Basic identity and access management tasks are still a struggle for many

Admin login

One in three organizations rely on outdated and manual methods, like spreadsheets, to manage privileged accounts, and there's widespread lack of confidence among IT professionals in access control and privileged account management programs.

This is among the findings of a new report from One Identity which also shows one in 20 organizations have no way of knowing if users retain access even after they’ve left the organization.

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How to delete your Google account

Google logos in dumpster

Google has given people plenty of reasons to hate it over the years, primarily because of concerns over privacy. But with the revelation that the company knew about a bug in Google+ API that exposed the private details of tens of thousands of users, many people are ready to walk away.

Completely purging Google from your life may seem tricky if you have invested time in any of its services, but if you're thinking that now is the time to part ways, here's what you need to do.

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Attacks on IIS web servers soar over the last quarter

hacker

Attacks targeting IIS servers have shown a massive 782 times increase, from 2,000 to 1.7 million, over the last quarter according to a new report.

The report from threat protection specialist eSentire reveals that most attacks targeting IIS web servers originated from China-based IP addresses.

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Ubiquiti Networks launches 'AmpliFi Instant' mesh Wi-Fi system with '2-Minute Setup'

If you are knowledgeable about home networking, and you have experience with wireless routers, I am sure you are not scared by setting one up. If you have never done it before, or aren't tech savvy, configuring a Wi-Fi router can be quite the daunting task. Sure, they are easier these days than they were years ago, but still, they can be rather overwhelming to the average consumer -- especially mesh.

Famed company Ubiquiti Networks has been trying to make setting up a home wireless network a simpler task, and it has largely succeeded with its excellent AmpliFi mesh router system. The company is not ready to rest on its laurels, however, as today, it launches a new affordable mesh router that makes configuration even easier. In fact, according to Ubiquiti Networks, the "AmpliFi Instant," as the new product is called, can be configured in less than two minutes. Seriously, folks, that is not a typo -- the average consumer can set up quality 802.11ac (aka Wi-Fi 5) mesh wireless in under 120 seconds using an Android or iOS device!

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Watch today's 'Made by Google' Pixel 3 event here live

Today is the day that Google takes the wraps off a number of new hardware products. Top of the list will be the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL smartphones, both powered by a new Snapdragon 845 processor.

We’re also expecting to see a refreshed Chromecast, a new Google Home Hub, new Chromebooks possibly, and maybe even a wireless charging stand for the new Pixels.

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4.5 billion records compromised in first half of 2018

data breach

The first half of 2018 saw 945 data breaches which led to 4.5 billion data records being compromised worldwide, according to a new report.

The latest Breach Level Index from digital security company Gemalto shows that compared to the same period in 2017, the number of lost, stolen or compromised records increased by a massive 133 percent, though the total number of breaches slightly decreased, suggesting attacks are getting more severe.

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Arcserve launches cloud solution for business continuity

cloud data cable

The more enterprises rely on technology the more they suffer when systems fail. Data protection provider Arcserve is aiming to reduce the impact of unplanned downtime with a new cloud solution.

Arcserve Business Continuity Cloud eliminates the need for other data protection tools and management consoles with fully-integrated capabilities to protect and restore applications and systems in any location, on-premises and in public and private clouds.

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Google pulls out of $10 billion Pentagon cloud contract over AI concerns

Google dark clouds

Google has announced that it will not be placing a bid for a cloud-computing contract with the Pentagon. The Department of Defense's JEDI (Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure) project could have worth up to $10 billion.

The bidding process is due to end this week, but Google will now not be taking part. The company says that this particular project is not in line with its AI policies, but it will continue to work with the US government in other ways.

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Google implements new Play Store policies for apps that request SMS and Call Log permissions

Phone and Contacts icons

Google has introduced privacy and security focused changes as part of an update to Google Play Developer policies. In a move designed to protect sensitive data, there are new rules for apps that request SMS and Call Log permissions.

With immediate effect, it will only be possible for apps configured to be the default calling or text app to access phone and SMS data.

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After failing to disclose user data leaks, Google is shutting down Google+ and improving APIs

Google+ mobile

The private data of nearly half a million Google+ users was exposed to third-party developers, and Google failed to notify anyone. A bug in Google+ APIs meant that users' names, email addresses, occupations, gender and age were accessible from 2015 until Google discovered and patched the problem in March this year.

Despite the data possibly having been accessed by 438 apps, Google chose not to go public about the security breach until now. And in a dramatic move, the company has announced that it is shutting down Google+ for consumers. Google has also revealed details of Project Strobe, an audit program through which it discovered the problem.

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HyperX 'Cloud MIX' Bluetooth stereo gaming headset is both wired and wireless

For many PC gamers, wired accessories are preferable to wireless. Why? Well, besides potential lag with keyboards and mice, there is a fear of having batteries die during a match. When gaming, nothing is worse than having your mouse, keyboard, or headset stop working. To lose because of such nonsense is utterly maddening.

What if you want the reliability of a wired headset, for instance, but crave the wireless freedom a Bluetooth model offers? Today, HyperX unveils a new headset that is both wired and wireless -- the best of both worlds. Called "Cloud MIX," the headset can achieve up to 20 hours of battery life when in Bluetooth mode.

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Facebook unveils its new smart video calling hardware: Portal and Portal+

Facebook Portal

Still reeling from a security breach that affected up to 90 million users, Facebook has announced two new pieces of hardware designed to make video chat easier and more immersive than ever. Portal and Portal+ are 10- and 15-inch smart displays complete with integrated cameras and packed with AI. But even Facebook acknowledges there are privacy concerns.

The social networking giant says: "When you can’t be there, Portal and Portal+ let you feel there". What does it mean by this? The cameras are intelligent, meaning they pan and zoom, following people around the room as necessary. Facebook promises that Portal "follows the action" and "keeps everyone in frame" but -- seemingly acknowledging that people won't trust its claim that the devices are "private by design" and that the mic and camera can be disabled with a single tap -- a physical camera cover is included.

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Artificial intelligence used to identify social engineering risks

AI

Security awareness training company KnowBe4 is launching a new version of its platform using artificial intelligence to identify evolving risks.

It includes a Virtual Risk Officer that helps security or IT professionals identify risks at the user, group or organizational level, resulting in better decision making for their security awareness plans.

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VisionTek Portable 1TB Thunderbolt 3 SSD [Review]

With the exception of extremely low-cost budget models, all modern computers (laptops and desktops) should have Thunderbolt 3 these days. Why? Because TB3 is simply amazing -- it uses the USB-C connector, but is much faster than USB 3.1 Gen 2.

With Thunderbolt 3 being so fast, many consumers -- including yours truly -- have been waiting for external PCIe NVMe TB3 drives to begin hitting the mainstream. I am happy to say I have been testing one from VisionTek with my 2016 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, and as you can imagine, it is super quick.

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Windows Insiders reported the Windows 10 file deletion problem to Microsoft months ago

The purpose of the Windows Insider program is to let users test out pre-release versions of Windows 10 months in advance, so they can try out new features, and report problems.

In theory, this means when a new Windows 10 feature update rolls out to the public, all of the major bugs should have been squashed. Unfortunately, that’s often not the case, and occasionally really bad bugs -- like user personal data getting deleted by the update -- make it through the testing process. When something like this happens, it’s easy to think the issue simply failed to get picked up by Insiders, but actually that’s not the case.

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