network of employees, vendors, auditors and customers to maintain continuous compliance.
Increase in stolen identity records fuels cybercrime
A new report from SpyCloud highlights a 22 percent increase in stolen identity records since 2023.
These identity records, consisting of harvested employee, consumer, and supply chain data, are the fuel that power cyberattacks like ransomware, account takeover, and fraud with nearly 80 percent of breaches last year involving the use of stolen credentials.
Browser-based phishing attacks up 140 percent
New research from Menlo Security, based on analysis of more than 750,000 browser-based phishing attacks, shows a startling 140 percent increase compared to 2023, and a 130 percent increase specifically in zero-hour phishing attacks.
Microsoft, Facebook, and Netflix are the brands most commonly impersonated in browser-based phishing attempts. However, generative AI services are also increasingly impersonated with nearly 600 incidents of GenAI fraud identified, in which imposter sites used GenAI platform names to manipulate and exploit unsuspecting victims.
84 percent of enterprises are struggling to manage cloud spending
With cloud spending expected to increase by 28 percent in the coming year, a new poll of over 750 technical professionals and executive leaders worldwide finds that 84 percent see managing cloud spend as their top challenge.
The study from Flexera shows 33 percent of organizations are spending more than $12 million annually on the public cloud alone partly driven by AI adoption. With cloud budgets already exceeding limits by 17 percent, organizations are increasingly turning to managed service providers (60 percent) and expanding use of their FinOps teams to regain control over spending (59 percent).
How the role of CISO is evolving [Q&A]
The overall threat landscape facing organizations is expanding, yet many of the threats such as phishing remain the old favorites. What's more, AI is making them more effective by eliminating many of the old tell-tale signs.
With the evolving challenges and risks facing them, how can CISOs effectively network internally and externally to gather support of the broader team and build an appropriate security posture? We spoke to Robin Bell, CISO at Egress, to find out.
Microsoft’s slow, piecemeal killing of the Control Panel in Windows 11 continues
The death of the Control Panel has been anything but quick and painless. The gradual migration to the Settings app has seen the Control Panel lingering on in a software hospice as Microsoft slowly chips away at it.
This legacy component of Windows remains home to various system settings that cannot be changed elsewhere, but hints have been spotted in builds of Windows Server that the end is drawing closer.
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