Ditch Microsoft Windows for ALT Workstation 11: A Russian Linux distro with a modern GNOME desktop
There’s no shortage of Linux distributions trying to take on Windows nowadays, but ALT Workstation 11 actually makes a strong case for doing just that. Developed in Russia and now based on the stable “Salvia” branch of Platform 11, this fresh release swaps out the MATE desktop in favor of a full GNOME experience.
If you’ve been frustrated with Windows 11’s confusing UI, forced Microsoft accounts, or bloated system updates, ALT Workstation 11 offers a refreshing change. The operating system doesn’t just give you a usable desktop -- it gives you control. On first boot, a welcome tool called “ALT Tour” lets you pick your interface style, from a clean GNOME layout to a more traditional “Panel Mode” that echoes the look of older desktops. You can also pick your theme, choose accent colors, and tweak window button placement without any hacks or extensions.
Say 'no thanks' Microsoft Windows 11 and 'yes please' to AnduinOS 1.3
With Windows 10’s end of life looming, users are beginning to consider their next steps. In the past, upgrading to the latest Windows release might have been the obvious path, but Windows 11 -- with its tighter hardware requirements, bloat, problematic updates, insistence on a Microsoft account, and an increasing focus on unwanted AI features -- may no longer be the first choice for many.
Thankfully, Windows 11 isn’t the only game in town. Several Linux operating systems have been developed to appeal to Windows users looking to jump ship. AnduinOS is one such distribution, combining the familiarity of Windows 11 with the power of Ubuntu, and it's just been updated to version 1.3.0.
Research confirms consumers are turning to passkeys to protect their accounts
As you'll already know, today is World Passkey Day and the FIDO Alliance has released an independent study of over 1,300 consumers across the US, UK, China, South Korea, and Japan to understand how passkey usage and consumer attitudes towards authentication have evolved.
The results are encouraging, they find 74 percent of consumers are aware of passkeys and 69 percent have enabled passkeys on at least one of their accounts.
Move over passwords -- every verification method has its day
The first day of May has numerous competitors for its patronage. It's May Day, of course, and it's International Labor Day, and apparently it's Global Love Day. Since 2013 it's also been World Password Day -- created by Intel to highlight concerns around digital security.
As of last year though there's been further competition from the upstart World Passkey Day. So are we finally seeing a serious challenge to the dominance of passwords as an authentication method?
Governance is top priority for agentic AI users
Nearly 80 percent of IT professionals responding to a new survey rank governance as 'extremely important,' underscoring the fact that while organizations are eager to innovate, they still want to do so responsibly
The study by API management firm Gravitee looks at the use of Agentic AI systems and Large Language Models (LLMs) by large and midsize companies and finds 72 percent of respondents report that their organizations are actively using agentic AI systems today.
openSUSE Leap 16 Beta is here with Wayland and a modern Linux foundation
Exciting news, folks -- the openSUSE developers have announced that Leap 16.0 Beta is now available for testing (download here). It’s based on SUSE Linux Enterprise 16 and SUSE Linux Framework One (previously known as ALP). This version keeps the familiar openSUSE structure while adopting a more modern foundation.
A release candidate is expected in July, and the final version is scheduled for October. This beta should offer a clear look at what the community can expect when Leap 16.0 officially launches later this year. Notably, the Agama installer is now the default, replacing the older YaST-based setup.
Fanatics Sportsbook outage in New York sparks outrage and raises sabotage concerns
If you were hoping to place a bet tonight through Fanatics Sportsbook, you’re out of luck. The company says a fiber optic cable was cut, which has knocked out service for users across New York. Deposits, withdrawals, and cash outs are completely offline, and new bets can’t be placed either.
As someone who had a wager ready for tonight’s Mets game, I’m pretty ticked off. It’s one thing for an app to crash -- it’s another for an entire fiber line to suddenly go down without warning! Seriously, folks, that’s insanity. Fanatics says it’s working to fix the issue and that any bets placed before the outage will still be settled.
These are the cybersecurity firms Microsoft rates highest in 2025
Microsoft has announced the winners of its 2025 Security Excellence Awards. The event, held in San Francisco during the lead-up to the RSA Conference, is like the Oscars, but for infosec, and celebrates partner organizations and individuals for their contributions to cybersecurity.
The awards panel considered partner nominations across eight main categories, selecting five finalists in each based on technical execution and impact. Winners were picked through a combined voting process involving Microsoft and its Intelligent Security Association (MISA) members.
Orb shows how fast and reliable your internet connection really is -- available on all major platforms
When it comes to checking your internet connection, many people still turn to old-fashioned speed tests. You get rated with a number or grade, maybe feel good about it, and move on. But the truth is, those numbers don’t tell the whole story. That’s where Orb comes in -- a brand-new app that promises a real look at how your internet actually performs day to day.
Orb was built by some familiar names. Doug Suttles and Jamie Stevens, who helped create Speedtest and Downdetector, are leading the project, along with a group of former Ookla and Fastly veterans. It’s safe to say they know a thing or two about internet performance.
Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch adds fingerprint security and smarter automation to ADT+
ADT is one of the most trusted names in home security, but the company is not resting on its laurels. You see, in partnership with Yale and the Z-Wave Alliance, ADT has launched a new smart lock designed to make home protection faster, smarter, and more seamless.
The product is called the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Z-Wave. It’s the first Z-Wave 800 Series smart lock to feature fingerprint access. Even more impressive, it’s the first lock to use the new Z-Wave User Credential Command Class.
76 percent of enterprises make decisions without consulting data because it's too hard to access
A new report finds that 76 percent of enterprises admit they've made business decisions without consulting available data because it was too difficult to access, creating a concerning gap between data availability and data-driven decision-making.
The report from Sisense with research firm UserEvidence shows that although 81 percent of organizations believe they have good or full control of their data, 64 percent acknowledge that they can't reliably access it for decision-making.
New MCP server uses AI to help enterprises secure SaaS
Organizations are often using 50 or more different security tools and, even with the help of AI, they need to manually interact with each when investigating cybersecurity incidents.
A new SaaS security Model Context Protocol (MCP) server launched by AppOmni at this week's RSA Conference is designed to let security teams spend less time investigating incidents and more time taking action to fix them.
Cybercriminals lure LLMs to the dark side
A new AI security report from Check Point Software shows how cybercriminals are co-opting generative AI and large language models (LLMs) in order to damage trust in digital identity.
At the heart of these developments is AI's ability to convincingly impersonate and manipulate digital identities, dissolving the boundary between authentic and fake.
Microsoft is updating the Copilot app with an introductory tutorial for newbies
Powerful new tools are only useful if people know what they can do and how to get them to do those things. For what feels like an eternity, Microsoft has been pushing Copilot as the greatest addition to Windows since... well, since Cortana it probably thinks.
For tech heads who have kept up with the latest news and developments, it’s easy to know what Copilot is, what it is about, and what it can do. But Microsoft realizes that not every Windows user is a tech head and is adding a guided tour to the app.
Firefox slaps itself on the back for finally adding tab groups and catching up with other browsers
The browser space, like so many other areas of software design, is one filled with inspiration and plagiarism. When one browser adds a new feature, you know it’s probably not going to be long before its rivals follow suit. Firefox is no different, but it likes to take its sweet time.
Mozilla has just launched a tab grouping option to its web browser, finally catching up with every other major browser in existence. Quite why it took so long to introduce what is such a common feature is not clear, but Mozilla has an awful lot to say about it.
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