World's biggest botnet delivers new ransomware threat
The latest Global Threat Index from cyber security specialist Check Point reveals that the Necurs spam botnet -- reckoned to be the largest in the world -- is being used to distribute one of the latest ransomware threats.
During the Thanksgiving holiday in the US, Necurs sent over 12 million emails in just one morning, distributing the relatively new Scarab ransomware, first seen in June 2017.
New Linux Mint installation guide makes switching from Windows 10 even easier
There is a notion that installing a Linux-based operating system can be hard. In 2017, this is absolutely false (with the exception of Arch, that is). Many years ago, installing a distribution could be difficult, but nowadays, it can be downright easy. Quite frankly, installing Linux can sometimes be easier than Windows these days, since you don't have to go hunting for drivers and software all over the web. If you have been fearful of replacing Windows 10 with an operating system like Linux Mint -- don't be.
But OK, understandably, some people have anxiety about changing their computer's operating system. If that is you, I am happy to say Linux Mint has a brand new installation guide that should quell any fears. Not only does it help with technical aspects, but it can guide you to the best edition for your needs. Mint in particular is a great alternative to Windows 10.
Chrome 63 is more secure than ever -- and uses even more memory
Google's Chrome browser has something of a reputation for being memory-hungry. With the release of Chrome 63 this image is not going to be shed -- a new security feature increases memory usage even further.
The latest desktop version of the browser includes a new Site Isolation feature which launches individual sites -- all sites, or a specific list -- in sperate processes. While this is something that will be of particular interest to enterprise users because of the added security it brings, it's something that will appeal to any security-minded user who is willing to shoulder a 10-20 percent increase in Chrome's memory usage.
Huge Janus bug leaves Android apps open to unauthorized code modification
Researchers from security firm GuardSquare have discovered an Android vulnerability that allows for app code to be edited without affecting the apps' signature. Dubbed Janus, the vulnerability has massive potential for malicious use, and affects Android 5.0 onwards.
The security hole would allow an attacker to tweak an entirely legitimate app to behave maliciously without triggering any security alerts. Although vulnerability CVE-2017-13156 has been patched in December's Android update, very few people will have access to this security fix.
Kodi addon site TVAddons to stop proactively checking for piracy
Justified or not, Kodi has been somewhat synonymous with pirated content. At the heart of Kodi-related controversy are the addons that provide access to such material, and addon site TVAddons constantly finds itself embroiled in things.
Having recently announced that it managed to build up 12 million monthly users despite being closed down, TVAddons has now announced a change to the way it operates. While still perfectly happy to comply with the law when it comes to pirated content, the site will now rely on DMCA takedown notices rather than proactively checking for infringments.
Win an Xbox One X Project Scorpio Edition gaming console from Microsoft!
The Xbox One X is the best gaming console on the market -- from a raw power perspective, that is. Despite having lesser specs, many people would argue that the Nintendo Switch is the superior machine. Why? Mario and Zelda. After all, when it comes to video games, content is king -- fun trumps frame rate. Not to mention, Microsoft's latest is wildly expensive at $500 while only working with a TV. The Switch costs less and doubles as a mobile console.
If you can't afford an Xbox One X, but really want one, I have good news. Microsoft is giving some of them away -- three to be exact. The company is running this contest as a way to promote Digital Gift Giving. To make this giveaway even sweeter, the prizes are the fairly rare "Project Scorpio Edition" variants. Best of all, entering is insanely easy.
OnePlus 5T receives OxygenOS 4.7.4 update to improve camera quality
OnePlus announced a few weeks ago that it was developing an update for the its latest flagship killer to improve image quality. Now, it is rolling it out for OnePlus 5T users across the globe.
The improved camera performance is part of OxygenOS 4.7.4, which turns out to be a bigger update than we were lead to believe initially, as it comes with a significant number of improvements in other areas as well.
