Microsoft is making Skype marginally less ugly
In a world saturated with messaging apps, there are few companies without something to offer; many, like Microsoft, have more than one app to choose from. Microsoft Teams is a popular choice in work environments, but stalwart Skype endures.
There are many words that are associated with Skype. Beautiful is not one of them. But this is changing. With its latest beta version released to Insiders, Microsoft is introducing a number of important aesthetic improvements -- as well as bug fixes -- which will eventually filter down to all users.
Greedy apps collect more information than they should
Nearly 87 percent of Android and 60 percent of iOS apps request access to device functions unrelated to their performance, according to new research by NordVPN.
Researchers analyzed the most popular mobile apps globally in 18 categories. They found that up to 14 percent of apps collect more unnecessary than necessary data for the apps' performance and only eight percent collect no unnecessary data. On average, every fifth requested permission was not actually needed for the app’s functionality.
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Malwarebytes launches ID theft protection for consumers
This week Malwarebytes has launched a new identity theft protection solution aimed at individuals, helping them secure their digital identities and defend against identity and online threats.
Called -- imagine how many meetings it must have taken! -- Identity Theft Protection, it includes real-time identity monitoring and alerts, robust credit protection and reporting and live agent-supported identity recovery and resolution services, all backed by up to a $2 million identity theft insurance policy.
Best Windows apps this week
Five-hundred-and-sixty-six in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps, games and extensions released for Windows 10 and 11 on the Microsoft Store and elsewhere in the past seven days.
It is still unclear when Windows 11 version 23H2, the next Windows 11 feature update, will be released. Eagle-eyed users have now spotted Windows 11 23H2 ISOs on Microsoft servers.
Demands grow for Microsoft to extend the life of Windows 10 and offer security updates for longer
Citing concerns about making millions of Windows 10 PCs unsupported and obsolete, the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) is calling on Microsoft to extend support for the operating system. Environmental concerns are also highlighted.
Windows 10 is set to be dropped from Microsoft's support list in 2025, meaning there will be no more security updates for the millions of people still using this version of Windows. PIRG points out that many PCs simply cannot be upgraded to Window 11, and large numbers of people cannot afford to upgrade their hardware. This is why the network of organizations is petitioning Microsoft to rethink its decision.
Like Microsoft, Google wants your help to fix AI and make it more secure
It is only a couple of weeks since the debut of the Microsoft AI Bounty Program, and now Google has launched its own bug bounty program specific to generative AI.
Google has announced the expansion of its existing Vulnerability Rewards Program to reward for attack scenarios that relates to generative AI. The company says that it wants to incentivize research around AI safety and security, highlight potential issues, and make artificial intelligence safer for everyone.
Why lack of training can put cybersecurity at risk [Q&A]
One of the effects of the pandemic and the shift to remote and hybrid working has been that organizations have become increasingly reliant on messaging tools like Teams and Slack.
But new research from CybSafe shows that 47 percent of workers have received no training in the use of these platforms and could be putting themselves and their employers at risk.
Microsoft releases huge KB5031455 update preview for Windows 11, enabling new Moment 4 features
The time has finally come for Microsoft to unleash all of the new features of the Moment 4 update for Windows 11 to a wider audience with the release of the KB5031455 update.
Users are being treated to what is the biggest and most significant upgrade to Windows 11 since it was launched. Available for Windows 11 22H2, the KB5031455 update is a preview of the update that will be released for everyone next month and it includes all of the Moment 4 features -- such as Copilot, the new System Components section of Settings, and more -- enabled by default. There are also numerous bug fixes.
Microsoft shocks the Linux community by attending Ubuntu Summit 2023
The annual Ubuntu Summit is where people who love Linux and open-source software gather to see what’s new. This year, it’s happening in the lovely city of Riga, Latvia, from November 3-5, 2023. And guess what? Microsoft, the big name we often connect with paid software, is joining in. This new partnership hints at more teamwork between big tech companies and open-source communities.
Microsoft being part of the Ubuntu Summit 2023 shows that it's warming up to open-source software. Those attending the summit, in person or online, will get to hear from Microsoft experts. They’ll talk about cool stuff like using Linux on Windows, creating apps with .NET 8 on Ubuntu, and how Microsoft’s Azure can work smoothly with Ubuntu's snapshot service.
Canonical begins Ubuntu Linux 24.04 'Noble Numbat' development
There's something new and exciting in the Linux world. The Ubuntu 24.04 “Noble Numbat” development stage has officially opened its doors to developers everywhere, bringing along some cool features to make their lives easier.
One notable feature is the new auto-sync function. This feature is expected to handle a large number of builds and autopkgtests, especially in the early days. Though this is a huge step forward, it's likely to cause some delays initially. So, the community is called upon to lend a hand in fixing any issues that pop up.
Linksys launches Velop Pro 7 mesh Wi-Fi system for streaming and gaming
Today, Linksys launches its first Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System. Called "Velop Pro 7," it's all about making your home internet experience a breeze. Whether you're streaming movies, working from home, or gaming, this system has got you covered. And guess what? Setting it up is a piece of cake -- it takes less than 10 minutes!
Nowadays, every house has at least ten gadgets like phones, tablets, or smart TVs all connected to the internet. And with things like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) becoming more common, having a strong internet connection is key. The Velop Pro 7 is Linksys’ newest and best system that helps you make the most out of these cool new technologies without any hassle.
addlink launches S93 PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD
addlink has just dropped its latest product, the S93 PCIe 4.0 solid state drive. This fast SSD offers a hefty storage capacity of up to 4TB and speeds that hit a high of 7400MB/s.
One standout feature of the S93 is its slimness -- just 2.25mm. Thanks to a smart design that packs a lot of flash storage on one side of the SSD, it slides into compact laptops and tight slots like a dream. And it doesn’t just stop there; compared to other similar SSDs, the S93 is a power-saver, cutting down power usage by over 35 percent percent.
Ethical hackers help organizations avoid cyber incidents
Ethical hacking company HackerOne has announced that its ethical hacker community has surpassed $300 million in total all-time rewards on the HackerOne platform.
The company's 2023 Hacker-Powered Security Report also shows 30 hackers have earned more than a million dollars on the platform, with one hacker surpassing four million dollars in total earnings.
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