Bashware: Microsoft refutes claims that Linux makes Windows 10 insecure
A recent report from Check Point Research suggested that the presence of Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) in Windows 10 poses a security risk to Microsoft's operating system. Researchers from Check Point highlighted the issue of Bashware attacks which use WSL to bypass security products.
Microsoft, predictably enough, disagrees with the findings -- and so do other researchers. The Windows-maker says it views the risk of Bashware as "low". But is the company being too dismissive?
Facebook introduces monetization limitations and new advertiser controls
Today Facebook introduces new limitations on what sort of content can be monetized on its network. It's a move that is designed to keep the social network relatively family friendly, and Facebook also wants to address advertiser concerns about the type of content their ads appear next to.
The company is not only clamping down on what can be monetized, it is also doing more to keep advertisers happy, including using third-party verification to measure ad performance. On top of this, Facebook is seeking accreditation from the Media Rating Council for Instagram, Facebook and Audience Network.
Windows 10 Fall Creators Update will give you greater control over your privacy -- but does it go far enough?
One of the biggest complaints about Windows 10 is that it spies on its users. Microsoft has reigned in this snooping in past feature updates, and is introducing yet more privacy enhancements in the forthcoming Windows 10 Fall Creators Update.
These changes, Microsoft says, will give users greater access to information, as well as more control over what data is collected in the first place. There are two main additions.
iPhone X vs iPhone 8 vs iPhone 8 Plus: Which Apple flagship should you buy?
With the new iPhone X, Apple just made it more difficult to decide which new iPhone to buy. It is no longer a matter of figuring out which display size you prefer or how nice you would like the camera to be. The new kid on the block is different, coming with all sorts of cool features that can make you more confused than ever.
It's so different from the iPhone 8 and the iPhone 8 Plus that it is basically in a category of its own, at the top of Apple's smartphone lineup. But how does it actually compare to the other two flagships, and is it the right iPhone for you?
Blender 2.79 adds new and improved tools, enhances cycle rendering feature
Non-profit organization The Blender Foundation has released Blender 2.79, an update to its cross-platform, open-source 3D graphics tool. The new build further improves its Cycles Rendering feature, bringing feature parity with NVIDIA CUDA and improved performance to AMD OpenCL hardware.
Other highlights include additional tools and options being added to the Grease Pencil, Alembic, Mesh Modeling tools, while simplified video encoding and user interface improvements have also been implemented.
McAfee launches new range of consumer security products
With internet threats showing no signs of slowing down, it's vital to keep all of your devices protected and this applies in the home as much as the workplace.
With the launch today of its latest consumer products, McAfee is aiming to protect against threats as well as offering online privacy and safety for the whole family.
IT professionals are an underused resource for cyber security
It's widely accepted that there is a shortage of people with cyber security skills, yet a new study shows that companies are failing to give IT professionals -- the people implementing and operating security strategies for most organizations -- the training and responsibility they need to take on a more proactive cyber security role.
The study, from security training company (ISC)2 also reveals that many IT professionals feel their security guidance is being ignored by business leadership.
New data platform accelerates application development and deployment
One of the things that can hold back development of business applications the reliance on extract, transform, and load (ETL) infrastructures to move data between applications and platforms.
Platform specialist InterSystems is launching a new platform built around a high-performance database that eliminates the need for ETL.
Apple quietly raises iPad Pro prices after iPhone X launch
The iPhone X surprised some people with its starting price of (just) under a grand -- many were expecting Apple to break the $1,000 barrier even with the base model. It wasn't all good news on the price front, though. As well as hiking the cost of AppleCare+ for some devices, Apple also raised the price of some iPad Pro models.
With no announcement, the price of the 256GB and 512GB 10.5 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models have jumped by $50. Apple has not given a reason, but the increased price of memory has been suggested as a possibility.
BlueBorne Bluetooth vulnerability 'exposes almost every connected device'
Armis Lab, the Internet of Things security firm, has revealed details of BlueBorne, a Bluetooth vulnerability that affects millions of iOS and Android smartphones, IoT devices, and Windows and Linux systems. In all, 5.3 billion devices are believed to be at risk.
The BlueBorne attack makes it possible for an attacker to spread malware or take control of nearby devices. What's particularly concerning is that for an attack to be successful, there is no need for device pairing, or even for a target device to be in discoverable mode. There's also no need for any sort of interaction by the victim -- everything can happen completely silently in the background.
JPMorgan chief dismisses Bitcoin as 'a fraud' currency, ideal for drug dealers and murderers
Speaking at a banking conference in New York, Jamie Dimon -- chief executive of JPMorgan -- has dismissed the cryptocurrency Bitcoin as a fraud that will blow up. He said that if he found employees at his investment bank using the digital currency, he "would fire them in a second."
Dimon likened Bitcoin to tulip bulbs and said: "The currency isn't going to work. You can't have a business where people can invent a currency out of thin air and think that people who are buying it are really smart."
Bill Gates says Britain can be a world technology leader after Brexit, but CBI demands certainty on data
Before the UK's referendum on leaving the EU last year, Bill Gates warned that a vote to leave could jeopardize the country’s position in the science and technology sector.
But in an interview with the Daily Telegraph (paywalled) the Microsoft founder says that Britain can remain a world leader if care is taken.
Apple strips the App Store from iTunes 12.7
The focus of Apple's event yesterday was certainly the new iPhones, but this was far from being all that came out of Cupertino. Apple also released iTunes 12.7 and there's a glaring change -- the App Store is gone.
iTunes has long been derided for being bloated, and this latest change seems to be Apple's attempt to get things back under control. Ditching the App Store means that apps can only be downloaded using an iOS device, but as significant as this is, it is not the only notable change in the software.
Apple jacks up the price of AppleCare+
If you were enticed by yesterday's iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X announcements, you may be preparing to delve into your pocket to hand over some cash for one of Apple's latest handsets. If you're thinking of taking out AppleCare+ insurance to protect your new device, you're going to have to dig a little deeper.
Apple is increasing the price of AppleCare+ for its Plus model -- including the previous generation iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone 7 Plus -- and is introducing a new, even higher price point for iPhone X insurance.
Having problems downloading the latest 'frustrating' Windows 10 build? You're not alone
After a wait of nearly two weeks, Microsoft yesterday rolled out a new Windows 10 Fall Creators Update build to Insiders on the Fast ring.
At least, that was the intention. However, the release didn’t go according to plan, and many people found themselves unable to download the new build. Microsoft was quickly on the case and delivered a fix for the issue, except, well, people still can’t download the update.
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