Best Windows 10 apps this week
Two-hundred-and-sixty in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps, games and extensions released for Windows 10 on the Windows Store in the past seven days.
Microsoft released Windows Template Studio 1.5 this week, which assists developers in creating UWP applications.
Deception Security: Modern maturity for automated detection and response
Deception in its various embodiments is becoming a critical part of organizations' security infrastructure. According to Gartner, the need for better detection and response is creating new opportunities for security stack automation, integration, consolidation and orchestration while also driving the emergence of new segments like deception.
These trends set up the perfect match of deception and automated detection and response or ADR.
'New Mafia' cyber attacks on businesses up 23 percent in 2017
A new report from anti-malware specialist Malwarebytes says that the volume and sophistication of cyber attacks is growing thanks to an increase in organized cyber crime it dubs the 'New Mafia'.
Ransomware attacks up to the end of October have surpassed total figures for 2016 by 62 percent. In addition, there has been an almost 2,000 percent increase in ransomware detections since 2015 -- rising to hundreds of thousands in September 2017 from less than 16,000 in September 2015.
Toshiba makes it rain terabytes with monstrous 14TB MG07ACA CMR HDD
Toshiba is one of the most trusted names in storage. Not only does it offer class-leading products, but it is constantly pushing boundaries. A few days ago, the company unveiled a 10TB NAS hard drive that focuses heavily on reliability. A few months ago, it announced a single-disk 1TB 2.5-inch HDD at a very slim 7mm.
Today, Toshiba does it again. The company shows off a beautiful new 3.5-inch hard disk drive (model MG07ACA) with a monstrous 14TB capacity. While not the first drive to offer that capacity, it is the first 14TB drive that uses conventional magnetic recording (CMR) as opposed to shingled magnetic recording (SMR). This technological breakthrough is an important accomplishment, and Toshiba deserves major kudos.
Howard Stern comes to Apple TV with new SiriusXM app
I love my Apple TV. A lot. Actually, I have two of them -- the 4th generation in my bedroom and the new 4K model in my living room. It is a great way to consume media -- I regularly use it to watch Netflix and listen to Apple Music. Yesterday, it finally got Amazon Prime video support. Heck Apple TV even doubles as a legit video game console with proper gamepad/controller support too.
How could it get better, you ask? Howard Stern! Yes, the legendary shock jock and the rest of SiriusXM are now available on Apple TV thanks to a new official app that hits the App Store today. Stern aside, there are also countless commercial-free music channels and tons of talk channels, making this a huge win for Apple TV owners.
Stuck for transport? Get to your destination with these 3 ride-hailing apps
Walk around any major city and you quickly lose the will to continue. Thanks to ride-hailing apps, you can now grab your smartphone and simply locate a ride from where you’re standing, without having to worry about public transport.
Ride-hailing apps have certainly revolutionized how we navigate a city. Whilst between meetings in London recently, it dawned on me that I had minutes to get to my next meeting. It would take longer to walk to the nearest Underground station. Solution? Grab my smartphone, hail a local taxi and arrived in time for my next meeting.
Steam drops Bitcoin payments, blaming high fees and volatility
While Bitcoin is growing in value and attracting more and more capital, it is hard to make a case for it as a payment method these days. Sure, you can buy things with Bitcoin, but fact of the matter is it lacks mainstream appeal among businesses -- at least right now.
It is easy to see why: it's incredibly volatile and the fees are high too. So, if you want to buy something with Bitcoin you will probably pay more than if you were to use dollars or euros, for instance. This is something that Valve has experienced as well and it is doing something rather interesting to make things better for Steam customers: it's dropped Bitcoin as a payment method altogether.
Three quarters of retail organizations lack a breach response plan
As online retailers gear up for their busiest period of the year, how prepared are they to face the threat of cyber attacks?
A new study from cyber security company Tripwire reveals that just 28 percent of respondents say they have a fully tested plan in place in the event of a security breach.
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