5 tips to improve your company's IT security
According to a 2018 IBM study, the average cost of a data breach for a U.S. company is $7.91 million, while the average cost of a lost or stolen record that contains sensitive or confidential information is $148. Unfortunately, these figures are only rising.
Cyber attacks continue to not only cost companies more money but have also grown larger and more aggressive because of how profitable cybercrime has become. Despite the ongoing advances in IT security, threats continue to emerge just as fast as security measures evolve. Though cybercriminals will continue to find new, creative ways to gain access to business data, there are simple tactics you can implement to better protect your company.
Only a tiny fraction of Windows 10 users are running the May 2019 Update
The latest Windows 10 feature release, the May 2019 Update, is slowly making its way to users, but after the mess that was the October 2018 Update, Microsoft is keeping a close eye on proceedings.
As a result, it means the rollout is happening at an incredibly glacial pace. In fact, it's occurring at roughly the same rate as its predecessor, which isn't good news.
Warning: In just a few days, the ebooks you've purchased from Microsoft will vanish
It's a little while since Microsoft announced that is dropping the Books category from the Microsoft Store, but a serious deadline is now looming.
If you have bought books or downloaded free books from the Store, you only have a few more days to read them -- so if there are any you haven't finished, you'd better start reading quickly! While no specific date has been announced, Microsoft warns that you'll only be able to read your books "until early July 2019".
Exploring the ethics of AI
Artificial intelligence is appearing in more and more of our everyday technology. But it raises a number of questions about how it will react in challenging situations.
Security education comparison site Cyber Security Degrees has produced an infographic looking at the ethics of AI and how we feel about its impact on our lives.
Do mobile operating systems provide enough protection against cyber threats?
Every year a new iPhone hits the market and there are thousands of different Android devices in circulation. Both Apple and Google are constantly adding new features and functions to incorporate emerging technologies, maintain competitiveness, and cement their reputations as innovators.
Commercial focus typically sits with the clamor of more surface-level, UI related features like Memojis, Group FaceTime, gesture navigation, the features that consumers are drawn to rather than the patching of CVE-2018-4249. It’s all a matter of priorities, people want a device with all the mod cons, a mobile device just needs to be secure enough, meeting minimum expectations. It also doesn’t help that there has been a long held misconception that mobile OSs are secure enough and users don’t need a security solution. Despite mobile OSs becoming relatively hardened, usage is very different compared to traditional form factors, and there are a number of threat vectors that an OS can’t protect against.
A smart retro-look microphone for gaming or conferencing -- MXL AC-404-LED [Review]
We are increasingly using our PCs for communication, whether it's making Skype calls or just chatting to other online gamers.
But while laptops and some monitors have built in microphones they are not always ideally located or the best quality.
Microsoft notifies users whose systems are 'not quite ready' for Windows 10 May 2019 Update
The Windows 10 May 2019 Update (that is, Windows 10 version 1903) has caused problems for a number of people, and there are various issues that stand in the way of getting hold of the upgrade.
Rather than pushing out a problematic update to systems that it knows will not have a great experience, Microsoft has made a couple of decisions. Not only is the company blocking updates for computers with known compatibility issues, it is also starting to notify users that this is what's happening.
Apple and Jony Ive are consciously uncoupling
Apple has essentially kicked Jony Ive out of the company. Well, that's what my gut tells me anyway. Officially, the Chief Design Officer has left voluntarily to form a design company called "LoveFrom." This has sent shock waves throughout the technology community, as it was not at all expected.
Apparently, Apple will be LoveFrom's first client, which is just odd. It means Ive would work with Apple rather than for it -- a freelancer, if you will. This seems like malarkey to me -- the arrangement might just be a cover for all parties involved. Apple can protect its image by not sullying Ive's name through a proper firing, while Ive can continue to be a pompous bloke and retain his dignity. After all, neither party wants bad blood -- it can harm the reputation of both sides.
New Kodi update arrives -- download it now!
Earlier in the week the Raspberry Pi Foundation announced the arrival of the Raspberry Pi 4, a much more powerful version of its barebones credit-card sized computer that’s hugely popular with Kodi users. You can even buy a cool Kodi-themed case for it.
Hot on the heels of a new version of LibreELEC, the lightweight Linux distro that’s perfect for running Kodi on a Pi, the Kodi Foundation releases a new version of its home theatre software.
Millions of Microsoft Excel users vulnerable to remote DDE attack as new exploit is discovered
Security researchers from Mimecast Threat Center have discovered an Excel exploit that could leave 120 million users vulnerable to attack.
The security flaw means that it is possible to use Excel's Power Query tool to dynamically launch a remote Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) attack on a spreadsheet and actively control the payload. The researchers also found that Power Query could be used to embed malicious code in a data source and spread malware.
Opera 62 unveils improvements to dark theme support, experimental task-planner feature
Opera Software has unveiled Opera 62, the latest major update to its Chromium-based web browser for Windows, Mac, Linux and Android. The new release continues to develop the Reborn 3 UI introduced in Opera 60.
Design changes include tweaks to the Dark Mode feature with support for Windows’ own dark theme implemented. A new feature -- Task Completer -- implementing existing tools (Speed Dial and browser history) has also been added.
Is Google Safe Browsing falling short on mobile?
Google has a pretty good record when it comes to protecting its users against online threats. Part of this is its Safe Browsing technology which scans billions of URLs each day to discover dangerous websites.
But research by mobile threat defense specialist Wandera has discovered a disparity between the protections available within Google’s desktop browser compared to its mobile browser.
New offering gives enterprises greater flexibility in security training
Cybersecurity is often as much about people as it is about technology. But despite increasing their spending, organizations are still struggling to close the cybersecurity skills gap.
Training and certification company Offensive Security is launching a new program for enterprises designed to simplify the cybersecurity training process and allow organizations to invest more in cybersecurity skills development.
NETGEAR launches XRM570 Nighthawk Pro Gaming 802.11ac Mesh Wi-Fi System
We are on the verge of the next big thing in home networking, which is 802.11ax -- also known as Wi-Fi 6. The truth, however, is it will be a very long time before a majority of households have 802.11ax routers or devices. Hell, I know many people still using 802.11G and N routers that are perfectly happy. Those that invest in Wi-Fi 6 today are most likely enthusiasts that don't really need it. They probably don't even have any 802.11ax clients!
With all of that said, it is still totally reasonable to buy an 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) router in late 2019. Today, NETGEAR launches a "new" 802.11ac mesh Wi-Fi system aimed at hardcore gamers. Called "XRM570 Nighthawk Pro Gaming," it really isn't a new product at all. Actually, it features two of the company's existing devices -- the XR500 router which comes factory-paired with the Mesh Range Extender EX7700. It runs the DumaOS, which is a specialized router operating system designed to prioritize gaming.
Data fragmentation is the main reason public cloud doesn't deliver
When IT managers adopted the cloud they believed it would simplify operations, increase agility, reduce costs, and provide greater insight into their data. Yet 91 percent say it hasn't delivered all the expected benefits and 88 percent that it isn't meeting management expectations.
A new study of 900 senior decision makers, for data management company Cohesity carried out by Vanson Bourne, finds that of those who feel the promise of public cloud hasn't been realized, 91 percent believe it's because their data is fragmented in and across public clouds and could become nearly impossible to manage long term.
Recent Headlines
Most Commented Stories
BetaNews, your source for breaking tech news, reviews, and in-depth reporting since 1998.
© 1998-2025 BetaNews, Inc. All Rights Reserved. About Us - Privacy Policy - Cookie Policy - Sitemap.