New interface for Google account sign in page revealed at last
If you use any of Google’s multitude of services, you will almost certainly have noticed notifications in recent weeks about a new look that is "coming soon". This may well have piqued your interested, and now Google has revealed what all the fuss is about.
A new sign in page (and sign up page) is now rolling out to not only Google Workspace, but also personal Google accounts -- so you will see it when signing into your Gmail account, for instance. What you can expect is, as per usual, a cleaner, "more modern" look.
WhatsApp finally adds much-needed text formatting options
Catching up with just about every other messaging app currently available, WhatsApp has finally expanded the range of text formatting options it offers.
Before you get too excited, though, temper your expectations -- you're not being given access to word processor-like options. Joining the existing bold, italic, strikethrough and monospace options are new code, quote and list options complete with a new batch of text-based shortcuts.
Forget Windows 11 24H2, Microsoft confirms the next big release is Windows 11 2024 Update
If you were waiting for Microsoft to release Windows 11 24H2, Microsoft has just made it clear that the official name is slightly different.
Continuing the trend from previous years in which Windows 11 22H2 was actually known as the 2022 Update, and Windows 11 23H2 the 2023 Update, Windows 11 24H2 will be released as Windows 11 2024 Update.
The Deep Tech revolution -- Part 5: Hackathons
More often than not, hackers tend to get a bad reputation or, at the very least, a controversial one. In pop culture especially, they are usually portrayed either as cyber-criminals attacking organizations for personal gain or, at the very opposite end of the spectrum, using their skills for something positive. In either case, we are usually presented with the image of someone furiously typing instructions and commands on a keyboard, zoning out in front of a screen while a group of people who may or may not understand what is going on stand behind holding their breath.
Regardless of the representation, there is something that these stereotypical depictions do get right: hackers are highly skilled individuals who use technology, along with the support and knowledge of a like-minded community, to solve technical problems and challenges.
Microsoft starts forced upgrades of older Windows 11 versions to Windows 11 23H2
Devices that still run older versions of Microsoft's Windows 11 operating system will be upgraded to Windows 11 version 23H2 automatically, according to Microsoft.
The announcement was posted on the official Windows 11 version 23H2 release health website. There, Microsoft notes that the latest version of its Windows 11 operating system is entering a new rollout phase.
Apple Sports app raises eyebrows with betting odds feature
Apple has launched a new sports app. The unimaginatively named Apple Sports not only provides real-time scores and stats for sports enthusiasts but also includes betting odds provided by DraftKings. This unexpected feature is sure to raise concerns among some users and observers who may be shocked by Apple's apparent endorsement of gambling, a move that seems uncharacteristic for a company usually associated with promoting good morals.
Apple Sports, now available for free in the App Store in the U.S., the U.K., and Canada, is designed to offer a personalized experience for sports fans, with a focus on speed and simplicity. The app covers a wide range of leagues currently in season, including the MLS, NBA, NHL, and Premier League, among others. Additional leagues like the MLB, NFL, and WNBA will be added in the future.
Increase in third-party access puts OT environments at risk
A new report from Cyolo and the Ponemon Institute reveals that third-party access to operational technology environments is significantly expanding the attack surface.
According to the study, 73 percent permit third-party access to OT environments, with an average of 77 third parties per organization granted such access.
Google unveils Gemma: A new generation of open AI models for responsible development
Today, Google launches Gemma -- a new family of open AI models designed to help developers and researchers build responsible AI applications. Developed by Google DeepMind and other teams across Google, Gemma models are built on the same technology as the Gemini models.
Gemma models are available in two sizes: Gemma 2B and Gemma 7B, each with pre-trained and instruction-tuned variants. Google is also releasing a Responsible Generative AI Toolkit to guide the creation of safer AI applications. The toolkit includes a safety classification methodology, a model debugging tool, and best practices for model builders.
Published CVEs predicted to increase by 25 percent in 2024
The total number of common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs) is expected to increase by 25 percent in 2024 to 34,888 vulnerabilities, or roughly 2,900 per month.
This comes from a new report by 'active insurance' provider Coalition which uses honeypots to monitor for spikes to identify the biggest CVEs before they make news headlines -- thus providing companies with the opportunity to take action before an incident can occur.
Cyberattacks follow businesses to the cloud
Cloud intrusions increased by 75 percent overall last year as adversaries set their sights on the cloud through the use of valid credentials.
This is one of the findings of the 2024 CrowdStrike Global Threat Report released today. It notes an increase in interactive intrusions and hands-on-keyboard activity (60 percent) as adversaries increasingly exploit stolen credentials to gain initial access at targeted organizations.
Cybercriminals use identities to target enterprises
A new report from IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence highlights an emerging global identity crisis as cybercriminals double down on exploiting user identities to compromise enterprises worldwide.
The 2024 X-Force Threat Intelligence Index report records a 71 percent spike in cyberattacks caused by exploiting identity as using valid accounts has become the path of least resistance for cybercriminals, with billions of compromised credentials accessible on the Dark Web.
The evolving roles of the CIO and CISO [Q&A]
The relationship between an organization's chief information officer (CIO) and chief information security officer (CISO) has traditionally been somewhat at odds, since CIO's job is built around sharing information and the CISO's job is to secure it. Plus, the CIO was normally higher in the organizational hierarchy, which could also cause some tension.
But the relationship has evolved in recent years, to the point where the two positions are often more on par with each other. And with security's growing importance to the business (and the boardroom), the two jobs often share the same goals and responsibilities.
Xbox Insider Program: A decade of unpaid beta testing for Microsoft?
The Xbox Insider Program, initially known as the "Xbox Preview Program," marked its 10th anniversary in a blog post today. Over the past decade, the program has served as a platform for Xbox enthusiasts to provide feedback and participate in previews, ostensibly contributing to the development of Xbox products and services.
While the program has been touted as a way for fans to directly influence the future of Xbox, it raises questions about the ethics of relying on unpaid labor for product testing. Participants, often referred to as Xbox Insiders, essentially act as beta testers, identifying bugs and suggesting improvements without any form of monetary compensation.
Micron unveils Crucial T705 PCIe 5.0 SSD
Micron has unveiled the Crucial T705 solid state drive. This PCIe 5.0 SSD is built using the company's advanced 232-layer TLC NAND technology, aiming to maximize the potential of Gen5 performance levels. It offers sequential read and write speeds up to 14,500MB/s and 12,700MB/s respectively. These speeds are promise quicker gaming experiences, faster video editing, and more efficient 3D rendering and AI application processing.
In terms of design, the T705 SSD features a premium black aluminum heatsink. This design choice is not just for aesthetics; it serves the practical purpose of dissipating heat efficiently. The SSD is engineered to operate without the need for noisy fans or liquid cooling systems, which could be an advantage for users seeking a quieter computing environment. Additionally, the T705 SSD is backwards compatible with Gen3 and Gen4 motherboards.
Acer unveils new Swift Edge 16 and Swift Go 14 Windows 11 laptops with advanced AI capabilities
Acer has announced the latest additions to its Swift series, the Swift Edge 16 and Swift Go 14. These laptops are designed to offer a blend of AI power and innovative features in a stylish, thin, and light package. Seriously, folks, they are both quite stunning.
These new models are equipped with AMD Ryzen 8040 Series processors, up to AMD Radeon 780M Graphics, and Ryzen AI technology, providing versatile performance and support for Acer’s AI-powered capabilities such as Acer PurifiedVoice, Acer PurifiedView, and the new Acer LiveArt photo-editing feature.
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